By Wayne Witkowski
New Egypt High School’s boys’ lacrosse team, which is off to a blistering 8-1 start behind scoring dynamo Kyle Prouty, can take a big step this week toward the Burlington County Scholastic League championship that it shared in a three-way tie a year ago.
The Warriors, who lead the league at 6-1, traveled to Rancocas Valley Regional High School (8-3), which also came into the week with one league loss, April 24 and also hosts league rival Cinnaminson High School (3-2, 1-2) April 28. In between was a nonleague game April 26 against Steinert High School — the first of a five-game homestand. The Warriors take on Lawrence High School May 1.
“We’ve been clicking,” coach Brendan McCarthy said. “Our goalkeeper, Chase Durbin, has been outstanding with quality saves at crucial times, and our defense has been outstanding and has really been clicking lately.”
“Sharing a league championship is not in our minds.” Prouty said. “I think we will establish ourselves [atop the league] at the end of this week.”
New Egypt, which has outscored its opponents, 114-72, avenged its lone loss to Northern Burlington County Regional High School (14-10) April 21 with a 7-5 victory for its sixth straight victory since the first matchup. It was one of three victories by three or fewer goals.
“This is our third year with coach McCarthy, and we’ve forged a tight bond,” said Prouty, who has a state-leading 40 goals coming into this week and 219 for his career that he will continue in the fall at national NCAA Division I powerhouse Johns Hopkins University. “We’re so comfortable with one another and our practices are great, getting the work done. Coach McCarthy prepares us well, and we talk so well to each other.”
Along with the tight, defensive efforts of Jack Kear, Cole Curran, freshman Jack Devine and Dylan Manuguerra, New Egypt has gotten an added boost in that phase of the game since Brady Mannion was moved from attackman to midfielder alongside Prouty. He has 28 goals and 28 assists.
“He’s also a lockdown defender who is all over the field, and that helps get us going, along with Kyle dominating faceoffs,” McCarthy said.
“It’s a huge transition. We graduated a bunch of guys, and I had to take on a role to contribute more,” Mannion said. “I’m up for the challenge. I’m just trying to be the best I can.”
Mannion plans to play at Arcadia University starting in the fall.
“He’s got some of the greatest stamina I’ve seen. When we’re short on numbers, he plays tremendous defense, which helps a lot,” Prouty said of Mannion.
Prouty has won nearly 88 percent of the faceoffs.
“That’s important to our team, to get nonstop possession and take the stress off our defense,” Prouty said.
Along with Prouty and Mannion, Zach Young has 18 goals and 16 assists, while Mario Reed has come on strong of late as the No. 3 option on offense. Reed, a two-time second team all-conference selection in lacrosse, missed most of the football season with an injury and is eager for a signature achievement for his senior season.
“He’s been taking advantage of matchups with the third best defender covering him,” McCarthy said. “If things aren’t going well, we give it to Mario, who has been doing everything right.”
“Mario has built a lot of confidence and put in a lot of work after practice. I respect his work ethic a lot,” Prouty said.
Bobby Farrand also has been a clutch contributor with 14 goals, including the game-winner in a double-overtime victory over Cinnaminson, 14-13, April 13. New Egypt rallied in the fourth quarter, 5-1, to force the overtime, with Prouty scoring four goals. Mannion, who was double-covered, passed to Farrand in the crease for the golden goal.
“Everyone started believing we can win that day,” McCarthy said.
Another victory over Cinnaminson will put the Warriors in a commanding position in the league psychologically as well as in the standings.
