Original Story via Guy Kipp & Jeanne Wall – TapintoMiddletown

MIDDLETOWN, NJ — Realignment finds the Middletown North boys lacrosse team in the Shore Conference Constitution Division this season as the Lions open their season at home against St. John Vianney on Wednesday, April 3.

Middletown North finished with a 9-7 record last season, and coach Jason Pino says the team will field a blend of talented returning players and some newcomers that could make major contributions.

“While we graduate some numbers, we bring back experience at some important positions and all returners got meaningful experience last year,” said Pino, who is an English teacher at the high school. “We have brought up some exciting young players.”

The core of the experienced returners includes senior attack Hayden Mattos, who is the leading returning scorer on the team with 12 goals and nine assists last season.

Other players with varsity experience include senior midfielder Gavin Eremus; junior midfielder Tim Cherney, junior defender Damien Shevlin; junior attacks Carter Braun and Keaghan Gassler; senior midfielder Jadin Little; senior attack Mike Kelly; junior goalie Mario Lorenson; and junior attack Graham Kennedy.

The coach hopes to see contributions from a group of younger players joining the varsity. Six sophomores — Landon Hopwood (M), Lucas Larenjeiro (A), Brad Sattan (M), Jackson Cunha (D), AJ Beach, Lucas Baron (M) — and four freshmen — Christian Balletto (A), Noah Fleming (M/A), Caden Kirk (M), Kade Little — will bolster the Lions’ depth.

“The new divisions certainly offer more parity,” Pino said. “It’s really anyone’s race. We’ve got some familiarity with other programs. We are just trying to take it one game at a time and focus on giving every team our best effort.”

Middletown North will open their season at home against St. John Vianney on Monday, April.