MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP – Christian Brothers Academy, a traditional state power, has been playing lacrosse for more than 20 years while Middletown South, a three-year program that is in its second year with a varsity team, is a work in progress.
Not unexpectedly, CBA rolled to a 17-1 rout of the inexperienced Eagles Tuesday in an A Division North game that was played under the “Mercy Rule” in the second half when South had a 12-goal lead.
South’s Pat Walsh spoiled CBA’s shutout bid with a goal midway in the third quarter.
Mike Carroll, a 6-4 freshman, and sophomore Nick Casner, set the pace for the Colts with five and four goals respectively as CBA moved out a to 15-0 lead in the first half while allowing South just one shot on goal. Reserves played the second half.
“South has a young team,” said CBA coach Dave Santos. “I was able to get all of my players into the game.
“When he first came to CBA, I thought that Carroll was a transfer,” said Santos. “I was surprised to learn that he was only a freshman.
“He doesn’t play like a freshman,” Santos said. “He’s composed, is a good scorer and works hard.”
“I’ve been playing lacrosse since I was in the third grade,” said Carroll, a Freehold resident. “I wasn’t really that good in any other sport.
“Lacrosse is a great sport and I enjoy it very much,” he said. “I play lacrosse all year long.”
Casner, in contrast, is in his second year as a varsity starter, which is a rarity at CBA.
“He started last year, so we expect a lot from him,” said Santos. “He’s the only attacker that we have that has experience. We start a freshman, sophomore and junior at that position, so we’re very young there.”
Despite the one-sided score, Middletown South coach Frank Finochio is optimistic.
“We have only three seniors,” said Finochio, whose team defeated Neptune in its opener. “We have a new program and will just try to keep working hard and get better with each game.”
— By Jim Hintelmann
