Elite Sports Physical Therapy Boys Lacrosse Top 10, 5/15/18
It’s been an interesting year in the Shore Conference, to say the least, but thankfully the Shore Conference Tournament was able to bring some clarity to the rankings.
We have a new No. 1 team in the Shore after Manasquan won the rematch with Christian Brothers Academy, 11-3, to repeat as SCT champions and take back the top spot from the Colts. The only other change is Rumson-Fair Haven swapping spots with Wall after defeating the Crimson Knights, 10-9, to advance to their 14th straight SCT semifinals. The rankings and seeds held otherwise since our last top 10.
With the NJSIAA Tournament beginning on Wednesday there aren’t too many opportunities to move up, however, wins could prove seismic for certain teams. The final top 10 has a lot to do with a team’s complete body of work but postseason results certainly have a weighted impact.
Here’s the latest Elite Sports Physical Therapy Top 10.
1. Manasquan (16-2). Last week: No. 2
The Warriors repeated as Shore Conference Tournament champions with an 11-3 win over CBA, reversing a 6-4 defeat two weeks earlier. Manasquan was at its best in all phases with a crisp offense and a suffocating defense and will enter the state tournament with great momentum. Junior attackman Canyon Birch now has 100(!) goals this season, breaking the record of 93 previously held by Southern’s Dylan Jinks. NJSIAA Tournament: The Warriors are the No. 1 seed in the South Jersey Group 1 bracket and will host New Egypt in the first round.
2. Christian Brothers Academy (16-1). Last week: No. 1
The Colts opened the week with a 15-3 win over Shore in the SCT quarterfinals. They used an 8-0 run to rally past Rumson-Fair Haven, 14-8, in the SCT semifinals but fell to Manasquan, 11-3, in the championship game to be denied their first SCT title since 2009. The Colts have a nonconference game with state-ranked Pingry before beginning their quest for a state title. NJSIAA Tournament: CBA is the No. 3 seed in the Non-Public A bracket and will host Paul VI in the first round.
3. Rumson-Fair Haven (10-9). Last week: No. 5
The Bulldogs held off Wall, 10-9, in the SCT quarterfinals to advance to their 14th straight SCT semifinals. In the final four, Rumson pulled ahead of CBA, 7-6, in the second half but the Colts scored the next eight goals to win, 14-8. Rumson now turns its attention to defending its South Jersey Group 2 sectional title. NJSIAA Tournament: Rumson is the No. 2 seed for the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs and will open its title defense against Lawrence.
4. Southern (13-4). Last week: No. 4
Southern was on the verge of being upset in the SCT quarterfinals before rallying for six goals in the fourth quarter to defeat Ocean, 6-4. The Rams were then shut out by eventual champion Manasquan, 12-0, in the SCT semifinals. Southern came back on Monday and defeated Toms River East, 9-4, to clinch the Class A South division title for the sixth straight season. The Rams have not lost a division game since 2012. NJSIAA Tournament: Southern is the No. 5 seed in the South Jersey Group 4 bracket and will host Howell in the first round on Wednesday.
5. Wall (12-4). Last week: No. 3
The Crimson Knights fell one goal short in their bid to reach their first SCT semifinals, losing to Rumson-Fair Haven, 10-9. Since Southern has a win over Rumson this season Wall drops two spots behind both the Bulldogs and Rams. Wall could see Rumson again, however, in the state sectional playoffs. NJSIAA Tournament: Wall is the No. 3 seed in the South Jersey Group 2 bracket and will host Lower Cape May in the first round on Wednesday.
6. Freehold Township (12-4). Last week: No. 6
The Patriots fell to SCT champion Manasquan, 16-2, in the SCT quarterfinals. Senior attackman Chris Novella scored in that game, however, to record his 200th career point. Freehold Township came back with a 4-3 win over Jackson Memorial and then defeated West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 13-5. NJSIAA Tournament: The Patriots are the No. 7 seed in the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs and will host Washington Township in the first round on Wednesday. It will be a rematch of last year’s postseason game the Patriots won in overtime, 10-9.
7. Shore (15-3). Last week: No. 7
Shore lost to CBA, 15-3, in the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals before finishing off their regular-season schedule in thrilling fashion with an 11-10 overtime win over Holmdel continue the winningest season in program history. Senior attackman Ryan Morris scored the game-winning goals and also recorded his 200th career point. NJSIAA Tournament: Shore is seeded seventh in the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs and will host Cinnaminson in the first round on Wednesday.
8. Ocean (9-5). Last week: No. 8
Ocean nearly pulled its second upset of the tournament but couldn’t hold a four-goal lead in the fourth quarter and fell to Southern, 6-4, in the SCT quarterfinals. NJSIAA Tournament: The Spartans are the No. 9 seed in the South Jersey Group 2 bracket and will travel to Somerville for an opening-round game.
9. Middletown South (15-3). Last week: No. 9
The Eagles’ only game of the week was a 9-5 victory over crosstown rival Middletown North, which added to their win total in the most successful season in program history. NJSIAA Tournament: Middletown South is the No. 12 seed in a very tough North Jersey 2, Group 3 bracket and will head to Morris County to take on Roxbury in the first round.
10. Holmdel (12-6). Last week: No. 10
The Hornets edged Colts Neck, 10-9, before losing to Shore in overtime, 11-10. Four of Holmdel’s losses have come by one goal and all six are by four goals or less. NJSIAA Tournament: Holmdel is the No. 7 seed in the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs and will host Lacey in the first round on Wednesday.
Dropped out: none
Team to Watch:
Howell (9-6): The Rebels play No. 4 Southern in the first round of the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 4 playoffs and can shake up the rankings with a win.
Lacey (8-6): The Lions face No. 10 Holmdel in the first round of the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs and can toss their name in the hat for a spot in the top 10 with a win.
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.
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