B.B. boys' lacrosse looking to exceed last year's league championship season

March 20, 2024 at 11:57 p.m.


By LILY WOLF | Comments: 0 | Leave a comment
Freelance Reporter

Heading into the spring season, which began with tryouts and practice the week of Mar. 11 and continued with a scrimmage on Thursday, Mar. 21 against Harrison, the Blind Brook boys' lacrosse team has a lot to aspire to. Their league championship last season—a tie with Rye Neck High School—and first playoff victory in school history are just two of the achievements the team will be looking to accomplish again. The Trojans finished the season with a 13-5 record to put them in second place in the standings. Even more competition is expected during the 2024 season.

Coach Jason Einaugler will be leading the Trojans again this season and has expressed his excitement for the upcoming schedule. He has shown his leadership skills throughout the past seasons by putting in as much work as the team needs and being there for his players no matter what. Coach E shared his hopes for the coming season: "I would love to repeat as league champs again and our goal this year is to get to the semifinals. I have a very high feeling for this team and believe we can do many more special things for Blind Brook athletics."

Unlike last season, the team can hopefully show that they have improved and developed even more over the off- season and get a first game win at their season opener against Nanuet at Blind Brook on Thursday, Mar. 28 starting at 4:30 p.m. Teams like Fox Lane, New Rochelle, and Bronxville have all been added to this season’s schedule, making the competition greater. The Trojans played the Bronxville Broncos last year, losing 15-4 in the second playoff game.

Even though the game resulted in a loss, the Trojans can confidently bring more to the table than they did last year.

Overall, the competition will be greater than last year. With many new players on the team and some key players having graduated, the Trojans may be the underdogs this season. Over the past couple of weeks, the team has shown up to practice working hard and practicing their skills, plays, etc.

After Mar. 28, the next game will be away against Croton-Harmon on Wednesday, Apr. 3 at 4:30 p.m. The Trojans beat Croton last year in their home opener 13-7. All three Taerstein brothers (Zach, Tyler, and Ethan (Colby LAX)), had goals as well as three seniors, Seth Low, Michael Berman-Annunziata, and Hudson McRedmond. This game is not only their second game but also their first away game which will set a tone for how Blind Brook can play when they are visiting opponents for the rest of the season.

There are some big names to look for this season who won All League honors last year. Starting off with senior captain at attack, Michael Berman-Annunziata, who had 27 goals and 37 assists last season as well as hitting 100 career assists showed that he is a dominant player. Berman-Annunziata is committed to Clark University to continue playing lacrosse at the next level after he graduates.

"I believe that this team is the start of a special program here at Blind Brook," said the senior captain in 2023.

"Although we will be losing some key seniors for next year, I don't think the winning and progression will stop for Blind Brook men's LAX. Just like challenges before, we will continue to overcome them."

Another returning player to be on the lookout for this season is Muhlenberg College lacrosse commit Seth Low.

The long stick midfielder who leads the defense had 41 caused turnovers, 35 ground balls, five assists, and two goals last season.

Both Berman-Annunziata and Low will be leading the Trojans this season as captains.

Two sophomores who were key players last year and are returning are Tyler Taerstein and Chase Katz. Both started on varsity in eighth grade. Taerstein had 39 goals and 41 assists at midfield in 2023 and has more in store for the upcoming season. Katz summed up the season with 17 goals and 18 assists at midfield, demonstrating his abilities and showing there is more to him than being a lower classman.

The goalie for the Trojans, Ethan Leland, was a brick wall last season, ending the year with 141 saves out of 234 shots attempted. His overall saving percentage (.603%) was exceptional, and plenty more action is expected from the senior in 2024.

A minor setback Blind Brook had to face was finding out the terrible news that the team will not be able to use their usual field. Due to concerns about the safety of the field, the Blind Brook School District shut down any use of the upper field until it is redone. Over the past three years many student athletes have injured themselves while playing on the field due to lumps in the field due to the wear and tear on the turf. Now the boys’ lacrosse team, girls’ lacrosse team, and girls’ softball team have to share a field. Even though the boys will be playing their home games on the lower Rye Brook field which may not feel like "home," they have shown that they can handle any challenges that come their way and will still enjoy their season.

The Trojans faced many challenges last season and are prepared to face more. The players, part of a young program, are dead set on putting in the hard work to show their worth and fulfill more milestones for individual players and the entire team along the way. Sharp, selfless, accountable, respectful, and teamwork are just some of the words that sum up the team and what Coach E teaches his players. Following and living up to these labels is the goal for this season.



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