Monroe lacrosse pulling out close victories

Brett Carroll
Staff Writer

Tackling adversity has resulted in victories this spring for the boys’ lacrosse team at Monroe Township High School.

“We’ve had three close games so far this year,” Monroe coach Joseph Yannone said. “Against Saint Joseph [High School in Metuchen], Princeton [High School] and Kinnelon [High School]. In all three games, we worked through some early adversity, and in the end, we were able to pull out the wins in all three games.”

In those three tight games, Monroe edged Saint Joseph, 7-5, Princeton, 6-3, and Kinnelon, 6-4.

The coach sees a difference a year can make.

“Maybe last year, we would have lost those games, but so far this year, we’ve been able to figure out how to win those. I’m very happy about that,” Yannone said.

Those three  victories were included in a 6-1 start that Monroe has opened with this season.

Winning close matches are exciting but Yannone is asking that his Falcons put together a full game.

“We want to improve on trying to play a complete game for 48 minutes,” Yannone said. “We had some games where we play well defensively,but offensively, we got to get better starts. We have some trouble scoring early goals. So we have to get off to quicker starts.”

Yannone  praised some of the players who have helped Monroe get off to the fine start.

“Offensively, our two attack players, [junior] Mike Cavallo and [junior] Anthony Abreu are having a great start to the season,” Yannone said. “In the midfield, our senior captain Jack Cusanelli and senior Christian Giannola are playing well in the midfield. And defensively, we have a great defense. Our goalkeeper Josh [Estavillo] is only a sophomore and he’s playing well. But our defense as a whole unit has been playing well.”

The Falcons will seek to continue their winning ways when they play as the host on April 26 to Old Bridge High School. The game will start at 4 p.m.