Lacrosse – Class B South Preview

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2015 SHORE CONFERENCE LACROSSE PREVIEW

CLASS B SOUTH

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Jarrett Birch, So., Attack, Manasquan

-Leading returning scorer for the Warriors after topping 25 goals and 40 points last season as a freshman.

Matt Frost, Sr., Attack, St. Rose

-St. Rose’s leading scorer the last two seasons scored 47 goals with 24 assists last season and could set program marks for career goals and points this year. Committed to Division I Quinnipiac University.

J.J. McKenna, Jr., Midfielder, Barnegat

-Leading returning scorer for the Bengals after netting 36 goals and 11 assists last season. Committed to Rutgers University.

Chris Mulholland, Jr., Goalie, Jackson Liberty

-Save percentage of .581 last season and returns to lead the Lions’ defense.

Mike Steppe, Jr., Attack, Wall

-After contributing during his first two seasons as a secondary option, Steppe enters his junior season as the leader of the Crimson Knights’ offense.

DIVISIONAL GAMES TO WATCH

St. Rose at Jackson Liberty, March 27

Manasquan at St. Rose, April 11

Wall at Point Boro, April 18

Manasquan at Barnegat, April 22

St. Rose at Wall, April 22

Wall at Manasquan, April 25

Wall at Barnegat, May 1

Point Boro at Manasquan, May 6

TEAM PREVIEWS

In alphabetical order

BARNEGAT

Last season: 13-3; Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinalists; NJSIAA Tournament qualifiers.

Head coach: Ryan Dalon, eighth season (41-82).

Top returners: Ricky Gerena, Sr., M (27g, 16a, 60gb); Ryan Reynolds, Jr. A (25g, 12a, 27gb); Matt Manno, Sr., A (19g, 7a, 21gb); J.J. McKenna, Jr., M (36g, 11a, 46gb); Zach Flaherty, Sr., M (8g, 36gb); Joe Jinks, Jr., LSM/D (21gb); Hunter Narozniak, So., D (29gb); Phil Wambach, Jr., D; Ryan Parker, Jr., D; (22gb).

Outlook: The Bengals lost all-division goalie Matt Grobelny and leading scorer Ethan Tonneson, but return a solid core after turning in their best season ever in 2014. Ricky Gerena, Ryan Reynolds, Matt Manno and J.J. McKenna give Barnegat an explosive group of scorers. The question is on defense where, along with Grobelny, sturdy defenseman Greg Moran graduated. Sophomore Kyle Kessinger takes over in goal behind defensemen Hunter Narozniak, Phil Wambach, Ryan Parker and LSM Joe Jinks. If the defense can come together the Bengals will be in the hunt for their first division title.

Games to watch: April 1 at Lacey; April 22 vs. Manasquan; May 1 vs. Wall.

DONOVAN CATHOLIC

Last season: 2-11.

Head coach: Dean Yack, first season.

Outlook: The Griffins will look to rebound in their first season under new head coach Dean Yack and be a factor in the division race after four consecutive sub-.500 seasons.

Games to watch: April 14 at Point Boro; April 20 vs. New Egypt; April 22 at Jackson Liberty

JACKSON LIBERTY

Last season: 4-13; NJSIAA Tournament qualifiers.

Head coach: Anthony Dzienkiewicz, second season (4-13).

Top returners: Chris Mulholland, Jr., G; Patrick Gahagan, Sr., D; Austin Doel, Jr., D; Christopher Stefanowicz, Jr., LSM; Jack Trubiano, Sr., M; Andrew Ferullo, Sr., M; Shawn DeJesus, Sr., M; Christian Pongracz, Jr., M; Walter Matthies, Jr., M; Mike Roche, Sr., A; Matt Ferullo, Jr., A; Dylan O’Connor, So., A.

Outlook: The Lions return the majority of their starting lineup and boast a veteran core as they try to climb the ladder in B South during the second year under head coach Anthony Dzienkiewicz. Cabrini College-bound junior LSM Christopher Stefanowicz anchors the defense in front of Mulholland.

Games to watch: March 27 vs. St. Rose; April 2 vs. Middletown South; April 18 at Manasquan; April 20 vs. Toms River East; April 22 vs. Donovan Catholic.

MANASQUAN

Last season: 11-6; Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinalists; NJSIAA South Group I quarterfinalists.

Head coach: Sean Cunningham, first season

Outlook: Led by returning leading scorer Jarrett Birch the Warriors look to continue their solid run under first-year head coach Sean Cunningham despite the graduation of standouts Blaine Birch and Joe Murphy.

Games to watch: March 28 vs. Red Bank Catholic; April 11 at St. Rose; April 22 at Barnegat; April 25 vs. Wall.

POINT BORO

Last season: N/A; First varsity season in 2015.

Head coach: Guy Lassen.

Top returners: Darian Healey, Jr.; Tom Pickering, Sr.; Kyler Rossi, So.; Dylan Broussard, Sr.; Vincent Ceres, Sr.; Jake Woodring, Sr.; Collin Ansbach, Jr.; Bill Buttino, Jr.; Courtland Hackel, Jr.; Schwartz, Jr.;  Youmans, Jr.; Jesse Harris, Sr.; Ryan Bedle, Jr.; Nick Palazzo, So.; Liam McCarthy, So.

Outlook: The Panthers will lean on their team-wide athleticism to grow the program in their first season at the varsity level.

Games to watch: April 14 vs. Donovan Catholic; April 18 vs. Wall; April 23 vs. Haddon Township; May 6 at Manasquan; May 9 vs. New Egypt; May 12 at Neptune.

ST. ROSE

Last season: 7-8; NJSIAA Tournament qualifiers.

Head coach: Kevin Preston, second season (7-8).

Top returners: Matt Frost, Sr., A; Scott Dimmit, Sr., A; Louis Melone, Sr., D; Andrew Sarre, Sr., D.

Outlook: Senior attackman Matt Frost, the team’s leading scorer the past two seasons, leads the Purple Roses in their second season under head coach Kevin Preston. The most encouraging factor has been the size of the roster, which has doubled over the last two seasons. Frost is in line to break the program records for career goals and points.

Games to watch: April 11 vs. Manasquan; Apri. 13 at Ranney; April 17 at Jackson Memorial; April 18 vs. Barnegat; April 22 at Wall.

WALL

Last season: 11-5; Shore Conference Tournament qualifiers; NJSIAA South Jersey Group II quarterfinalists.

Head coach: Chris Knight, 10th season (80-68).

Top returners: Mike Steppe, Jr., A; Joseph Belko, So., D; Dylan Bosco, Sr., M; Casey Foley, Jr., Ma; Liam Ferguson, Sr., M; Evan Gacos, So., M; Zachary Harrell, Jr., G; Lucas Iarossi, Jr., M; Christopher Kellett, Jr., D.

Outlook: The Crimson Knights graduated an excellent senior class that included their top three leading scorers and No. 1 defender, so they will enter 2015 with a young team looking to find its identity. Junior attackman Mike Steppe returns to led the offense while sophomore Joseph Belko, a Monmouth University recruit, anchors the defense. Even with having to fill the voids left by graduation, the Crimson Knights should remain contenders for the division crown.

Games to watch: April 1 vs. Red Bank; April 4 vs. Brick Memorial; April 22 vs. St. Rose; April 25 at Manasquan; May 1 at Barnegat.