By Lorenzo Recupero
With a, 4-3, win over Pope John on May 23 — its third win in four matches — the Everett High lacrosse team put together its best finish yet.
Before this season, the Crimson Tide hadn’t won a single game in three years as a program, but with its first three wins in tow and a remade swagger to end the season, the hope is only to carry the successes over to next year.
“It was a great defensive effort by everyone,” said first-year head coach Anthony Genualdo, whose season ended most fittingly on a last second save that preserved the victory by senior Tylor Lord. “We just have to carry this intensity and confidence over to next season,” he said.
At season’s start, Genualdo and fellow first-year coach, assistant Anthony Cucinata, were charged with getting a group of talented players to try and meet their potential. And they did just that.
“[Cucinata] played a big part behind the scenes with all the little things no one noticed,” said Genualdo of his assistant, who is also a faculty member at The Devens School in Everett. “We wouldn’t be such a team without his help.”
In their first year coaching together, the lacrosse team not only won games but they help set the program up for a brighter future, having assisted in building the confidence of an entire program and its deference-makers.
With guys like Jason Suppa, the team’s first 100-point scorer (includes goals and assist) who happens to have a lethally accurate shot, and junior Nick Snook, a stellar defenseman who plays hockey as well, along with sophomore Jason Falcon, a real speedster, the team is in good hands and built for a run that might surprise some next season.
“Tony, our second year player has come a real long way, he might be the fastest kid on the field each game. Nick, who brings a lot every game, will be the backbone of our defense next year, and Suppa is going to lead the charge for everyone,” said Genualdo.
With the excitement for Lacrosse at Everett High booming and W’s piling up in the win column, next season can’t come any sooner.