Washington Twp. aims for new S.J. title

He knows what "long-term" goals used to mean for most South Jersey boys' lacrosse programs.

A division title. A conference title. Then try not to make it look so obvious when your team is fed to the North Jersey wolves in the state playoffs.

"A lot of teams from this area were going to the playoffs and opening with teams who were years and years ahead of them as a program," Fowler said.

Before the NJSIAA's decision to establish sectional championships in boys' lacrosse before this season, there essentially was no postseason for most of the top programs in South Jersey boys' lacrosse.

But as the sport has grown in this area, so, finally, has the postseason landscape.

And Fowler, a first-year coach at Washington Township after spending two years assisting at Lenape, is at the center - even a symbol - of that change.

Sectional championships "have absolutely generated excitement in South Jersey," Fowler said. "It gives everyone a sense that we can compete for something. It's a big deal for coaches and players. And it's going to be good for lacrosse in South Jersey."

Legitimizing the new public-school sectional championships in this area are the growing number of competitive teams. Washington Township has long been one of those teams.

But more and more across the area, there are personalities such as Fowler - coaches who are passionate about lacrosse and with the lacrosse IQ to back it up.

Fowler talks not just about building a great team at Washington Township, but also about establishing a strong foundation for his program, built on the fundamentals and knowledge of the game.

And when he talks about his team's goals for this season, he now can talk about a more tangible postseason goal: winning a sectional title.

"It gives that extra competitive edge to players and coaches," said Fowler, whose team, ranked No. 10 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, is in the hunt for the first South Jersey Group 4 title.

"It's great for coaches because we'll be seeing some teams for a third time, so it gives us an opportunity to throw different twists in there and make adjustments."

For players, sectional championships immediately increase interest in the sport.

"It's a great opportunity for us to represent our school," Minutemen junior midfielder T.J. Mulderig said. "All of us can't wait to play in the tournament and see if we can win it."

Mulderig is part of a strong returning core for Washington Township (1-1), and it also includes senior attack Steve Gagliardi and senior defender Marc Bushong. Each laud their new coach and the new attitude that he brings.

"He's really focused on making us better lacrosse players," Mulderig said. "He brings a hardworking mentality, he makes us work hard, and he wants us to win games. And his attitude makes us want to win even more."

It's an attitude that fits the evolving landscape in South Jersey boys' lacrosse, that of players and coaches striving to advance their schools' programs, fighting for postseason success, and now, finally, with every reason to expect it.

"So far, being a head coach here has been a great experience," Fowler said. "I've tried to teach the kids a lot, and I know I've learned a lot from them.

"We've set out short-term and long-term goals this season. And absolutely, a long-term goal for us right now is winning that South Jersey title."

Contact Chris Melchiorre at rallysports@phillynews.com.