Verona High School has had a boys lacrosse program for more than a decade and there have been many strong teams over the years. But none of them has done what the 2019 squad has: Earned a conference title.
Playing at home on Wednesday evening, the team notched one more win, giving them a 9-0 season in the Klank division. The conference title was a forgone conclusion before Verona stepped onto Sellitto Field after Nutley beat Boonton, but the Hillbillies played at full tilt just the same, beating Parsippany 17-3.
Jack Lonsinger led Verona in goals (three, and five assists) and groundballs (six), but the scoring was widely spread across the team. Nick Socci, Trevor Spinelli, and Jerry Strippoli had two apiece, and Zack Balogh, Jeremy Boub, Brendan Erwin, James Haveron, Jarrod Keating, Steven Luehs, Declan Maisano and Michael Matarazzo each had one. And the total could well have gone higher: Parsippany goalie Justin Wellman made 18 saves.
The Hillbillies swarmed Parsippany whenever a Red Hawk got the ball, and quickly clipped their wings. Parsippany managed two goals in the first period but didn’t get another until the fourth.
But there won’t be much rest for Verona: The playoff brackets will be out on Monday.
Amazing boys! the little guys are watching you and looking up to you; keep the momentum. We are rooting for you!