The Milton Academy lacrosse program enters its 41st season of competitive lacrosse in 2010, and its 25th as a member of the Independent School League (ISL). Traditionally, Milton has competed against the ISL member schools in addition to non-league opponents, including Moses Brown School, Tabor Academy, Philips Exeter Academy and Philips Andover Academy.
The Milton Academy lacrosse program began under the coaching of former faculty member and 1945 Saltonstall Prize recipient, Thomas G. Cleveland ‘45. Coach Cleveland and captain (and current Milton Academy trustee) Og Hunnewell ’70, along with 3-year letter winner Rod Skinner ‘72, led Milton’s first-ever lacrosse team in 1970. Coach Cleveland and assistant G.C. Buell quickly brought the Mustangs to prominence with winning records in 1972 and 1973.
Captain T.M. Chase ’77 led the way in the spring of 1977 as the Mustangs earned a 13-1 record to highlight a string of nine years of winning seasons from 1976 through 1984. Coaches Cleveland and J.B. Barber worked together from 1974 through 1980, bringing Milton Academy lacrosse to prominence.
Derek Stolp took the reigns from Mr. Cleveland in 1982 and carried the Mustangs through 21 seasons of successful lacrosse, including 12-win seasons in 1989 and 1990, an 11-win season in 1991, and 10-win seasons in 1992 and 1993. Under Coach Stolp, the Mustangs won the ISL title in 1989, building a 12-2 record behind captains Jon Fitzgibbons (All-ISL) and ISL MVP and All-America Bill Hanson, who registered 43 goals and 37 assists during his senior campaign.
In his 21 seasons behind the helm, Coach Stolp developed and coached numerous All-League and All-ISL players, regional All-America selections (including Eric Churchill ’84, Ethan Burnes ’89, Bill Hanson ’89 and Owen P. Hughes Jr. ‘92), and Academic All-Americans (Michael A. Iovino ’96 and Tim Churchill ‘01 ). Coach Stolp amassed a total of 150 victories during his tenure.
George Dunnington and Tom Gagnon coached the Mustangs from 2003 through the 2009 campaign. The team went 67-37 in those seven seasons of competition, including one campaign as an undefeated ISL Champion in 2004.
Corey Simonson and Tom Gagnon begin a new era of lacrosse at Milton Academy in 2010 as Captain Scott O’Leary leads nine returning varsity players and 14 newcomers into this season. Fresh off an impressive 10-5 record in 2009, finishing tied for fourth in the ISL behind the league tri-champions, the Mustangs will have two new junior goaltenders in Sean Dougherty (Smithtown, NY) and Dan Bowen (Littleton, MA) backing the defense with returning H.M. All-ISL defenseman Mike Megnia.
Numerous Milton Academy lacrosse alumni have gone on to compete at Division I, II, III and CCLA schools over the last 10 years including:
Amherst College (Michael Greenberg ’06)
Bates College (Rory Baldini ’03)
Boston College (Michael O’Sullivan ’05, Matt O’Sullivan ’08)
Bowdoin College (Cullen Winkler ’05)
Colby College (Nick Hunnewell ’08, Sam Burke ’02)
Colorado College (Zach Pierce ’08)
Connecticut College (Alex Dey ’05),
Dartmouth College (Tim Daniels ’04, Tom Pilla ‘02)
Hamilton College (Andrew Dassori ’03, Sam Dudley ’04, Corbin Brown ‘07)
University of Michigan (Justin Gal ’00)
Skidmore College (Russell Dey ’01)
Trinity College (Zac Trudeau ’05, Brad Hunnewell ’05, David Huoppi ‘00)
Williams College (Rob Hawkins ’04)
Alumni News in 2009:
Cullen Winkler (Bowdoin ’09) was named to the All-NESCAC Team as a midfielder in 2008 and was named one of their team Captains for 2009.
Zac Trudeau (Trinity ’09) was named one of the Captains of Trinity’s Mens’ Lacrosse Team as well as being named an All-NESCAC goalkeeper for their Mens’ Soccer squad this past fall season.
Tim Daniels '04 is a fifth-year senior captain of Dartmouth University's lacrosse team and recently scored two goals in the Big Green's 13-6 loss to the University of Virginia. He is the primary face-off midfielder for this year's team having won over 50 percent of his draws, has scored 10 goals, and is leading the Big Green in the ground ball category.
Brad Hunnewell '05 is a four-year letterwinner and midfielder at Trinity College playing alongside fellow Milton graduate and midfielder Zach Trudeau '05.
Michael Greenberg '06 is a starting junior defenseman for the Amherst Lords NESCAC lacrosse team.
Zach Pierce '08, former Mustang Captain and LSM, has played in every game this season for the Div. III Colorado College mens' lacrosse team.
