FAIRWEATHER, McAULIFFE, WALL KEY ON OFFENSE
Team turnover through graduation has created an opportunity for many hungry underclassmen to fill the vacant slots for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood boys lacrosse team this season. Although the Raiders do return some key offensive and defense players, they are looking forward to seeing how the team evolves during the season.
“We are really excited to get the season underway and see this team grow while going against one of the best schedules in the state,” Raider Head Coach Nick Miceli said.
Last year, the Raiders also had to fill many vacancies left from a team that won the Group 3 crown. They finished with a 10-10 record but actually won six of their final eight games to reach that .500 mark. The Raiders’ key scoring threats who graduated were Tim Paprocki and Joe Kowalczyk. Paprocki led the team with 51 goals while adding 20 assists and finished his career with 100 points. Kowalczyk contributed 27 goals and 16 assists.
But the man in the trench, Ethan Filler, will be definitely missed. Filler won 237 of 333 face-offs for a 71 percent average and scooped 187 ground balls. Filler graduated as the Raiders’ all-time leader in ground balls and face-off wins. Junior Ryan Mauer earned the position of the faceoff X this season. Last year Mauer won 43 of 67 face-offs for 64 percent and scooped 25 ground balls.
The key returning men on offense are senior attackersAidan Fairweather and Colin McAuliffe, and senior midfielder Jack Wall. Last year Fairweather finished with 43 goals and 23 assists for 66 points. He notched his 100th career point in a win over the Manalapan Braves in mid May. McAuliffe flicked in 29 goals, dished out 14 assists and scooped 39 ground balls. Wall, who scooped 25 ground balls, netted 11 goals and led the team with 24 assists.
According to Coach Miceli, “Other guys who return are junior middie Ben Filler, junior middie Asher Silva as well as senior middie Jake Timchak. All-County ‘do it all’ middie Caden Matulonis (junior) returns.”
Last year Ben Filler finished with 23 ground balls, five goals and two assists. Timchak scooped 13 ground balls and added five goals and two assists. Both are expected to step up in production this season. Three freshman will be also playing offensive Nick Homer, Collin Kochanowizc and Ryan Scarpa.
Although the Raiders did graduate several defensemen, Coach Miceli pointed out, “On defense we return starters Louis Kelly (junior) and Caleb McDowell (sophomore). Seniors Aidan Francisuc and Brady DeProspero will be out there as well as junior Jake Lukko and freshman Connor Scarpa. Junior returner Joe Marannca and sophomore Matt Krantz will be in cage.”
The Raiders will open their season away at Wayne Valley on Tuesday, April 2, at 4:30 p.m. They will host Wall Township on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m. then will travel to Summit on Tuesday, April 9, to face the Hilltoppers.
