Tyler Taerstein sets all-time Section 1 boys lacrosse scoring record
· Yahoo Sports
GREENBURGH – Seconds after he rewrote history, Tyler Taerstein was enveloped in a well-rehearsed celebration.
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An excited Blind Brook sideline jumped the gun two minutes earlier, believing the senior midfielder had become Section 1’s all-time leading scorer. No matter. They swarmed the Williams College recruit again when he confidently netted his ninth goal of the game to reach 411 career points and finish off a 20-8 win over Edgemont.
That one moved Taerstein ahead of Henry Grass, a former Bronxville standout who graduated in 2015 with 253 goals and 157 assists.
“It was a very emotional game,” he said. “Obviously, the record was on my mind a little beforehand so it was nice to get it done because there’s a weight off my shoulders now and makes it easier for my team. We’ve got to fly these last few games before the playoffs. I’m proud of myself, though, for all of the work I’ve put into this game and thankful for the teammates who’ve been so supportive. It’s definitely hitting me now.”
Taerstein came into the season with 197 goals and 150 assists.
He patiently moved past Chris Bocklet (John Jay), Tim Nelson (Yorktown), Tom Nelson (Yorktown), Kyle Michella (North Rockland) and Brian Reda (Pleasantville).
“He definitely knew where he stood,” first-year Trojans coach Ryan Bonifati said. “It’s not something he really focused on. He was chasing a record, but his main concern was this team. Always. That’s why he’s a special kid.”
Taerstein also handed out four assists Thursday, giving him 48 goals and 16 assists on the season and 245 goals and 166 assists over his career.
Some of them came easily. Most of them required all of his physical gifts.
“I like to use my body to set myself up, it’s a big part of my game,” said Taerstein, who’s very well put together at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds. “I’m able to use my frame to separate from a defender and get my hands free. I’m able to go straight at the net, straight at the rim in basketball. I keep the head down and go through everyone.”
He’s surrounded by a lot of newcomers in the lineup, so parts of each game are spent directing traffic and delivering helmet taps after teammates deliver goals.
“Everyone at Blind Brook looks up to Tyler and it motivates him to play even better, and motivates those around him to live up to higher expectations,” Bonifati added.
Taerstein was in that position when his brother, Ethan, was piling up numbers.
“He’s a senior at Colby now, but I’ve really looked up to him over the years,” Taerstein said. “He basically ran this program for however many years and watching him dominate is the reason there’s a stick in my hands. The support and guidance I got from him is what got me here today.”
Nick Trizano, who graduated from Iona Prep in 2009 and played collegiately at Drexel, owns the Westchester career scoring record with 301 goals and 211 assists.
Most of the names on the Section 1 career scoring list come from traditional lacrosse powers like Yorktown, Pleasantville or Bronxville who’ve all captured state titles.
So what’s it feel like knowing Blind Brook tops that list now?
“I feel like maybe it helps put a stick in a third-grader’s hands,” Taerstein said. “I hope that seeing what I’ve done makes an impact for the sport at Blind Brook in the next five or 10 years. I hope this inspires kids and gets them playing lacrosse. It’s been amazing to be a part of this and I want others to love the sport the way I do.”
Section 1 career scoring leaders
Tyler Taerstein, Blind Brook/Williams (2023-26) 245-166-411
Henry Grass, Bronxville/Johns Hopkins (2011-15) 253-157-410
Brian Reda Pleasantville/Fairfield (2015-18) 278-120-398
Kyle Michella North Rockland (2013-16) 148-248-396
Tom Nelson Yorktown/Syracuse (1981-83) 138-255-393
Tim Nelson Yorktown/Syracuse (1978-81) 137-255-392
Chris Bocklet John Jay/Virginia (2005-08) 218-132-350
Tommy Linehan Tappan Zee/Robert Morris (2022-2025) 239-99-338
Matthew Byrne Greeley/UMass (2022-25) 113-218-331
Anthony Sardo Westlake/Monmouth (2013-2016) 229-101-330
Alex Weber Fox Lane/Penn (2002-05) 207-119-326
Brett Miranda Ossining/Manhattan (2004-07) 218-107-325
Jack Grass Bronxville/Johns Hopkins (2010-13) 171-154-325
Greg Peters Greeley/Georgetown (1991-94) 188-135-323
Rob Hommel Nyack/Sacred Heart (2000-03) 223-97-320
Matt McLaughlin Harrison/North Carolina (2014-17) 203-115-318
John Hess Nyack/Princeton (1991-94) 166-149-315
Jordan Rabidou Somers/Loyola (1999-2003) 184-128-312
Rob Kavovit Yorktown/Syracuse (1991-93) 152-158-310
Dave Snyder Brewster/Syracuse (1996-2000) 193-116-309
Dave Marr Yorktown/Johns Hopkins (1990-92) 128-180-308
Luke West Rye Neck/Muhlenberg (2021-23) 152-152-304
Billy Kurisko Nanuet/Wagner (1985-87) 226-75-301
Sean Lindsay Lakeland-Panas/Syracuse (1997-2000) 198-100-298
Sean Berrigan Tappan Zee/Bucknell (2019-2023) 190-108-298
Declan McDermott Pleasantville/Georgetown (2015-18) 177-116-293
Mike Dougherty covers high school lacrosse for The Journal News/lohud.com.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Tyler Taerstein sets all-time Section 1 boys lacrosse scoring record