BOYS LACROSSE
By: Mike Molaro
The bar has been raised, expectations are high, and good things are expected from the Hopewell Valley Central High School boy’s lacrosse squad this season.
Third-year head coach Rob Siris, who brought a new attitude and philosophy when he took over, has slowly but surely built the Bulldogs into one of the state’s better programs.
Building on last year’s accolades when they brought home a 16-4 record, captured the Bianchi Division championship, qualified for the state tournament, and earned Siris Coach of the Year honors, the Bulldogs enter 2007 focused on improving their number 46 ranking in the state according to laxpower.com.
"We are very excited about this season and have high expectations," Siris said. "We have really upgraded our strength of schedule. This should prepare us for a better run in the state playoffs."
HoVal needs to overcome the losses to graduation of defensemen Henry Idowu, who is playing at Rutgers , Chris Birkhofer, now at Trinity, and Jim Felix, playing at Drew. Idowu was First Team All-Bianchi last year and second team All-State while Birkhofer was Second Team All-Bianchi.
The Bulldogs also lost some firepower on offense in attackers Greg Reading, now at Drew (42 goals, 10 assists, 52 points), and Dan Reeves, playing at Colby (38-13-51). Reading was First Team All-Bianchi.
HoVal returns a solid core that knows to scoreand win.
"We have a lot more depth offensively," added Siris. "Our top two returners are senior captains attacker Eric Doran (32-42-74) and midfielder Mark Squicciarino (37-41-78). Eric is a very quick attacker and one of the top in the state. Mark has tremendous size and athletic ability. I believe that Mark and Eric are in the top 10-15 in the state at their respective positions."
Doran, the Bulldogs’ second-leading scorer a year ago, who was First Team All-Bianchi and earned Honorable Mention All State honors, has committed to Connecticut College while Squicciarino, the team’s leading scorer who was First Team All-Bianchi, has committed to Colby College.
Other offensive starters should be attackers junior Rob Devlin and sophomore Jon Clarkson, and midfielders senior Chris Tantum (14-16-30) and junior Pat Rose (12-9-21). Senior captain Nick Galisewski, who is deciding between St. Lawrence and Drew, anchors a defense that includes junior Matt Birkhofer and sophomore Pat Haig.
Junior goaltender Tony Christensen is a three-year starter and gives HoVal one of the best net minders in the state.
"Tony has a lot of experience," Siris said. "He had a 65% save percentage and allowed about four goals per game. He is very athletic and quick and has really improved his clearing game. He is a possible top 10 goalie in New Jersey."
The Bulldogs have the talent and experience to successfully defend their Bianchi Division crown and have a deep run in the state tournament.
"The Bianchi Division will be very competitive again," added Siris. "I think we should be in the top four along with Montgomery and Hillsborough, both of whom have a lot of talent, and Hun, which has some very good new post graduates."
Siris believes that the only way to improve as a team and as a program is to take on teams that perennially have been among the state’s best. The upgraded schedule is a challenge, but the Bulldogs are ready.
NOTES: HoVal opened its season Monday with a 10-1 setback at state power Ridge. Clarkson scored the Bulldog goal off an assist from Doran.