2015 Shore Sports Network All-Shore Lacrosse Teams
Shore Sports Network is proud to unveil its 2015 All-Shore teams and season-ending award winners featuring the top performers from the 2015 Shore Conference lacrosse season.
The All-Shore teams, along with the player and coach of the year, were selected by staff writer Bob Badders.
Scroll down for bios and pictures of the first-team All-Shore selections as well as write-ups on the second- and third-team selections. Click here for a quick reference to view the three teams in list form.
2015 Shore Sports Network All-Conference Lacrosse Teams
First Team
Dylan Jinks, Sr., Attack, Southern
The two-time Shore Sports Network Player of the Year, Jinks led the Shore Conference in scoring yet again with 76 goals and 40 assists for 116 points, which was also the sixth-highest total in New Jersey. He had five or more points in all but four games and had a pair of 10-point games. Had six six-goal games, including in a 16-14 regular-season win over Rumson-Fair Haven. He had two goals and two assists in the Shore Conference Tournament final, which Southern won 16-6 over Rumson to capture its first title. He concluded his record-setting career as one of the Shore Conference’s all-time greats and with 420 points on 274 goals and 146 assist. His 274 career goals are a Shore Conference record and his 420 points are second all-time behind CBA legend Tommy Duerr. Jinks was selected as the Class A South player of the year and as a first-team All-Shore player by the SCLCA. Will continue his lacrosse career at the University of Hartford.
Robbie Garavente, Jr., Attack, Rumson-Fair Haven
The leading scorer for the Group I champion Bulldogs, Garavente fired in 42 goals and added 33 assists for 75 points in Rumson’s historic season. He scored a season-high six goals against Southern during the the regular season and also had a five-goal game versus Ocean. He had seven games scoring at least five points, including twice during Rumson’s run to the Group I championship. Garavente eclipsed 100 career points this season, and will enter his senior year with 78 goals and 60 assists for 138 points.
Nick Casner, So., Attack, CBA
There was no sophomore slump for Casner, who led CBA with 40 goals and 40 assists to continue what has already been a great career. He helped the Colts claim a share of the Class A North division title and reach the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament. A first-team Class A North and first-team All-Shore selection by the coaches, Casner will enter his junior year with 70 goals and 49 assists for 119 points.
Mark Buannic, Sr., Attack, Howell
Scored 43 goals and had a team-beat 41 assists to lead the Rebels in scoring with 84 points, while also picking up 31 ground balls in leading Howell to its best season in program history. He scored five goals and added three assists when Howell defeated CBA for the first time in program history. Had seven games recording six or more points, including a season-high nine points in a win over Jackson Memorial. Finished his career with 119 goals and 83 assists for 202 points, the second-highest total in program history. A first-team Class A North and first-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA. Will attend and play lacrosse at Eastern University.
Chris Smith, Sr., Midfield, Southern
One of many offensive weapons for the Rams, Smith turned in a brilliant season with 55 goals and 24 assists for 79 points. Was also one of the Shore’s best face-off midfielders in winning 69 percent of draws and picking up over 100 ground balls. He was an integral part of a Rams squad that captured the Shore Conference Tournament title for the first time, and scored a game-high five goals during the 16-6 win over Rumson in the title game. Was also fantastic in a 16-14 regular-season win over Rumson with five points and a dominant face-off performance. For his career Smith scored 107 goals and added 54 assists for 161 points. A first-team Class A South and first-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA. Will continue his career at Ocean County College.
Shawn McManus, Sr., Midfield, Southern
Another standout member of Southern’s tremendous senior class, McManus patrolled the midfield with equal parts skill and smarts for the Shore Conference Tournament champion Rams. Scored 30 goals and added 37 assists for 67 points. Had a goal and two assists when Southern beat Rumson 16-6 to become the first Ocean County team to win the Shore Conference Tournament. Scored a season-high three goals five times. Finished his career with 112 goals and 109 assists for 222 points. A first-team Class A South and first-team All-Shore pick by the coaches. Will attend Virginia Tech University.
Billy Sasso, Sr., Midfield, Freehold Township
Sasso had a breakout season offensively with a team-high 39 goals and 17 assists while winning 72 percent of his draws for the Class A North tri-champion Patriots. His signature moment came in a 9-8 overtime victory over CBA in the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals where he scored five goals, including the game-winner in overtime. He scored twice in a 9-2 win over rival Howell to clinch a share of the Class A North division title. The Class A North Player of the Year and a first-team All-Shore selection by the coaches, as well as a US Lacrosse All-American. Sasso will continue his career at York College.
Matt Frost, Sr., Midfield, St. Rose
The Class B South Player of the Year, Frost scored 48 goals with 24 assists for 72 points. He concluded his career with 139 goals, 75 assists and 214 points, all of which are program records for the Purple Roses. Frost was also a first-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA as well as a US Lacrosse All-American and a US Lacrosse Academic All-American. He will continue his career at Quinnipiac University.
Cooper Cuje, Sr., Defense, Rumson-Fair Haven
Rumson’s top defenseman and its defensive leader was huge down the stretch as the Bulldogs won the NJSIAA Group I title for the first time in history. Picked up 25 ground balls and had a team-best 28 takeaways. A two-year starter, Cuje finished his career with 56 ground balls and 44 takeaways. A first-team Class B North and first-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA.
Mike Adragna, Sr., Defense, Southern
A long and rangy defenseman that was again among the best in the Shore, Adragna spearheaded a defensive unit for Southern that was instrumental in the Rams claiming the Shore Conference Tournament title for the first time. A first-team Class A South and first-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA. Will continue his career at Fairleigh Dickenson University.
Mike O’Brien, Sr., Defense, Freehold Township
One of the top defensemen in the Shore, O’Brien was the leader of a unit that helped the Patriots claim a share of the Class A North division title and reach the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time. He led Freehold Township in takeaways and routinely executed clears on his own. A first-team Class A North and first-team All-Shore selection by the coaches, O’Brien will attend and play lacrosse at Sacred Heart University.
Matt Pieringer, Sr., Defense, Red Bank Catholic
A standout defender for the Caseys, Pieringer was again one of the best defensemen in the Shore in helping the Caseys finish 10-7 and reach the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments. A first-team Class B North and second-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA, he will attend and play lacrosse at the United States Military Academy at West Point.
Justin Ruiz, Sr., Goalie, Holmdel
One of the top goalies in the state, Ruiz turned in a sensational senior season with 252 saves on a .720 save percentage while also picking up 88 ground balls. He had multiple games where he made over 20 saves, including a 22-save, nine-ground ball performance in a loss to Group I champion Rumson-Fair Haven. In two seasons as Holmdel’s starting goalie Ruiz made 509 saves, a program record, with a .700 save percentage. A first-team Class B North and first-team All-Shore selection by the coaches, Ruiz will continue his career at Florida University of Technology.
Zack Ornstein, Sr., Face-offs, Howell
A standout face-off man for Howell, Ornstein won an incredible 83 percent of draws while picking up a team-high 137 ground balls. He also scored 17 goals with 10 assists for 27 points. Had a season-high three goals and two assists in a win over Wall. He won at least 80 percent of draws in all but one game, including going 21-for-25 in Howell’s 13-8 win over CBA. Had a season-high 14 ground balls three times, including the CBA victory, and had five games where he totaled 10 or more ground balls. A first-team Class A North and first-team All-Shore selection by the coaches, Ornstein will attend and play lacrosse at SUNY Albany.
Second Team
Joey Appio, Jr., Attack, Ocean
The Shore Conference’s leading assist man, Appio fueled the Spartan’s offense with 64 helpers to go along with 32 goals for 96 points. He helped Ocean to a breakout season with a 14-3 record and quarterfinal appearances in both the Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA South Jersey Group II Tournament. Had multiple assists in all but one game, including a season-high eight in a win over Middletown North. A first-team Class B North and second-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA. He will enter his senior season with 63 goals and 113 assists for 176 points.
Brandon Nunez, Sr., Attack, Freehold Township
A pass-first offensive threat, Nunez paced Freehold Township’s offense from X with 37 assists to go along with 22 goals for 59 points. Scored a goal when the Patriots beat CBA in overtime to reach the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals for the first time and had a hat trick in a win over Howell that clinched a share of the Class A North division title. Had a season-high six assists in a win over Middletown North. A first-team Class A North and second-team All-Shore pick by the SCLCA. Will attend and play lacrosse at Seton Hill University.
Jake Sherman, Sr., Attack, Howell
Scored a team-high 54 goals with 10 assists for 64 points and also picked up 38 ground balls. Had two five-goal games and two six-goal games, and had a hat trick during the Rebels’ 13-8 win over CBA for their first ever win over the Colts. Concluded his career with 168 points on 136 goals and 32 assists with 91 ground balls. A first-team Class A North and second-team All-Shore pick by the SCLCA. Will attend and play lacrosse at Georgian Court University.
Jarrett Birch, So., Attack, Manasquan
Scored 42 goals with 10 assists for 52 points to go along with 32 ground balls. Helped the Warriors to a 15-4 record that included the Class B South division title, a semifinal appearance in the Shore Conference Tournament and a quarterfinal appearance in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I playoffs. A first-team Class B South and second-team All-Shore pick by the SCLCA.
Lucas Seckler, Sr., Midfield, Rumson-Fair Haven
Seckler scored 27 goals with six assists for the Bulldogs, who made history by winning the NJSIAA Group I championship, a first for a Shore Conference program. He scored goals in both the South Jersey Group I sectional final, a 12-8 win over New Providence, and the Group I championship, a thrilling 9-8 overtime victory over Mountain Lakes. Scored a season-high four goals against Southern in the Shore Conference Tournament final. A first-team Class B North and second-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA.
J.J. McKenna, Jr., Midfield, Barnegat
A Rutgers recruit, McKenna scored a team-high 47 goals and added 12 assists for 59 points while also picking up 24 ground balls and winning 70 percent of face-offs. He averaged a hat trick per game, scoring a season-high five goals three times in games against Lacey, Ocean and Donovan Catholic. He scored four goals in a come-from-behind victory over Red Bank Catholic in the Shore Conference Tournament and had three goals and two assists in the Bengals’ first ever state playoff win, a 12-11 victory over A.L. Johnson in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I Tournament. A first-team Class B South and second-team All-Shore selection by the coaches, McKenna has 106 goals and 35 assists for 141 points in his career.
Chris Klodowski, Sr., Midfield, Manasquan
Scored 41 goals and 20 assists for 61 points while also gathering 55 ground balls. A first-team Class B South and second-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA. Will continue his career at Moravian College.
Nick Gazzillo, Sr., Midfield, CBA
Scored 17 goals with 13 assists for 30 points to help the Colts claim a share of the Class A North division title. Finished his career with 47 goals and 24 assists for 71 points. Selected as CBA’s team MVP and picked as a first-team Class A North and second-team All-Shore player by the SCLCA. Will continue his career at Manhattan College.
Chris Stefanowicz, Jr., Defense, Jackson Liberty
Picked up 91 ground balls while also scoring a goal with three assists to help lead the Lions to the best season in program history. Jackson Liberty upset Howell in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament and took out Absegami in the state playoffs for the program’s first victories in each tournament.
Joe Ventura, Sr., Defense, CBA
The Colts’ top defenseman, Ventura helped CBA to an 11-6 record and a share of the Class A North division title. He also picked up some offensive stats with a goal and an assist for the only points of his career. A first-team Class A North selection and a second-team All-Shore pick by the coaches. Will attend Lehigh University.
Hayden Matarazzo, Sr., Defense, Ocean
Picked up 32 ground balls and also contributed offensively with two goals and two assists for the Spartans, who had a breakout season with a 14-3 record and quarterfinal appearances in the Shore Conference and NJSIAA South Jersey Group II Tournaments. A first-team Class B North and second-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA.
Kyle LeBlanc, So., Defense, Manasquan
Collected 40 ground balls and forced 32 turnovers, while also picking up one assist to help the Warriors claim the Class B South division title, reach the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament and advance to the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I quarterfinals. A first-team Class B South and first-team All-Shore selection by the SCLCA.
Brendan Lefanto, Sr., Goalie, Southern
Lefanto started every game in goal for the Rams over the past four seasons, and concluded his stellar career helping Southern make history by winning the Shore Conference Tournament title for the first time. He made 168 saves with a .727 save percentage. Made 13 saves in a 16-6 win over Rumson in the SCT final and had a season-high 15 saves twice in wins over Rumson (regular season) and Manasquan (SCT). Finished his career with over 700 saves and a save percentage over 70. Will continue his career at Eastern University.
Steven Graziano, Sr., LSM, Ocean
The Shore’s top long-stick midfielder collected 154 ground balls while also notching a goal and an assist to help the Spartans to a breakout season in which they went 14-3 and reached the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Sectional Tournament quarterfinals. Had seven games picking up 10 or more ground balls, including a season-high 15 against Neptune and 12 in a postseason win over Red Bank. Stepped in for face-offs in a win over Red Bank Catholic and won 12 of 19 draws. A first-team Class B North and second-team All-Shore selection by the coaches. Will continue his career at Montclair State University.
Third Team
Tim Barile, Sr., Attack, Red Bank Catholic
The Caseys’ leading scorer, Barile reached 100 career goals and 200 career points during his senior season. A first-team Class B North selection, Barile will continue his career at Virginia Military Institute.
Cole Smolokoff, Jr., Attack, Red Bank
The No. 2 scorer in the Shore Conference, Smolokoff scored 67 goals with 44 assists for 111 points in a breakout junior season. Also picked up 30 ground balls. A first-team Class B North selection by the SCLCA.
Nick Simonelli, Jr., Attack, Southern
Simonelli finished second in scoring for a high-powered Rams offense, scoring 33 goals and dishing out 47 assists for 80 points. He scored a season-high four goals and had seven points in an SCT win over Brick and had three goals and three assists when Southern defeated Rumson to win the Shore Conference Tournament title, it’s first in program history. Will enter his senior season with 57 goals and 60 assists for 117 points.
Griffin Schultz, Jr., Attack, Rumson-Fair Haven
Scored 30 goals with 16 assists for 46 points in helping the Bulldogs win the NJSIAA Group I championship. Was at his best during the postseason, scoring 11 goals with six assists in five state playoff games, including three goals in both the South Jersey Group I sectional final and the Group I final.
Brett Habich, Jr., Midfield, Red Bank Catholic
A Sienna College recruit, Habich was the Caseys’ top midfielder and was a first-team Class B North selection by the SCLCA.
Erik Rant, Jr., Midfield, Ocean
Rant played a major role in Ocean having a 14-3 breakout season by scoring a team-high 60 goals and finishing with 72 points. He also picked up 102 ground balls while helping the Spartans reach the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference and NJSIAA South Jersey Group II Tournaments. He scored at least three goals in 12 of 17 games and registered five or more points seven times. Scored a season-high six goals in a regular-season win over Red Bank. A first-team Class B North and second-team All-Shore selection by the coaches, Rant will begin his senior year with 108 goals and 26 assists for 134 points and 170 ground balls.
Ryan Mahon, Jr., Midfield, Lacey
Scored 26 goals and added 27 assists for 53 points while also picking up 95 ground balls and winning over 60 percent of face-offs to help the Lions to a 14-6 record.
Bryan Hess, So., Midfield, Rumson-Fair Haven
Scored 24 goals with four assists for 28 points for the Group I champion Bulldogs. Scored the game-winning goal in a 6-5 win over Madison in the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I semifinals and scored twice in a 12-8 win over New Providence in the sectional championship. Scored a season-high four goals in a win over Red Bank.
Emmet Jennings, So., Defense, Rumson-Fair Haven
Picked up 24 ground balls and had 19 takeaways for the Group I champion Bulldogs. Had a season-high four takeaways in a state playoff victory over Delaware Valley.
Anthony Pozsonyi, Sr., Defense, Howell
A tenacious on-ball defender, Poszonsyi was constantly called on to match with the the oppositions’ top offensive threat, and his performance and leadership helped the Rebels finish 13-4 in the best season in program history. He had 28 ground balls and a team-best 14 takeaways. A first-team Class A North selection by the coaches. Will continue his lacrosse career at Gwynedd Mercy University.
Louis Melone, Sr., Defense, St. Rose
Led the Purple Roses with 126 ground balls and was selected as a first-team Class B South player by the SCLCA. He will attend the University of Maryland.
George Sayre, Sr., Defense, Lacey
Picked up 43 ground balls and added an assist as the Lions’ top defenseman. Helped Lacey to a 14-6 record that included spots in the Shore Conference and NJSIAA Tournaments. Will attend Rowan University.
Andrew Halmi, Jr., Goalie, Colts Neck
An athletic goalie capable of stealing a game, Halmi was a first-team Class A North selection by the SCLCA.
Jack Moore, Sr., LSM, Rumson-Fair Haven
A great matchup defender for the Bulldogs, Moore collected 33 ground balls and had five takeaways for the Group I champion Bulldogs. He had his best game in the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals with four ground balls in a 6-0 shutout over Freehold Township. Will attend and play lacrosse at Dickinson College.
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