The new season is just eight games old, but the Baldwin High School lacrosse team already is closing in on its win total from 2007.

The Highlanders are 6-2 after Monday's 19-13 non-section victory against North Hills. Last year, Baldwin finished 7-11, losing to Fox Chapel in the first round of the WPSLA Division 2 playoffs.

"We're looking pretty good," said coach Brian Knorr, a Baldwin graduate who is in his eighth year with the team. "We're flying under the radar a little bit. Right now, I would say we're cautiously confident."

Knorr credits Baldwin's turnaround to two players in particular. The first is senior goalie P.J. Brophy, who has reclaimed the team's starting job after losing it last season to junior Niko Zingrone.

"He has really stepped up," Knorr said. "The last couple of years, we've had problems with him, as far as the emotional aspect of being a goalie. He would let one goal in and, suddenly, there would be an onslaught of four-to-five goals. It seems as though his confidence has skyrocketed. He's playing remarkably well, and that's been big."

According to Knorr, Brophy's biggest games this season actually came during Baldwin's two defeats. Brophy made 14 saves in a 13-11 loss to Fox Chapel and had 20 stops in an 8-6 loss to Division 1 Upper St. Clair.

"We haven't necessarily had the easiest schedule," Knorr said. "When you play the likes of Fox Chapel and Upper St. Clair, you're picking a fight with the schoolyard bully. Against those teams, he played solidly, and kept us in the games.

"It's like [P.J.] grew up all of a sudden. He came into this year hungry. He was not going to lose his job like last year. Since his first game, he's been tremendous."

Another impact player has been senior midfielder Ian Wild, who's returned after missing his junior season because of a leg injury. Wild is Baldwin's leading scorer and had a five-goal game in the team's season-opening 19-2 win over Wheeling Central Catholic.

"I've seen a lot of games this year at all different levels, and I haven't seen many players to whom Ian would take a back seat," Knorr said. "He's as good as anybody in the league, if not better. He's just a natural athlete.

"The kid has a shot from the outside that makes me happy I'm not a goalie. He's really impressive to watch."

Wild has combined with senior attacker Joe Grmusa (10 goals, 12 assists in 2007) to give Baldwin a pair of powerful outside shooters.

"Like Ian, Joe is naturally talented and has a wicked outside shot," Knorr said. "When I put those two out there, I just feel bad for the other team's goalie."

The Highlanders have needed Wild and Grmusa to help make up for the loss of senior midfielder Braden Brodsky (42 goals, 11 assists in 2007), who sustained a season-ending knee injury.

Replacing Brodsky has been freshman Garrett Wild, Ian's brother.

"Braden was our top inside shooter," Knorr said. "It's been tough to plug someone in down there. Garrett has filled his shoes well. When we played Quaker Valley this year (a 9-6 win), it was his first real exposure at the varsity level. He's a freshman going against aggressive defenders. He lit them up. He played like a poised senior."

The Highlanders, who have started 2-0 in the South section, face section leader Greensburg Central Catholic on Tuesday.

Greensburg Central Catholic hasn't lost a section game since moving to Division 2 in 2006.

"When you mention Greensburg Central Catholic, you're talking about a powerhouse," Knorr said. "They've got a good coach in Mike Evans, a guy who really knows what he's doing.

"I'm not sure if that game is a measuring stick for us. We're going to approach that game the same way we approach the likes of Fox Chapel and Upper St. Clair, with the belief we're going to beat them."