Saugus boys lacrosse back home in NEC

There?s no place to go but up for the Saugus boys? lacrosse team, which returns to the Northeastern Conference this spring after a trying season in the unfamiliar Cape Ann League last year.
The Sachems won a single game en route to a 1-17 record.
?It was just a tough year,” said coach Rob Scuzzarella, who takes over after joining the staff a year ago as an assistant to Rich Mazzei.
In turn, Scuzzarella reached out to former Saugus teammate Dave DiLuigi, who has provided the team with the type of energy boost needed after a down season.
?He?s a great lacrosse mind and he has brought a ton of intensity to our practices, which the kids have loved and fed off of so far,” said Scuzzarella.
Back in the fold for the Sachems are three senior captions: midfielder Chris Sanderson, defender Nick Vokey, and Christian Patterson.
?We only lost three seniors to graduation so we have a pretty good core returning this year,” said Scuzzarella. “Sanderson and Vokey are definitely key guys up front as well as on the back end,” the coach said of the duo, who were CAL all-star last season.
Other names to keep an eye on are junior face-off specialist Jake Demonte as well as returning attacks Ron Jarosz (senior) and Mike DeBenedictis, both of whom are expected to provide scoring.
In his lone season as an assistant, Scuzzarella picked up on a major lesson that he believes will help him in his transition to a larger role.
?One of the best things I?ve learned is that every player is different. That?s the beauty of coaching, finding the right way to get the most out of each individual,” he said.
Scuzzarella is optimistic the team?s return to its original home in the NEC will pay immediate dividends.
?It?s definitely a much better fit for us lacrosse-wise. We were 1-1 against NEC teams last year (including a win against Winthrop and a loss to Peabody), so we should match up a lot better this season.”
Saugus? homecoming party will also benefit the team and its fans? transportation.
?Our traveling situation is much more comfortable in the NEC as well and it will makes it easier for the kids? families to get out to games. We definitely love the move,” said Scuzzarella who, along with his team, is looking forward to the season opener on Friday at Matignon (7).
?The kids are hungry to get out on the field, under the lights, and get things rolling,” Scuzzarella said. “After that, we will try to take it one game at a time and not overlook the challenges in front of us.”Matt Fraser can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MattFraserDI.