TOWN OF TONAWANDA — Before the 2010 spring season, it is more than likely that Marauder’s sophomore attacker Christian Curatolo slipped under many of his Monsignor Martin Association counterparts’ radar.

As a freshman, Curatolo registered a modest four goals and one assist for the 3-13 St. Joe’s lacrosse squad.

But very quickly in his sophomore season, however, teams learned they needed to gameplan for the young speedster, Marauders head lacrosse coach Peter Hudecki said.

“He came up with goals when we needed them,” he said. “When we were down by a couple of goals where the game was tight, he would be the guy catching the ball, getting to the front of the net, sacrificing his body, and putting the ball in the net.”

Through ten games, Curatolo more than quadrupled his goal total from his freshman season, and finished the year with a team-leading 34 goals to earn Tonawanda News Player of the Year.

Curatolo also added nine assists, while grabbing 47 ground balls on the year.

“To be honest, I didn’t think it would be this dramatic, this quick,” said Hudecki, whose 10-7 Marauders finished second to only Nichols in the MMA. “I didn’t think that he would be that significant of a player for us. But in retrospect, any time I had anything going on in the mornings — in the summer or in the fall — he was there.”

Early on last season, Hudecki admitted he had questions about his attack unit, which ultimately led to scouting Curatolo who then played junior varsity.

“I loved his attitude,” Hudecki recalled. “He’s a hustler, he’s always working hard. So I pulled him over and I said, “I would like for you to play varsity lacrosse this year. I know you’re only a freshman, but you’re never going to come off the field as long as you don’t make the same mistake twice.”

It turns out Curatolo never did.

From that point on, Hudecki said Curatolo’s work ethic immediately rubbed off on his teammates, including even the seniors.

That determination certainly carried over to the following season, as Curatolo was a contributor not only on the score sheet, but in the leadership department as well.

“When you see a sophomore coming off the field, yelling at seniors to step up their game and that they need to buy into this, that they need to work harder, and that’s a sophomore coming off the field doing that — I loved every minute of it.”

A tri-sport athlete in golf and hockey as well, Curatolo said that his diligence in the offseason is what led to the major upswing in his goal total.

Although the 30-goal differential may suggest a complete alteration in his game, Curatolo said it was the improvement of the “little things” that made him an all-around better player.

“I improved the most in just knowing where to be and when be there,” he said. “I gradually learned (the speed of the game), and once that happened, my brain started to work quicker, my feet were just moving. I didn’t have to think about it; just catch the ball, put it in the net.”

Hudecki said while the youngster continues to strengthen his 5-foot-5 frame and improve in all facets of the game, he is a likely shoe-in to lead the Marauders as a captain next season as a junior.

Curatolo would be there first to admit he is ready to carry that responsibility.

“I always try the best person that I can be and try to help other people out even though I’m so much younger,” he said. “I still have a lot of knowledge of the game.

“I’m a big believer in speaking my mind in a good way,” he continued. “I believe that I shouldn’t be judged by my grade level, but by my performance on the field.”