Dylan Lasota, is playing in his second season on Newburgh Free Academy’s boys’ lacrosse team, and the sophomore scored two goals last week when the Goldbacks lost to Wallkill 14-7.

“I enjoy lacrosse,” said Lasota, following the loss at Wallkill. “It’s been one of my favorite sports for awhile.”

Lasota plays football, and Jimmy Horton, Newburgh’s boys’ lacrosse coach, is an assistant coach on the varsity football team. Terry Anderson, who scored three goals against Wallkill, and Derek Iorlano, a Goldback face-off guy, also play football. Both sports are played on fields similar in nature, and boys’ lacrosse is played with the same speed and physicality as football.

Lacrosse is different technically than football, using netted sticks and a small round ball as its offensive and defensive tools, and is akin to hockey played on solid ground.

“It’s similar and different in many ways,” said Lasota. “I bring the same energy.”

Horton is working to improve Newburgh’s lacrosse program, and the football’s team camaraderie is helping his team this spring.

“They already have a bond for football, and it carries over into lacrosse,” said Horton. “The team chemistry is pretty good.”

Horton said Lasota started a few games in the first varsity season and is improving through his second varsity season.

“He’s a natural lefty, which helps us out a lot,” said Horton. “The last couple of games, he’s really come into his own as far as where to position himself on fast breaks.”

Newburgh’s boys’ lacrosse team is working to be competitive, and junior varsity and modified teams are now in place to help the varsity team in the future.

Lasota has two more seasons on the Goldbacks’ varsity team, and he is trying to improve his play by working on holding on to the ball and scooping up ground balls to help the squad compete and win.