Coach optimistic about Kittatinny boys lacrosse team

Despite a 2-8 record so far this season, there is a strong sense of optimism for the Kittatinny Regional High School boys lacrosse team.

The Cougars, who aim to get better with each game and practice, are scheduled to play at Newton at 6 p.m. Friday, May 3.

They earned their first victory of the season, 6-4, over Morristown-Beard on April 9. They followed that up with an 8-5 win over Lenape Valley on April 23.

Last year, the team’s overall record was 1-15.

“We lost a large senior class” to graduation in 2023, head coach John Lade said. “With 19 players on our roster, we look to build on the success our program has had the last few years.

“We lost seven one- or two-goal games last year and with a solid group of athletes, we look to get over the hump of winning close games. We look to compete in our conferences and advance far into counties and state tournaments.’’

Among the key returning players are seniors Owen McGill (goalie, three-year starter, 53 save percentage and 173 saves in 2023), Alex Laoudis (midfield, one assist and 16 ground balls won in 2023), Carter Festa (attack, five goals and five assists in 2023) and Matt Stenderowicz (midfield, nine goals and two assists in 2023); junior Ethan Dalling (defense, one goal and one assist in 2023); and sophomores Niko Martinez (attack/midfield, three assists in 2023) and Shane Carman (defense, two ground balls in 2023).

Promising newcomers to the varsity lineup include junior Grady Bohannon (attack and midfield); sophomore Johnny Sebecke (defense); and freshmen Mike Strong (midfield), Callum Trilling (attack and midfield), Roman Volpe (attack and midfield) and Greg Roycroft (attack and midfield).

Kittatinny benefits from good leadership on the roster.

“We have three captains (Owen McGill, Alex Laoudis and Ethan Dalling),’’ Lade said. “Carter Festa and Matt Stenderowicz have been vocal in practice as well. These guys possess strong leadership skills that can help our team, on and off the field.’’

The Cougars compete in the NJILL Rizk Division along with Morris Knolls, Mount Olive, Montville, Jefferson, Vernon, Sparta and Roxbury.

“I feel we will be in the middle of the pack. Sparta is always solid. Jefferson and Morris Knolls have strong teams again this year,’’ the coach said.