Southern Lehigh boy’s lacrosse has been a perennial title contender throughout the Lehigh Valley. Last year, in Coach Desi Gonzalez’s first season, the team reached new heights. However, this year’s team could be the best boys’ lacrosse team in Southern Lehigh history.

“On paper, we look pretty good,” Coach Desi Gonzalez said. “I was surprised with some of the talent we have. We didn’t lose too many key components from last year’s graduation class.”

Graduating only four seniors last year, Southern Lehigh returns several key components, and almost all its starters, from a team that had a record of 18-3 and lost in a dramatic triple-overtime battle against Emmaus 9-8 in the District XI championship, a game in which they were leading 6-1 at the beginning of the first quarter.

“It’s definitely motivated us and been in the back of our minds,” senior midfielder Michael Nelson said. “It’s really motivated us to work harder to improve.

The Spartans are led by Nelson, who had 62 goals and 22 assists and was a first team Lehighvalleylive and Morning Call selection last year. Senior defender Wyatt Noone was a first-team Morning Call selection. Both have been starters since their freshman year.

“I feel like this year will be the year where we will win districts,” Noone said. “I think this is the best year we will have.”

Other returning starters include sophomore faceoff Mike Sisselberger, senior goalie Alex Amann, senior attackman Ben Johnston and Noah Lycett and senior midfielder Blake Levengood. Five defenders return from a unit that only gave up 97 goals (4.6 goals per game). The defenders include Noone, seniors Ben Wilson and Hans Deutsch, junior Andrew Malicki, and sophomore Logan Blondell.

While the team brings back several key components, several underclassmen have stepped up to fill a bigger role this season including junior attackman Michael Smith and his younger brother freshman Andrew Smith, as well as freshman attackman Ken Wolfe.

“We’re capable of making a run in states,” Nelson said. “We have the most talented team we’ve had in Southern Lehigh history.”

Their first game was at Nazareth on April 1.