Mars boys lacrosse freshman Nate Caldwell’s excellent first impression continues in rout of Freeport
ADAMS TWP — The standard is the standard.
“That’s a Mike Tomlin phrase we use a lot of around here,” Mars boys lacrosse coach Bob Marcoux said. “Whoever takes the field for us ... you’re expected to perform.”
The nine-time WPIAL Class 2A champion Planets (2-1) have been performing well of late. Their 21-0 blanking of Freeport on Monday night at the Mars Athletic Complex was the team’s second consecutive shutout.
Mars hung a 13-0 loss on Taylor Allderdice last week.
“It doesn’t matter how old you are or what grade you’re in,” senior attacker Jack Tirch said.
“If you deserve to play, you’ll be on the field,” senior middle Grant Weaver echoed.
Nate Caldwell was among the freshmen who showed he deserved to play on this night.
Stationed primarily behind the Freeport net, Caldwell tallied six assists in the first half alone. He assisted on four of Weaver’s six goals and on two of Tirch’s six tallies.
“We played six freshmen in the first half alone,” Marcoux said. “When you can get guys that young some varsity playing time this early in the year, it absolutely helps us down the road. It bodes well for our program.
“Nate has a very high lacrosse IQ. He sees the play develop and reacts. He moves the ball quickly, and that’s the way we like to play.”
Only three games into the season, Caldwell has played middle and attack for the Planets. He was the only freshman in a starting lineup that featured six seniors, two juniors and a sophomore.
“I guess I’m a little surprised I’m starting right now,” Caldwell said. “But this is something I’ve been waiting to do. My brother (Dominic) played for Mars, and I came to all of his games. He played two years ago. I looked forward to the day I’d be out here playing.
“I’ve been playing lacrosse since kindergarten, as soon as I was old enough to be allowed to play. I love this game.”
Caldwell wasn’t the only freshman to shine for the Planets.
Attacker Mason Wyzkoski scored all three Mars goals in the fourth period. Goalkeeper Gavin Elmeier joined starter Luke Reinhart and David Renner in posting the shutout. They combined to stop all 10 shots on net by Freeport (0-3).
Tirch has scored 12 goals in the last two games while Weaver has found the net 10 times during that span.
“It’s not just us,” Weaver said. “Everybody had to do his part. Josh (Wilburn) has to win the faceoffs so we can gain control. Our defenders handle the back end and help set things up. We’re a unit.”
“We help each other out,” Tirch said. “Our job is basic, every minute of every game. Score as much as we can. Allow as few as we can.”
Henry Saver and Blake Cote scored two goals each for Mars. Caldwell and Rocco DeLisio added single tallies.
Freeport netminder Dylan Tabarkey made 10 saves.
Both teams return to action Thursday night. Freeport travels to North Catholic while Mars hosts Peters Township.
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Freeport's Tyler Hileman (8) guards Mars' Bennie Ruiz (24) in a boys lacrosse game Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Isaac McMichael (4) takes a shot at the net in a boys lacrosse game against Freeport on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Grant Weaver (9) attempts a shot at the net in a boys lacrosse game against Freeport on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Nicholas Jones (25) attempts to knock the ball away from Mars' Brennan DaSilva (13) in a boys lacrosse game Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Mason Feick (5) carries the ball upfield in a boys lacrosse game against Mars on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Brayden Ridell (15) guards Mars' Isaac McMichael (4) as he pushes towards the net in a boys lacrosse game Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Brayden Ridell (15) passes the ball in a boys lacrosse game against Mars on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Brock Edwards (13) looks to pass the ball to a teammate in a boys lacrosse game against Mars on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) faces off against Freeports Jameson Micelli (14) in a boys lacrosse game Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Jack Tirch (22) closes in on the net in a boys lacrosse game against Freeport on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Grant Weaver (9) lines up a shot on the net in a boys lacrosse game against Freeport on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Nicholas Jones (25) and Brayden Ridell (15) trip over a Mars player in a boys lacrosse game Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Freeport's Ryan Suwan (7) guards Mars' Jack Tirch (22) in a boys lacrosse game Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Noah Lamping (17) passes the ball in a boys lacrosse game against Freeport on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Josh Wilburn (15) carries the ball up the field as Freeport's Jameson Micelli (14) follows close behind in a boys lacrosse game Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars' Nate Caldwell (18) lines up a pass to a teammate in a boys lacrosse game against Freeport on Monday, March 23, 2026, at Mars Athletic Complex. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
