Washington Twp. learns while losing
By Joe Santoliquito
Inquirer Suburban Staff

Dan Straga and his teammates voted almost unanimously over the summer to join the new Elite Class AAA League this season. In the first game, Straga and the rest of his Washington Township teammates began to realize that this new league was something they weren't accustomed to seeing in South Jersey.

"We saw a much higher talent level than we ever saw, and we kind of questioned the decision we made to join this new league," said Straga, a senior who shares the goaltending chores for the Minutemen with fellow senior Adam Seczech.

The Minutemen are 1-11-2 in the new league, but Washington Township has become considerably more competitive. Washington Township lost by an average of four goals in the first handful of games it played in the new league, which is made up of powerhouses such as Malvern Prep, La Salle, Germantown Academy, Father Judge, Cardinal O'Hara, Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Ryan.

Over the last month, the Minutemen have played better. They're still losing games, but Washington Township is able to skate with the other teams in the Elite Eight.

"We're getting used to physical aspects of these teams," Straga said. "We're definitely communicating better as a team, and on the defensive side of the puck, we're more organized. Our coaches have done a great job of keeping us together."

Defenseman Drew Petersen, a junior, has played well, as has sophomore Fred Brewer on offense. Straga and Seczech have settled down and adjusted to the speed of the game.

"It's been challenging, and it's been good," Petersen said. "There have been games in which we've blown away, but this is a young team. We look at the game a little different. We used to think that these teams were so much better than us, and we're back in games, and we've been competitive. When the playoffs begin, things will be a little different."

Hot streak. Cinnaminson is looking for a playoff berth, sitting in second place in the SJHSIHL Tier II American Division, behind Cherry Hill East. The Pirates are 6-4-4 (both in the league and overall) and are one of the hottest teams in South Jersey, going unbeaten in the last four games at 3-0-1.

It couldn't come at a better time for Cinnaminson, which started the season 2-2-2.

"This winning streak has put us in a strong hold in the division and given us a good position in the playoff race," Pirates coach Tony Mottola said. "The kids are grasping the system now. They're learning how to play as a team and the different forechecks and power plays that we run."

Cinnaminson has a very young team, with six freshmen, three sophomores and six juniors. The Pirates have seven seniors, including a pair of outstanding scorers in Anthony Mottola, the coach's son. He has 23 goals and 13 assists. Brian Crosby has 13 goals and 17 assists.

Defensively, seniors Anthony DeSante and Nick Catanzariti and freshman John Guarracino have played well. In the net, junior goaltender Devin Kloss has done a good job of keeping the Pirates in games.

"What I'm hoping we do is continue to play as a team and learn what it takes to win," Tony Mottola said. "The confidence has been growing as they win."