It will be a youth movement for the Freedom boys’ lacrosse program this year.

After a four year run that saw the Pates win two district titles, Freedom graduated 16 seniors from last year and look to replace that group with the newest crop of Patriot players following last year’s 11-5 finish.

The Pates only have six seniors back this season including key returners Ryan Ellis and Simon Hume. Sophomores Liam Sipel, Chase Sipel and Miles Andreas will be leaned on as well to start the youth movement of the program.

Newcomers include Jaxson Stametz (So), Nick Lyden (So), Conor DePaolis (So), Brady James (Jr), TJ Wray, Tyler Grillo (Jr), Xavier DeJesus (Jr), Tyler Cole (Sr), Evan Wahba (So) and Trevyn Carter (Sr).

“We will be a young team after graduating 16 seniors last year, but we have some of the best team chemistry I’ve seen in all of my time at Freedom,” said head coach Tony Fabrizio, who an-nounced this will be his final season with the program after a decade. “We will rely on under-classmen to help propel us into a successful season. Most people are counting us out after the graduation losses, but this team looks hungry to prove them wrong.”

The boys are off to an 0-2 start after losing to Central Catholic 17-5 in their opener and Em-maus 13-9.

They have Southern Lehigh, Saucon Valley and Scranton Prep on deck this week where they hope to get things back on track.

“The team goals are to make a run for EPC and district playoffs,” said Fabrizio. “Easton right now is the clear favorite. Central Catholic is causing quite the buzz and Parkland can never be counted out with their depth and talent that they bring in annually.”