Shore Sports Network Lacrosse Top 10: Final Rankings

1. Southern (18-1).

The Rams won the Shore Conference Tournament 16-6 over Rumson to become the first Ocean County team to capture the SCT title. They also captured the Class A South division title for the third straight season. Southern also defeated Rumson 16-14 in the regular season and was undefeated heading into the state tournament.

2. Rumson-Fair Haven (18-7).

The Bulldogs made history by capturing the NJSIAA Group I title with a 9-8 overtime victory over two-time defending champion Mountain Lakes. They are the first Shore Conference team to win a state group title and reach the Tournament of Champions. They defeated New Providence 12-8 to win the South Jersey Group I title for the second time in three seasons. Rumson also captured the Class B North division title.

3. Manasquan (15-4).

The Warriors claimed the Class B South division title and advanced to the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament, and also reached the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I playoffs. The Warriors will be a team to watch next season with almost their entire starting lineup returning plus a highly-touted incoming freshmen class.

4. Freehold Township (15-6).

The Patriots turned in their best season in program history by defeating rival CBA in overtime to reach the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament. They also earned a share of the Class A North division title with CBA and Howell. Freehold Township reached the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV quarterfinals before being eliminated by eventual champion Lenape.

5. CBA (11-6).

The Colts earned a share of the Class A North division title with Howell and Freehold Township, advanced to the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament and qualified for the NJSIAA Non-Public A Tournament. Key victories included early-season wins over Princeton, Manasquan and Freehold Township.

6. Ocean (14-3)

The Spartans had a breakout season in going over .500 for the first time while reaching the quarterfinals of both the Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA South Jersey Group II Tournament. Ocean's only regular \-season defeat came against No. 2 Rumson, and its SCT loss came to No. 1 Southern. Key victories include triumphs over Barnegat, Red Bank, St. John Vianney, Toms River North and Red Bank Catholic.

7. Howell (13-4)

Howell turned in its best season ever in winning 13 games, claiming a share of the Class A North division title and defeating division rival CBA for the first time in program history. The Rebels also reached the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament and qualified for the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV playoffs.

8. Jackson Liberty (11-7)

The Lions turned in their best season in program history by winning a program-record 11 games to finish over .500 for the first time. Liberty got hot late in the season, stunning Barnegat 7-6 and shocking Howell 14-13 in overtime in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament. The Lions also won the first state playoff game in program history by defeating Absegami 14-5 in the first round of the South Jersey Group III Tournament.

9. Barnegat (10-5)

The Bengals posted two huge postseason victories, a 15-14 comeback victory over Red Bank Catholic in the first round of the Shore Conference and a 12-11 win over A.L. Johnson in the first round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group I playoffs for the first state tournament victory in program history. Other key victories also included wins over Lacey and Wall.

10. Toms River North (10-4)

The Mariners finished second in Class A South and qualified for the Shore Conference and NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV Tournaments. The Mariners posted key victories over St. John Vianney, Lacey and Colts Neck.