Shore Sports Network Boys Lacrosse Top 10, 4/18/17
After a week filled with some surprising results we have a shakeup in the Shore Sports Network Boys Lacrosse Top 10.
Manasquan had a big week on the road and remains at No. 1, and Rumson-Fair Haven holds onto the No. 2 spot by pushing its winning streak to seven. The big mover of the week is Southern, which jumps up three spots to No. 3 after a huge win over Freehold Township. The Rams are hot right now and seem to have put a shaky start behind them.
Beyond the top three spots there is a plenty of uncertainty. The next group has Christian Brothers Academy and Freehold Township with Wall, the only undefeated team in the Shore, right behind them. The Crimson Knights have their biggest test of the season, however, when they face off against Manasquan this week.
From there we’re getting into throwing-darts-at-the-wall territory. St. John Vianney has won fourth of its last five games and warrants moving up a spot while Ocean hasn’t done anything to cause a dismissal from the rankings. Howell’s stunning 10-9 overtime loss to Marlboro has the Rebels tumbling, the question is how far. Once again there’s the dilemma of who to put at No. 10.
All those questions get answered right here in the latest Shore Sports Network Top 10.
Records and rankings based on games played through Monday, April 17.
1. Manasquan (5-1). Last week: No. 1
The Warriors opened eyes around the state with a 2-1 week that included an 11-8 win over Moorestown, a 9-2 victory over Madison and a 6-3 loss to a Bridgewater-Raritan team that hasn’t lost a regular-season game since 2014. Manasquan moved up to No. 12 in the state in the NJ.com rankings and enters another important week rolling. This week: Wednesday vs. No. 6 Wall; Friday vs. No. 4 CBA; Saturday at Barnegat.
2. Rumson-Fair Haven (7-1). Last week: No. 2
The Bulldogs extended their winning streak to seven games with three dominating victories, taking down Red Bank, 17-3, Allentown, 18-3, and Ocean, 14-2. Rumson is ranked No. 19 in New Jersey and is averaging 14.4 goals per game over its last seven games. The Bulldogs’ smallest margin of victory this season has been seven goals. This week: Tuesday at Shore; Wednesday at Kinnelon; Saturday at St. Peter’s Prep.
3. Southern (5-2). Last week: No. 6
The Rams jump into the top three after a 2-0 week that included a dominating 16-3 win over last week’s No. 3 team, Freehold Township. The Rams opened a 7-0 first quarter lead and ran away with a victory that had everyone in the Shore talking. They followed it up with an 11-2 win over Oakcrest to run their winning streak to four games where they are averaging 15.5 goals per game and allowing just 2.5 goals per game. Senior attackman Kyle Mulrane recorded his 100th career point. This week: Tuesday vs. Jackson Memorial; Monday vs. Red Bank.
4. Christian Brothers Academy (1-3). Last week: No. 4
The Colts were defeated by IMG Academy during their trip to Florida, 14-6, before returning home and defeating Neptune, 19-1, for their first win of the season. Senior attackman Nick Casner recorded his 200th career point in the win over the Scarlet Fliers. The jury is still out on CBA since it has played just four games and two within the Shore, but some clarity should come in the next seven days. This week: Wednesday at Middletown North; Friday at No. 1 Manasquan; Saturday vs. No. 5 Freehold Township; Monday vs. Robbinsville.
5. Freehold Township (4-3). Last week: No. 3
Two games last week produced two very different results for the Patriots. They were overwhelmed by Southern in a 16-3 loss, but rebounded by hanging 20 goals on Colts Neck in a 20-4 victory. A big week lies ahead for Freehold Township where it can take the outright lead in Class A North. This week: Tuesday at Toms River South; Wednesday at Marlboro; Saturday at No. 4 CBA; Monday vs. No. 7 St. John Vianney.
6. Wall (5-0). Last week: No. 7
The Crimson Knights won both their games last week to remain undefeated, edging Brick, 11-9, and walloping Jackson Liberty, 17-1. A massive test comes this week as they face arch rival Manasquan on the road. This week: Wednesday at No. 1 Manasquan; Monday at Donovan Catholic.
7. St. John Vianney (4-4). Last week: No. 8
After an 0-3 start to the season the Lancers have won four of their last five games. They began last week with a 7-2 loss to Hightstown before consecutive wins over Toms River North (14-6) and Red Bank Catholic (19-6). Senior attackman Andrew Porretta recorded his 100th career point. This week: Wednesday vs. Ranney; Friday at Red Bank; Monday at No. 5 Freehold Township.
8. Ocean (5-2). Last week: No. 9
The Spartans split their games last week, getting past Holmdel with a 7-4 victory before falling to Rumson, 14-2. Senior goalie David Walk hit a career milestone with his 400th save and has made 40 saves in his last three games. This week: Wednesday vs. Red Bank Catholic; Saturday at Long Branch; Monday at Barnegat.
9. Howell (5-2). Last week: No. 5
The Rebels defeated Holmdel, 8-5, in a battle of ranked teams before being stunned in overtime by Marlboro, 10-9. Given they lost to a team that was 1-6 at the time the Rebels would, under most circumstances, drop out of the rankings. The problem is there aren’t teams beating on the door of the top 10 that have a better body of work. Howell still has a win over Southern, albeit on opening day. This week: Wednesday at No. 10 Colts Neck; Saturday vs. Red Bank; Monday vs. Brick.
10. Colts Neck (4-4). Last week: not ranked
There were several possible candidates for the final spot this week and we decided to go with the Cougars. They just defeated Toms River North, 12-11, and also have a win over Shore, two other teams that were in contention here. Three of Colts Neck’s losses are to ranked teams (Manasquan, Freehold Township and Wall). This week: Wednesday vs. No. 9 Howell; Friday vs. Middletown South; Monday at Jackson Memorial.
Dropped out: Holmdel (No. 10)
Teams to watch
St. Rose (4-1)
Toms River North (5-3)
Shore (5-2)
Middletown South (4-1)
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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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