Elite Sports Physical Therapy Boys Lacrosse Top 10, 5/8/18

Only one change to the Elite Sports Physical Therapy Top 10 this week but a big one thanks to Ocean upsetting Middletown South in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament. Despite Ocean’s two losses to teams not ranked in the top 10, including one to a sub-.500 team, the Spartans’ two wins over Middletown South and another over Holmdel earn them a spot. There is also some shuffling in the bottom half with Ocean entering the rankings.

The SCT continues and concludes this week with the quarterfinals on Tuesday, the semifinals on Thursday and the championship game on Saturday, so there’s a good chance there are some significant changes next week.

1. Christian Brothers Academy (14-0). Last week: No. 1

The Colts continued to roll along with a 4-0 week that featured a dominant defensive effort with two shutouts and just three goals allowed. They blanked Howell, 13-0, to start the week before defeating Colts Neck, 16-1, to clinch the Class A North division title. A 15-2 victory St. Rose was followed by a 17-0 win over Middletown North in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament. CBA will try to win three more games this week and hoist the SCT trophy for the first time since 2009. This week: Tuesday vs. Shore in SCT quarterfinals; TBD Thursday SCT semifinals; TDB Saturday SCT championship.

2. Manasquan (13-2). Last week: No. 2

The Warriors went 3-0 with wins over Freehold Township, Jackson Liberty and Lacey to advance to extend their winning streak to four games following a two-game slide. Canyon Birch continues to fill the score sheet and now has a state-best 74 goals and 110 points. Ryan Anderson has quietly had a very good year with 31 goals and 40 assists. Manasquan started its SCT title defense with a 21-4 win over Lacey. This week: Tuesday vs. Freehold Township in SCT quarterfinals; TBD Thursday SCT semifinals; TBD Saturday SCT championship.

3. Wall (12-3). Last week: No. 3

The Crimson Knights won both their games last week, defeating Lacey, 12-4, and topping Toms River East, 17-6, in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament. Senior Mike McIntyre continued his tremendous season by becoming the sixth Shore Conference player to reach 200 career goals. Wall now has a chance for the program’s signature moment when it tries to reach the SCT semifinals for the first time in program history. This week: Tuesday at Rumson-Fair Haven in SCT quarterfinals; Wednesday at Red Bank; TBD Thursday SCT semifinals; TBD Saturday SCT championship.

4. Southern (11-2). Last week: No. 4

The Rams bounced back from a nonconference loss to Mainland with a 3-0 week that included victories over Egg Harbor, Brick and Toms River North. Their 12-4 win over Brick clinched at least a share of the Class A South division title to give Southern six straight division championships. Southern then defeated Toms River North, 11-3, in the first round of the SCT. This week: Tuesday vs. Ocean in SCT quarterfinals; TBD Thursday SCT semifinals; TBD Saturday SCT championship.

5. Rumson-Fair Haven (9-8). Last week: No. 5

The Bulldogs went just 1-2 this past week but hold on to their spot in the top five since both wins came against nonconference opponents. After dropping games to St. Peter’s Prep and St. Augustine, Rumson took care of Jackson Memorial, 16-4, in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament. This week: Tuesday vs. Wall in SCT quarterfinals; TBD Thursday SCT semifinals; TBD Saturday SCT championship.

6. Freehold Township (10-3). Last week: No. 7

The Patriots move up one spot after a 2-1 week. After dropping an 11-5 decision to No. 2 Manasquan, Freehold Township picked up a 12-4 win over Middletown North and then a 7-3 win over Howell in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament. This week: Tuesday vs. Manasquan in SCT quarterfinals; TBD Thursday SCT semifinals; TBD Saturday SCT championship.

7. Shore (14-2). Last week: No. 8

The Blue Devils ran their winning streak to eight games and tied the program record for wins in a season by defeating Jackson Liberty, Ocean, Holmdel and Middletown North. Shore’s 12-8 win over Holmdel advanced the Blue Devils to the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals. Junior attackman Jake Tuner and junior midfielder Jack McCrae both reached 100 career points during the week. This week: Tuesday at CBA in SCT quarterfinals; TBD Thursday SCT semifinals or at Barnegat; TBD Saturday SCT championship.

8. Ocean (9-4). Last week: not ranked

The Spartans vault into the top 10 after upending Middletown South, 7-2, in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament. They now own two wins over Middletown South this season and also have a win over Holmdel. This week: Tuesday at Southern in SCT quarterfinals; TBD Thursday SCT semifinals; TBD Saturday SCT championship.

9. Middletown South (14-3). Last week: No. 6

The Eagles fall three spots after losing to Ocean, 7-2, in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament to end their 10-game winning streak. Prior to the loss, they defeated Toms River East, 10-6, and Howell, 8-5. They ended their week with a win over Barnegat. This week: Saturday at Middletown North.

10. Holmdel (11-5). Last week: No. 9

The Hornets were eliminated from the Shore Conference Tournament via a 12-8 loss to Shore. Before the SCT Holmdel picked up a 12-3 win over Pennington and a 10-2 victory over Red Bank. This week: Thursday vs. Colts Neck.

Dropped out: Howell (No. 10 last week).

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.