Shore Sports Network Final 2019 Boys Lacrosse Top 10

Shore Sports Network Boys Lacrosse Final Top 10

1. Manasquan (21-1)

The Warriors went wire-to-wire as the top team in the Shore Conference, winning the Class B North division title, a third straight Shore Conference Tournament title and a second straight NJSIAA South Group 1 state title. Along the way, Manasquan posted two wins over No. 2 CBA, two wins over No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven, and lopsided victories over No. 3 Shore, No. 5 Wall, No. 6 Southern, No. 8 Middletown South, No. 9 Howell and No. 10 St. John Vianney. Manasquan graduates what is likely the greatest class in Shore Conference history with New Jersey’s all-time leading scorer Canyon Birch, midfielder James Pendergist, defenseman Jack Fabean, LSM Mike Page, goalie Mike LaPoint, attackman Ryan Anderson and more moving onto college. The cupboard is far from bare, however, with standouts Casey Mulligan, Matt Franzoni, Robert Pendergist, Tommy Shaughnessy, Mike Farrell, Chris Farinacci, Mike Farinacci and Max Pauwels returning next season.

2. Christian Brothers Academy (13-7)

The Colts won the Class A North division title and advanced to the Shore Conference Tournament championship game for the second straight season, and in the process posted wins over No. 3 Shore, No. 7 Freehold Township, No. 8 Middletown South and No. 9 Howell, as well as earning nonconference wins over Pingry and St. John’s College High School (D.C.). Attackman Connor Macrae, defenseman Tommy Gray and defensive middie Mason Rudolph are among those lost to graduation, but the Colts return midfielder Kyle Aldridge, attackman Dan Martin and goalie Noah D’Andrea as rising sophomores next season.

3. Shore (15-2)

The Blue Devils put forth the best season in program history behind a standout senior class. Shore won its first division title by cruising to the Class B South division title, then reached the semifinals of both the Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA South Group 1 tournament for the first time in program history. The Blue Devils’ only defeats came to No. 2 CBA in the SCT semifinals and to No. 1 Manasquan in the state sectional semifinals. Shore had wins over No. 6 Southern and No. 7 Freehold Township on their resume. A fantastic 2019 class that includes midfielders Gil Goldsmith and Jack McCrae, attackmen Jake Turner, Tom Bocco and Justin Murphy and defenseman Gunnar Schuelzky graduates. Returning next season to lead the way will be goalie Scott Sirianni, LSM Jake Shirley, defensemen Ryan Dolan and Liam Rempel, midfielder Jamie Mazzacco and Terry Carlstrom and face-off specialist Sean O’Brien.

4. Rumson-Fair Haven (14-10) 

Rumson played a brutal schedule but managed to reach the Shore Conference Tournament semifinals and the NJSIAA South Group 2 sectional final with what is still a young squad. The Bulldogs’ signature win was a thrilling 5-4 triple-overtime win over Moorestown, which won the Group 3 state title. Rumson also avenged a loss to Wall with a 12-6 win in the SCT quarterfinals. Rumson will lose defensemen Ethan Ardolino, midfielder Harry Ricker and attackman Drew Shaw to graduation, but returns the bulk of its roster including midfielders Patrick Jamin, Rowan Goldin and Sam Mannino, attackmen Kiel Forlenza and Luke Devlin, defensemen Liam Horan and Jack Spagnuolo, defensive midfielder Drew Frankel, goalie Ryan Croddick, face-off specialist Tommy Swain and more next season.

5. Wall (11-4)

A young Crimson Knights team turned in a solid 2019 season by finishing second to Manasquan in Class B North, reaching the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals and advancing to NJSIAA South Group 2 quarterfinals. Wall’s signature moment came in a 10-9 overtime win over Rumson-Fair Haven, its first-ever over the powerhouse Bulldogs. Sophomore Logan Peters had a monster season to emerge as one of the Shore’s best while players like Ethan Doyle, Ryan Brice, Matt Dollive and Daniel Burns established themselves. Wall loses goalie Sean DeMott and defensemen Shane Meyler and Jake Pinkerton to graduation but should be a team to watch in 2020 with several talented players returning.

6. Southern (14-4) 

The Rams had another solid season that saw them win their seventh straight Class A South division title, reach the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament and advance to the semifinals of the NJSIAA South Group 4 state tournament. The Rams had wins over No. 8 Middletown South and No. 10 St. John Vianney to their credit. Their losses came to No. 1 Manasquan, No. 3 Shore, No. 7 Freehold Township and Montgomery, which won the Group 4 state title. Defenseman Ian Maul, goalie Luke Maul, midfielder Ajani Steverson and attackman Nick Stankus are among those lost to graduation, but Southern brings back a very good core led by leading scorer Cade Johnson, defensemen Noah Wasacz and Nate Committee, midfielders Aaron Hutchinson and Ryan Sininsky, attackman Jake Hughes, defensive midfielder Will Devane, LSMs Brock Leftkus and J.T. Hille and face-off specialist Drew Wasacz. 

7. Freehold Township (11-7)

The Patriots advanced to the quarterfinals in both the Shore Conference and NJSIAA South Group 4 tournaments. They posted wins over No. 6 Southern, No. 8 Middletown South and No. 10 St. John Vianney. Freehold Township graduates goalie Aidan Purcell, midfielders Matt Kondrup, Nick Elimanco, Kyle Von Nessen and Ryan O’Donoghue and defensemen Evan Nastarowicz. Junior attackman Brendan Doel leads the group of returners along with defensemen Joel Maragoto and Connor Petrula, attackmen Jake Liebross and Matt Madonna, midfielder Evan Savino and LSM Avery Clark.

8. Middletown South (11-5) 

The Eagles continued their ascension in the Shore Conference with another solid season under head coach Rob Grella. Middletown South finished second to No. 2 in Class A North and posted victories over No. 7 Freehold Township and No. 9 Howell during the course of the season. They qualified for the Shore Conference Tournament and the North Group 3 state playoffs. The Eagles lose midfielder Matt Tardy, defenseman Bobby O’Connor and face-off specialist Kenny McCarthy. They have several starters returning next season, however, including leading scorer Connor Ard, defenseman Tyler Colacichi and goalie Shane Murphy.

9. Howell (11-8) 

The Rebels had an up and down year, but an early-season victory over Freehold Township and late-season wins over Lacey and Ocean helped them hold onto a spot in the rankings. Howell reached the Shore Conference Tournament but was eliminated by No. 1 Manasquan in the first round. They reached the South Group 4 state quarterfinals after a thrilling, last-second win over Kingsway. Midfielder Jared Badillo, attackman Joe Sorrentino, defenseman Ernie Onesti, midfielder Anthony Cinelli and goalie Jared Jablonski graduate, but Howell brings back several impact players with attackmen Logan Dennison and James Fay, midfielder/face-off specialist Vaughn Meehan, defensemen Thomas Damelio and Jason Caston, LSM Theo Deberghes and midfielders Doug MacKenzie and Tyler Burns.

10. St. John Vianney (10-8) 

The Lancers did not have a win over a ranked opponent but defeated Holmdel, Red Bank Catholic and Ocean while playing a challenging schedule that included No. 1 Manasquan, No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven, No. 5 Wall, No. 6 Southern and No. 7 Freehold Township. SJV qualified for the Shore Conference Tournament and the Non-Public A state playoffs. The Lancers graduate goalie C.J. Hanson, attackmen Andrew Gosse and Mike D’Anzeri, defenseman Mike Noble and LSM Damon Washington. They return two-time All-Shore midfielder Anthony Brett along with defenseman Kyle Harris and Mason Shenk, attackman Nick Caruti, face-off specialist Josh O’Leary and goalie Zach Schiavone.

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.