ROCKY HILL - The Rocky Hill boy’s lacrosse team is entering its third season at the varsity level. The team fell just short of making the Class S tournament last season, losing to Weston in the qualifying round. This year, the team looks to earn its first official tournament berth and improve on last season’s increase in production.

       Head coach Dave DeNovellis, who has led the Terriers since the varsity program began, will have a young, but talented group on the field this season. DeNovellis will have the tough task of replacing last season’s most valuable player Brendon Quirion, who graduated. Quirion scored 35 goals and dished out 24 assists during his senior season. He also led the team with 189 ground balls (a ground ball is registered when a player uses his crosse to pick up a loose ball from the ground).

       The team does have last season’s leading goal-scorer, Jared Anderson, returning for his junior season. The 5’11 attacker scored 40 goals and added 12 assists in 2013. Sophomore defenseman Matthew Callahan and sophomore midfielder Patrick Sullivan will play significant roles as underclassmen.

       The Terriers are off to a slow start this season, losing to crosstown rival Newington in their opener and then dropping their next two games to South Windsor and Bacon Academy. The rough start could be attributed to a very competitive early schedule. Newington and South Windsor are both classified as Class L and Rocky Hill plays at the Class S level.

       Rocky Hill’s upcoming games will be a better indicator of the team’s progress from last season until now. This includes an early-bird special home game this Saturday against East Catholic, a fellow Class S school. The Terriers are looking to avenge last season’s 10-5 loss to the Eagles. Game time is 10 a.m. at Rocky Hill High School.