Lacrosse Team Scores National Accolades

The 2010 Summit varsity boys lacrosse team finished this past season 23-0 after winning their second consecutive Tournament of Champions trophy. The team will carry a 45-game winning streak into 2011.

"In 2010 the defense was so experienced and that helped as the offense developed throughout the year," Head Coach Jim Davidson said. "In 2009 the defense was younger, but we were more experienced offensively."

Goalie Brian Feeney agreed.

"The defense and I have been playing together since my sophomore year," he said. "Our communication in 2010 along with our play improved, and obviously we had a good turnout this year."

The 2010 team was recently honored with a few very impressive accolades. The team was ranked  No. 2 nationally by ESPN Rise Magazine FAB 50,  No. 5 nationally by Inside Lacrosse/Under Armour Magazine,  No. 7 nationally by Lacrosse Magazine, and No. 7 nationally by Laxpower.

"During the past season I was always asked how all of the numbers felt," Feeney said. "I always answered that it doesn't matter. But, now that it is all over, it is absolutely amazing. These rankings show how hard we worked, and the fact that we're one of the best teams in Summit and even New Jersey history is overwhelming."

Davidson mentioned the lofty rankings were a nice accomplishment and showed how far the program has come in recent years.

"We are doing a great job of developing lacrosse not only at the high school level but at the youth program as well," Davidson said. "It just shows how much the kids have developed as players and that they played well together."

The team, however, was not the only recipient of accolades. Senior goalie Feeney, who is attending the University of Pennsylvania to play lacrosse, was awarded individually as well. Feeney was selected as the 2010 New Jersey Lacrosse Player of the Year by the Coaches Association. He was also selected, along with Bobby Lawrence, to the Laxpower All-Eastern Region First Team.

"Everything I have received really does reflect the amount of work I put into the Summit athletics program. The amount of time I spent in the weight room during football season and in the winter for lacrosse was one of the main reasons I was successful," Feeney said. "It makes a huge difference as a goalie if I can do more than just save the ball. Fighting for ground balls really helped my team the past two years."

Davidson had nothing but praise for Feeney, pointing out his ability to do multiple things in net besides just save the ball.

"He is an all-around great player," Davidson said. "He is not just a goaltender, but is also an exceptional athlete. He is tremendous at getting loose balls and turning them into transition opportunities for the team. He is an offensive threat in the cage."

Feeney capped off his successful Summit career with a selection as one of the best 44 players in the country, playing in the Under Armour All-America Lacrosse Game. Feeney played for the North, who defeated the South, 17-12, on July 3 in Towson, Md.

"The game was definitely a privilege to play in," Feeney said. "Not only was I picked one of the four best goalies in the nation, but the game was on television, and Summit never had a player in the game before. I felt great pressure to play well, mainly because Coach Davidson drove four hours to watch me play in it. It ended up being quite successful, as the other goalie [for the North] and I combined to set a record for most saves in the game's history."

The two goalies combined for 20 saves in the game.