Braves Lacrosse is a lacrosse company based out of the Manalapan area in NJ. We specialize in teaching and developing the fundamentals of Lacrosse, as well as elevating the potential of boys in lacrosse. We offer positional training, intro programs, group and team training, and all levels of clinics in Manalapan, Freehold, and Marlboro areas.
Staff
Owner and Director
Eric Stein
Eric Stein
Eric Stein played his college ball at RPI as a long stick midfielder where he was a starter and Captain. Eric is the founder of Manalapan Lacrosse, former youth program director, and lead the campaign to establishing a boys lacrosse program in Manalapan High School.
Eric resides in Manalapan with his wife, Jessica, and daughters Arielle and Brianna.
Owner and Director
Nick Filippone
Nick Filippone
Nick Filippone was a 4-year starter at Rutgers, coached at Kean University as the defensive coordinator of a top 10 nationally ranked defense, won a sectional state championship at Cranford HS, and was the 2024 Shore Conference Coach of the Year at Manalapan HS. Nick also coaches for Leading Edge Elite, who is the top club in NJ and ranked top 10 in the country annually.
Nick resides in Marlboro, NJ, with his wife, Tonia, and two boys Cole and Julian.
Owner and Coach
Vin Demayo
Vin Demayo
Vin Demayo grew up in Long Island and was a pivotal player in the development of lacrosse in Manalapan, coaching the youth teams and consigliere for the Manalapan boys HS program. Vin brings a wealth of experience to Braves Elite both on and off the field.
He resides in Manalapan with his wife, Dooreen and two kids, Mike and Nicole.
Taylor Bonner
Taylor Bonner
Taylor Bonner was a high school lacrosse standout for Old Bridge High School from 2002 thru 2005. As a High School player, Taylor was team captain and earned All-State honors in 2004 and 2005. He attended Montclair State University where he led his team to back to back Skyline Conference Championships (in 2009 and 2010) and earned USILA All-American honors in 2010 and was a North/South game All-Star participant. Taylor also played football for the Montclair State Red Hawks. Post-college, Taylor has been an active assistant coach for both his college alma mater, Montclair State (2011) and helping coach his high school team to a GMC Tournament Championship in 2013. Taylor brings his love of the sport to the Manalapan Youth Lacrosse Club and is now introducing his son, Vincent, and daughter, Ava, (both little laxers) to the sport of lacrosse.
Nate Small
Nate Small
Nate Small is currently an Offensive Coordinator for Manalapan HS. He was recently the Director of Lacrosse at Centercourt in Marlboro. Before that, Nate played his college lacrosse at Centenary University where he was a Scholar All American and 1st-Team All Conference as a midfielder/attackman. Nate also coached college lacrosse at Michigan State and won an MCLA National Championship in 2018.
Jason Andreadis
Jason Andreadis
Jason Andreadis is the Head Boys Lacrosse Coach North Brunswick High School. He played 4 years of lacrosse at Kean University as a midfielder and attackman. Jason coached at Monroe HS for years and helped them to win a state championship.
Anton Updale
Anton Updale
Anton Updale graduated from Monroe HS in 2021 finishing with close to 100 points in HS as an attackman/midfielder. He went on to play college lacrosse at Kean University where he competes against some of the best programs in the country. Anton is an aspiring educator and brings a lot of energy and value to our young players.
Joe Ventresca
Joe Ventresca
Joe Ventresca grew up in the heart of lacrosse country in Syracuse NY. After High School he went on to play for Herkimer Community College where he play for two National Championships. After Herkimer, Joe received a full scholarship to play at Radford University a division I school at the time in Virginia where he lead the Highlanders as the Teams Captain and was named MVP of the Carolina classic his senior year. Joe went on to play for STX all stars and traveled to Australian open where he was named outstanding defense of Player. Also, Joe has been playing for various club team over the years and still plays today where his team recently won the GrandMasters Championship in Florida in 2020.
He has a 25 year track record of coaching all levels of lacrosse from Youth to High School both boys and girls lacrosse. Joe currently coaches at Marlboro HS and is heavily involved with the Manalapan Braves youth lacrosse program coaching both girls and boys.
Mike Demayo
Mike Demayo
Mike Demayo graduated from Manalapan HS in 2021 where he was Senior Captain and named All-State, All-Shore, and All-Division. Mike is a junior at Drew University where he is a starter at Attack and Captain of the team. Additionally, Mike has been coaching within the Manalapan Lacrosse Youth Program and providing private/group training sessions for the past four years.
Phil Schambach
Phil Schambach
Phil Schambach, a Bridgewater HS graduate and All-American lacrosse player, played his college ball at Rutgers University as an attackman. He has an extensive backgroup of coaching ranging from being the offensive coordinator at Kean University, Bridgewater HS, and helping to coach the youth. He is also an NJSIAA Referee where he was a winner of Official of the Year in 2024.
Tanner Shimko
Tanner Shimko
Tanner Shimko - Goalies - Delbarton HS Hopkins Commit '26
Jake Horowitz
Jake Horowitz
Jake Horowitz - Defense - Manalapan HS
Lynn University '24
Sean McCaffery
Sean McCaffery
Sean McCaffery - Face offs - Allentown HS Quinnipiac commit '26
Home Field
Manalapan Recreational Center, Manalapan NJ. Field K and L next to the Splash Pad.
Phone: (732) 446-8355
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Braves Lacrosse
We train at the Manalapan Recreational Center for practices and clinics.
Mailing Address
PO Box 525
Marlboro NJ 07746
