Sparta HS boys lacrosse ready for season

By Josh Lashley
Sparta — After finishing right at the cusp of the .500 mark (9-10 overall record) against way above average competition in 2017, the Sparta High School boys lacrosse program is very much ready to once again and take on all challenges this season.
The Spartans advanced to the NJSIAA North Group 2 Sectional Tournament semifinal round before losing to eventual Sectional and State champion Ramapo last year and they have a return a strong core of experienced and talented student-athletes to varsity lineup.
With a highly qualified opponent on the schedule at virtually every turn, Tyler Meth, Sparta’s head coach as well as the players on the Spartans’ roster are well aware that acquiring victories won’t be easy. But, the Spartans have prepared themselves in a proper manner and appear up to the considerable tasks that awaits them on the field.
Jesse West (senior, attack, captain), Stelios Kroudis (senior, attack, captain), Russell Eberding (senior, face-off and midfield, captain), Justin Brick (senior, long stick midfield, captain), Kevin Berlin (senior, midfield), Luke Bushey (senior, attack), Michael Candelero (senior, defense), Beck Gozdenovich (junior, midfield), Evan Johnson (junior, midfield), Pat Milliken (junior, midfield), Reed McCall (junior, goalie), Ollie Sears (junior, attack) and Austin Castorina (sophomore, defense) are among the key returning student-athletes for the Spartans.
Greg Puszcz (sophomore, midfield), JJ Valentin (sophomore, long stick midfield), TJ Hurley (sophomore, defense), Aidan Maxwell (sophomore, attack), Luke Wilson (sophomore, attack), Brendan Cina (freshman, midfield) and Colby Plotts (freshman, defense) are among the newcomers to the varsity roster.
“Our goals are to compete in every single Fitch Pitt Conference game,’’ Sparta head coach Tyler Meth said. “Fitch Pitt is the top conference in the state of New Jersey. We were up and down in the Conference last year against the likes of Delbarton, Seton Hall Prep, Summit and Westfield. [We want to] advance to the (NJSIAA) Group 2 North championship game. We have fallen the past three years in the semifinal game and are focused on putting an end to that.’’
The Spartans compete in the NJILL Fitch Pitt Division with Chatham, Delbarton, Seton Hall Prep, West Morris, Westfield and Summit.
“We’re a contender,’’ Meth said. “We know that we are going up against two teams that are nationally ranked in the top 25. But we know what we have to do to be able to put ourselves in a situation where we can come out on top in those type of games.
“Everyone in the Conference is extremely talented and has established a championship/top New Jersey program culture. Last year we got our biggest win in program history when we defeated top 10 ranked Westfield. We are hoping to add to that list of top program wins this season.’’
Sparta is scheduled to host Summit on April 14.