Tenafly is known for its competitive academics and rigorous courses, but not as much attention is given to the town’s sports programs. While the programs are well-funded and quite decent, not many students focus on the sports they don’t participate in. The bleachers during lacrosse games are usually sparsely filled with spectators, primarily parents and just a few students. However, the stands should have been fuller this spring because the boys had a great lacrosse season that deserves recognition.
The Tigers finished their season with an overall record of seven wins and 11 losses. While this ratio may not sound ideal, it is impressive considering the team graduated 14 seniors last year, meaning this year’s team was almost entirely new to varsity. This season wasn’t just about wins and losses—it was about growth and learning how to come together as a team.
The team had seven captains, four seniors, and three juniors. The seniors are Hayden Levine, Stone Quiroga, Eli Dzwonkowski, and Nick Bazzini. Quiroga, a defender, ended the season with 68 ground balls, the second highest on the team. Dzwonkowski also stood out as he scored the second-highest number of goals with 19. Bazzini played goalie and totaled 137 saves.
The junior captains, Jared Corsair, Coby Cohen, and Jesse Damashek, all worked very hard, making them some of the strongest players this season. Corsair has an impressive record. He won 162 face-offs with a 62% win rate, led the team in ground balls with 117, scored 17 goals, and recorded the most assists with 19. Damashek, a crucial player, led the team in goals with 42. Cohen also contributed to the team’s successes with 28 ground balls and 12 goals.
The season started strong for the boys, as they won their first three games. In the Tigers’ first game, they faced Northern Valley Demarest and won 13 to one. When playing against Fair Lawn in their third game, the Tigers emerged victorious with a 15 to one win over their opponents.
The team faced many upsets, but one of the most significant was on May 12, when the team’s Senior Night game against West Milford was held. It was a close game with the final score being seven to six in favor of the Highlanders.
Although the team did not advance past the first round of their state tournament, they worked hard, had a great season, and are hopeful for a bright future.
“I think we worked really hard this year,” Corsair said. “It was definitely a struggle considering we lost so many good players, but I think we did a good job of stepping up. If we work on our communication, our team will get stronger, so I am hopeful for a good season next year.”
