Veteran starters guide Warriors in boys lacrosse

By Josh Lashley
MILFORD — Being a newcomer can be difficult for any student-athlete trying to compete at the high school level, especially a sport as fast-paced and unrelenting as lacrosse.
Fortunately, beginners at at the Delaware Velley High School can look not only to the coaching staff, but to the captains of the program for guidance.
This spring, the captains for head coach Jeffrey Krasulski are P.J. Matarazzo (senior, attackman), Nick Pampalone (senior, attackman), and Neil Roche (senior, goalie).
The Warriors are having a fine season, due in no small part to the contributions of the captains and the way in which they interact with their teammates.
“In the past I had the team decide captains,” Krasulski said. “I appointed these three as captains at the conclusion of the previous season so they can set the tone and expectations in off season workouts.
“All three are returning starters, vocal leaders of the team, have demonstrated good communication skills, integrity and a love for the game of lacrosse. Neil has scored three goals, two from the goalie position. Nick has 53 goals and 26 assists on the season and over 180 goals and 80 assists for his career. PJ has 35 goals and 12 assists on the season. He is second on the team in scoring.” All three leaders have shown that they have what it takes to improve on the field, while also doing what’s in the best interest of their teammates.
“Neil has improved on his ability to take the initiative in communicating to the defenders how to set up and play,” Krasulski said. “Nick has improved his passing skills in feeding his teammates. He has also become a positive influence in mentoring some of our sophomores getting varsity minutes for the first time. PJ has improved his stick skills and his confidence on the field.
“Nick and PJ have become the mentors to many of our young offensive players. Both have worked with them improving their skills and confidence in how we play the game. Having been through many big games and experiences over the past four years, they help their teammates with their approach and preparations for the new experiences they may be having this season. Neil is like having another coach on the field. We do not make any defensive adjustments without first going through Neil.”
If the younger players on the roster want solid role models who perform well in the classroom, then they need look no further than Matarazzo, Pampalone and Roche. All three are Advanced Placement students. Nick and Neil are in the Honor Society. Nick is attending Penn State University (main campus), Neil the University of Pittsburgh, and P.J. Marywood University.
Editor's note: The statistics listed above were for games played through May 15. The District II Tournament began on May 17, with Delaware Valley as the No. 1 seed. The Warriors won the District II championship in 2014.