The New Providence Boys Lacrosse program has a history of relative success, winning conference championships in 2014 and 2018. Even in the seasons without a ring fitting ceremony, the Pioneers only finished below .500 twice since the 2014-2015 season. One of them, however, was last year in the 2021 season. 

The team was reduced to a small number of kids hoping to muster up some sort of success, as COVID ravaged the lives and the motivation of many former players who chose not to return for the 2021 season. Finishing with a 6-11 record, the Pioneers didn’t go far in the postseason. But this year, things are back to normal and the season is back in full swing. 

“That sense of normalcy has been a sigh of relief and I think it’s helped our numbers and the overall mindset of our players,” said head coach Russell Anderson. 

The team now looks to carry the bright spots of last season along with the new additions to the team into this 2022 season, where their schedule looks promising and their playoff contention chances are far improved. A lethal attack of Jackson Zarinko, Charlie Sarlund, and Owen Forbes hope to return this year at full strength after combining for 52 goals and 49 assists in the previous season. 

The defense also looks to return to success, with Joe Vignali, EJ Reitter, and Shane Cook all returning to protect newly starting Max Woodby, the presiding goalie for the 2022 season. The defense will be a major pillar of this team’s success, with all three starters returning.

“I think we have a lot of returning starters who got meaningful lacrosse time last year,” said Anderson, “I expect us to compete for a conference championship.”

Having so many returning players is something that not every team has the luxury of enjoying, and might be the key to unlocking New Providence’s success, and ultimately live up to the daunting task of coming out of a competitive conference. Starting 2-0 this season, New Providence clearly has their mind set on one thing in particular:  a championship.