St. Luke's Boys Lacrosse: Season Outlook

Head Coach Peter Baritz ’14 is enthusiastic about the potential of the Varsity Boys Lacrosse team this season. 

Although the spring poses its own set of challenges with inconsistent weather and a very short timeline, Baritz believes that this year’s squad has the potential to overcome any obstacle with the right preparation. Luckily, the team had the chance to test themselves against strong opponents during their preseason training trip to Florida in March. As Baritz mentioned, “We got to play two teams that gave us a great perspective on what we need to work on and how we as coaches can improve our practice plans to be ready come game day.” From there, the coaching staff and players were able to make quick adjustments to the way they approach practice, focusing on off-ball movement and constant support of each other on the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. 

Persistence & The Three-Headed Monster

Thanks to the leadership of captains Peter Lewis ‘24, Will Moskowitz ‘25, and Grady Millones ‘25, the team has developed a culture of hard work, persistence, and belief that they can win any game, no matter what. This motivation is clearly supported by Baritz, who says, “Whether it is being down three goals or up three goals, lacrosse, similar to basketball, is a game of runs. With the introduction of the shot clock this year, the pace of play is only going to elevate.” Although the addition of the shot clock will be an adjustment, Baritz is hoping to use it to the team’s advantage by pushing the pace and taking advantage of his “three-headed monster” set of attackers, Will Moskowitz ‘25, Peter Lewis ‘24, and Kevin Konrad ‘26. 

With the “three-headed monster” on attack and newcomer David Gjergji ‘25 on defense, Baritz is sure St. Luke’s will compete with every team they play. Baritz mentions that Gjergji will be “the sun” of their new zone defense, with everything revolving around his large presence in the center of the zone. With his long reach and anticipation skills, Gjergji is the optimal middle defender who is sure to intercept several passes and shut down any attackers. With the support of returners Tad Fleuette ‘24 and Rydan Olson ‘25, the Storm defense is filled with size, skill, and a level of intensity that will make them difficult to score on, especially with veteran Grady Millones ‘25 between the pipes.    

Storm Recipe for Success

With a team full of unique athletes who all offer something different, Baritz is looking forward to the multi-dimensional style of play they will utilize this season. The league is competitive and the season is a sprint, but if the team stays healthy, Baritz is optimistic about what they will accomplish. He is most excited to see the team come together: “Mistakes are going to be made, but how we respond and support each other is what I am looking forward to.” It won’t be easy, but forcing each opponent to earn everything they get and competing until the very last second is sure to be a recipe for success for the Storm this season.