Elite Sports PT Shore Conference Boys Lacrosse Top 10 for April 25
We are now three weeks into the season and the order of the conference is beginning to take shape. There have been some notable results between ranked teams, squads beginning to separate themselves from the pack, and fresh teams knocking on the door of the rankings.
Let's get right to it with the latest Elite Sports Physical Therapy Boys Lacrosse Top 10.
Elite Sports PT Boys Lacrosse Top 10 for April 25
1. Rumson-Fair Haven (6-3). Last week: No. 1
After suffering two straight losses, including a surprising 9-8 setback to Randolph, Rumson reminded everyone why it is one of the best teams in New Jersey by taking down previously-unbeaten Bridgewater-Raritan, 10-7, to improve to 6-3. Bridgewater was ranked No. 3 in the state heading into Monday's game. Rumson now holds victories over Haddonfield, St. Augustine, and Bridgewater-Raritan through the season's first three weeks. There will be bumps in the road with a schedule as challenging as the one the Bulldogs play, but RFH continues to prove it is the Shore's top team and a state-championship contender once again. Senior Cole Cashion has led the way offensively with 20 goals and seven assists. Upcoming games: April 26 vs. No. 6 Shore; May 1 at Ocean City.
2. Christian Brothers Academy (6-2). Last week: No. 2
The Colts picked up wins over Howell (13-4), Manalapan (13-4), and Marlboro (18-0) to retain their grip on the Class A North division race before suffering a 6-3 defeat to state-ranked St. Augustine. CBA's standout win so far is a 13-5 victory over No. 8 Middletown South. Senior midfielder Ian Macrae is having a great year and leads the Colts in goals (15), assists (16), and points (31). Senior attackman Brendan Donnelly also has 15 goals and senior attackman Nick Blalcok has 10 goals and 14 assists. Upcoming games. April 26 at Middletown North; April 27 vs. Iona Prep (NY); May 1 at The Hun School.
3. Wall (5-3). Last week: No. 3
It's been an up-and-down season for the Crimson Knights thanks to some challenging nonconference games, but they are still undefeated within the Shore and picked up a massive win last week with a 7-6 comeback win over No. 4 Manasquan. Wall also defeated Class B South opponents Lacey and Jackson Liberty while suffering a loss to state-ranked Westfield. Wall's three defeats have come to Bergen Catholic, Ridgewood, and Westfield. Senior attackman John McCurry continues to pile up points and now has 31 goals and 18 assists for a team-leading 49 points. Junior midfielder Shea Brennan scored the go-ahead goal late in the win over Manasquan and has 16 goals and 12 assists on the season. Sophomore FOGO Michael Hoarle has been crucial with a 61% face-off winning percentage. Upcoming games: April 26 vs. St. Rose; April 28 at Shawnee; April 28 vs Barnegat.
4. Manasquan (6-2). Last week: No. 4
The Warriors are 3-2 since our last Top 10, earning non-conference wins over Ocean City (8-3) and Haddonfield (15-9) along with a divisional win over Donovan Catholic (16-1). Manasquan lost to NJ No. 2 Seton Hall Prep, 12-3, and dropped a 7-6 contest to No. 3 Wall. Don't be surprised if Wall and Manasquan see each other again in both the Shore Conference and state tournaments. Senior midfielder James Farinacci has led a balanced scoring attack along with senior attackman Matt Porazzo, sophomore attackman Brandon Kunz, and senior midfielder Blake Gorski. Junior goalie Nick Bounassi has also been strong in goal, as well. Upcoming games: April 26 at Jackson Liberty; April 28 at Salesianum (Del.); April 29 vs. No. 10 Point Boro.
5. Southern (6-1). Last week: No. 6
The Rams move up a spot thanks to their 10-8 victory over Shore Regional on April 17. Southern also posted wins over Brick Township and Brick Memorial to extend their Class A South winning streak to a staggering 67 games. Senior midfielder Joey DeYoung has been on a tear with 21 goals in his last four games and recently reached the 100-goal milestone for his career. The Hofstra signee leads the team with 25 goals and 10 points. Senior attackman Hayden Lucas has also enjoyed a great start with 18 goals and 14 assists while the goalie tandem of junior Nick Roesch and sophomore AJ Mattern has been superb. Upcoming games: April 25 vs. Jackson Memorial. April 28 vs. Ocean City; April 29 at Toms River South; May 1 vs. Holy Spirit.
6. Shore (6-1). Last week: No. 5
The Blue Devils move down one spot due to their head-to-head loss to Southern, but it has still been a very good start to the year for Shore Regional. Surrounding the loss to Southern are three wins, led by a 10-9 triumph over No. 9 Holmdel plus wins over St. John Vianney (18-5) and Ocean (15-1). The Blue Devils also have quality wins over Red Bank and Holy Spirit. Shore's success thus far is due in large part to its distribution of contributions. Junior attackman Carson Spallone leads the team with 24 goals and 11 assists for 35 points and he is one of six players with at least 10 points. The face-off duo of sophomores Tucker Malfa and Brendan O'Brien has combined to win 70 percent at the face-off X, while junior defenseman Jackson Whitacre has led the defense in front of junior goalie Noah Karaban, who has filled in admirably for injured senior All-Shore goalie Walker Hunter. Upcoming games: April 26 at No. 1 Rumson-Fair Haven; April 29 at Red Bank Catholic.
7. Red Bank (7-1). Last week: No. 9
The Bucs jump up two spots thanks to wins over Holmdel and Red Bank Catholic as part of a six-game winning streak. Red Bank won 9-6 over Holmdel on April 12 when the Hornets occupied the No. 7 spot. They backed that victory up with wins over Princeton (12-9), RBC (11-10), Allentown (13-6), and Howell (18-7). Their Division 1 midfield trio of senior Henry Spencer (Air Force, 24g-7a), senior Ryder Villani (Delaware, 23g-9a), and junior Andrew Pape (Boston University, 14g-16a) has led the way. Freshman attackman Gabe Pape has stepped in with 12 goals and three assists and senior Trey Lynch is also over double digits in points with five goals and eight assists. Senior goalie Gavin Lisko has a 69% save percentage and 85 total saves. Upcoming games: April 26 vs. Long Branch; April 29 vs. St. John Vianney; May 1 vs. No. 8 Middletown South.
8. Middletown South (5-1). Last week: No. 8
The Eagles stay put at No. 8 by going 4-1 since our last set of rankings. The lone loss was to No. 2 CBA, 13-5, so there's no reason to drop the Eagles based on that. Middletown South added wins over Colts Neck (19-3), Red Bank Catholic (11-10), Howell (8-7), and Old Bridge (6-5). Senior attackman Steve Kirchner leads the team with 13 goals and seven assists for 20 points and senior Beau Servidio has played great with 13 goals, 5 assists, and strong work at the face-off X. Upcoming games: April 25 at Manalapan; April 26 vs. Marlboro; May 1 at No. 7 Red Bank.
9. Holmdel (6-2). Last week: No. 7
The Hornets essentially swap spots with Red Bank after the Bucs dealt them a 9-6 defeat on April 12. Holmdel also suffered a 10-9 loss to No. 6 Shore while earning wins over Manalapan (14-2). St. John Vianney (15-2), and Colts Neck (16-4). Junior midfielder Will Gilfillan is the team's top point-producer with 16 goals and 26 assists for 42 points, while. junior middie Gary Collyer leads in goals (19g, 8a). Holmdel has six players with 10 or more points. Sophomore Jack Powers has picked up right where he left off after a great freshman season and has won 78 percent at the face-off X and collected 84 ground balls. Senior goalie Andrew Arredondo has a 65% save percentage. Upcoming games: April 27 at Neptune; April 28 vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro South; May 1 at Toms River North.
10. Point Boro (6-1). Last week: not ranked
There is typically a lot of movement at the No. 10 spot of the rankings, and this week is no different. Point Boro is riding a five-game winning streak and gets the nod at 10 this week. The Panthers rolled in victories over Marlboro (19-0), Donovan Catholic (12-5), Lacey (13-3), Jackson Liberty (17-9), and Middle Township (15-4). Their lone loss of the season is to No. 3 Wall (17-1) on April 5. Sophomore attackman Brady Kirk (23g, 21a) and senior attackman/midfielder Brian Ostrander (23g, 18a) have powered the offense and junior goalie Colin Cole has posted a 65% save percentage. Upcoming games: April 26 at Barnegat; April 29 at No. 4 Manasquan; May 1 at Toms River South.
Knocking on the door:
Jackson Memorial (6-0)
Red Bank Catholic (4-4)
Barnegat (7-2), No. 10 last week
Toms River East (5-1)
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