2026 Fall program

🍂 Hilltopper Lacrosse Fall 2026 is Here!

We’re excited to announce that registration is now open for the 2026 Hilltopper Lacrosse Fall Program! 🥍

Designed for boys and girls in grades 1–8, our fall program is built around one simple philosophy: develop great players while having fun with teammates and friends. Through high-energy practices, skill development, small-sided games, and instruction from Summit High School varsity coaches and players, athletes will improve their fundamentals, build confidence, and strengthen their love for the game. Financial aid is available, and a current USA Lacrosse membership is required to participate. (Hilltopper Lacrosse⁠)

More than just lacrosse, Hilltopper is about bringing the Summit lacrosse community together. It’s an opportunity for our youngest players to learn from the athletes they admire, create lasting relationships across every grade, and experience what it truly means to be a Hilltopper. We can’t wait to see everyone on the field this fall! 💛

🥍 1st–5th Graders

Our Elementary Boys & Girls will spend most of their time in small-sided and modified game situations, where the focus is on high-repetition touches, quick decision-making, and learning through active play. Smaller game formats naturally give each athlete more opportunities with the ball, more chances to react to game-like scenarios, and more moments to build confidence. 💪

Each practice will also include short, targeted stick work designed specifically for younger players. These sessions reinforce proper fundamentals—cradling, passing, catching, and ball protection—so athletes continue developing strong ball-handling skills from an early age.

By combining fast-paced small-sided games with consistent technical instruction, players learn the sport in a way that is fun, engaging, and age-appropriate, while steadily building the foundation they’ll rely on as they grow. 🌟

🥍 6th–8th Graders

Our Middle School Boys training group is primarily focused on individual player development, with an emphasis on stick skills, shooting, footwork, and lacrosse IQ. Sessions are run in a high-paced, competitive, and supportive environment where players are encouraged to challenge themselves, learn from mistakes, and improve every day. 🔥

Our goal is to help every athlete build strong fundamentals and develop confidence through repetition, guided instruction, and age-appropriate competition. As the weeks progress, you’ll see your son become more comfortable with the ball in his stick, more decisive in game-like situations, and more confident in his overall understanding of the game.

Most importantly, he’ll be learning in an environment that values effort, teamwork, and having fun—all while being coached by the Summit High School Varsity coaching staff and players. 🏆

📅 Program Details

• 💲 Cost: $200
• 🗓️ Five Saturday evening sessions
• 📅 September 12 – October 10
• 🕓 Sessions will be held between 4:00–7:00 PM
• 📍 Locations: Upper Tatlock Field & Investors Field

🗓️ A detailed practice schedule, including grade-specific session times, will be published in TeamSnap by August 15.

Throughout the fall session, the Summit High School Boys & Girls Varsity players, along with much of the varsity coaching staff, will be coaching, mentoring, and interacting with participants each week.

Full equipment is required, including:

• ✔️ Mouthguard
• ✔️ Summit Lacrosse reversible jersey
• ✔️ (Preferred) Summit helmet for boys

📝 Register Today!

🥍 Boys Fall Program Registration: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/527519

🥍 Girls Fall Program Registration: https://go.teamsnap.com/forms/527523

💙 More Than Lacrosse

Our goal is to coach the Summit youth community the same way we looked up to and admired the varsity teams when we were elementary and middle school athletes.

By mentoring the next generation, we’re building meaningful relationships across every grade while reinforcing the core values that define our programs: work ethic, teamwork, positivity, and character. 🤝

Connecting Summit’s youth boys and girls programs with our varsity teams strengthens what it means to be a Hilltopper. It creates a community where younger players have role models to inspire them, lifelong friendships are formed, and every athlete learns to compete with pride, support their teammates, and represent Summit with passion.

That connection between our youth and varsity programs has never been stronger, and we’re especially excited for this fall because our players will have the opportunity to learn from the next leader of Summit Lacrosse.

🥍 Meet Summit’s New Head Coach – Marcel Godino ’10

Following Coach Davidson’s retirement announcement, I’m excited to share some wonderful news: Marcel Godino ’10 has been named the next Head Coach of Summit High School Lacrosse! 🎉

Many of you already know Coach Godino from his work with the Hilltopper Lacrosse program this past year. For those who haven’t had the opportunity to meet him yet, his Summit Lacrosse story is truly special.

As a player, Marcel helped lead Summit to back-to-back Tournament of Champions titles in 2009 and 2010, serving as captain of the 2010 championship team. He was also a starting midfielder and captain during Summit’s New Jersey state-record 68-game winning streak, helping establish one of the greatest dynasties in New Jersey lacrosse history.

After Summit, Marcel continued his playing career at Manhattan College, where he was a four-year starter and three-time captain of the Division I program.

Following graduation, Marcel spent the next decade coaching at Bard College, Skidmore College, and Union College (NY). During that time he:

• 🏆 Was named IMLCA Assistant Coach of the Year (2022)
• 🥈 Helped lead Union College to the Division III National Championship Game
• ⭐ Coached more than 25 Collegiate All-Americans, including the Division III Player of the Year, Attackman of the Year, and Faceoff Midfielder of the Year

Last season, Marcel returned home to join Coach Davidson’s staff, helping lead the Hilltoppers to a Group III State Championship while earning recognition as the top public school lacrosse program in the country.

Stepping into the role after a legendary coach like Coach Davidson is a tremendous responsibility, but Marcel is uniquely prepared for it. He has experienced Summit Lacrosse from every perspective—as a youth player, devoted fan, state champion, Division I captain, nationally recognized college coach, and dedicated alumnus who has always given back to the program.

We’re thrilled that our Hilltopper players and families will have the opportunity to learn from Coach Godino and the entire varsity staff this fall. There is no better way to inspire the next generation of Summit players than by connecting them with the leaders who have worn the Summit jersey with pride and are now shaping its future.

💛 Please join us in congratulating Coach Godino. The future of Summit Lacrosse is bright, and we’re excited to have him leading our varsity program while continuing to invest in the next generation of Hilltoppers!