York Lacrosse Prepares To Defend Conference Crown

ELMHURST, IL – There are high expectations for the York Community High School boys’ varsity lacrosse team heading into the 2026 IHSA season. The Dukes are the defending West Suburban Conference champions and are ranked 7th in the state in this year’s pre-season poll.

Tom Coyne is entering his fourth year as York’s head coach, and 17th overall season with the program. He acknowledges that the team graduated a quality group of seniors from last season’s squad, including 2025 conference "Player of the Year," Evan Gaughn.

“Those are big shoes to fill,” said Coyne. “But there are a number of talented players that should be ready to fill that void.”.

According to Coyne, defense will be the strength of this year’s team. 2025 All-Conference selections Simon Kodosky, Drew Richardson and Aaron Park will anchor that side of the ball for York. Seniors Richarsdson and Kodosky are defensive midfielders with great strength and athleticism that has allowed them to wreak havoc on opposing offenses. Based on their past success, Coyne expects that group to be the team’s strongest position group.

Park, a 3-year starter, will lead the backend of the defensive unit that includes emotional leader, senior Jack Wahr. Though the steady presence of defenseman Braeden Bartlett will be missed, Coyne expects the return of junior defenseman Michael Barton, who missed the 2025 season with a knee injury, will lessen that blow and solidify a group that is expected to give opponents fits.

The impact of last year’s graduation may be felt most significantly on the offensive end of the field. The Dukes will rely on another pair of All-Conference honorees from last season, attackman Josh Redick and midfielder Cole Bartlett to pick up the slack in 2026. The junior duo has started every game since they joined the team as freshmen and will be expected to play even bigger roles in scoring production this season. Senior Jack Paschen, an elusive dodger, is expected to provide a energy and intensity to this group.

The West Suburban Conference is loaded with strong teams this year, according to Coyne. Five of the conference’s six teams are listed among the state’s pre-season Top 25. “Our conference is one of the most challenging in the State of Illinois and the difficulty of our out-of-conference schedule is second to none,” he said.

There is a strong group of players returning from last season’s team that are being asked to step up and provide higher level play and leadership in order for York to successfully navigate its demanding game schedule. Additionally, York will lean on a talented pair of freshmen, Midfielder Max Cahil and goalie Roman Donofrino, to contribute.

York will open its season on Wednesday, March 18, at 5:45pm when they play host to Maine South High School at York Stadium.