BY TIM MORRIS
Staff Writer
JEFFGRANIT staff Freehold Township’s Andrew Berkowitz passes the ball before East Brunswick’s Ryan Starkman can get to him during a recent game in East Brunswick. When there are six freshmen in the starting lineup, that’s usually a sure sign that a team is rebuilding.
But in an indication of just how solid the Freehold Township boys lacrosse program has become, coach Steve Gibb can field a team that is relying on freshmen, and still expect to be competitive.
“I’m excited about our young players and the leadership of our seniors,” said Gibb.
“I’m looking to do something this year.”
Zack Carroll and Mike Rosenblum are the two senior veterans who are providing the leadership and are the hub of this year’s squad.
Carroll, a midfielder, will be playing Division I lacrosse for the Air Force Academy at this time next spring. The midfielder controls the flow of play for the Patriots.
Rosenblum, who plays attack, will set the school’s all-time scoring record shortly.
He enters the season with 192 points, four short of the record.
Defense is where the Patriots have the most experience returning.
Dave Constantineau, Craig Sosnowski and John Rihacek are a very formidable trio.
The Patriots are set in the defensive backfield.
Attacker Tim Horsch and midfielders Bob Hallacker and Chris Buckner are the other seniors providing leadership and experience to a team that was 8-9 last year and is looking toward a return to the state playoffs.
Gibb has perhaps his finest freshman class, with no fewer than six ready to make an impact this year, led by goalie Ethan Kilbrick and attack wing Andrew Miller.
There are no qualms about starting a freshman in goal on the part of Gibb.
“We heard about him,” said Gibb. “He’s awesome. I’m convinced he can play.”
The Patriots graduated much of their scoring from last year, and Miller is expected to step in and help fill the void.
Bryce Carroll (midfield), Nick Herring (defense), John Talamo (attack) and Andrew Berkowitz (midfield) round out the frosh who have entered the program ready to play and contribute.
“Things are very positive with our camps and rec league,” Gibb said of the pre-high school programs that are making his players ready to play so early.
“I’m pretty happy.”
The Patriots are playing in the A North Division of the rapidly expanding Shore Conference.
Derek Reichenbacher’s Howell Rebels were the best team in the Freehold District last spring, and like Freehold Township, will be relying on a lot of freshmen to replace the 10 graduated seniors who led the team to an 11-6 record and the state playoffs.
With veteran goalie Mike Rourke, who helped the team make the postseason in 2005 and again in 2006, the Rebels are set in the cage.
Among the field players to watch out for is Kyle Marlborough, a junior midfield/attack player who is probably the team’s best all-around player.
Aaron Bruan, a senior attack, was playing his best lacrosse at the end of the season and is looking for that to carry over to 2007. He is a lefty shooter.
Troy Bonjavanni, a sophomore midfield/attack, and defenders Joe Sabatello, a junior, and Darshan ‘Doc’ Shastri, a senior, make up the nucleus of this year’s squad.
The Rebels also have a freshman, Rob Malfara, who is going to contribute this year. He is a midfielder.
“We are going to be relatively young,” said Reichenbacher. “We have some talent and I think we will be better throughout the year. The problem is that most of that talent is untested.
“These kids are working hard though, and they have come a long way since the beginning of March,” he added.