ON THE MOVE: Hun School boys’ lacrosse player Dillon Bucchere sprints upfield in a 2023 game. Senior midfielder and Michigan commit Bucchere figures to be a force this spring at both ends of the field for the Raiders. Hun, which is now being guided by Alex Lopes, moved to 1-2 with a 15-13 loss to the Westtown School (Pa.) last Saturday. In upcoming action, the Raiders play at the Blair Academy on April 13 before hosting Princeton High on April 16. (Photo by Frank Wojciechowski)

By Bill Alden

While Alex Lopes has held a number of college men’s lacrosse coaching jobs over the years, he sensed that he would someday end up guiding a private school boys’ program.

“The reality of it is that I always had an independent school destination in the back of my mind, just waiting for the right opportunity,” said Lopes, a former Saint Joseph’s University standout who had coaching stops at Kean University, Fairfield University, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Jacksonville University, and Caldwell University.

“I think college coaching could still be there if I wanted it but the reality is that my wife has a tenured teaching job and we are committed to being in New Jersey. I don’t want to be bounced around the country.”

Lopes found the right opportunity as he has become the new head coach of the Hun School boys’ lacrosse team, succeeding friend and mentor Jim Stagnitta.

As he takes the helm of the Raiders, Lopes will be applying the lessons he has learned at the college level.

“I will be using that experience to prepare our student athletes for the next level as so many of them are looking to matriculate and play in college,” said Lopes. “It is just creating certain expectations, incorporating things like strength and conditioning at a fiercer level than maybe they have been doing in the past. That is so important at the next level.”

Keeping lines of communication open with his players is vitally important to Lopes.

“I have grown with the times a little bit; there is a different approach needed for student athletes today where you have to be willing to listen as much as you are willing to share,” said Lopes, who is taking over a program that went 12-4 last year and won the Mercer County Tournament. “I am a better coach because of it. Our players feel like they have a voice in our program, from freshmen through postgraduate. That is important to me, I think the program is in a healthy place because of it.”

Lopes believes his approach is resonating with the Hun players.

“It less of a structured, do this and do that and more of we will give you the tools and go out and do it,” said Lopes, whose team moved to 1-2 with a 15-13 loss to the Westtown School (Pa.) last Saturday. “I think they have really grasped that and enjoy our playing style. They are seeing how it applies to the field. We had a great trip down to Florida. We were able to scrimmage four times, mostly against teams from New England which was pretty cool. Forty-four of our 55 players went on the spring break trip, which was fantastic.”

On attack, the Raiders will feature two fantastic seniors in Dan Cano and Brendan Marino.

“Dan and Brendan will lead the attack; they are strong left-handed players and they are two of the top leaders on our team,” said Lopes, noting that Cano is a Hobart commit and Marino is headed to Stony Brook. “They have done an amazing job for me since day one. They have been guys that I have leaned on to lead their teammates and make sure guys are in the weight room, doing what they are supposed to be doing. I am excited about those two and the season they will have.”

Lopes is looking for junior Brett Stelmach, junior Graham Bricker, and sophomore Teddy Klepacki to also do some good work on attack.

“I think there are two or three other guys that will cycle through that third spot in Brett, Graham, and Teddy,” added Lopes.

Senior star and Michigan commit Dillon Bucchere will be leading the midfield for the Raiders.

“Dillon is the guy, he can do whatever you need,” said Lopes, noting that Bucchere is doing a PG year next year at Phillips Exeter before going off to Michigan. “He is definitely our lead by example guy, he is not going to be a ‘rah rah’ vocal guy, but he is our third captain with Dan and Brendan. In terms of on the field, you can ask him to do anything. He will be in the first wing of every face-off, he will be in the first offensive midfield line, he is also the first defensive midfielder you go to after a timeout when you need a stop. His impact is in the middle of the field. He is at his best is when he is picking up ground balls, running from defense to offense is definitely his game. He is such a physical dodger and such a good shooter with his feet moving. You are not going to see him off the field very much.”

The trio of senior Will Beck, sophomore Jake Beck, and junior James Dougherty figure to contribute in the offensive midfield.

“We have the Beck brothers; Will is committed to Lynn University and Jake who has had an awesome preseason,” said Lopes. “He is a hell of a player, he has a little bit of Dillon Bucchere in him. He can play some defense, he can pick up some ground balls, he can run in transition. He will get a lot of run. James is a physical dodger, a two-way middie.”

At longstick middie, junior Luke Donahue has emerged as a force.

“Luke is now playing longstick middie for us,” said Lopes. “He is just a phenomenal athlete. We identified a need for long poles and LSMs,  and we put out a bulletin. He was the first one that said this is something I can do. I think the way he has played from day one with a long pole in his hand, he could be a Division I talent there. I am very, very excited about how fast he has taken to it.”

On defense, junior Jackson O’Brien, senior Luke Sutphen, sophomore Reece Holt, and sophomore Owen Tallo will be anchoring the back line.

“Jackson is back, he is one returning starter,” said Lopes. “We have Luke, who is an Army football commit. He came back out for lacrosse this year and he will be starting at close defense as well. He hasn’t played since he was a freshman in high school — it has been exciting to see how he has picked it back up. He is ready to take on an important role. You talk about physicality, he is a presence on the field and he is just learning by the moment. I am excited for him and then two sophomores, Reece and Owen, are the other two that we are really excited about.”

At goalie, Hun will be rotating seniors Cutter Swanson and Will Setteducate

“Cutter is back and we have a post-graduate, Will, who is committed to Kenyon,” said Lopes. “We will look for them to split time. They both are fantastic and they are both great leaders.”

Lopes, for his part, believes his squad can do some great things this spring if they keep committed to each other and the process.

“In terms of success this year, we talk about accountability for themselves and accountability for each other, to act appropriately and in a way where you are not pushing anybody down,” said Lopes, whose team is playing at the Blair Academy on April 13 before hosting Princeton High on April 16.

“We focus so much on the program, the community, the culture, and coming together. As long as we keep that unified vision and stay the course, support each other, critiquing but not being negative, I think we have all of the talent in the world to be successful. It is a matter of playing together and staying the course. I am just excited for how much the guys support each other and the culture that we are building. I think it is a culture
of success.”