DiGiovanni Named First-Team All-Conference

Finishing his stellar high school career as the leading scorer in Cranford High School boys' lacrosse history, Stephen DiGiovanni was named to the Star-Ledger All-Waterman Conference First-Team, joining a number of outstanding players from North Jersey.

DiGiovanni, who led the Cougars in 2009 with a CHS all-time record of 65 goals and 25 assists, also led the squad as the offensive scoring leader in 2008 and 2010. His resume includes being honored as a US Lacrosse U-15 New Jersey All-Star, and he was named First-Team All-State Division-C in 2008.

In 2009, DiGiovanni was selected All-State Honorable Mention in Group 1 and was a three-time All-Conference choice. He was also a member of the Garden State Games team and a member of the Team N.J. Adidas All-American National Lacrosse Classic. In 2009, he finished No. 18 in New Jersey by scoring 90 points and is the all-time leading scorer in Cranford lacrosse history.

At 6'0 and 185-pounds, DiGiovanni was also a physical, imposing presence anytime he roamed the field. He scored two goals in a recent high school All-Star game played at Madison High School as a member of the Red team, in a game featured the best players in the state.

Besides his time with the high school team, DiGiovanni played for Leading Edge on their White Summer Elite team.

The history-making CHS senior will now take his talents to Hofstra University where he will play in the fall.

"It was straightforward, exactly what I wanted," DiGiovanni said. "I didn't want to go to a big school like Ohio State. Hofstra is close to my family, and I just thought, that with the facilities and athletics, this was the school for me and I could keep up academically while balancing my athletics."

"Right from the get-go, when he came in as a freshman, physically, he was a junior," said Coach Al Reinoso. "He's got a tremendous build and he had the skill set to go along with that when he was a freshman. We knew about him when he was younger than that. Since then, he's just continued his development. He's a lacrosse head 24/7. He works at it and never stops. That's been able to fuel his progression from year to year."

The recent graduate has also been honored with the Kindness and Justice Award, and has acquired many fans along the way for his dedication in the classroom and his work ethic.

"Steven has been a key factor in putting Cranford lacrosse on the map and has been a tireless worker both in the classroom and on the field for four years," Athletic Director Marc Taglieri said. "He was clearly dedicated year round to his physical conditioning and to his skill development.  I am not surprised by the level of success he has had and am truly excited for him and his family."