2023 Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse team-by-team preview capsules

NJAC-American

Chatham

Coach: Christian Scarpello, second season

Last year: 10-9

Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Doyle Curry; Sr. A Luke Barbera; Sr. A Aiden Brasher; Sr. M Ronan Curry; Sr. M Flynn Decker; Sr. M Peter Boyd; Sr. D Brendan Boyd; Sr. M Tim Platek; Sr. M Ryan Coletta; Sr. D Ryan Burke; Jr. M John Lagunowich.

Outlook: With plenty of offensive firepower returning, Chatham's expectations are high.

Delbarton

Coach: Matt Kovachik, sixth season

Last year: 15-6, 6-1 Fitch-Pitt co-champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. G Aidan Troy; Sr. G Charlie Medd; Sr. D Julian Radossich; Sr. D Corbin Lukanski; Sr. LSM Jake Melchionni; Sr. LSM Nick Dotro; Sr. M T.J. Coffey; Sr. M Vin Ferrara; Sr. M Sean Diczok; Sr. A Gray Doyle; Sr. A Spencer Shea; Sr. M Jack Eisenhardt; SR. FO Nick Faccone; Sr. FO Ryan Trafford.

Newcomers: Jr. G Alec Delgado; Jr. M Willie Doyle; So. D Will Pedicano; So. D Bo Popham; So. G Tanner Shimko; So. A Asher Testa.

Outlook: Delbarton expects to compete for the Morris County Tournament and NJSIAA Non-Public A titles.

Mountain Lakes

Coach: Tim Flynn, 44th season

Last year: 22-1, NJAC-American champion; Gibbs champion; Morris County Tournament champion; NJSIAA Group 1 champion; Tournament of Champions winner

Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Kevin Gillespie (19g, 11a); Sr. M Jimmy Elliott (11g, 10a); Sr. G Matt Sentowski; Sr. D Gavin Ananian; Sr. D Nate Holliday; Sr. D/M Oliver Bush; Jr. FO Jordan Hernando; Jr. M Marco Dzamba.

Newcomers: Sr. A Nick Fidacaro; Sr. D/M Joe Sluck; Sr. M Bryan Pigden; Sr. M Andy Barrasso; Sr. D Dylan Sawransky; Jr. M Justin Brennfleck; Jr. LSM Aidan Malnati; Jr. A Giacomo Bevacqua.

Outlook: Mountain Lakes doesn't rebuild, it reloads — and the goals never change.

Randolph

Coach: John Naslonski, 10th season

Last year: 12-9

Returning letter-winners: Sr. G Connor Thomas; Sr. G Kristian Tootsov; Sr. A Tyler Holland; Sr. A Stefan Swedlund; Sr. A Josh Friheiter; Sr. A Noah Marovitz; Sr. D Aidan Flowers; Sr. D/LSM Ryan Novak; Sr. D Jake Coombs; Sr. Jonathon Cilenti; Sr. D Caden Pontelandolfo; Sr. M Adri Koliqi; Sr. M Patrick Osborn; Sr. D/M Mike Campbell; Sr. D/M Christian Cantada; Sr. M/D Eric Krog; Sr. FO Aidan Matheney.

Newcomers: Jr. A Jake Weiner; Jr. M Connor Cuonzo; Jr. M Jake Miller; Jr. M Thomas Doto; Jr. M Ethan Braun; Jr. D Jacob Barninger; Jr. D Ed Wysmerski; Jr. D Nicholas Wilkenson; Jr. G Nick Pompeo; So. G Ryan Potanovich; So. Ethan McClendon.

Outlook: The Rams are led by a large senior class.

Pope John

Coach: Chris Hoffmann, 11th season

Last year: 10-9

Returning letter-winners: Sr. G Joseph Barnish; Sr. D Nick Caruso; Sr. D Martin Heath; Sr. D Tony Cuccio; Sr. LSM Kyle Obaytek; Sr. LSM Wes Taylor; Sr. M Nick McIvor (4g, 6a); Sr. M Ryan McCarthy (19g, 4a); Sr. M Lucas Biddiscombe; Sr. A/M Jack Sakowski (19g, 12a); Sr. A Eric Vargas (13g, 10a); Sr. A/M Tommy Smaldone; Jr. D/LSM Jake Panzer; So. M/FO Michael Ramirez.

Newcomers: So. A Travis Heller; So. M Peyton Fox.

Outlook: Experienced Pope John is led by 13 seniors, most of whom were part of the 2021 HWS championship team.

NJAC-National

Morristown

Coach: Ryan McCoy, first season

Last year: 4-11

Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Colin O'Connor; Jr. D Connor Ross; Jr. A Aidan Clark.

Newcomers: Jr. D Brody Toye; So. A Alex Davis; So. D Dane Karlsons.

Outlook: McCoy is the young Colonials' third coach in as many seasons.​​​​​​​

Morristown Beard

Coach: Joe Lodato, first season

Last year: 5-12

Returning letter-winners: Sr. LSM Will McDonald; Sr. A David Stulberger; Sr. D Ayo Fayemi; Sr. G Charlie Gibbs; Sr. FO Buddy Valastro; Sr. FO Jake Goldstein; Sr. D Max Masino; Jr. A Brendan Tartaglione.

Newcomers: So. D Ryan Novak; So. D Season Rizzo.

Outlook: Lodato, a former college coach, inherits an experienced team from Sal Tromonda after nine years.

Mount Olive

Coach: Chris Blough, second season

Last year: 13-5, 6-1 Rizk; NJAC-United champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. G Joe Drew; Sr. D Anthony Moscatello; Sr. A Braden Ensinger; Sr. M Nicola D'Amico; Jr. M Adam DeChristofaro; Jr. A Robert Foster; Jr. D Aiden Lynch; Jr. M Jack Mullery; Jr. FO/M Noah Russ; Jr. A Kyle Schiller.

Newcomers: Sr. A Anthony Cianciatto; Sr. D Kyle Yin; Jr. Jack Ferrara; Jr. G Devin Piacente; Jr. M Ryan Schaefer; Jr. A Colin Terry; Jr. D Aiden Riener; Jr. D Jack Turner; So. D Tobey Clark; So. D Ryland McCumber; So. M Tanner Perez; So. M Bodin Zafiropolous.

Outlook: The Marauders hope to reach a MCT quarterfinal, finish in the top half of the NJAC-National and Rizk, and win a NJSIAA Tournament game.

Sparta

Coach: Sean Peterson, second season

Last year: 14-5, 7-0 Rizk champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Ryan Rossi (44g, 39a); Sr. G Joe Buono; Sr. M Troy Christiano (10g, 9a); Sr. D Blake Rullis; Jr. A Mason Lindsay (29g, 4a); Jr. D Greg Peters.

Newcomers: Jr. M Booey Rodriguez; Jr. M Pat Dunn; So. Christian Hanson.

Outlook: Veteran Sparta must replace leading scorer Adam Wood and defensive leader Paul Gennat.

West Morris

Coach: Rob Goodwin, 23rd season

Last year: 10-10

Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Brayden Fuller; Sr. D Mike Spaziano; Sr. D Scott Van Woert; Sr. A Stefano Montella; Sr. M Will Carrara; Sr. FO Brandon Edwards; Sr. M Vinnie Desiderio; Jr. D Bryce Cammaratta; Jr. A Garrett Crisp; Jr. D Mike Lavista; Jr. D Jacob Morris.

Outlook: The experienced Wolfpack hopes to regain the Pooley title.

NJAC-United

Jefferson

Coach: Scott Reid, 14th season

Last year: 15-5, 8-0 Pooley champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. LSM Colin Sabia (31g, 16a); Sr. A Harrison Root (36g, 6a); Sr. D Josh Danyus; Sr. LSM/D Chris Morgan; Sr. LSM Dylan Kircher; Sr. A Vinnie Leppard (43g, 11a); Jr. D Alex Johns; Jr. M Charles Oberman; Jr. A Brayden Strauch; So. Chubb Reid (23g, 57a); So. G Jamison Reid; So. D Aidan Fitzsimmons.

Newcomers: Jr. M Anthony Giannotti; Jr. D/LSM Matthew Cruz; So. LSM/D Ethan Orlando; Fr. A/M Matthew Leppard; Fr. D/LSM Jason Post.

Outlook: Group I Jefferson hopes to step up to the challenge of the Rizk and NJAC-United.

'I love it more than anything': Meet the Reids, the first family of Jefferson lacrosse

Kittatinny

Coach: John Lade, fourth season

Last year: 4-13

Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Caedon Jones (37g, 19a); Sr. A/M Andrew Knutelsky (23g, 19a); Sr. D Matt Knutelsky; Sr. M Sean Utter; Jr. G Owen McGill; Jr. A Carter Festa; Jr. M Alex Laoudis; Jr. D Ian Traverse; So. D Ethan Dalling.

Newcomers: Sr. A/M Mike Zoellner; Fr. A/M Niko Martinez; Fr. D Shane Carman.

Outlook: The Cougars hope to compete for the Rizk and NJAC-United titles.

Lenape Valley

Coach: Rich Shahpazian, second season

Last year: 3-14, 1-6 Rizk

Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Troy Brennan; Sr. M Eric Perez; Sr. LSM/D Braden Coles; Sr. Liam Kelly.

Outlook: Seniors will lead the rebuilding Patriots.

Madison

Coach: Dan Lederer, second season

Last year: 10-7

Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Will Clifford; Sr. M Ben Colao; Sr. M Anthony Contessa; Sr. G Joey DeMarzo; Sr. M Gavin Lukacs; Jr. A Matt Spagnoletti; Jr. D James Amorosi; Jr. M Andrew Boyd; Jr. M Jake Kurilla; So. M Sam Gero.

Newcomers: Fr. A Matt Lutz.

Outlook: Young Madison wants to finish with double-digit victories again, even after graduating a large class.

Montville

Coach: Rick DeBonta, 17th season

Last year: 7-11

Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Matt Deary; Sr. M Billy Templeton; Sr. A Chris Kolaritsch; Sr. G Gianni Graziano; Jr. D Jimmy Conlon; Jr. D Jared Krupnick; Jr. LSM Gennaro Polise; So. A Mike Colaiacovo.

Newcomers: Jr. FO Brandon Cash; Jr. A Rocco Vena; So. M Mike Vespi; So. M Anthony Feaster; Fr. A Ryan Conlon.

Outlook: The Mustangs should be in the mix for the Rizk and NJAC-United titles.

Morris Knolls

Coach: Terry Reilly, 10th season

Last year: 12-8, 5-2 Rizk

Returning letter-winners: Sr. G Ryan Beller; Sr. D Jet Devlin; Sr. M/A Nick Forgione (32g, 13a); Jr. A Jack Martinez (23g, 20a); Jr. M Kyle Hardie (19g, 16a); Sr. M Cole Malatesta (13g, 8a).

Newcomers: So. M/D Bobby Brickner.

Outlook: Experienced Morris Knolls hopes to show versatility.

Vernon

Coach: Adam Coleman, fifth season

Last year: 11-8, 6-2 Pooley

Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Gage Moskovitz; Sr. M Connor Sensbach, Sr. A Aidan Duffy; Jr. D Logan Pych; Jr. LSM Owen Lally.

Newcomers: Jr. M Kane Lynch; Jr. A Ty Holden; Jr. M Ketchell Terzakis; Jr. D Will Wesloske; Jr. G Damon Greenwood, So. G Luca Vizzini, So. A/M Jake Del Rosario.

Outlook: The young Vikings must step up quickly.

NJAC-Colonial

Boonton

Coach: Mickey Norton, 10th season

Last year: 10-8, 6-1, Klank co-champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Nick Scaltro (46g, 43a); Sr. A Gavin Gaetano (25g, 13a); Sr. D Logan Przestrzelski; So. G Cody Larsen; So. M Colin Bostrom (5g, 10a); So. A Christian Fokas (8g, 3a).

Newcomers: Jr. M Dylan Cannizzaro; Jr. D Adem Qose; Jr. D Chris Celemente; Jr. M Landon San-Martin; Jr. M Gabe Lagos; Jr. D Peter Shiels; So. D Cole Mayberry.

Outlook: The Bombers want to defend their Klank title.

Kinnelon

Coach: Tom Mott, first season

Last year: 8-10

M Chris Giannella; D Logan Klein; M Michael Lally; LSM/D Jabril Lindsey; M/A Jack Matthew; M Stephen Porada; D Drew Smith;

Returning letter-winners: Sr. G Marco Leitao; Sr. D/M Anthony Masherelli; Sr. Sean Ford; Sr. Marco Lucci.

Newcomers: Fr. D Jesse Chomik.

Outlook: Mott, a veteran coach, inherits a developing squad from Eric DiColo, the coach for four seasons.

Newton

Coach: David Gallucci, second season

Last year: 11-7, 6-2 Pooley

Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Robert McCullough (20g, 12a); Sr. A Aiden LaCourt (9g, 2a); Sr. M Evan Robinson; Jr. A Brenden Lynch (9g, 5a); So. M Evan Parker; So. A Ty Guzzo (28g, 18a).

Newcomers: Sr. FO Aiden Akturk; Jr. D Yasin Tabatabaee; So. D Ryan Corino; So. FO/M Keegan Murtaugh; So. M Paul Reinhart; Fr. M Max Faye.

Outlook: Despite needing to replace significant scoring, the Braves hope to be in contention for the NJAC-Independence and Pooley titles.

Park Regional

Coach: Angelo Cilenti, second season

Last year: 8-11, 6-1 Klank co-champion

Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Jake Honl; Sr. M Domenic Madera; Sr. A C.J. Conte; Sr. Jack Gatzke; So. D/LSM Ian Holmes.

Newcomers: Jr. Marty Zoet; Jr. Kenny Scaglione; So. Christian Carter.

Outlook: Park is ready to take on the challenge of the Kimber.

Pequannock

Coach: Stephen Donnelly, fourth season

Last year: 13-6, 4-2 Curcio

Returning letter-winners: Sr. LSM Dan Benevenia; Sr. A Brendan Brady; Sr. M Dante Cheff; Sr. Isaac Budowsky; Sr. Nico DiMichino; Jr. A Tyler DeNaples; Jr. D Dylan DeNaples; Jr. M Mason Longo; Jr. M Derek Manchester; Jr. A Ryan Torrisi; Jr. M Matt Zenser; Jr. G Patrick Unger; Jr. Billy Donnelly; Jr. Steven Fenner; Jr. Mike Horgan; Jr. Evan Karaty; Jr. Noah Rosario; So. G Mason Cheff; So. M Joe Heaney.

Newcomers: Jr. James Bonner, Jr. Drew Rivera, So. Ed Shalongo.

Outlook: Pequannock expects to contend for the NJAC-Colonial and Curcio titles.

Roxbury

Coach: Justin Meeth, second season

Last year: 5-12

Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Frankie Pavese (9g, 8a); Sr. M Hunter Klapmuts (10g, 3a); Sr. M Connor Kenworthy (12g, 8a); Sr. M/A Joe Christel; Jr. M/A Anthony Skawinski (51g, 18a);Jr. LSM Joey Palanchi; So. A Trevor Klapmuts (4g, 9a); So. D Vito Martinelli; Sr. D Tanner Mobilio.

Newcomers: Jr. D Ryland Maloy; So. M/A Vinney Varghese.

Outlook: The veteran Gaels expect to compete in both the Rizk and NJAC-Colonial.

NJAC-Independence

High Point/Wallkill Valley

Coach: Marc Russell, 16th season

Last year: 2-13

Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Elias Nosal; Sr. D Cole Phillips; Jr. D Ryder Darvalics; Jr. M Santino Loyola; So. G Neeko Basanyi; So. M Jaxon Barbalich; So. M Brian Gruber.

Outlook: The young Sussex County co-op, which also includes players from Sussex Tech, is developing.

Morris Catholic

Coach: Marc Rubino, first season

Last year: 3-9

Returning letter-winners: Sr. LSM/D Peter Pallozzi; Sr. A Nikolas Rubino; Sr. A Brogan Wooley; So. FO/M Ryan Lazzara; So. M/A Malachi Lewis.

Newcomers: Jr. D Hayden McGuigan; So. M Mercer Acuna; Fr. A/M Liam Whelan.

Outlook: Morris Catholic is trying to build a winning culture.

Morris Hills

Coach: Eric Turner, third season

Last year: 9-8, 5-2 Klank

Returning letter-winners: Sr. A Aiden Keating; Sr. M Jeremy Cruz; Sr. M Andrew Macerello; Sr. M Joe Laux; Sr. A Dan Petry; Sr. D Ryan Hoff; Sr. D Ryan Walter; Sr. D Will Bruseo; Jr. A Connor Bourdon; Jr. A Colby Wagner; Jr. M Brendan Gleason; Jr. M Killian Yombor; Jr. M/G Aiden Doyle; Jr. D Jack Dooley; Jr. D/G Ben Blender; So. A Justin Redwood; So. A/M Drew Suskind; So. D Jack Petry.

Outlook: The veteran Scarlet Knights want to finish over .500 and earn a home NJSIAA Tournament game.

North Warren/Belvidere

Coach: Spencer Willard, seventh season

Last year: 1-16

Returning letter-winners: Sr. D Bobby Maza; Sr. M Craig Shipps; Sr. M Brodie Mclain; Sr. A Andrew Rice; Jr. A Alex Barton; So. G Wyatt Wartman.

Newcomers: So. M Luke Tipton; Fr. M Mike Maltaglaiati; Fr. D Jack Allison.

Outlook: Despite having a small roster, North Warren/Belvidere hopes to improve on last year's record.

Parsippany Regional

Coach: Travis Blau, second season

Returning letter-winners: Sr. M Owen Barbrack; Sr. D Zachary Bolcar; Sr. D Austin Cerullio; Sr. A Kyle Kievit; Sr. D Colin Peacock; Sr. G Chris Stearns; Jr. LSM Malik Alzubi; Jr. A Zachary DiLauri; Jr. M Logan Simpson; So. M Gavin Barbrack; So. Owen Garcia; So. M Alexander Spada; So. Nicholas Spada; So. Benjamin Ucab.

Newcomers: Sr. Giovanni Nigro; So. Max Ingersoll; So. Xavier Ballesteros; Fr. Quinn Barbrack; Fr. Liam O’Dowd; Fr. Robert Hemenway; Fr. Matthew Hemenway.

Outlook: Parsippany and Parsippany Hills have combined into a co-op program.

This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: 2022 Morris/Sussex boys lacrosse team-by-team preview capsules