Long Valley LAX Crowned Conference Champs

See it. Want it. Win it.

It’s a phrase commonly used for lacrosse players in the ground ball battle. In 2013, however, it became the Long Valley lacrosse team’s mantra.

For eight years and eight lacrosse seasons, a group of young men fought alongside each other for one common goal: winning the coveted Northern Conference Championship in the New Jersey Youth Lacrosse League. Only eighth grade teams can attain the goal, needing to battle through a regular season and bracket-style playoff run.

This year’s eighth graders amassed a 20-1 regular season record, and in the final 10 days of playing together as a team – which had been in place for the past eight years – went on a run that put them in the Long Valley history books.

See It

The team’s vision – seeing it – became clear on May 11.

For seven years, the Wolfpack couldn’t hunt down the team from next door, losing to its rival each season.

In a thrilling, sudden death double overtime tilt, the Wolfpack ousted Chester-Mendham on an extra-man goal with 28 seconds left.

“It was a thrilling moment, where the season dream began to look like a season plan,” said head coach John Jordan. “The boys and the coaches always knew they had the tools to win it all. That was the moment in the season where we found out that in addition to the talent and experience, we had the will to win it all.”

Want It

After the win that took eight years to complete, the team played the final three weeks like it was on a mission, Jordan said.

“The players, on their own in their warm-up huddle and break-down huddles at every practice, would remind each other, ‘we have a championship to win,’” Jordan said. “’That’s why we practice, that’s why we work.’”

After years of hard work and a season with a sole focus of immortality, the Wolfpack would have just 10 days to accomplish its goal.

Win It

The Wolfpack embarked on its playoff run, set to battle Morristown in the conference semifinals.

Long Valley handled its first test with ease, punching its ticket to the conference championship with an 8-4 win.

Awaiting them, though, was Chester-Mendham, once again. It took eight years to beat their rivals once; could the Wolfpack do it again?

This time it wouldn’t take overtime, let alone double overtime, as the hometown boys won handily, 8-4 to be crowned Northwest Conference Champions.

Their final game of the season came against the Central Conference champions from Bridgewater. In a battle of bests, Long Valley solidified its standing, again winning 8-4.

Assisted by coaches Craig Compoli, Toby Humm and Hank Izzo, Jordan also ended his youth lacrosse coaching tenure after 17 years.

“This group made their mark on the scoreboard and in the trophy case, but where they made [the coaches] proudest was their hard-nosed play while always respecting and honoring the game,” Jordan said. “This group had outstanding sportsmanship. Truly the classiest team to take the field at every game and every tournament.”

Of the 24 players on the 2013 roster, 22 plan to continue their lacrosse careers at West Morris Central High School, Jordan said.