Boys lacrosse started the season hot.

Two early demolitions of Maine South and Deerfield by scores of 14-1 and 9-2 respectively have the squad feeling hot as they now prepare to travel to Northbrook to face perennial powerhouse Glenbrook North next Tuesday at 7.

“We will just need to play sound on both sides of the ball,” said coach Adam Hughes. “In the past, we’ve tended to start off great, and then fade off. Or we start soft, and then finish strong. We will definitely need four great quarters to win.”

Last season, the team fell to GBN badly losing 2-13. Hughes knows this year’s team is different than last’s.

“The attention to detail has really increased this season,” explained Hughes. “The boys realized what they lacked, and they’ve worked on that.”

The players agree.

“We have much more initiative on offense this year and the team understands the game better,” added senior Charlie Cunningham.

Other offensive players also understand that it will really come down to scoring in order to keep up with the high-powered Spartan attack.

“We need simply need to rip goals,” said senior Aidan Crowe.

According to Crowe, bad blood exists between the two teams dating back to before high school when Kits senior defenseman Drake Smith apparently dropped gloves and fought GBN senior attack James McFarland. The Kits haven’t beaten the Spartans since, which makes this game even more meaningful.

“Beating them in our last try would show how we’ve grown as a program in recent years,” said Crowe. “It would definitely help put Evanston lacrosse on the map as a legitimate program. That’s what this year is all about.”

After GBN, the team travels to Hoffman-Estates to face Conant High School. The Kits expect to win as they defeated the Cougars 6-3 last year.

Then the Kits enter the main stretch of their season as they have a bulk in mid April. During this time, Hughes recognizes the importance of staying in shape during this time.

“Conditioning will be very important,” said Hughes. “That haunted us last year. We need to always improve conditioning as it allows to play deeper into games.”

With 10 seniors on the team this year, Hughes expects to rely on them for leadership as well as motivation.

“These guys really don’t want to leave on a sour note,” said Hughes. “They want a memorable season.”

The seniors acknowledge the importance of staying together.

“If our chemistry is on point, it will be a really good season,” said senior Sam O’Donnell.