Team turnover through graduation had created an opportunity for many hungry underclassmen to fill the vacant slots for the Scotch Plains-Fanwood boys lacrosse team this season, so the primary concern of the coaches was to see how the team would evolve facing a schedule that featured some of the state’s top teams. The Raiders pulled off some impressive wins, received the third seed for the Union County Tournament (UCT) and were involved in several close struggles to finish with a 10-10 record.
The Raiders opened their season with a decent 9-5 win over Wayne Valley then pulled off a big victory by knocking off then No. 13 Wall in overtime, 10-9. The Raiders fell victim, 11-2, to the Summit Hilltoppers, who would later win the UCT, North Group 2, and Group 2 crowns to finish 19-2.A13-2 loss to the Chatham Cougars was followed by an 11-10, overtime setback to Sparta (finished 18-3).
After a 12-7 victory over the New Providence Pioneers, the Raiders ran into a buzzsaw against three straight Top-10 teams, beginning with a 12-8 loss to Delbarton. A 15-4 loss to Seton Hall Prep was followed by a 135 loss to the Westfield Blue Devils who would go on to win the North Jersey Group 4 and Group 4 crowns. The Raiders then licked their wounds and reeled off three straight wins North Hunterdon (13-3), Montclair (8-7), St. Peter’s Prep (5-4).
After being on the 11-9 short side to Shawnee, the Raiders trounced the Cranford Cougars, 17-1, in the UCT quarterfinal then bowed to Summit, 11-2, in the semifinal. The Raiders stopped Madison, 9-6, and Pascack Valley, 11-7, then their regular season ended with an 8-7 loss to Glen Rock. In the North Jersey Group 3 Tournament, the Raiders skimmed Red Bank Regional, 7-6, in overtime then lost, 8-5, to the Ridge Red Devils who would go on to win the title.
The Raiders had the edge in possessions when junior face-off specialist Ryan Mauer won 261 of 372 face-offs and scooped a team-leading 174 ground balls. Sophomore defender Caleb McDowell (goal) scooped 52 ground balls. Freshman Connor Scarpa had 31 ground balls. Juniors Caden Matulonis (assist) and Lake Lukko (assist) scooped 67 and 47 ground balls, respectively.
One individual who did evolve quickly was freshman attacker Nick Homer, who led the team with 39 goals and 17 assists for 56 points, while adding 22 ground balls. Senior attacker Colin McAuliffe netted 34 goals and 19 assists for 53 points and added 35 ground balls. Senior midfielder Jack Wall finished with 13 goals, a team-leading 24 assists for 37 points and 46 ground balls. Senior Aidan Fairweather finished with 23 goals, 10 assists and 24 ground balls.
Freshman Colin Kochanowicz recorded 12 goals, 10 assists and 20 ground balls. Freshman Ryan Scarpa had eight goals and eight ground balls. Senior Jake Timchak finished with five goals, two assists and eight ground balls. Junior Ben Filler recorded five goals, two assists and 19 ground balls. Junior Asher Silva had three goals, threeassistsandsixgroundballs.Sophomore Vance Slack had four goals, assist and five ground balls. Junior Louis Kelly (2 goals, assist) was second on the team with 70 ground balls. Sophomore Brian Klopfer had two goals, assist and seven ground balls.
Other contributors were Lorenzo Tittanegro and Matteo Barcellona each with a goal. Cooper Dupuis (16 ground balls) and Jack Merkel each had an assist. Callum Fynes had 14 ground balls. Matt Iannotta won 10 of 16 faceoffs. Junior goalkeeper Joe Marranca recorded 109 saves and sophomore Matt Krantz made 60 saves.
The Raiders will graduate several seniors from the attack force but return many who stepped up big time.
