Mountain Lakes (NJ) 2017 Hunter Batesko, a 6-foot-2 midfielder, gives Michigan lacrosse a big tristate catch

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It’s the busiest time of year for major D-I commitments in the nation’s No. 1 hotspot for lacrosse, the NY/NJ/CT tristate region. Get caught up right here, right now. To say Hunter Batesko is a can’t miss prospect would be stating the obvious. For starters, the Mountain Lakes High School (NJ) two-way midfielder is 6-foot-2 and […]

Don Bosco (NJ) two-way middie Russell Masci makes Maryland lacrosse his choice

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The combination of size and speed are attributes major Division I coaches crave for their midfield recruits. So it should come as no surprise that Russell Masci of Don Bosco Prep (NJ) was a high target for several marquee programs. Last week, the rising junior decided on his destination, verbally committing to the University of […]

Ridgewood (NJ) 2016 D/LSM Brett Kennedy will take his skills, speed to Syracuse

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Growing up in Ridgewood, N.J., it didn’t take Brett Kennedy long before he picked up a lacrosse stick for the first time. “Lacrosse is big in my town,” Kennedy said. “Most kids have a stick in their hands at a very young age. I was probably in first or second grade when my dad bought […]

Chatham (NJ) student of the game Sullivan set on Furman

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James Sullivan is a student of the game. The senior attackman at Chatham High School in New Jersey uses his high lacrosse IQ to find openings on the field that translate into scoring opportunities. Soon, he hopes to take that formula success to the new level. Sullivan has verbally committed to the new Division I […]

NJ 2016 Garavente finds perfect mix of academics, athletics in Lafayette

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If you’ve been following along as the commitments have been made on our Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section, you know that Lafayette College has emerged as a force in landing underclass commitments from the nation’s No. 1 hotspot for lacrosse, the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate region. Chalk up another one for the Leopards from Easton, […]

Player’s perspective: Cuccinello hopes his senior season at Mountain Lakes (NJ) is a memorable one

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Mountain Lakes ended the 2013 season in a familiar place — with a New Jersey Group I title. The Lakers, who finished 15-6, ended the season with an 11-8 loss to Rutgers Prep in the opening round of the New Jersey Tournament of Champions. For a look at the 2014 Lakers, we turn to Christian […]

Don Bosco Prep (NJ) defender Pandise will take his size, speed to UMass

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Greg Pandise is a double-threat defender. The Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) senior has the dangerous combination of size and speed. It’s served him well for the Ironmen and should do the same thing at the next level. The 6-foot-2, 196-pound Pandise, who signed with University of Massachusetts in the fall, has decided on a post-grad […]

NJ 2014 dodging midfielder Halpin headed to Hartford

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Brendan Halpin is known as a quick and shifty north-south dodger. For his college destination, he’ll be heading east. The two-way senior midfielder at Cranford High School in New Jersey  committed to the University of Hartford earlier this week, as first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section. The 5-foot-10, 165-pound […]

Bergen Catholic (NJ) 2016 middie Magno: ‘Air Force met all my criteria and more’

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When Jeremy Magno weighed his college choices, there were many factors he considered. One thing, though, set Air Force apart from the other schools on his short list. “I loved the idea of giving back to my country by serving,” he said. The Class of 2016 midfielder at Bergen Catholic High School will be doing […]

Player’s perspective: Zanelli, NJ power Summit eye showdowns vs. Delbarton, Chatham, Westfield, Ridgefield (CT)

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Perennial New Jersey power Summit will be tested right from the start. The Hilltoppers, who have won 18 or more games each of the last five years (including four seasons of 20-plus wins), play at Delbarton on March 29 in what will be one of the best early season matchups in tristate lacrosse. Chris Zanelli […]

Seton Hall Prep (NJ) 2015 midfielder McHale eager to be a part of Providence’s lacrosse future

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Joseph McHale liked what he saw at Providence College, including a new weight room and locker room. But it wasn’t just what he saw then, but the Friars’ vision for the future. “The new facilities and a new future stadium show a strong commitment to lacrosse,” he said. So it should come as nor surprise […]

3 C’s spell success for Salisbury-bound NJ goaltender Stavrakis

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For Anthony Stavrakis, the key to success as a goaltender comes down to the three C’s. That is, being consistent, calm and composed. “My greatest strength as a player is my ability to be consistent in cage,” said the 2014 standout at Hillsborough High Schoool (N.J.). “I think that I stay calm and composed in […]

NJ 2015 star midfielder Haubenstock changes college destination to closer to home at Colgate

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Josh Haubenstock was all set to head west. The standout at Ramapo High School in New Jersey verbally committed to the University of Denver late last year. But the 2015 midfielder has had a change of heart. Haubenstock has decided to play closer to home, and given a verbal to Colgate University after decommitting from […]

NJ 2014 midfielder Wasik, cousin of former MLL/NLL standout, makes college choice

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Mike Wasik didn’t have to look far to find a lacrosse role model. “My cousin Andrew Wasik introduced me to lacrosse when I was in second grade,” said the senior at Caldwell High School (N.J.).Andrew Wasik played Division -II lacrosse at Pace University and played in both the MLL and the NLL. “He was a […]

Aggressive, athletic 2015 NJ Midfielder Gerhard is bound for Bucknell

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Peter Gerhard is a Double A player. The Ranney High School (N.J.) junior has a combination of aggressiveness and athleticism that makes him perfect to play midfield. “My strengths as a player revolve around my ability to play both offense and defense as a midfielder,” he said. It’s proven effective both at the varsity level, […]

Summit (NJ) standout Zachara’s college decision is academic

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Summit (N.J.), which has emerged as a national power the last decade, picked up its ninth Class of 2014 commitment last week. It was made by 2014 longstick midfielder Nick Zachara, who decided on St. Lawrence, a decision first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section. The 6-foot, 170-pound Zachara is […]

NJ 2014 A/M McCarthy hopes his college lacrosse destination will help him achieve his goal of being a firefighter

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Joseph “Danny” McCarthy has his mom, Laura McCarthy, to thank for getting started in lacrosse. “I was introduced to the lacrosse at the age of 6 when my mom, Laura McCarthy, started the Caldwell/West Caldwell (N.J.) lacrosse club,” McCarthy said. Now a senior at Caldwell High School, the attackman/midfielder is on the brink of continuing […]

Unorthodox but effective NJ 2015 converted attackman Sefcik now making mark in goal

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  The recruiting spotlight continues to shine on the Morristown-Beard School in New Jersey. Earlier this week, we heard from Joseph Rago, an attackman who has committed to Marist. Now, we stay in the Class of 2015 with the focus on Crimson 2015 goaltender Matt Sefcik. Sefcik has given a verbal to Wagner, a commitment […]

Marist continues its tristate recruiting success with big commit from NJ 2015 Rago

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We’ve been documenting on our Lacrosse Insider premium coverage section the success that Marist College has been having in landing commitments from Long Island standouts as they have occurred. Marist has spread its wings recruiting wise. The Red Foxes’ latest verbal comes from New Jersey. Marist’s fifth 2015 tristate commitment was made by Thomas Rago, […]

NJ 2014 FOGO Ornstein excels beyond the faceoff X

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Face off, get off. FOGO. That description and that acronym say so much, and yet, so little. After all, there are many so-called “FOGOs” whose skills go well beyond the faceoff circle. Case in point, Zack Ornstein. “I am not just a FOGO,” the Howell High School (N.J.) midfielder said. After all, it was Ornstein […]

Summit (NJ) 2015 three-sport standout Zanelli picks Providence for lacrosse

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Playing three sports has helped Chris Zanelli become an appealing college recruit in lacrosse. The junior midfielder at New Jersey power Summit has a combination of strength and speed developed through playing football and skills and unselfishness acquired by playing hockey. Zanelli’s college destination is Providence College, a commitment first reported by Joe Lombardi when […]

Blair Academy (NJ) attackman Marcus makes Franklin & Marshall his choice

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If you’ve been following the reports from our LaxLessons.com Lacrosse Insider newsroom, you know it’s been a busy stretch for commitments from New Jersey. We now bring you another. It comes from Blair Academy 2014 attackman Griffin Marcus, who has decided on Division III power Franklin & Marshall, a commitment first reported when it was […]

NJ 2016 midfielder Waters decides on Delaware

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Matt Waters is a midfielder who makes things happen. “I am strong between the lines as well and am able to push the tempo and creates scoring situations,” said the sophomore at  Rumson-Fair Haven (N.J.). Those skills translate to success at the next level, which will be at the University of Delaware. Waters’ commitment was […]

Ridgewood (NJ) multi-dimensional attackman Smith headed to Hobart

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The attack position is synonymous with scoring. But Owen Smith realizes there’s more to the position than that. Much more. “I’m most proud of my 44 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers last season,” said the senior at Ridgewood High School (N.J.). Smith’s versatility is a direct result of his upbringing. “A few of us […]

NJ goaltending standout Alvino will be off to Air Force

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Ernie Alvino has the physical skills needed to excel as a goaltender. But the junior at St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) also has the mental attributes necessary for that position. “I like to play an intelligent game where I use my technique to make saves,” he said. The 5-foot-10, 160-pound Alvino will take his mental and […]

Lacrosse Insider: Three NJ Class of 2015 standouts make commitments

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We have three new Class of 2015 college commitments to report, all from New Jersey. We start at one of the powerhouse high school programs in the nation’s No. 1 hotbed for lacrosse, the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate region – Delbarton. The Green Wave, who finished 17-1 this past spring, now have four junior commits. […]

Delbarton (NJ) versatile 2015 standout Comizio verbals to Villanova

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To say T.J. Comizio’s potential as a lacrosse player started when he was born is not an understatement. After all, both his parents played the sport. Now a junior at national power Delbarton (N.J.), the attackman/midfielder has a college career ahead of him. He decided where that will be, verballing to Villanova, a commitment first […]

NJ two-way midfielder McKenna headed to Holy Cross

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Another Class of 2015 standout from the Garden State has decided on Holy Cross. Oratory Prep two-way midfielder Jack McKenna is the latest New Jersey rising junior headed to Worcester, Mass. McKenna verballed to the Crusaders last week as first reported by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider special coverage section. The 6-foot-1, 170-pound lefty, […]

Pingry School (NJ) standout Rogers makes Middlebury his choice

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With the huge increase in the number of players participating in lacrosse, finding an opportunity to attend a school that is as strong academically as it is athletically is more challenging than ever. One of the top 2014 defenders in New Jersey has been able to find a college that meets that description. Eric Rogers […]

Lacrosse Insider: NJ 2015 ‘groundball machine’ makes his college choice

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Holy Cross is making some noise in New Jersey. We told you here at Lacrosse Insider on Aug. 18 that the Crusaders had copped a commitment from Seton Hall Prep defender Matt Farrell. (Here’s the follow-up Q&A with Matt on his verbal, published Aug. 20 at LaxLessons.com/blog.) Now, Joe Lombardi is reporting that yet another […]

Seton Hall Prep (NJ) gritty defender Farrell headed to Holy Cross

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The College of Holy Cross’ first Class of 2015 commit comes from New Jersey. Bernardsville, N.J., resident and Seton Hall Prep defenseman Matt Farrell has decided on the Crusaders,  a verbal first reported when it was made by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider special coverage section. The 5-foot-10, 170-pound Farrell is a lefty whose […]

Ridgewood (NJ) middie Telesco gives Cornell its first 2016 commit

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Cornell has its first Class of 2016 commit and it comes from the Garden State. Cooper Telesco, a rising sophomore midfielder at Ridgewood High School (N.J.), committed to the admissions pricess at Cornell on Aug. 15, a verbal first reported when it was made by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s Lacrosse Insider special coverage section. Telesco […]

Summit (NJ) 2015 standout Andrew Helmer’s next stop will be at Syracuse

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Andrew Helmer will be going from Summit to Syracuse. The Class of 2015 standout, one of the top defensemen in New Jersey, verballed committed  to the Orange. The 6-foot-2, 175-pound Helmer, who is also a football standout, earned a starting job for Summit’s lax team this past spring, earning all-county second-team honors, and finishing the […]

NJ standout Coakley gives Towson its first 2016 tristate verbal

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Ben Coakley of Hunterdon Central High School in Flemington, N.J., provided Towson University’s men’s lacrosse program with a first. The agile and athletic left-handed attackman decided on the Tigers, marking Towson’s first Class of 2016 tristate verbal. Coakley’s commitment was reported when it was made on Aug. 5 by Joe Lombardi on LaxLessons.com’s “Lacrosse Insider” […]

Delbarton (NJ) midfielder McCarthy continues Lafayette continues tristate recruiting success

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Lafayette College has been making major recruiting strides among tristate standouts. We’ll be spotlighting two Lafayette-bound Class of 2014 standouts – one from New York (Chaminade attackman James Roberts) and one from New Jersey (Delbarton midfielder Will McCarthy). We begin with McCarthy, whose verbal was first reported when it was made on Aug. 2 by […]

Delbarton (NJ) 2015 star Shaffer continues family’s Duke tradition

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Duke has become a family affair for the Shaffers. John Shaffer is a sophomore midfielder for the Blue Devils’ men’s team. Hayler Shaffer will be a freshman on the Blue Devils’ women’s team. And Reed Shaffer, a Class of 2015 midfielder for national power Delbarton (N.J.), is up next. Shaffer committed to Duke earlier this […]

Maryland gets its first tristate 2016 commit in NJ standout Chiachetti

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The fact that Jared Chiachetti plays football and basketball should tell you plenty about his ability — and potential — as a midfielder in lacrosse. Chiachetti, who plays for St. Augustine Prep (N.J.), was one of the most heavily recruited players at his position in the Class of 2016. Notice the use of the word […]

Junior Jinks, already with 100 career goals, headed to Hartford

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Dylan Jinks still has two more varsity seasons ahead of him, which makes what he’s accomplished so far at Southern Regional High School in New Jersey all the more impressive. The rising junior attackman scored his 100th career goal for Southern Regional, which finished 18-2, losing to Tournament of Champions winner Ridge 12-4 in the […]

St. Augustine (NJ) rising junior DeCaprio makes Michigan his choice

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Nick DeCaprio makes things happen on the lacrosse field. The rising junior defender at St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) is an aggressive defender with good speed and stick skills who excels in transition. After two more seasons with the Hermits, DeCaprio will be making the transition to Division I lacrosse. This week, he decided where that […]

T of C champion Ridge leading scorer Palladino headed to Harvard

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It was quite a season for the Ridge Red Devils, who edged Don Bosco Prep 8-7 to win the New Jersey Tournament of Champions for the first time. There were many key contributors to Ridge’s historic season, including JT Palladino. The rising senior lefty attackman was the Red Devils’ leading scorer. While defending the T […]

Tufts-bound defender Kaplan will join teammate Decker at D-III level

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Two of the leading players in the Westfield High School (N.J.) varsity program will both be headed to top-notch Division III programs. If you were with us today at Twitter.com/Joe_Lombardi, you learning of the commitments of rising seniors Patrick Decker to Gettysburg and Jake Kaplan to Tufts. Decker is a midfielder. Kaplan is a tenacious […]

Orazietti will land at Lafayette after decommitting from UMass

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With recruits routinely giving verbal commitments as high school underclassmen, we’ve also seen an increased amount of changes to those commitments. Alec Orazietti, a rising junior attackman at Watchung Hills (N.J.), is the latest example. Orazietti verbally committed to UMass this past December. But circumstances prompted Orazietti to look elsewhere — most notably his brother […]

Hopkins-bound Stagnitta will follow his parents’ path to D-I lax

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He’s a three-sport athlete at Montgomery High School in New Jersey, but for Matt Stagnitta, lacrosse has always held a special place. Stagnitta is the son of former Washington & Lee and Rutgers coach Jim Stagnitta, who is now the head coach of the Denver Outlaws of Major League Lacrosse. His mother, Laurie, is a […]

Junior defender Fox gives Don Bosco 18 college-committed players

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Don Bosco Prep has emerged as one of the tristate’s most dominant programs when it comes to churning out college committed players. The New Jersey Tournament of Champion finalist Ironmen have 18 of them. The breakdown is as follows: 14 graduated seniors, and two each from the classes of 2014 and ’15. One of those […]

New Jersey boys, girls teams for Under Armour Underclass Tournament

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New Jersey teams that will compete in the 2013 Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Classic Underclass Tournament at Towson University in Maryland July 3-5 have been selected. Boys Trevor Baptiste, Morristown-Beard High School (NJ), midfield Brian Begley, Morristown High School (NJ), midfield Nathanial Chung, Ramapo High School (NJ), goalie Christian Cuccinello, Mountain Lakes High School (NJ), […]

Seton Hall Prep junior defender Sanczyk set on Air Force

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One of the major upsets of the season in tristate varsity lacrosse was sprung by Seton Hall Prep. It happened May 25 as the Pirates stunned previously unbeaten Delbarton 10-8 in the New Jersey Non-Public A state semfinals. Delbarton entered the game ranked No. 1 nationally. “Our coach, Dave Giarusso, told us going into it […]

New Jersey Group boys championship results

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Group 1 Mountain Lakes 8, Rumson-Fair Haven 6 Group 2 Chatham  10, Ridge 8 Group 3 Ridgewood 7, Shawnee 3 Group 4 Ridge 12, Southern Regional 4 Non-Public A Don Bosco Prep 12, Seton Hall Prep 8 Non-Public B Rutgers Prep 6, Immaculata 3 Have a recruiting commitment to report? Email us at info@laxlessons.com. LAXLESSONS […]

Mountain Lakes defender Siddron will stay in-state at Monmouth

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Mountain Lakes is off to a 6-1 start this season. Defense has been a big reason. The Lakers have allowed five goals or less in five of their seven games. Jack Siddron is a big part of the Lakers’ defense. Literally. The 6-foot-2, 205-pound junior, who also plays football for the Lakers, is a physically […]

NJ junior standout Scarpello follow’s brother’s path to Rutgers

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Christian Scarpello was very familiar with Rutgers University’s men’s lacrosse program well before the Scarlet Knights began recruiting him. That’s because Christian’s brother, Colin Scarpello, a senior attackman/midfielder at Madison High School (N.J.), signed a National Letter of Intent with RU in November — more than four months before Christian verbally committed to Rutgers. The […]

Saturday, 3/30: March will go out like a lion with these matchups

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The old adage that March goes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb should prove to be true weather-wise today as the forecast calls for sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 50’s in the nation’s No. 1 hotbed for lacrosse, the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate region. The featured matchup, perhaps appropriately, […]

NJ two-way sophomore midfielder Smith verbals to Virginia

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Possession is the name of the game in lacrosse. And the perfect way to describe David Smith’s game. Faceoffs and groundballs are the specialty of the sophomore from Shawnee High School in New Jersey. He’ll be taking those skills to the major Division I level after verballing committing this past week to the University of […]

NJ HS squads will be featured at Konica Minolta Big City Classic

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Now that the Konica Minolta Face-Off Classic is one for the books, we can look ahead to the Konica Minolta Big City Classic. The Face-Off Classic, played Saturday, March 23 at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, started with a 6-5 win for Garden City’s boys varsity team over Loyola-Blakefield (Md.). High school teams will also […]

St. Augustine Prep (NJ) FOGO Fox finds the right fit in Fairfield

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Chalk up another one for St. Augustine’s Prep. We reported yesterday that the New Jersey power, which has averaged 17 wins per season the last five years, saw sophomore midfielder James Kitchen verballed to Hofstra. Another Hermits’ player has also decided his Division I future. He’s Will Fox. The 5-foot-8, 185-pound junior faceoff midfielder has […]

Mountain Lakes (NJ) sophomore Smith decides on Duke

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Brad Smith fits the mold of a major Division I midfielder perfectly. The sophomore at New Jersey power Mountain Lakes has good size, athleticism, field vision, dodging ability and a high lacrosse IQ. Those attributes made him a target of many of the nation’s top programs. Late last month, as first reported at Twitter.com/joe_lombardi, Smith […]

Player’s perspective: Christian Cuccinello, Mountain Lakes (NJ) attackman

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Any discussion of the upper echelon teams in the nation’s No. 1 hotbed for lacrosse, the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate region, must include Mountain Lakes. The Garden State powerhouse is eager to win a Tournament of Champions title in 2013 for what would be the first time since 2008. As you will hear more about, […]

NJ standout Young latest sophomore to verbally commit

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Chase Young plays fast. Speed is one of the main attributes for the midfielder from New Jersey powerhouse St. Augustine Prep’s. So it should come as no surprise that he made his college choice quickly. Young, the latest tristate sophomore to verbally commit, has decided on the University of Delaware. Young will be joined at […]

Michigan breaks into sophomore class with Sorenson’s decision

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The newly launched Division I program at Michigan enjoyed a breakthrough recruiting weekend, securing its first-ever verbal commitments from sophomores in the nation’s No. 1 hotbed for lacrosse, the New York/New Jersey/Connecticut tristate region. Both were reported in real time on Twitter.com/joe_lombardi, starting with Pingry School (N.J.) midfielder JC Sorenson’s decision. That was followed by […]

New Jersey steals tristate lacrosse spotlight

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New Jersey lacrosse is on rise. Anyone who doubts that must not have been paying attention the last week. That’s because six — count ’em, six — boys lacrosse standouts from the Garden State made verbal commitments this past week. That’s among the topics Joe Lombardi covers in his weekly column on tristate lax for […]

‘X’ marks the spot for Delaware-bound attackman DiSimone

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If you’re looking for a letter that best describes Dean DiSimone’s game, there’s really only one that would work. X. That’s because the feeding attackman from St. Augustine Prep in South Jersey is especially effective from the X position. It’s one of the reasons the 5-foot-11, 175-pound junior drew interest from a variety of Division […]

Montclair standout Vanderford parlays flexibility into a D-I future

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Flexibility is a great attribute to have in all walks of life. Lacrosse is no exception. The photo above shows how Ryan Vanderford uses flexibility to his advantage. “No matter how ridiculous I might look trying to save a shot, I never give up on anything,” he said. And it’s helped the junior goaltender at […]

Don Bosco’s O’Sullivan is latest tristate sophomore to commit

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It’s been a busy stretch for tristate sophomore commitments. In fact, since late last month, there have been four of them. The last was made by Don Bosco Prep (N.J.) attackman Riley O’Sullivan, who verballed late last week to Georgetown, a commitment first reported at Twitter.com/joe_lombardi as were all three of the other sophomore verbals […]

Hubler will take his lunch-pail work ethic to Hopkins

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If you’re looking to find an image that be shows what Chris Hubler brings to the lacrosse field, a lunch pail would be just perfect. “I am a blue-collar middie who is at my best between the restraining lines,” said the junior at Rumson-Fair Haven High School (N.J.) and Team United travel team standout. “I […]

Mountain Lakes’ Alec Orazietti will follow brother’s path to UMass

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It should come as no surprise that Alec Orazietti feels very comfortable with the coaching staff, the campus and the players at his future college destination. But when the attackman for New Jersey power Mountain Lakes and one of the top sophomores in the tristate region, verbally committed to UMass last week, he had another […]

Moorestown, N.J., has 14 college-bound senior standouts

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College-bound players from Moorestown (N.J.), from left) Patrick Lynam, Alicia Geiter, Stephen Burke, Shannon Keeler, Dan Willis, Margaret Nissen, Mary Flick, Matt Olbrich, Megan Kelly, Gabby Frank, Wade Dickey, Maura Talvacchia, Drew Hillman and Megan Bianco. Moorestown, N.J., may some be known as Signing Week Central. That’s because 14 boys and girls players from the […]

Looking back on the week that was

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We’ve focused primarily in this space on lacrosse in the nation’s No. 1 lacrosse hotbed, the Hudson Valley/Long Island/Connecticut region. Within the region, varsity teams routinely cross county and even state borders to play against one another, resulting in some of the best matchups each year in the nation. Just to the west of this […]