The Bridgewater-Raritan High School boys’ lacrosse team is ready to pick up where it left off and is determined to have a successful, winning season. 

Finishing last season with a 14-7 record and standing 3-1 in Skyland Conference matchups, Bridgewater-Raritan fell short against Westfield High School in the Group 4 state sectional final, 8-7. Westfield went on to win the Group 4 state title.

The Panthers, led by Coach Matt Apel, began their season on March 25 against Holmdel High School, winning 11-4. 

Coach Apel shares what the coaches are focusing on to have a successful outcome this season. 

“The focus is always to try to get a little better each day. We focus on the fundamentals of the game and putting players in game-like situations in practice so that they can compete in games,” he said.

Senior Reid Feinstein is ready to begin his final season as the Panthers’ goaltender. Feinstein played 18 games during his junior season, recording 185 saves. Feinstein is an important key player, always making an impact in each game, and is committed to playing at Iona University. 

Top goal scorers, seniors Declan Kurdyla and Jack Cifuentes, prepare to enter their final season as Panthers. Kurdyla recorded 35 goals and 24 assists last season, closing with a total of 59 points. Kurdyla is committed to playing at Rutgers University alongside brothers Colin and Brady Kurdyla, Bridgewater-Raritan High School graduates. 

Cifuentes finished his junior season with 27 goals and five assists, totaling 32 points. He spoke about the team’s goals for this season. 

“We’re getting better every single day to win a county and state championship when playoffs come around,” he said. Cifuentes will play collegiately at the Air Force Academy.

Junior Nick Crovelli has played an important role in faceoffs for Bridgewater-Raritan, winning 90 faceoffs last season while also recording two goals. Crovelli took the most faceoffs of any player during his sophomore season and is expected to be an important component of the Panthers’ offense this season. 

On Wednesday, April 15, Bridgewater-Raritan defeated Watchung Hills Regional High School, 13-4, to extend its winning streak to four games and record to 5-`1.