Girls lacrosse team finishes 15-5

Jack Bushey’s first season as head coach of the Sparta High School girls lacrosse team was a rousing success.

The Spartans posted an overall record of 15-5 and tied for second place in the division.

Both Sparta and West Morris went 5-1 against opponents in the Freedom White Division of the NJIGLL.

“I would say that the games that stand out as the most impressive this season were our 6-4 win over Glen Rock (on April 17), our 16-6 conference win over West Morris Central (on May 17) and our 11-2 win in the state quarterfinals against Pascack Valley (on May 29),’’ Bushey said.

“These games stick out because all of them were 50-50 games against very talented teams, and we were fortunate enough to come away with wins in all three of them.’’

Members of the Class of 2024 made Bushey’s adjustment to head coach more comfortable.

“I was very fortunate in my first season as head coach to have 10 seniors who are incredible students, athletes and young adults,’’ he said. “Aside from the 10 senior leaders, we had three captains (seniors Jordyn Kelly and Kate McCall and junior Uma Kowalski) this season who did an amazing job leading by example and showing everyone on the team the way a Sparta girls lacrosse player should carry themselves.’’

Each member of the team improved this season, the coach said.

“I think that the entire program showed constant improvement from day one. It is always hard at first with a new coach because the players have to learn a new system and new terminology, but they took it in stride and worked extremely hard to get a little bit better each day.’’

The Spartans lost to Mendham, 17-3, in the semifinal round of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association (NJSIAA) North Jersey, Group 2 tournament June 1.

The team had defeated Pascack Valley,, 11-2, in the quarterfinals and River Dell, 22-8, in the first round.

Look for the team’s success to continue.

“There are so many things that give optimism for next year,’’ Bushey said. “We have a very talented returning group, including our top three offensive point leaders from this season. Along with the excellent returners, we have a very talented incoming class as well.’’