WEST ORANGE, NJ — The West Orange High School lacrosse team, under the direction of first-year head coach Pete Tourian, continues to develop and grow, finishing above .500 for the second year in a row.
The team finished 9-8 and took fourth place in the Super Essex Conference Liberty Division, competing against Millburn, Columbia and Newark Academy; and took third in the Klank Division, losing only to Hanover Park and Boonton. For the second year in a row the Mountaineers qualified for states, falling to top-20 team Morristown 15-11 and gaining respect for a tightly played game.
Six WOHS Lacrosse players earned All Division Honors in the Klank Division:
- 1st Team All Klank: Andrew DiPalma, Brian Crann and Marshall Lipsey;
- 2nd Team All Klank: Isaac Arowosaowye and Alan Benson; and
- Honorable Mention All Klank: Jacob Rosado.
Five WOHS Lacrosse players garnered All Conference Honors for the Super Essex Conference and Liberty Division:
- 1st Team All SEC: Andrew DiPalma;
- 2nd Team All SEC: Brian Crann, Marshall Lipsey and Isaac Arowosaye; and
- Honorable Mention All SEC: Alan Benson.
Andrew DiPalma also received honorable mention in All State, Group 4. Group 4 contains lacrosse powerhouses like Bridgewater-Raritan, Ridgewood, Montgomery and Lenape, as well as several others. The award is considered a tremendous accomplishment not only for DiPalma, but the WOHS lacrosse program, underscoring the effort to continue strengthening the program, now completing its 10th year.
Tourian was also named as an assistant coach in the prestigious Gil Gibbs All Star Game. Gibbs was a legendary Montclair lacrosse coach and the game attracts state all-stars to play.
“Moving forward, we are looking to build on our success this season, and to continue to strengthen the presence of West Orange lacrosse in our state,” Tourian said in a press release. “We are returning several important players, but we are also losing some key seniors who will be sorely missed. One of our team goals must be to focus on those key positions where we are losing seniors. More globally, we’re also working with Mr. Kehoe and the Recreation Department to continue to develop our feeder program, as this is crucial to our long-term success.”
Tourian was optimistic about the future of West Orange High School lacrosse.
“Based on the success of other programs in West Orange, it’s clear that we have the athletes to compete at very high levels,” Tourian said. “Our goal is to continue to develop our lacrosse program in ways that support our athletes getting into the game at young ages, growing up in the game, and bringing that passion, talent and tenacity to our varsity program.”
Photos Courtesy of Jennifer DiPalma
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