2017 Boys Lacrosse Preview – Top Attackman to Watch

Players listed alphabetically and by grade

Jarrett Birch, Sr., Manasquan

The reigning Class B South Player of the Year and a first-team All-Shore selection last season, Birch is coming of a junior year where he scored 75 goals and added 28 assists to lead the Shore Conference in scoring with 103 points. The Furman University recruit will look to lead the Manasquan offense to more titles in 2017.

Drew Bukowiec, Sr., Howell

Bukowiec tied for the team lead in scoring last year with 31 goals and 32 assists for 63 points, and was an all-division selection in Class A North.

Nick Casner, Sr., CBA

The Siena-bound Casner pumped in 37 goals and added 36 assists for 73 points last season to help CBA win the Class A North division title. A first-team All-Shore selection last season, Casner figures to be among the top offensive players in the Shore Conference.

Charlie Curran, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven

Curran scored 18 goals with six assists last season as a second-line attackman for the Bulldogs, but with the entire top line graduating Curran should move up and get plenty of chances to find the back of the net.

Ryan Damelio, Sr., Howell

Damelio scored 41 goals last season to go along with four assists, and gives Howell a solid 1-2 punch up top with fellow senior Drew Bukowiec.

Vinny Gargiulo, Sr., Colts Neck

A three-sport standout who excelled during football and wrestling seasons, Gargiulo returns to lead the Cougars' offense after scoring 37 goals and eight assists last season.

Kyle Mulrane, Sr., Southern

Mulrane returns as the Rams' leading scorer after posting 52 points on 36 goals and 16 assists last season.

Gavin Murphy, Sr., Brick Memorial

Murphy returns as the fifth-highest scorer in the Shore Conference after a junior season where he scored 39 goals and added 31 assists. He'll lead a Mustangs offense that hopes to lead the team into division title contention.

Josh Nastarowicz, Sr., Freehold Township

A breakout junior senior saw Nastarowicz lead the Patriots in scoring with 49 goals and 33 assists. He was a third-team All-Shore selection and a first-team Class A North pick by the coaches.

Michael Carroll, Jr., CBA

Multiple injuries limited Carroll last season, but he was still able to score 27 goals and add seven assists. He had 44 goals and eight assists as a freshman, so if he's healthy this season he has the capability to put up monster numbers.

Mike McIntyre, Jr., Wall

McIntyre scored 45 goals and added 11 assists for 56 points during his breakout sophomore season. Now he'll take the reigns of the Crimson Knights' offense as a third-year starter.

Ryan Morris, Jr., Shore

Part of a strong core of underclassmen for the Blue Devils, Morris scored 33 goals and added 16 assists for 49 points last season.

Chris Novella, Jr., Freehold Township

Part of a veteran top attack line for the Patriots, Novella returns as a starter after posting 37 goals and 15 assists for 52 points as sophomore.

Shane Reilly, Jr., St. Rose

Reilly scored 33 goals and added 10 assists for 43 points as a sophomore

Canyon Birch, So.,  Manasquan

Birch, who is already verbally committed to Army, burst onto the scene last season with 61 goals and 12 assists for 72 points. He was a first-team Class B South selection, a third-team All-Shore pick and the New Jersey Freshman of the Year. He'll team with brother Jarrett and Joe Tonkovich to form the top attack line in the Shore Conference.

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.