Varsity Lacrosse Takes Off at River Dell

The lacrosse program at River Dell might still be in its infancy, and to coach Brian Rendine that’s all the more reason he should keep his foot on the gas pedal.

“We’ve upped the ante this year,” said the fourth-year coach of the fourth-year program. “Our practices are harder this year, and we expect more from the kids. We’re challenging them more, and really pushing the envelope.”

While the paint is barely dry on the program, a time-tested sports adage is part of Rendine’s philosophy for forward progress.

“Our expectation is that every time we leave the field—whether a game or a practice—we’ll be a better team than we started,” said Rendine. “As a coaching staff, we owe it to the kids not to compromise.”

Of course, lacrosse is very much a team game, and Rendine is focused on fielding a team that will be greater than the sum of its parts.

“That’s the message we’ve sent to the kids,” he said. “We’re not looking for the best 10 players, we’re looking for the 10 kids that play the best together. Sticking with that concept may have cost us a win or two over the past few years, but this is a true team sport.”

Of course—as is often the case at River Dell—many of the players on the lacrosse team have battled together on the field or the court for the Hawks.

“We like multi-sport athletes at River Dell, and we’re accustomed to sharing athletes with other sports,” he said. “I don’t have many kids who only play lacrosse, and those I have, I’m always encouraging them to play another sport.”

Offensively, River Dell will be led by a pair of seniors, attackmen Evan Rowley and Michael Neville, a second-team all-league selection last year. Rendine calls his one-two punch: “Consistently strong players who give it their all and who know how to lead.”

Steven Luca will see time both on attack and at midfield, and he is joined in the starting lineup by fellow junior midfielders Kevin Barry, and Robby Wapelhorst, and goalie Ben Sagerman.

Barry, at 6-0, 185, has size and the hardest shot on the team, while senior Mike Monopoli, a running back and fullback on the football team, will use his speed to patrol the defensive midfield.

Although the roster is junior-heavy, seniors Trevor Bascomb and Aidan Gallagher should also contribute.

This year, River Dell switches into the Curcio Division, where the competition will be strong but not overwhelming for a team that, according to Rendine, still needs to improve its “lacrosse I.Q.”

Rendine grew up in River Edge and has had an up-close look at the sport’s arrival in Bergen County. He coached his younger brother Andrew,
one of his assistant coaches, at both of those high schools and also at
Dominican College. He expects lacrosse to emerge as a staple of the Bergen County varsity sports scene, and believes it will continue to attract more of each school’s best athletes.

“Lacrosse is growing dramatically as a varsity sport in our area—every year new schools are adding teams,” added Rendine, also assisted by Joseph Clause, and Will Leggett. “It’s an up-and-coming sport, and I see more schools pushing to add it until most of the schools in the county offer it.”

The first few seasons of lacrosse at River Dell has been what Rendine calls “a rollercoaster,” with the team recording seasons of 3-14, 14-4 and 8-8.

“Really, it’s been a matter of us finding the right league and the right mix of opponents. Last year was a very competitive season and this year should be the same.”

The season opened at a furious pace for River Dell, and their 2-1 start was plenty of cause for optimism. The Hawks defeated Lenape Valley, 10-7, at home on Saturday, and won again on Tuesday, scoring a 12-5 win at Old
Tappan. They dropped a hard-fought contest against St. Joe’s at home Wednesday, by the count of 9-6.

If success was based purely on enjoyment, there’s no doubt River Dell would be among the league leaders.

“I’m enjoying every minute of it,” said Rendine, “and so are the kids.”