Inside Greenwich Lacrosse: A Homegrown Contender

Greenwich High School Lacrosse Team Profile   Great athletic programs at public high schools are built by developing players from a young age. Unlike private schools that rely on recruiting, public schools depend on strong youth programs to nurture local talent. However, school and town size also play a crucial role, as larger schools have a deeper pool of athletes to choose from. Greenwich, the second-largest high school in Connecticut with nearly 3,000 students, boasts a strong athletic program in all sports. Greenwich is home to Greenwich Youth Lacrosse, one of the largest youth lacrosse programs in the nation. Additionally, the Greenwich Warriors serve as another key feeder program for the high school, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled lacrosse players. With a strong foundation, experienced coaching, and dedicated athletes, Greenwich is a program built for long-term success.   Greenwich had a challenging finish last season, exiting in the first round of the FCIAC tournament against Ridgefield and later falling to New Canaan in the second round of the state playoffs. The season was a growing experience, as the majority of the team consisted of juniors and sophomores. Despite losing standout seniors like Adam Kim, a 2nd Team All-FCIAC defenseman now playing at Quinnipiac, and Jimmy Flinn, a 2nd Team All-FCIAC midfielder, the team retains the majority of its starting lineup and is brimming with talent across the field.   The offseason has been highly productive, with players committing to a rigorous four-day-a-week training schedule. This includes three days of strength and conditioning and one day dedicated to stick work and scrimmaging. Many players are also participating in club lacrosse, adding to their development. A strong presence of dual-sport athletes—competing in football, basketball, hockey, and crew has made it challenging to gather the full team in the offseason, but individual commitment remains strong.    This Greenwich squad is defined by its chemistry. Due to the necessity of playing young players over the past two seasons, the current juniors and seniors now have multiple years of experience playing together. They have developed a strong understanding of team expectations and game concepts, which will serve as an advantage this year.   Top Seniors:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Mikey Brescia (Attack, Captain) – Three-star recruit committed to Loyola</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='125178' first='Colin' last='Zeller'] (Midfield, Captain) – Four-star recruit committed to Yale.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='125181' first='Chris' last='Marinaccio'] (Midfield) – Committed to Manhattanville.</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='125184' first='Dylan' last='Botoff'] (FO) - A gritty face-off specialist who is strong on GBs and good at starting fast breaks</li>   <li>[player_tooltip player_id='125187' first='Chase' last='Inesta'] (LSM) – A key defensive back on the state championship football team Ilan Amaro (Goalie) – Fearless in net with great communication, plays with confidence and composure during pressure situations </li> </ul>   Greenwich lacrosse prides itself on a strong team culture rooted in respect and mentorship. Older players take on leadership roles by mentoring younger players and contributing to youth clinics and camps. Greenwich continues to emphasize this leadership development by naming junior captains, ensuring continuity year after year. [player_tooltip player_id='45405' first='Teddy' last='Johnson'] and [player_tooltip player_id='125175' first='Boden' last='Farmer'] will take on leadership responsibilities as junior captains, following in the footsteps of senior captains Mikey Brescia and [player_tooltip player_id='125178' first='Colin' last='Zeller']. The team's biggest asset is its chemistry. Having played together in youth lacrosse and for multiple seasons on varsity, the core group of players is well-acquainted with the program's expectations and game strategies. While new faces will need to step up to fill certain roles, the overall familiarity with the system gives Greenwich a strong foundation. Given that Greenwich often loses top lacrosse talent to prep schools, the program is dedicated to developing those who choose to stay. With great parental support, a committed athletic director, and a principal with coaching experience, the program is in an excellent position now it just needs to capture championships to gain national recognition.   Head coach Bobby Lutz has been a cornerstone of the Greenwich High School lacrosse program, bringing a wealth of experience and leadership to the team. Recognized as the FCIAC "Coach of Excellence" in 2021 and the recipient of the WCLOA Sportsmanship Award in 2018, Coach Lutz has consistently emphasized discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship throughout his tenure. Under his guidance, Greenwich has captured two Western Division titles (2017 & 2021), reinforcing the program's reputation as a perennial contender in one of the country's most competitive lacrosse conferences. His ability to develop players, foster a winning culture, and maintain strong relationships with both current and former athletes has made a lasting impact on the program. With a commitment to both the X's and O's of the game and the personal growth of his players, Coach Lutz continues to elevate Greenwich lacrosse to new heights. Greenwich has also strengthened its coaching staff by adding Marc Saracino. The addition of Marc Saracino brings valuable head coaching experience to the assistant staff. Saracino, who has worked with Express North and The King School in Stamford, is expected to provide impactful leadership.  Additionally, the team is actively searching for a defensive coordinator to further bolster the coaching staff.    Past Players Who Paved the Way Greenwich has produced numerous standout players, including:   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Will Perry - All-American (2016) - North Carolina </li>   <li>Michael Sands - (2016) - Lafayette and Union </li>   <li>Bailey Savio - All-American  (2017) - Loyola</li>   <li>Jack Feda - All-American (2019) - Bucknell </li>   <li>Chris Cataldo - All-American (2021) - Boston College (Club) </li> </ul>   Greenwich enters the upcoming season with high expectations, strong leadership, and a commitment to excellence. With a core group of returning players, a strengthened coaching staff, and a competitive mindset, the team is poised to make a deep playoff run.    Johnson is a standout junior defenseman and a captain who anchors the defense with his exceptional lacrosse IQ and strong leadership. A vocal presence on the field, he excels at organizing the defense and ensuring his teammates are in the right positions. His physicality makes him a formidable matchup for any attackman, while his smart decision-making allows him to anticipate plays and disrupt offensive schemes. With his combination of toughness, communication, and strategic play, Teddy is a key leader and defensive force for his team.     Farmer is the ultimate do-it-all midfielder and a crucial leader as a junior captain. His versatility allows him to contribute in every phase of the game—running on offense, locking down on defense, battling on the wings during faceoffs, and playing key roles on both man-up and man-down units. His impact is undeniable, as he consistently does the little things that lead to success. Boden's work ethic, adaptability, and all-around skill set make him the most important player on the field.     Kim is a dynamic attackman who combines strength, vision, and skill to be a constant offensive threat. His ability to dodge effectively allows him to create scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates, making him a dual threat. With a sharp eye for the game, he reads defenses well and delivers precise feeds to open teammates. Whether finishing in tight or setting up plays, Dean's composure and scoring ability make him a key piece of the offense.     Hamel is a rock-solid goalie who thrives on fundamentals and elite shot-stopping ability. His quick hands and sharp reflexes make him a tough challenge for any shooter, while his excellent footwork keeps him in the perfect position to make key saves. Beyond his shot-stopping, Jack excels at jumpstarting the transition game, quickly moving the ball upfield to create fast-break opportunities. His steady presence in the cage provides confidence to the defense, making him a crucial backbone of the team.     Hall is a towering 6'2”, 200-pound defenseman who uses his size, strength, and fundamentals to dominate matchups. His disciplined footwork and physical presence make him a nightmare for opposing attackmen, shutting down dodgers with a combination of strength and smart positioning. Despite his size, he moves exceptionally well, using his speed to stay with quick attackmen, especially when defending behind the cage at X. Nicholas is a dependable force on defense, bringing both physicality and technical skill to anchor the backline.     Neitzell is a versatile and dynamic defender who excels at both close defense and long-stick midfield. Standing at 6'1”, he combines elite speed, steady footwork, and sharp defensive instincts to shut down opponents. His ability to deliver precision stick checks and play within the defensive system makes him a reliable presence on the back end. Whether locking down attackmen at X or pushing transition from up top, his strong stick skills and ground ball dominance make him a key two-way asset. Alexander's ability to impact the game in multiple roles makes him an invaluable piece of the defense.

Greenwich High School Lacrosse Team Profile