Lacrosse: Latest North Jersey rankings and stat leaders, Q&A with Waldwick's comeback star
The big winner in the North Jersey lacrosse rankings this week? Anyone who plays the sport at Pascack Valley.
Both Panther programs moved up three spots to No. 6 after going unbeaten in the first half of April.
The Mahwah boys make their debut at No. 7 behind a stingy defense backed by goalie Brandon Costanzo.Here are the full set of rankings with county tournaments fast approaching.
Boys lacrosse Top 10 rankings
Don Bosco 4-1
Ridgewood 5-0
Northern Highlands 4-1
Bergen Catholic 3-3
Glen Rock 2-2
Pascack Valley 5-0
Mahwah 4-1
Wayne Valley 2-3
Tenafly 4-2
Ramapo 4-2
(Records through Tuesday.)
Girls lacrosse Top 10 rankings
Ridgewood 4-1
Immaculate Heart 2-4
Northern Highlands 2-4
Glen Rock 4-1
Saddle River Day 4-1
Pascack Valley 6-0
Westwood 5-2
Ramapo 1-2
Mahwah 3-2
Rutherford 7-0
Talking lacrosse with Waldwick's Julia Levitzke
After missing last year with a broken humerus in her left arm, the senior midfielder has returned this spring to lead Waldwick (6-0) to the best start in school history. This week, we caught up with Levitzke, who doubles as a centerback in soccer and forward in basketball. She ranks No. 1 in North Jersey with 30 goals to go with 14 ground balls and 15 draw controls.
How would you describe the atmosphere around the team after two weeks?
It's an amazing feeling how far we've come. I'm really happy. Our team has been doing really well together. When we play together, I think we can win any game. The energy we have on the field together is just unmatched.
What did it mean to score your 100th career goal on Saturday?
It was such a good feeling, especially after being injured last year. Being back on the field makes me so happy and the love I feel from my teammates when I score. It was such a good feeling when I scored. It's such a relief to be back playing my favorite sport.
How challenging was it to be sidelined for an entire season?
It was hard, but I just had to learn how to be a leader off the field as well. I think it taught me a lot, how to be grateful for every second on the field and every time you have with the team.
How did you get hurt?
It was in a basketball game. February of last year. It was hard. I knew immediately I wouldn't be able to play lacrosse. That was a big upset for me, given this is my favorite sport. Losing a year was hard, but I'm just so happy to be back.
Are you back to 100 percent?
A hundred percent now. No pain. Nothing.
What are the goals for the rest of the season?
To win the league. This senior class has all been playing together since third grade.
What was the best part of the preseason trip to Orlando?
Universal. It was so fun. It was such a good team-bonding experience. I think it really did bring our team closer.
What a great end to our Spring Training trip in Orlando, Florida! The girls finish the weekend with a 2-1 record and we’re ready to take on the regular season!! 🥍☀️🩵 #oneteam #oneheartbeat pic.twitter.com/2iaS8yOnyk
— Waldwick Girls Lacrosse (@WHSGVLAX) March 23, 2024
Where are you going to school next year?
Penn State.
What was it like coming into the season knowing it's your last year of lacrosse?
It's bittersweet. But I'm just excited next year to come back and see how much this team has improved.
Boys lacrosse stat leaders
GOALS
Connor Denny, Fair Lawn 27
William Gerhardstein, Hawthorne 23
Logan Sakir, Hawthorne 23
Cody Webster, DePaul 21
Ryan Davis, Pascack Hills 20
Wyatt Dabby, Tenafly 20
Quinn O'Neill, Ramsey 19
Dean Wilkie, Wayne Hills 18
CJ Driver, Pascack Hills 17
Matt Branco, Lyndhurst 16
Jayden Amico, Passaic Valley 15
Nicco Fasoli, Passaic Tech 15
Dylan Reichel, Tenafly 15
ASSISTS
Ty Christianson, Fair Lawn 20
Donnie Duffus, Pascack Valley 16
CJ Driver, Pascack Hills 16
William Gerhardstein, Hawthorne 16
Cameron Robator, Mahwah 15
Cooper Roberts, Tenafly 15
Cody Webster, DePaul 15
Dylan Reichel, Tenafly 14
Jack Tenaglia, Bergen Catholic 14
Owen Crowley, Ramsey 12
Tommy Kivari, DePaul 12
Nate Barriteau, Lyndhurst 12
GROUND BALLS
Cody Webster, DePaul 56
Antonio Santora, Lakeland 45
Jake Kelshaw, West Milford 44
Cole Mogensen, Tenafly 43
Parker Dupuis, Glen Rock 38
David Levine, Tenafly 37
Justus Favata, Ramsey 34
Owen Deady, Pascack Valley 32
Sean Morrison, Westwood 30
Conor Pinkham, Fair Lawn 29
Logan Custance, Wayne Valley 29
Mikey Rickard, Paramus 27
Luke Biello, Westwood 27
SAVES
Tyler Acanfrio, West Milford 101
Nazario Ramos, DePaul 94
Ismael Jimenez, Clifton 83
Jackson Barnett, Northern Highlands 65
Colin Daroch, Wayne Valley 65
Neil Bernhaut, Demarest 64
Gabe Akdemir, Paramus 62
Brian Pierpont, Ramsey 58
JohnPaul Wedemeyer, Hawthorne 56
Brennan Visokey, Glen Rock 56
Jackson Clift, Dwight-Englewood 53
Girls lacrosse stat leaders
GOALS
Julia Levitzke, Waldwick 30
Jane Tenaglia, Holy Angels 28
Lauren Vignola, Lakeland 27
Paige Fava, West Milford 26
Isabella Pedone, Saddle River Day 26
Kaitlyn Verdesca, Waldwick 23
Courtney Pelisson, Pascack Valley 23
Ryan Doyle, Glen Rock 23
Ella Saxon, Pascack Valley 22
Jenna Reinhart, Pascack Valley 21
Sydney Murri, Fair Lawn 21
Brianna Bellome, Passaic Tech 20
Ashley Castillo, Passaic Tech 20
Ava Amatucci, Rutherford 20
Jea Herninko, Rutherford 20
Ava Bower, DePaul 20
Kayla Hunt, Emerson/Park Ridge 20
ASSISTS
Hope Arturi, River Dell 19
Charlotte Malady, Old Tappan 15
Abigail Holland, Saddle River Day 14
Kailey Maskerines, West Milford 14
Alana Anton, Passaic Tech 11
Julia Graceffo, Mahwah 11
Megan Hartnett, River Dell 10
Madison Minicucci, Saddle River Day 10
Kaitlyn Hu, Waldwick 10
Carly Stoepker, Clifton 10
Jacklyn Janiec, Pompton Lakes 10
GROUND BALLS
Isabella Fontanez, Fair Lawn 34
Sydney Murri, Fair Lawn 27
Meryl Lawson, Pompton Lakes 24
Julia Foti, Passaic Tech 23
Samantha Marcus, DePaul 23
Alexandra Morgan, Wayne Valley 23
Zoe Gatanas, Demarest 22
Ava Bower, DePaul 22
Mia Kurtz, River Dell 21
Ashley Castillo, Passaic Tech 19
Jade Lang, Fair Lawn 18
Samantha Allen, River Dell 18
Charlotte Malady, Old Tappan 18
Lucia Guardascione, Saddle River Day 18
SAVES
Samantha Idiculla, River Dell 72
Sloane Wolford, Wayne Valley 69
MC Salter, Saddle River Day 62
Reagan Larson, IHA 62
Mackenzie Brattlof, Emerson/Park Ridge 58
Mia Nardi, DePaul 55
Meaghan Morrison, Westwood 55
Bridget Leahy, Pompton Lakes 51
Elizabeth Crames, Mahwah 49
Sabrina Dowling, Waldwick 46
Maddi Schaper, Passaic Tech 45
Ally Zamparelli, Glen Rock 45
Hailey Callahan, Lakeland 45
Jordan Schmier, Indian Hills 44
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Lacrosse: Rankings, stat leaders, Q&A with Waldwick's Julia Levitzke