Cougar captains lead lacrosse team

By Josh Lashley
Newton —
Among the attributes that the Kittatinny Regional High School boy’s lacrosse program has going in its favor this season is the vast amount of student-athletes who provide contributions each and every game.
This spring, the Cougars are led by four senior captains — Joe Lobb (midfield), Derek Michelman (defense), Mike Campanella (long stick midfield) and Joe Rosa (attack).
Spencer Willard, Kittatinny’s head coach, noted that all four captains will be continuing their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Lobb will play lacrosse at Misericordia University, Michelman will play football and lacrosse at Caldwell University, Campanella will play lacrosse at Stockton University and Rosa will play lacrosse at Westminster College.
“Three of them have been playing lacrosse for nine years and Derek Michelman has been playing for four years,’’ Willard said. “Joe Lobb has started varsity since his freshman year and has an excellent lacrosse IQ. Derek Michelman is a leader and was also captain of the football team. Joe Rosa is one of the heart and souls of the Kittatinny lacrosse team and just scored his 102nd goal this past Saturday (May 5) against Sparta. Mike Campanella switched from goalie to LSM and defense in his sophomore year and leads our defense with his skills.
“Joe Rosa is our leading scorer with 37 goals, eight assists, and 53 ground balls. Unfortunately Joe Lobb tore his ACL in the Newton game for the Beatty Cup (named after Newton legendary coach Larry Beatty) leading the Cougars to a 18-16 and bringing back the Cup to Kittatinny. Joe finished the season with nine goals and 29 ground balls and won 38 out of 55 face offs. Joe is another heart and soul of the team. Derek Michelman has been anchor of the defense with 19 ground balls. Mike Campanella has played both defense and LSM with two assists and 38 ground balls.’’
All four captains have been improving their own lacrosse games, while still working to help their teammates improve as well.
“Their knowledge of the game, which we call Lacrosse IQ [has improved],’’ Willard said. “They all help their teammates to improve themselves by being leaders. They give advice on how to play and motivate their teammates.’’
As was mentioned above, many players have helped Kittatinny progress forward this year.
“Senior middie Ryan Rigby at midfield and attack has 15 goals, six assists and 18 groundballs, he will be playing at Georgian Court in Lakewood,’’ Willard said. “Senior attack man Matt Fetterman has seven goals and four assist with 14 ground balls and senior defenseman Justin Voss has 24 ground balls. Senior Mike Callahan has 50 ground balls.
“Junior middie and LSM Tim Knutelsky has won four of 10 face offs and has 20 ground balls. Junior attack man Kevin Murphy has eight goals and 33 assists with 19 ground balls. Junior middie Blake Dippel has eight goals, two assists and 34 ground balls. Sophomore middie Austin Seames has four goals and six assist to go with 38 ground balls. Freshman Ed Nieuzytek has 37 ground balls and has won 52 face offs. Freshman middie Tyler Sweatt has three goals an assist and 23 ground balls and sophomore Hunter Gallo and freshman Christian Shotwell have combined for 163 saves.’’
NOTES: The statistics listed above were from games played through May 6. Kittatinny has a home game scheduled versus Morris Catholic on May 12.