Young lacrosse team faces tough division

Under the guidance of veteran head coach Gary Stoll, the West Milford High School boys lacrosse program has won plenty of big games over the years.

The Highlanders also have made many positive memories, and they’re striving for more this spring.

West Milford is scheduled to open the regular season with a road game at Somerville on Monday, April 3. The home opener is scheduled for Saturday, April 8 versus Glen Rock.

Among the key returning varsity-tested student athletes are Theo Bolger (defense), Jason Donohue (defense), Vincent D’Andrea (attack), John Biegel (midfield), Matt Watt (midfield), Nash Appell (midfield) and Sam Petronaci (midfield).

Promising newcomers include Logan Acanfrio (attack), Nick Lombardo (attack), Jake Kelshaw (midfield), Brett Provenzano (midfield), Max Gorny (midfield), Jack Novak (midfield), John Featherstone (long stick midfield), Jake Morley (attack), Jose Veliz (defense), Nick Carbone (long stick midfield), Spencer Ribitzki (defense) and Tyler Acanfrio (goalie).

“Our three captains (Donohue, Bolger and Pertonaci) bring tons of experience to the table and we will look to them to lead the team both on and off the field,’’ Stoll said.

The Highlanders had another winning season in 2022 as they went 13-7 overall and 6-2 in the New Jersey Interscholastic Lacrosse League (NJILL) Jacobson Division.

They advanced to New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey Group 2 sectional tournament’s quarterfinal round before losing to West Essex. The Highlanders topped Pascack Valley in the first round of that tournament.

West Essex lost to Summit in the sectional championship round last spring.

“We want to get better every day,’’ the coach said. “We need to gel as a team as many of our athletes have not played varsity lacrosse before. So as the season goes on we look to get better and better.’’

The Highlanders compete in the NJILL Jacobson Division along with Mahwah, Glen Rock, Pascack Valley, Tenafly, Ramsey, Wayne Valley, Wayne Hills and Westwood.

“Although we are young, I expect that we can contend within our division as we have high expectations every year,’’ Stoll said. “Our division is very tough: Wayne Valley, Wayne Hills, Tenafly and Mahwah will be very good this year. Not to mention returning division champ Glen Rock.’’