2024 Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse team-by-team preview capsules
NJAC-American
Chatham
Coach: Christian Scarpello, third season
Last year: 16-7; Group 3 finalist
Returning letter-winners: Sr. M J.P. Lagunowich; Sr. A Charlie Lowe; Sr. LSM Thomas Hung; Sr. M Colin Mannitta, Jr. D Carter Newman; So. M Shep Boyd; So. D Loughlin Mahoney.
Newcomers: Sr. LSM Owen Irish; Sr. M Cole Polemeni; Sr. G Henry Davenport; Jr. D/M Joe Lovato; Jr. D/M Alex McWilliams; So. D Paul Kupenheimer; So. D/M Pat Roskell; So. A Kyle Gibney; Fr. A Nicholas Lagunowich.
Outlook: Graduation was unkind to Chatham, which has a loaded schedule.
Delbarton
Coach: Matt Kovachik, seventh season
Last year: 20-5; Morris County Tournament champion; Non-Public A finalist
Returning letter-winners: Sr. FO Ryan Trafford; Sr. D Gabe Reiter; Sr. M Luke Carrillo; Sr. A Ryan McLane; Sr. A Willie Doyle (45g, 15a, 37gb); Sr. M Jack Sartorius (12g, 11a); Sr. M Jack Amato (9g, 4a); Sr. G Alec Delgado; Sr. G Peter Roelke; Sr. D John Finkeldie; Sr. D Liam Larson; Sr. FO James Zupa; Jr. A Bobby Cusimano (7g, 8a, 12gb, 8ft); Jr. M Andrew Johnson; Jr. LSM Will Pedicano (22gb, 10 ft); Jr. D Bo Popham; Jr. G Tanner Shimko; Jr. A Asher Testa (13 g, 9a, 15gb).
Newcomers: Sr. D Kiran Hoffman; Sr. D/M Tim Finning; Sr. M Ryan Hunt; So. D/LSM Dara Corr; So. A Chase Houser; So. FO Christian Troczynski.
Outlook: Delbarton plans to play its best lacrosse in late May and early June.
Mountain Lakes
Coach: Tim Flynn, 45th season
Last year: 16-6; Morris County Tournament finalist; Group 1 finalist
Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Justin Brennfleck; Sr. A Giacomo Bevacqua; Sr. FO Jordan Hernando; Sr. LSM Aidan Malnati; Sr. D William Tate; Sr. M Marco Dzamba; Jr. D Milo Penniston; Jr. M Merric Martorana.
Newcomers: Sr. G Andrew Adams; Sr. M Rohin Ahlowalia; Sr. D Cosmo Fusco; Sr. A Matt Shertzer.
Outlook: Mountain Lakes doesn't rebuild, it reloads — and the goals never change.
More: Mountain Lakes boys lacrosse does it again, wins 10th straight sectional title
Randolph
Coach: Bill Rentiers, first season
Last year: 13-8
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Jake Barninger; Sr. M Ethan Braun; Sr. M Connor Cuonzo; Sr. M/A Thomas Doto; Sr. M Jake Miller; Sr. A Jake Weiner; Sr. D Ed Wysmerski; Jr. M Elliot McClendon.
Newcomers: Sr. FO/M Jordan Raport; Jr. G Ryan Potanovich; So. D Nick Cirella; So. M Mark Manolis.
Outlook: Rentiers inherited a defense-first squad from John Naslonski, who has moved on to Manasquan after 10 years at Randolph.
Pope John
Coach: Joe Della Fera, first season
Last year: 14-4, 7-0 Waterman champion; Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D/LSM Jake Panzer; Jr. M/FO Michael Ramirez; Jr. A Travis Heller; Jr. M Peyton Fox.
Outlook: Della Fera inherits a young but talented team from Chris Hoffmann, the coach for a decade.
West Morris
Coach: Rob Goodwin, 24th season
Last year: 13-7, NJAC-National champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Bryce Cammarata; Sr. D Colin Cronin; Sr. A Garrett Crisp; Sr. G Henry DeFrance; Sr. M Jack Defusco; Sr. D Mike Lavista; Sr. D Jacob Morris; Sr. A Tyler Wu; Sr. M Derek Hedworth; Sr. M Adam Cardini; Jr. M/FO Jaxon Corkery; Jr. G Jack Janke; So. M Luke Gouse; So. A Jake Garafolo.
Newcomers: Jr. D Peter Miragliotta; Jr. M/FO Danny Brzozowski; Jr. A/M Mike Pescatore; Jr. D Kieran Jackson; Jr. M Brady Bentrewicz; Jr. D Matt LaVista; Jr. A Ben Barnhill; Jr. D Anthony Rotundo; So. M/A Mike Finlay; So. G Seamus Buckley; So. D Jake Dellisanti; So. M Tyler Klein; So. M Gareth Rowsell; So. M Sam Turner; Fr. D Brody Mansolino.
Outlook: West Morris must fill defensive holes, as well as finding a consistent faceoff man.
NJAC-National
Mendham
Coach: Mike Smith, ninth season
Last year: 8-11
Returning letter-winners: Sr. A George Monahan; Sr. A Fred Nunan; Sr. A Sawyer Schuurmans; Sr. D Tristan Caminiti; Jr. M Will Pyznar; Jr. G Chris Nazarian; Jr. D Mitchell Wood; So. M Cristian Forlenza.
Newcomers: Jr. FO/M Ryan Lazzara; So. M Patricio Grob; So. M Hudson Loures; Fr. A Denis Nunan.
Outlook: The Minutemen hope to compete for championships.
Morris Knolls
Coach: Terry Reilly, 11th season
Last year: 15-4, 8-0 Rizk champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. M/A Patrick Bershefski (25g, 11a); Sr. D Mason Blood; Sr. D/M Tyler Brookes; Sr. M/A Brian Crossan; Sr. M Kyle Hardie (28g, 22a); Sr. D Joshua Hobaugh; Sr. M Sean Hogan (19g, 32a); Sr. D/LSM Isaac Koenigsberg; Sr. A Jack Martinez (41g, 34a); Sr. G Nick Sciacca; Jr. M Bobby Brickner; Jr. M Jacob Dietrich; Jr. M Ayden Espeut; Jr. A Matthew Lamb; Jr. D Patrick McMorland; Jr. G Josh Savitch; Jr. D Nick Van Dean; Jr. M/A Julian Vogel.
Newcomers: Sr. D Gavin Gomes; So. G Timothy Koch; So. D/M Brandon Strunck; Fr. A Dylan Ralston; Fr. LSM/D Aidan Shaw.
Outlook: Morris Knolls hopes to continue its success.
Morristown
Coach: Ryan McCoy, second season
Last year: 4-12
Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Jack Byrne (14g, 8a, 23gb); Sr. M Aidan Clarke; Sr. D Jack Frazzano; Sr. A/M Thomas Gleichmann (14g, 14a, 32gb); Sr. LSM/D Connor Ross; Sr. LSM/D Brody Toye; Sr. Braden Van Zile; Sr. M Liam Wilson; Jr. A Alex Davis (30g, 14a, 21gb); Jr. D Dane Karlsons; Jr. FO/M Gavin Pietrella; So. A/M Max Giaquinto (13g, 14a, 16gb).
Newcomers: Jr. M Ryan Myers.
Outlook: Keep an eye on Giaquinto and the Colonials' youngsters.
Mount Olive
Coach: Chris Blough, third season
Last year: 11-9
Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Adam DeChristofaro; Sr. M Jack Mullery; Sr. D Jack Turner; Sr. M Noah Russ; Sr. A Kyle Schiller; Sr. M Ryan Schaefer; Sr. M/A Jack Ferrara; Jr. D Tobey Clark; Jr. A Shawn Lavery; Jr. D/LSM Ryland McCumber; So. D Logan Berg.
Newcomers: Sr. D Marcello D'Amico; Sr. G Devin Piacente; Sr. A Colin Terry; Sr. D Aiden Riener; Jr. D Richie Vanatta; Jr. M Logan DiGiesi; Jr. M David Lupo; So. G Nico Orzillo; So. D/LSM Dylan Louis; So. M Sean Hawley; So. D Jake Reiner.
Outlook: Mount Olive hopes to be more consistent.
Sparta
Coach: Sean Peterson, third season
Last year: 10-8
Returning letter-winners: Sr. LSM Greg Peters (8g, 5a, 156gb); Sr. M Hunter Takacs (13g, 5a); Sr. G Parker Hein; Sr. D Tagh Herbison; Jr. A Matt Ciarelli (19g, 11a); So. Michael Pandiscia (8g, 8a).
Newcomers: Jr. D Sam Sakowski; So. M Marco Aquino; So. A Eddie Brown; So. D Stone Herbison; So. D Eric McCall.
Outlook: The Spartans expect to progress farther in the Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex and Group 2 North Tournaments.
NJAC-United
Jefferson
Coach: Scott Reid, 15th season
Last year: 17-3
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Alex Johns; Sr. M Anthony Giannotti (6g, 4a); Sr. M Charles Oberman (4g, 21a); Sr. A Brayden Strauch; Sr. D/M Matt Cruz; Jr. A Chubb Reid (23g, 58a); Jr. G Jamison Reid; Jr. D Aidan Fitzsimmons; Jr. D Ethan Orlando; So. D Jason Post; So. M Matt Leppard (45g, 13a); So. M Steven Cruz.
Newcomers: Fr. FO/A Tommy Del Masto.
Outlook: Despite a lack of depth, veteran Jefferson hopes to compete in the Rizk and NJAC-United.
Kittatinny
Coach: John Lade, fifth season
Last year: 1-15
Returning letter-winners: Sr. G Owen McGill; Sr. M Alex Laoudis; Sr. A Carter Festa; Sr. M Matt Stenderowicz (9g, 2a); Jr. D Ethan Dalling; So. A/M Niko Martinez; So. D Shane Carman.
Newcomers: Jr. A/M Grady Bohannon; So. D Johnny Sebecke; Fr. M Mike Strong; Fr. M Callum Trilling; Fr. A/M Roman Volpe; Fr. A/M Greg Roycroft.
Outlook: Though Kittatinny graduated a large senior class, there are 20 players on the current roster.
Lenape Valley
Coach: Rich Shahpazian, third season
Last year: 11-12
Returning letter-winners: Sr. Luca Fowler; Sr. Andrew Bicher; Sr. David Kraus; Sr. David Manzl; Sr. Mason McLean; Sr. Chris O'Toole, Sr. Ryan Slahor.
Outlook: The Patriots are relying on a veteran offense.
Madison
Coach: John Schiavone, first season
Last year: 11-5
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D James Amorosi; Sr. A Matt Spagnoletti; So. A Matt Lutz.
Outlook: The Dodgers hope to continue their success.
Montville
Coach: Rick DeBonta, 18th season
Last year: 8-13
Returning letter-winners: Sr. FO/D/M Brandon Cash; Sr. D Jimmy Conlon; Sr. D Jared Krupnick; Sr. D Gennaro Polise; Jr. A Mike Colaiacovo (37g, 44a, 50gb); So. A Ryan Conlon (10g, 4a, 27gb); So. D Ethan Zapisek.
Newcomers: Sr. G Hayden Abfier; Sr. M Aidan Sabet; Sr. M George Georges; Sr. M Saketh Boddu; Jr. M Logan Engle; Jr. M Doug Larsen; Jr. M Aiden Dembowski; Jr. LSM Tommy Lukachyk; Jr. D Dominic Kraemer; So. D/M R.J. Fardo; So. M Colin Grieco; So. LSM Tom Breen; Fr. FO/M Nick Violante.
Outlook: Veteran Montville has a challenging Rizk and NJAC-United schedule.
NJAC-Colonial
Kinnelon
Coach: Tom Mott, second season
Last year: 15-3
Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Ben Papendick (21g, 29a); Sr. M Jake Piccola (4g, 6a); Sr. M/FO Lex Lucas (4g, 8a, 136gb); Jr. LSM Ben Klinger (2g, 13a, 134gb); Jr. A Matt Goldstein (36g, 28a); Jr. M Jon Papendick (26g, 14a); Jr. M Luke Baitzel; Jr. M Andrew Corrado; Jr. D Luke Mauriello; Jr. D Joe Marino; So. M Joey Baitzel (6g, 3a).
Newcomers: Jr. T.K. Kosco; So. M Peter Correia; So. G Pat Dyszkiewicz; So. D Landon Smith; So. D Jesse Chomik; So. M Matt Weiss; So. A/M Ryan Caamano; So. M Joe Ferrara; So. M Kymani Hinton; So. D Kirin Kiesel; Fr. A Brady Grippo; Fr. M Matt Siciliano.
Outlook: Kinnelon returns a solid faceoff team and offense.
Morris Hills
Coach: Eric Turner, fourth season
Last year: 10-9
Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Connor Bourdon; Sr. A Colby Wagner; Sr. A Killian Yombor; Sr. G Ben Blender; Sr. M Brendan Gleason; Sr. D Aidan Doyle.
Newcomers: Sr. M Brady Gaeb; So. D T.J. Gordimer; So. M A.J. Jiminez; Fr. M Jack Sweeney; Fr. D Dylan Bourdon.
Outlook: Morris Hills is rebuilding the defense in front of Blender.
Newton
Coach: David Gallucci, third season
Last year: 10-9
Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Evan Parker; Sr. D Yasin Tabatabaee; Sr. A Brenden Lynch; Jr. A Ty Guzzo; Jr. D Ryan Corino; Jr. M Paul Reinhart; So. M Max Faye; So. M Matt Ellsworth; So. D Sean Carson.
Newcomers: Sr. M Dylan Cotter; Jr. D Alex Karr; Jr. M Lucas Garofano; Jr. G C.J. Wojtach; Jr. D Izzak Corranza; So. D Joey Gallucci; So. M Tyler Catalano; So. A Ganon Hawryluk; Fr. M Damien Thoresen; Fr. M Matin Tabatabaee.
Outlook: Newton is building around large sophomore and junior classes.
Parsippany Regional
Coach: Travis Blau, third season
Last year: 13-7
Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Zachary DiLauri; Sr. M Logan Simpson; Sr. D Malik Alzubi; Sr. A Damian Carrigan; Sr. D Andrew Gonzales; Jr. M Alexander Spada; Jr. Nicholas Spada; Jr. M Nicholas Graziano; Jr. A Benjamin Ucab; Jr. D Owen Garcia; Jr. M Ronald Ellerbee; Jr. M Zachary Holbert-Paszko; Jr. A Gavin Barbrack; So. M Quinn Barbrack; So. M Xavier Ballesteros; So. A Jared Hanenberg; So. Robert Hemenway; So. Matthew Hemenway; So. D Shaan Patel.
Newcomers: Fr. FO Gabriel Ucab; Fr. D Dante Gutierrez.
Outlook: The veteran co-op expects to succeed in the Kimber and NJAC-Colonial.
Pequannock
Coach: Stephen Donnelly, fifth season
Last year: 16-3, Curcio champion
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D James Bonner, Sr. A Tyler DeNaples; Sr. LSM Dylan DeNaples (145gb); Sr. M Bill Donnelly; Sr. M Steve Fenner (22g, 5a); Sr. A John Iglar; Sr. D Evan Karaty; Sr. M Mason Longo; Sr. D Noah Rosario; Sr. A Ryan Torrisi (31g, 25a); Sr. G Pat Unger; Sr. A Matt Zenser (26g, 19a); Jr. A Kieran Brady; Jr. G Mason Cheff; Jr. LSM Frank Colvin; Jr. M Angelo Cundiff; Jr. M Joe Heaney; Jr. M/FO Ed Shalongo.
Newcomers: Sr. D Dan Palazzo; Jr. D Ryan Denton; So. A Anthony DiSimone; So. M Dylan Roemmele; So. D Shane Albinson; Fr. A Ryan Tripp; Fr. M Gavin Visscher.
Outlook: Veteran Pequannock will be challenged by the Jacobson schedule.
Roxbury
Coach: Justin Meeth, third season
Last year: 6-14
Returning letter-winners: Sr. A/M Anthony Skawinski; Sr. M Jadon DeRosa; Sr. M Josh Rivera; Sr. LSM Joey Palanchi; Jr. D Vito Martinelli; Jr. M/A Vineet Varghese; Jr. A Trevor Klapmuts; Jr. G Griffin Warsaw; So. M Connor Boyle; So. A Soham Bhagavatula.
Newcomers: Sr. D Coly Langar; Sr. D Nico Del Rosario; Jr. D Paul Guettler; Jr. M Van Krause; Fr. D Gavin Prendergast; Fr. D Patrick Shivas; Fr. G Gage Martins; Fr. M James Murphy.
Outlook: Young Roxbury hopes to compete for a division title, win a Morris County Tournament game, qualify for the NJSIAA Tournament, and finish over .500.
NJAC-Independence
Boonton
Coach: Mickey Norton, 11th season
Last year: 7-13
Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Dylan Cannizzaro (19g, 11a); Sr. M/FO Gabe Lagos; Sr. M Landon San Martin; Sr. D Adem Qose; Sr. D Chris Clemente; Sr. D Peter Shiels; Jr. M Colin Bostrom (17g, 38a); Jr. A Christian Fokas (23g, 14a); Jr. G Cody Larsen.
Newcomers: Sr. Jason Scocozzo; Sr. Cody Darling; Jr. Matt Sulpy; Jr. Conor Striegel; Jr. Connell Koba; Jr. Chase Kalish; Jr. Matt Kalish; So. Brady Derr.
Outlook: The Bombers' goal is to win at least 10 games.
Hackettstown
Coach: Zach Bergeron, first season
Last year: 6-9
Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Marco Guarino; Sr. A Levi Castner; Sr. D Tyler Carbajal; Jr. D Tyler Torres; Jr. LSM Liam Taylor; Jr. G Nathan Sehulster; Jr. A Zander Rodriguez; Jr. M Luke Fezenko; Jr. D Trevor Edwards; Jr. M Joseph Camacho; Jr. M Nathan Bergeron; So. D Michael Wurtemberg; So. A Joseph Rivera; So. G Jamie Ponce; So. M Richard Montgomery; So. M Ryan Cheref; So. M Evan Boyle; So. M Malik Albabili.
Newcomers: M Ethan Campbell; M Ryan Jenkins; M Ian Deithorn; M Lucas Chalef; D Brendan Matthews; D Jacob Stephany; D. Joseph Kraley; D Joshua Clegg; D Paul Caputo; D Thomas Linehan.
Outlook: Hackettstown is improving under Bergeron, a former player (2015-18) back home and at Moravian.
High Point/Wallkill Valley
Coach: Marc Russell, 17th season
Last year: 4-10
Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Eli Nosal; Sr. M Tino Loyola; Sr. LSM Nate Ramirez; Sr. D Cole Phillips; LSM Charlie Burns; Jr. M Jaden Cali; Jr. A Alex Sonvico, Jr. M Ethan Munoz, Jr. M Brian Gruber; Jr. G Neeko Basanyi.
Outlook: Young players must step up for the co-op to succeed.
Morris Catholic
Coach: Marc Rubino, second season
Last year: 7-7
Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Hayden McGuigan; So. LSM Liam Whelan; So. A Jake Leroy.
Newcomers: Jr. D/M Eric Edelman; So. A Dante Domino; Fr. A Ryan Keller.
Outlook: Morris Catholic is still rebuilding.
North Warren/Belvidere
Coach: Spencer Willard, eighth season
Last year: 0-15
Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Alex Barton (11g, 8a); Sr. M Logan Schwenke; Sr. D Zac Zebrun; Jr. G Wyatt Wartman; Jr. A Kyle Ammerman; So. A Trey Zebrun.
Newcomers: Fr. G Aiden Hamill; Fr. M Killian Lynch; Fr. D Colton Sikkes.
Outlook: North Warren hopes to improve.
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse 2024 team-by-team preview capsules
