By Caroline Willian ’13, Staff Writer

Since the arrival of spring, our attention has been turned toward what one sophomore calls “the fastest sport on two feet”: lacrosse. The game is fast-paced and somewhat brutally natured, requiring quick thinking and mental toughness as well as physical strength and speed. Fortunately, both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams are equipped with brainy, brawny, and dedicated individuals. The women’s team, gifted with a huge group of freshman, has been focusing on the development of young players, while the men’s team has been utilizing their extremely talented and dedicated senior class. Both have been placed in tough conferences and face high caliber teams, but maintain a positive attitude and a high level of play.

On one of the wettest days in April, the women’s lacrosse team experienced a breakthrough. Normally, the pouring rain, the rowdy fan section, and the rough players of the opposing team would discourage a squad primarily built by freshman. But the girls pulled through. Instead of being intimidated by the hazardous weather conditions or the overly aggressive opponents, the young players accepted the challenge. The girls fought a close battle and came up victorious, marking the team’s first win. Head coach, Megan Tavormina, believes her freshman class is “very, very promising” and looks forward to seeing them progress in the future.

Developing young talent has been a primary focus for the team. The seven seniors and two juniors provide the team with leadership and experience. Captain Leigh Wolfson ’11 has not only been an unstoppable goalkeeper, but has helped Mariel Pressler ’14, who selflessly volunteered to be the back-up goalie, to improve. Leigh’s co-captain Nikki Blank ’11 recently scored her 100^th goal, and Junior Erica Jacobs has reached this milestone as well. The two are terrific role models for the many underclassmen. The team’s new conference has been a difficult adjustment as it includes schools ranked 16^th and 26^th in the state. Yet, the girls have once again stepped up to the challenge and have put in extra time and effort to remain competitive. They’ve continued to develop their sophisticated defensive system, and have learned three new offensive motions.

As the young players continuously grow and improve, the girls maintain their positive outlook toward the rest of the season. After an exciting game against Mount Saint Dominic, they anticipate an intense rematch in mid-May. Upcoming games against teams like Governor Livingston and rival Morristown-Beard should also be worthwhile.

While the women’s team copes with a rebuilding year, the men’s team is amidst a great season. Even after facing powerhouses like Bernards and Montclair, the boys have maintained a 3-3 record, which should be improved upon as the season progresses. This can be partially attributed to the newly adopted Princeton offense, a unique system that “gives [opposing] teams fits”. Coach Ted Gilbreath thinks it is a more “democratic” system than what they’ve used in past seasons. Instead of formatting the attack around one or two key players, all six offending players have equal opportunities to score. It puts more players in the spotlight, and gives the team’s younger members better learning opportunities.

The new offensive format is key. Most of the team’s success however, can be credited to one of the largest and most dedicated senior classes in the history of Newark Academy men’s lacrosse. After four years on the team, the nine seniors “know their roles” and have “high expectations” for themselves and their teammates. Senior Jack Bloom stepped up as goalie after having played attack for his entire lacrosse career. The switch has been vital to the team’s success. His classmates Whit Harwood, T.J. Redmond, and Jake Gillman, as well as Junior Brandon Rothman, have been the team’s top scorers. A large sophomore class also shows promise for the future seasons, and juniors like superstar Rothman will be able to fill the big shoes left behind by the class of 2011. Even after losing a phenomenal senior class, the team has a bright future to look forward to.

With senior leadership and young talent, both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams will have seasons highlighted by accomplishment and development.

As of press the Men’s Lacrosse team holds a record of 9-7, the Women’s team holds a record of 3-11.