DEXTER — Cody Kucharski and the rest of the General Brown girls lacrosse team know that now is a good time to bring the Frontier League girls lacrosse title back to Dexter.

Watertown and Carthage have dominated the league since General Brown won three straight titles from 2003-05. However, the Lions expect this to be their best chance to win the six-team league since their run ended seven years ago.

“I expect our team to actually be stronger this year to compete with the powerhouses like Carthage and Watertown,” said Kucharski, who has committed to play Division I lacrosse at Canisius net year. “We definitely can play at their level. We just have to keep working hard and learn how to work as a team.”

The team returns 18 starters from last year’s squad that finished 7-10. They also add a lot of freshmen from an undefeated modified team.

“We have a lot of potential, especially with the new girls coming in,” she said. “The ninth graders they have a lot of potential. It’s going to make our team a lot better.”

Despite having a good group of veterans and youth, General Brown coach Rob Fargo said the league will be very difficult to win.

“It’s a very talented league and top to bottom. You have to come to play every night or you’re going to lose,” Fargo said.

The Lions will be tested in Frontier League early as their first two games are today against the Cyclones and the Comets next Wednesday. Fargo said it will be a chance to see “what the team is made of.”

Fargo does have a lot of help from Kucharski and fellow captains Haleigh Flint and Taylor Purvis, which makes his job a lot easier.

“It’s special to have a group of seniors that have played so many years at the varsity level,” Fargo said.

Kucharski has six goals and three assists in nonleague games heading into today’s meeting against defending Frontier League champion Watertown. According to her coach, she has grown as a player and as a leader.

“Cody is an exceptional leader,” Fargo said. “Her game has progressed a great deal in the last year, playing between the restraining lines where draw controls, groundballs are very special to the game. She’s really improved a great deal on that and that’s been her primary focus to improve.”

Kucharski said that playing with Flint and Purvis is a reason why the Lions have a chance to succeed.

“On the field, we know what to do and can basically read each others minds. It helps a lot,” Kucharski said.

Purvis, who has played on the team since her freshman year, noted that Kucharski’s commitment to her game is why the whole team has gotten better.

“She works hard in the offseason. Our whole team works hard in the offseason. She goes to everything,” Purvis said.

Not only has Kucharski placed big expectations on the team, but on herself.

“I feel like a lot is expected from me so I feel like I have to meet those expectations,” she said. “That’s basically my goal for this season.”

Outlook: The league will be very deep with many talented teams and players. New girls coach Tim Burr and Watertown have a good mix of youth and experience led by Bri Arthur and Mia Capone. Carthage may have lost a lot from last year’s group, but are a solid program with Chrissy Cook and the Kidder sisters. Immaculate Heart Central is talented with Kayla Miles, Christine Wright and the McClusky twins. General Brown returns 18 players to the team and look to improve on last year’s record. South Jefferson lost six starters from last year’s team, but will contend with the help of Danielle Kealy and Clarissa Perry. Indian River returned its three leading scorers with Katie Brierton, Paige Fayette and Kaitlyn Rajner and will be more competitive this season.

Carthage Comets

Coach: Sue Gallagher

2011 Record: (13-7, 6-4)

Players to watch: Adilen Cruz, Chrissy Cook, Alyssa Kidder, Mackenzie Kidder

Roster: Rebecca Abbott (So., G), Mariana Ames (Sr., A), Leighann Booth (Jr., M), Taylour Campbell (So., D), Chrissy Cook (Sr., M), Adilen Cruz (Sr., M), Doria Darroch (So., A), Mia Darroch (Fr., A), Alyssa Kamide (Fr., D), Alyssa Kidder (Sr., A), Mackenzie Kidder (So., A), Hannah Millich (So., M), Gabby O’Brien (Fr., D), Jessica Oliver (Jr., D), Meaghan Paige (Fr., A), Gabriella Park (So., A), Claire Sauter (So., M), Jenna Scott (Fr., G), Meghan Serota (Sr., M), Carly Sullivan (So., M), Krista Temple (Fr., A), Gabbi Wimmer (Jr., D), Kristy Williams (Jr., D)

General Brown Lions

Coach: Rob Fargo

2011 Record: (7-10, 2-8)

Players to watch: Cody Kucharski, Taylor Purvis, Haleigh Flint

Roster: Caitlin Bero (Sr., A), Makayla Flath (Jr., D), Madison Comins (Fr., A), Jill Primicias (So., A/M), Morgan O’Hearn (Jr., M), Morgan Filkins (So., D), Chelsea Purvis (Jr., A), Emily Amell (Fr., A/M), Emily Malone (Fr., D), Maddy Marvin (Jr., D), Laura Powell (Sr., D), Taylor Rosette (Jr., A), Cody Kucharski (Sr., A/M), Morgan Todd (Jr., D), Alexus Velasquez (So, D), Taylor Purvis (Sr., A), Haleigh Flint (Sr., A/M), Hannah Pebbles (Fr., A/M), Cayla O’Connor (Fr., A/M), Maggie Ambrose (Jr., G), Mikayla Ennis (Sr., D), Natalie Crouse (So., D), Katelyn Longamore (Fr., G), Bryanna Fazio (Fr., A), Allison Tyo (So., D), Nancy Bauter (So., D)

IHC Cavaliers

Coach: John Connolly

2011 Record: (10-7, 5-5)

Players to watch: Kayla Miles, Christine Wright, Hannah Connolly

Roster: Olivia Miles (8th, A/M), Jennifer Norris (Jr., A), Olivia Weldon (Jr., A), Maddy Brand (Jr., D), Patricia Breen (Jr., M), Rachel O’Brien (So., A), Hannah Connolly (Sr., A), Christine Wright (Sr., M), Anna Puccia (So., D), Sara Pignone (So., M), Victoria Fusco (Sr., G), Skylar Short (Fr., D), Sarah Miles (Fr., D), Samantha Alteri (Jr., D), Erin McClusky (Sr., A/M), Shelbi McIlroy (Jr., A), Ali Love (Jr., D), Kayla Miles (Jr., M), Brianna McClusky (Sr., A), Nadine Ottenburger (So., A), Kristyn Zaremba (Sr., D), Lindsey Netto (Sr., A/M), Danielle Pound (So., M)

Indian River Warriors

Coach: Fred LaVancha

2011 Record: (6-10, 0-10)

Players to watch: Katie Brierton, Paige Fayette, Kaitlyn Rajner

Roster: Destiny Hull (Sr., A), Elee Shepherd (Sr., M), Kaitlyn Rajner (Sr., M), Kayla Brown (Sr., M), Macie Schell (Sr., M), Tierra Messina (Sr., A), Emily Kuba (Jr., D), Hannah Miterko (Jr., D), Katie Brierton (Jr., A), Meghan Guler (Jr., A), Morgan Nabywaniec (Jr., M), Paige Fayette (Jr., A), Abby Lynch (Jr., D), Daylen Greenfield (So., G), Kelsi Nabywaniec (Fr., D), Sarah Mattingly (Fr., D), Cassandra Kiechle (Fr.)

South Jefferson Spartans

Coach: Jen Williams

2011 Record: (14-5, 8-2)

Players to watch: Danielle Kealy, Clarissa Perry, Megan Hanson

Roster: Danielle Kealy (Sr., M), Paula Morse (Sr., D), Mallory Davis (Jr., A), Megan Hanson (Jr., D), Megan Scully (Jr., A), Mackenna Goodnough (Jr., A), Morgan McDermott (So., D), Madesyn Alexander (So., M), Courtney Zeigler (So., G), Lexi Smith (So., M/D), Katie Elmer (So., D), Kyra Kempney (Fr., D), Clarissa Perry (Fr., A), Maddie Knapp (Fr., A), Stephanie Green (Fr., M), Morgan Alexander (Fr., A), Kia Morgia-Horning (Fr., D), Sidney Hall (8th, M), Quincey Zimmerman (8th, M)

Watertown Cyclones

Coach: Tim Burr

2011 Record: (15-2, 9-1)

Players to watch: Brianne Arthur, Morgan Cadwell, Mia Capone, Jill VanNostrand

Roster: Brianne Arthur (Jr., A), Morgan Cadwell (Jr., M), Mia Capone (Sr., D), Taylor Rick (So., M), Samantha Sxhnabel (Jr., D), Alyssa Barrett (Fr., A/G), Jill VanNostrand (Sr., A), Megan Belch (Sr., D), Hannah Keggins (Jr., D), Nellie Dephtereos (Fr., M), Courtney Netto (So., M), Stephanie Rosenberger (Sr., A), Kira Kolb (8th, D), Meghan Hefferon (So., M), Morgan Exford (Jr., A), Sarah VanEenanaam (Sr., M), Katelyn Deline (Sr., D), Ashley Flick (So., A), Christina Matthewson (Jr., G)

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