Brett Carroll
Staff Writer
The Rumson-Fair Haven High School boys’ lacrosse team will feature many new faces but the goal has not changed.
Rumson-Fair Haven produced a 21-4 record and advanced to the Group 2 state tournament’s championship game where it was defeated by Ramapao High School, 12-11.
“Our expectations are the same every year,” Rumson-Fair Haven coach Marc Moreau said. “We want to win the Shore Conference championship. We want to with the state South sectional. We want to win the group championship, and we want to win the Tournament of Champions.”
But Moreau will call on newcomers in order for Rumson-Fair Haven to achieve success this spring.
“We are replacing 20 seniors, including 12 that played significant amount of minutes for us over the past three years. [Senior defenseman] Stephen [Edler] is one of the less-than-a handfull of guys that have played a lot for us the last few years, so we’re playing a lot of young players. It’s going to take some time to get those guys up to speed and learn what it takes to play up to this level.”
“We definitely want to win states,” Edler added. “Win the Shore Conference. Manasquan is always a big test, so beating them is on my list as well this year.”
Moreau believed that his club will have another gear by the time the season rolls around.
The Bulldogs open play against a state power, Hunterdon Central Regional High School, on April 2. The game will start at 5:30 p.m. in Flemington.
“I think we have the ability to play fast,” Moreau said. “We’re athletic enough to play fast, we’re just not there yet. We don’t look athletic right now, but that only because a lot of us are unsure of what we’re doing right now, and that slows them down. Once they get comfortable in what we’re doing, they will speed up.”
Moreau will also be looking for a big year from senior attack Wyatt Fineberg.
Edler admitted that he will have to step up as a leader, but he’s up for the task.
“I need to teach the young guys what the expectations are here,” Edler said. “These are a lot of new guys coming up. Most of them are from JV, so they’re making the step up. It’s a a big step up. Here, it’s all about winning. JV, you get to mess around and have fun. Here, you have fun through winning. So, teaching that and getting that through their heads will be important.”
