Over the past two seasons, under the leadership of Head Coach Scott Platz, the Chardon Hilltoppers Boys Lacrosse Team has made great strides.
Over the past two seasons, under the leadership of Head Coach Scott Platz, the Chardon Hilltoppers Boys Lacrosse Team has made great strides.
Prior to Coach Platz taking over the program, the Hilltoppers went 19-30-1 between 2022 and 2024.
However, since Coach Platz was hired to lead the Hilltoppers Boys Lacrosse program, the turned around was immediate. In his first season at the helm, Coach Platz guided the Hilltoppers to a 14-6 record (.700 winning percentage) in 2025.
This year, the Hilltoppers Boys Lacrosse Team is even better, as they have compiled a 12-4 (.750 winning percentage) record as they prepare for their first round OHSAA playoff game against the Canfield Cardinals.
When asked what a main reason for the excellent turnaround was, Coach Platz said that the players buying into the process was integral.
“I think the kids are really buying in both during the season and more importantly in the off season,” Coach Platz said. “I just looked it up the other day, I think this is the first time in program history we’ve had back to back winning seasons. And that’s a testament to these kids and their preparation out of season, way more than in season.”
Senior Max Hannen added that these positive program changes have occurred due to the leadership of Coach Platz and how he holds players accountable.
For instance, Hannen said the program’s focus on physical training by being in the weight room often during the off season was very important to the success of the team.
Undoubtedly, the Hilltoppers demonstrated how much they have bought into the process by their excellent performance in their last 2026 regular season game against the West Geauga Wolverines on May 7 at Chardon Memorial Field.
Using a first quarter offensive onslaught of goals and a stout defense, the Hilltoppers cruised to a 15-0 senior night victory over the West Geauga Wolverines.
Leading the Hilltoppers in the first quarter were seniors, Max Hanen (hat trick – 3 goals), Peter Wolf (2 goals) and Luke Vucetic (2 goals).
Coach Platz said that the Hilltoppers excellent performance in the first quarter was related to focusing on doing the things they have been taught, well.
“(The gameplan), was about execution,” Coach Platz said. “Just get out here, move the ball around, find the right shot and let the game take care of itself. And I thought they did that. They didn’t let it get too big for them, they didn’t get selfish, they shared the ball well and a lot of different people scored today, which was a really nice thing.”
In agreement with Coach Platz, senior Max Hannen said that the goal coming into the contest was to play good lacrosse, move the ball well, and maintain possession.
“We just wanted to play some good lacrosse, move the ball around, take care of business,” Hannen said. “I think we did just that, we held on to the ball. First possession was a little rough, but we kind of picked it up after that.”
Continuing to share the ball and find open shots, the Hilltoppers maintained their offensive dominance in the second quarter, adding five more goals to take a 12-0 lead into halftime.
After intermission, the Hilltoppers added three additional goals to claim a 15-0 victory.
In pitching a shutout, Coach Platz was happy with the Hilltoppers defensive effort. They limited the Wolverines opportunities for shots on goal and had good goalie play.
“Putting a zero on the board is hard,” Coach Platz said. “I thought they did really well between the defense limiting the shots and our goalies back there always doing a nice job.”
Coach Platz said that a main key in developing a dominant defense is trust.
“I think (great defense is about) trust,” Coach Platz said. “You have to trust the guys on ball, you have to trust that the people behind you are going to be there if you need help, and I think they’re starting to figure out that they know what they’re doing and they’re starting to trust each other.”
In scoring 15 goals, the Hilltoppers had nine players who found the back of the net.
Offensively the Hilltoppers were led by Hannen (4 points – 4 goals), Vucetic (2 points – 2 goals), Wolf (3 points – 2 goals, 1 assist), Nate Bosiacki (2 points – 2 assists), Dylan Conroy (2 points – 1 goal, 1 assist), Johnny Clark (1 point – 1 goal), Daniel Humphrey (1 point – 1 assist), Niko Kouvaris (1 point – 1 assist), Zach Maliki (1 point – 1 goal), Nick Meyer (1 point – 1 goal), Drew Platz (1 point – 1 goal), MJ Tranter (1 point – 1 assist), Jack Weaver (1 point – 1 assist).
The Hilltoppers will next travel to Canfield to take on the Cardinals in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs on May 15.
