By Andy Loigu

Hackettstown and Warren Hills are relatively new to the party when it comes to lacrosse in North Jersey.

While getting into the win column remains difficult, as the Tigers and Blue Streaks try to catch up to traditional Morris and Hunterdon powers such as Mountain Lakes, West Morris, Delaware Valley and North Hunterdon, some standout performers have emerged and the sports media has noticed.

Junior attacker/midfielder Matt McShea of Warren Hills has been named to the second team and senior midfielder Zach Bergeron of Hackettstown made the third team in the All Area unit chosen by lehighvalleylive.com this week.

McShea scored 51 goals and handled 18 assists, while alertly beating the opponents to 58 ground balls (a true hustle stat) this spring for the Blue Streaks. He had an eight-goal game against Governor Livingston High School of Union County and a three-goal, three-assist game in a 12-11 win over area rival Hackettstown.

Bergeron had eye-opening stats for the Tigers, including a four-goal, five-assist effort in that exciting game against Warren Hills. He gained possession for the Tigers with an amazing harvest of 104 ground balls and scored 35 goals while dishing 37 assists. Those are impressive numbers.

Honorable mention was awarded to several Tigers, Blue Streaks and North Warren Patriots.

Senior attackers Ben Arcona of Hackettstown and CJ Ashton of North Warren, junior midfielder Conor Moore of North Warren, and sophomore midfielder Dom Ferrara of Hackettstown were honored.

Also, senior Ryan Janowski and junior Jacob Korczukowski of Warren Hills, were recognized for their play as back line defenders, as was senior Nick Haffner of Warren Hills, for his proficiency in winning faceoffs.

Many area football players, who lack the bulk to be offered scholarships by gridiron powers, earn college scholarships with the lacrosse skills and leadership qualities they showcase in the spring. Lacrosse is an immensely popular college sport, getting much network television coverage, particularly here in the East. The NCAA Division One championship game has become an annual nationally televised Memorial Day tradition, played in NFL stadiums in a manner similar to the Super Bowl.

Known as the fastest game on two feet, lacrosse is a game of opportunity for “small and skinny guys.” One does not need to be the strongest or swiftest player on the field to make an impact in lacrosse. Stick skills, passing, finishing with precision and plain old hustle are key elements of the game which can be developed with passionate practice. We now have a generation of players who have watched lots of college lacrosse on television and have analyzed the videotape and emulated the vibe of the game.

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