After defeating Mamaroneck in the Section 1 championship game to claim the Section 1 Class A Lacrosse Title in 2021, the Scarsdale Boys Varsity Lacrosse team had high expectations leading into the 2022 season. Led by Coach James Synowiez and Coach John Felix, the team finished out the regular season with a winning record of 9-7.

At the start of the 2022 season, things did not look too promising for Scarsdale as the team was not playing up to the high standard they had set in the previous season. Winning just two out of their first eight games, the absence of several seniors, who were a big part of the championship team last year, seemed to be wearing its effects. Scarsdale lost their season opener 17-4 to Briarcliff, their third game 15-5 to Massapequa, and the following game 10-9 to Rye in a nail-biter. Normally, a team would lose hope and confidence after such a poor start to a season; however, Scarsdale, being a championship-caliber team that knows what it takes to win, took these games as learning opportunities to improve their play style and correct where they went wrong. “After a slow start to our season, we came together before our John Jay game and had a team meeting. The big takeaway from that meeting was that we didn’t want this meeting to happen again. It was as simple as that,” said midfielder Nate Seslowe ’23. After a hard-fought, gritty 8-7 win against John Jay-Cross River, one of the top teams in the section, Scarsdale seemed to have found its groove as it finished the regular season strong on a 7 win, 1 loss tear.

Heading into the playoffs, Scarsdale earned the third seed in the Section 1 Class A Bracket, its first-round game being against Carmel. In this game, Scarsdale showed the section why it should be feared with its 13-4 demolition of Carmel. Nonetheless, the final score was deceiving as Scarsdale once again had a slow start to the game, which was reminiscent of its slow start to the season, and raised the question of whether or not Scarsdale could make another deep run. “It was rainy, it was the day after prom, and there was no crowd. There were all the excuses in the world for us to phone it in during that second half and be satisfied with the season,” stated captain and defenseman Julian Glantz ’22. However, a recurring theme in Scarsdale’s season was its resilience, and Scarsdale showed it in the second half as it lit up the scoreboard and put the game away quickly. Heading into the next round of the playoffs, Scarsdale faced off against the number two seed, North Rockland. Previously in the season, Scarsdale dominated them with a commanding 15-5 win and the playoff game would be no different. With momentum from Carmel carrying through into the North Rockland game, Scarsdale decisively won 11-6, cementing its spot in the championship game against its rival Mamaroneck. “North Rockland was a huge game for us. We knew if we won this game we would face our rivals, and we would get our chance of revenge after losing to them in the regular season,” said captain and midfielder Ryan Ornstein ‘23. 

Revenge would indeed be sought as Scarsdale was set to face off Mamaroneck on a gloomy and stormy Friday night. After a ninety-minute rain delay, fans from Scarsdale and Mamaroneck began to fill the bleachers at Lakeland High School to cheer on their teams and witness another memorable championship game between the two rivals. “After the wait, the whole student section was eager to cheer the team on and keep a high energy level throughout the game,” stated Daphne Boockvar ’23. The game was moderately close at the end of the first half with Scarsdale heading into the locker room with a confident 7-5 lead and Mamaroneck just barely hanging on. Nate Seslowe exploded for three goals in the first quarter and Julian Glantz held his own against a University of Pennsylvania commit who was able to create little to no offense. “During our halftime break, we all thought one thing–’don’t blow this lead.’ We blew our lead against Mamaroneck in the regular season, and it was our identity to do so in the first half of the season,” said goalie Andrew Lehrman ’23. With this sentiment boiling in the heads of the players, Scarsdale came out even stronger in the second half allowing only two goals compared to the five scored in the first half. Scarsdale ended up winning the game 12-7 in a more decisive defeat as opposed to its double-overtime win last year. “We were locked in and knew if we were to win this game it would be huge for the program. Everyone wanted the win as much as the person next to them and that camaraderie is what got us the win,” stated captain and Penn State commit Colby Baldwin ’23. 

Ultimately, Scarsdale’s resilience and perseverance were what led to them winning the Section Title for two consecutive years. “It was redemption from a tough loss earlier this season and a testament to the focus, determination, and hard work these guys have given each day. This team was able to solidify that with a ‘Dig The Well Together’ mindset and battle through adversity,” stated Coach Synowiez. Scarsdale is now looking to carry this momentum into the State Championship to cement its legacy as the first Scarsdale Lacrosse team to ever compete beyond the section level.