May 4, 2026
By Arianna Delgado
Staff Writer
With a 4-5 record as of April 27, the lacrosse team, which is co-oped with North Arlington High School, lost its first game of the season 2-14, at home against Rutherford High School on March 30.
The team went on to win 17-2 at home against Passaic Valley, 5-2 away against Waldwick and 9-6 at home against Weehawken High School on April 1, 8 and 13, respectively.
Sophomore midfielder James Vuono Reid, who joined varsity last year, said he is proud of his team’s performance in these games.
“The loss to Rutherford was big, but we bounced back and won three straight from that,” Vuono Reid said.
He said if the players continue working together, they will be able to end the season with a winning record.
“If you don’t have great communication, then your teams are just going to fall apart, and you’re going to lose.”
“We all want to be there and not just show up because we all care about the sport,” Vuono Reid said.
He said both Head Coach Amato and Assistant Coach Azzarello are helping the players enhance their play and thinking.
“They teach us the game, IQ-wise. Scale-wise, [we are] getting better at stick skills and building the team’s chemistry,” Vuono Reid said.
Sophomore attackman Jayden Rivera, a two-year varsity player, said the team’s greatest strength is its communication.
“Everyone’s closer to each other, and everyone communicates more [than last season],” Rivera said. “Communication is one of the most important rules. If you don’t have great communication, then your teams are just going to fall apart, and you’re going to lose.”
He said the team is also working on its stick skills and perseverance.
“Stick skills are an important factor [in] lacrosse because it helps with learning the game and becoming better. Also, if you work hard, you’ll get better,” Rivera said.
Captain and attackman senior Alex DiMase, a four-year varsity player who reached his 100th career point on April 22 in an away game against Newark East Side High School, said he must be a leader when there are disagreements on the field.
“As the captain, you have to just settle your teammates, keep them calm, stay together and win,” DiMase said.
He said the team has benefited from the talent of 13 new athletes, including eight freshmen.
“The freshmen contribute by bringing backups for when some athletes get tired, and as the years go on, they will all be starters,” said DiMase.
