North Boys Travel to Kean University for Scrimmage

Sachem North traveled to Kean University in Union, N.J. Saturday for a scrimmage against Montclair High School, the defending Class 4A New Jersey State Champions.

“It’s good for us to keep playing as we want to continue to improve,” Sachem head coach Jay Mauro said. “Each time we play, the idea is to get better.”

The Arrows certainly did, winning in most facets of the contest against Montclair. Mauro’s not big on caring about the score in scrimmages as much as improving on mistakes.

“No one has won a state championship in March,” he said. “You keep improving so you can win a state championship in June during March.”

The Montclair scrimmage had been scheduled since October since Mauro is friendly with Kean head coach Shelley Sheiner.

“It's a great university with excellent facilities,” Mauro said.

Sheiner, who has recruited a handful of Sachem players over the past few years, said he has kept his eye on the Sachem North program.

He spoke to the players after Saturday’s game about the impact Sachem could have in Suffolk County his season and in order to get to the top, they must not forget where they’ve been.

Specifically referring to a 2008 Sachem loss to Jersey’s Cranford High School at Kean, Sheiner saw considerable difference in the style of play between the four-year gap. He recalled a young Michael Andreassi playing as a freshman.

“If any team is going to unseat West Islip and make their claim, it’s going to be Sachem North,” Sheiner said. “I told them to keep their eye on the prize. They emulate a college program. Coach Mauro and his staff have created a nice culture of lacrosse in Sachem. I really liked what I saw.”

During homecoming in the fall, Mauro ran into former Sachem coach Blayney McEneaney, who was the head coach when the Arrows won their first state title in 1979. Mauro learned then that ironically Sachem scrimmaged Montclair in 1979, as well. That was the last time the schools faced each other.

North will scrimmage Comsewogue on Tuesday.

Sachem Patch will be posting a full season preview this week on Sachem East and North boys and girls lacrosse.