Success can mean something different to every team in every sport. For a Highland lacrosse squad looking to repeat as Section 9 Class C champions, there is no intention of letting this ride end any time soon.
The Huskies lacrosse team has been on an absolute tear this season, capping off the regular season with a 15-1 record. In nine of those 15 victories, Highland won by at least 10 goals. Awaiting its postseason seeding, the team is ultra-prepared and hoping to ride the energy and momentum of the dominant campaign.
“I think that our last game definitely got us pumped up and we are very prepared for playoffs.” said senior goalkeeper Justin Caballero in an interview with the Poughkeepsie Journal. Currently, the senior has a .661 save percentage, allowing just under 6 goals per game.
It’s hard to argue given the results so far. An absolute juggernaut offensively, Highland boasts six different players with at least 24 goals on the season. That being Mark Cureton (24,) Trevor Coates (28,) Carson Palmer (31,) Eben Yager (38) Luke Wiese (40) and Logan Davis (42). Each of those players have recorded double-digit assists as well.
“It’s more beneficial than words can describe,” junior defenseman TJ Riley said. “You just have to think about it from an opponents point-of-view, how are you going to stop so many talented players at once? I feel like this last year, we picked up all the right pieces and then got even better so we’re at that higher level.”
Regardless of the individual talents that each possess, the team credits its comradery and tight-knit family connection for its true success. That internal motivation the group creates for each other has kept the team hungry and doesn’t let complacency slip in.
“I feel like it mostly comes from our brotherhood,” Riley said. “We’re always pushing each other to be the very best that we can be, no matter the circumstances or what’s going on. We’re pushing each other because that’s what brothers do.”
Caballero and Riley are prime examples of that brotherhood, sacrificing individual glory for the betterment of the team. A goalkeeper now, Caballero actually started his high school journey as an attacking player. It wasn’t until realizing that him moving positions would improve the team that he decided to make the switch. Never looking back, it was obviously the correct choice.
“I adapted to how the team should be and I decided I was going to be a goalie,” the senior said. “I’ve always wanted to score goals, I feel like that’s what every kid wants to do. But then I also just thought about the team, and what they needed, so I thought it would be great for the team and it’s working really well.”
In the same vein, Riley was an offensive player initially before making the move to grab a long stick and play defense. Taking immense pride in his defensive effort on the field, it’s a position that’s fit his personality to a T.
“In 7th grade, I picked up a long-pole because that’s what my travel team needed and I’ve fell in love with it ever since,” he said. “I take 100 percent pride in my defense, completely. When I know there’s a good player on the other side, I take it personally if he scores. I try my hardest to prevent anything from happening. I feel like that’s one of the best parts of my game … everyone likes attention but everyone’s got to have those people in the background putting in the silent work.”
That silent work often comes with a ton of talking on the field. Both Caballero and Riley made sure to note how the chemistry and family-like atmosphere in the group only helps with communication out there. Having the ability to truly push each other and know the resulting action will prove that, it makes the team that more dangerous.
“It’s a pretty important factor of the game. Especially when you have people going out there who aren’t as used to going with the flow, we find that to be another thing with our group that we can pick anybody up and bring them to our level to help them succeed,” Riley said. “Even if they’re not the most experienced, we still find a way to make them useful.”
For Riley, he still has another run at things next spring to try and help contribute to the winning ways for the Huskies. Caballero doesn’t have too much longer donning the Highland logo on his helmet, though. Being a varsity player for all four years of his high school career, it’s an honor he doesn’t take lightly.
“The program has been great for me since day one,” he quickly said. “Just the brotherhood throughout my four years, I mean we’ve all been together for all of high school, I feel like the chemistry has mixed well with everyone.”
Playing for each other clearly means so much more than playing with one another for this group. Looking to repeat as Section 9 champions and take this ride as far as it can, it’s a program that has no intentions of changing its winning ways any time soon.
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Highland boys lacrosse prepared for playoffs after dominant season
Reporting by Eric Decker, Poughkeepsie Journal / Poughkeepsie Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
