Thursday, October 1, 2026
Mepham boys lacrosse is coming off another solid season (10-8) that ended with a hard fought loss to Manhasset in the Class B quarterfinals. It marked their second playoff appearance in as many years under head coach Ryan Walsh, a sign of steady progress for the program.
Graduation took away the team’s top two goal scorers, but valuable minutes logged by several underclassmen last spring have Walsh confident the group can grow into larger roles. Still, he plans to lean on a strong senior core to set the tone.
That leadership begins on defense with Jack Weber, a varsity player since eighth grade. Weber anchors the unit with toughness, clear communication, and the ability to lock down skilled attackers in one-on-one matchups.
Senior Braeden Kehoe, a tireless forward and midfielder, will be counted on in the faceoff circle, where Walsh believes his presence can tilt possession in Mepham’s favor. “When he’s in that circle,” Walsh said, “we’re very confident we are going to get the ball every single time.” Both Weber and Kehoe, who will continue their careers at Penn State and Iona, respectively, earned Honorable Mention All County honors last season.
In goal, junior Vinny Ciro earned the starting role after a competitive preseason battle. Walsh praised his reflexes, recalling saves that left coaches and teammates wondering how he managed them.
Offensively, several juniors are poised to take on expanded roles. Midfielder James Schmitt, who scored 18 goals last year, will help lead the attack. Connor O’Rourke returns as the team’s leading point scorer and an All-Conference selection, while fellow attackman Steven Zweigbaum, who netted 27 goals, is also expected to be a larger focal point.
“They’re going to have really big shoes to fill, because now they’ll have all the attention on them,” Walsh said.
Junior midfielders Paul Genovese and Eamon O’Connell also bring experience and will be key defensive contributors.
“We have young guys who will need to step up and prove themselves,” Walsh said. “It can be anyone. That is what makes this group exciting.”
To read more about the Mepham Pirates' 2026 girls lacrosse team, click here. To see more of the Herald’s 2026 Lacrosse Preview, click here.
