Boys’ lacrosse looks to rebuild after rough start to season

by Brandon Verna

Despite a rough start, the Southern Lehigh Boys’ Lacrosse team has high hopes for the remainder of their season.

“Right now, unfortunately, we’ve had this 0-4 start, and we’re making sure that we’re moving in a positive direction,” faceoff coach Eric Stemple said. “We’re focused on more micro-goals as opposed to macro-goals, and if we do enough of the smaller goals, we can build up to bigger goals.”

The players and coaches agree that their macro-goal is to make a statement in district playoffs.

“[The] main goal for us is to make it to district finals,” junior Chris Venezia said.

Southern Lehigh has had a historically strong boys’ lacrosse program, sending students to play in college year after year. Many talents pass through Southern Lehigh’s lacrosse program, forcing the team to learn how to step up in the absence of these excellent graduates.

“The team is definitely impacted a lot from the loss of the seniors,” senior Seth Young said. “Our top goal scorer leaving means we need everyone on offense to step up more.”

With the team’s leading goal scorer from last year, Ben Malicki, graduating, some surprising talent has emerged to fill his shoes.

“We’re relying a lot on young freshmen this year to step up into their roles,” Coach Stemple said. “We’ve actually gotten a couple players, [Chris Venezia] and [Sam Durham], that have crossed over from soccer… they already are blessings to us.”

Despite some discouraging losses at the beginning of the Spartans’ season, players believe the results will be in their favor.

“Right now, we are in a slump, but I believe we will bounce back next game,” Venezia said. “We are gaining momentum.”

Even though the Spartans have had a lessthan-ideal start, the team’s sense of brotherhood and camaraderie hasn’t waned.

“I would say we are a family,” Young said. “We do everything together and we are open and can talk about anything together.”

In short, don’t expect the boys’ lacrosse team to give up on their goals. They are a young, motivated team that will stop at nothing to be their best.

“We have a saying in the lacrosse team. It’s called ‘dominate the moment,’” Stemple said. “[It means] always give 100% when you’re doing something…never leave room for regret.”