True Lacrosse Adds Program Offering in New York, Introduces True Long Island East Expansion

True Lacrosse is expanding its operations on Long Island with the founding of the True Long Island East program. This newest program to the vast True network represents the investment True Lacrosse has in providing elite training, high-level development, and unmatched opportunities to the lacrosse community on Long Island and beyond, extending its breadth and scope to invite more players to benefit from a uniquely elevated experience.

Part of that investment in the Long Island programming is identifying and retaining top leaders in the industry to guide a high-level program. To that end, True Lacrosse is pleased to announce Zach Oliveri and Matt Knote as co-directors of the True Long Island East program.

Oliveri brings elite experience, leadership, and a legacy of success to the newest True Lacrosse program. With over 10 years of coaching experience, Oliveri has mentored athletes to the collegiate and pro levels, including high school and college All-Americans. As a player, Oliveri was a standout goalie at UMass and Stony Brook. He was an NCAA Top 25 player for goals against average and save percentage. He was a CAA and America East All-Conference selection, high school All American and All-Academic player. He was also team captain and gold medalist with the Team USA U-19 Team. The young lacrosse community of True Long Island East is in good hands with Coach Oliveri’s energy, expertise, and passion for player development.

Working alongside Oliveri as co-director is Matt Knote, who brings elite level playing and coaching experience to the program. Currently the youngest head coach in NCAA men’s lacrosse, Knote leads the St. Joseph’s University (NY) men’s lacrosse team while continuing his professional career with the PLL’s California Redwoods. Knote is also a goalie, who was the 2023 NCAA statistical champion in save percentage, and Top 25 in NCAA Career Saves (all-time). He is a two-time All-American and Scholar All-American. Additionally, as a player at UMass, Knote was selected as the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year (2023), Atlantic 10 Goalie of the Year (2023), four-time First Team All-Conference selection, UMass Male Athlete of the Year (2023), and winner of the UMass Maroon Excellence Award for Career Achievement (2024). An Eastport-South Manor High School alumnus, Knote is passionate about the growth of lacrosse on the East End of Long Island and is looking forward to the opportunity to give back to the place where it all started for him! His passion for the game and commitment to developing young athletes make him a driving force in building the future of lacrosse on Long Island and beyond.

Mike Russo, True Lacrosse vice-president, views this expansion into the East End of Long Island as a significant step in carrying out True’s core values. “When we first started our programming in Long Island, we knew we were entering an already bustling lacrosse market. As one of the oldest and most storied lacrosse hotbeds in the country, Long Island has its share of talented players. But we so deeply and strongly believe in what we do at True Lacrosse and our mission to help players realize their potential, to build their game from the ground up, to teach the game the right way and reach as many players as we can to provide what we believe is an unmatched training model, that we didn’t listen to naysayers. We continue to stay true to our core values and our mission to develop athletes. Our vast infrastructure and network allow us to focus on player development and implementing our elite training model on the field every day. With this expansion into the East End of Long Island, we are fulfilling that mission and adhering to our values. We’re thrilled to have exceptional leaders in Zach and Matt to guide this new program, and we’re looking forward to getting started with the young players and families in Long Island’s East End!”

True Long Island East End will host tryouts on July 15th & 22nd. See below for more information and to register.