Marc Narducci: Clearview boys' lacrosse team opens with win

The progress of the Clearview boys' lacrosse team has been undeniable for a program now in its fifth season.

Based on yesterday's 9-3 win over host Washington Township in the opening match for both teams, the improvement arrow should continue to move upward.

As with many programs in South Jersey, Clearview now has a little history behind it in a sport that continues to explode.

Clearview predictably struggled, going 2-15 in that inaugural season in 2005. The Pioneers then went 6-11, followed by 10-7 and last year's 13-5 mark, which included three losses to South Jersey power Shawnee.

Yesterday's opening was an impressive way to start Year No. 5 for Clearview. The Pioneers scored the first eight goals of the game and weren't threatened by a Washington Township team that impressed Clearview coach Rob Rieck, who has guided the program since the beginning.

"Washington Township is a really talented team that is going to win a lot of games," Rieck said.

And if that's the case, what does that say about Clearview?

"They are the real deal," Washington Township coach Steve Arata said.

The Pioneers are ranked No. 6 in The Inquirer's preseason Super 6 and have quickly earned the respect as one of the elite programs in South Jersey.

"I think we have developed a respectable program," Rieck said modestly.

One of the problems Clearview has is being in the same conference (Olympic Patriot) and same group (South 3) as Shawnee.

That will keep a team humble and also a little hungry.

"We think we have closed the gap," Rieck said.

And that's as far as he would go, realizing that the play on the field will determine how much closing has been done.

What is known is that the Pioneers have a veteran team that won't be a whole lot of fun to go against.

Many of the players on this senior-laden team have been playing the sport since sixth grade.

While that seems like a late start for many sports, in lacrosse it's a lot earlier than it used to be.

"The sport in South Jersey is developing so much," Rieck said. "The youth programs are doing a good job. It's obviously helping the high school."

What makes Clearview such a difficult opponent is that it's hard to tell what part of the team is more proficient, the offense or defense.

Heading the defense is Lafayette-bound senior Ed Stubits, who Rieck said is the best goalie in South Jersey. Stubits had 11 saves yesterday, and he often got the attack going. He's always moving, which can probably be attributed to his background as an accomplished swimmer.

Stubits steers the credit toward his coach when talking about the proficiency of Clearview.

"One reason we are where we are is that I think we have the best coach around," Stubits said. "We have a lot of us who have played varsity together for a long time."

Rieck lauded the defensive play yesterday of seniors Jeff Conboy, Max Holland, and D.J. Lynch, and it was easy to see the standout on offense.

Senior Nick Philippi had four goals and was all over the field for the Pioneers. Philippi didn't wait long to get things started, scoring eight seconds into the game, a sign that the Pioneers mean business almost from the beginning this season.

"We expect more this year," he said. "I think the close games we dropped last year could go our way this year."

And if so, it would continue an impressive growth spurt for this ever-improving program.