Shore Sports Network Boys Lacrosse Top 10, 5/14/19

The Shore Conference Tournament has been completed, and the results have further confirmed what has been the case since opening day: Manasquan is the best team in the Shore.

The Warriors won a third consecutive SCT title with a 12-7 victory over Christian Brothers Academy to run their record to 17-0 heading into the NJSIAA Tournament. Manasquan also defeated Toms River North, Howell and Rumson-Fair Haven en route to the title

Manasquan started the season as the No. 1 team in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 and was the top seed in the SCT. There was little drama as far as upsets go in the entire tournament. The final four were the top four seeds and only one double-digit seed, Freehold Township, reached the quarterfinals. The teams who were expected to advance generally did so.

The results of the SCT certainly cleared up a lot in terms of the rankings as we head into the state tournament where two dozen Shore teams qualified. Just like that, the season has begun its stretch run.

1. Manasquan (17-0). Last week: No. 1

The Warriors used a seven-goal run that spanned the second and third quarters to defeat CBA, 12-7, and capture the Shore Conference Tournament championship for the third straight year. Manasquan also defeated Toms River North (16-0), Howell (18-4) and Rumson-Fair Haven (14-4) on its way to hoisting the hardware. The Warriors are the No. 1 seed in the NJSIAA South, Group 1 state tournament where they will try to win a third title in four years.

2. Christian Brothers Academy (11-6). Last week: No. 2

The Colts had a thrilling 8-7 win over Shore Regional in the SCT semifinals and were tied with Manasquan early in the second quarter in the championship game, but the Warriors pulled away and defeated CBA, 12-7, in the conference title game. CBA also had wins over Red Bank Catholic and Freehold Township in the tournament. The Colts are the No. 6 seed in the NJSIAA Non-Public A state tournament.

3. Shore Regional (13-1). Last week: No. 3 

Shore came through with an 18-5 win over Ocean and a 13-6 win over Southern to reach the SCT semifinals for the first time in program history. It was a back-and-forth game with CBA in the semifinals, but the Blue Devils fell one goal short in an 8-7 defeat. They will try to rebound for a deep run in the state playoffs where they are the No. 4 seed in South, Group 1.

4. Rumson-Fair Haven (11-9). Last week: No. 4

The Bulldogs reached the SCT semifinals once again before falling to eventual champion Manasquan, 14-4. Rumson did get revenge on Wall with a 12-6 win in the quarterfinals, however, reversing a 10-9 loss from the regular season. Rumson also defeated Holmdel, 14-6, in the first round. The Bulldogs are the two-time defending South, Group 2 champions and secured the No. 1 seed for the tournament.

5. Wall (10-3). Last week: No. 5

The Crimson Knights’ hopes of reaching their first SCT final four were dashed by Rumson-Fair Haven, 12-6, in the quarterfinals. Wall had previously defeated Rumson, 10-9 in overtime, during the regular season. The Knights beat Jackson Memorial, 15-7, in the first round of the SCT. For the NJSIAA Tournament, Wall earned the No. 3 seed in the South, Group 2 section, meaning they could see Rumson for a third time if both reach the title game.

6. Southern Regional (12-3). Last week: No. 6 

Southern fell to Shore Regional, 13-6, in the SCT quarterfinals but came back with a 14-1 win over Brick Memorial to officially clinch its seventh straight outright Class A South division title. The Rams are the No. 5 seed in the NJSIAA South, Group 4 tournament.

7. Freehold Township (10-6). Last week: No. 9

The Patriots came through with a big first-round win by taking down Middletown South, 7-4, to reach the quarterfinals as the No. 10 seed. The win also reversed a 6-5 loss to the Eagles during the regular season. The Patriots fell to CBA in the quarterfinals, 9-3, but got back into the win column with a 10-6 win over Allentown. Freehold Township is the No. 7 seed in the NJSIAA South, Group 4 tournament.

8. Middletown South (11-4).  Last week: No. 7 

The Eagles drop one spot after losing to Freehold Township, 7-4, in the first round of the SCT. They came back with a thrilling 8-7 overtime win over rival Middletown North in a game played at MetLife Stadium. Middletown South is the No. 10 seed in the North, Group 3 state playoffs.

9. Howell (10-7). Last week: No. 8

The Rebels scored a 10-4 victory over Lacey in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament before bowing to eventual champion Manasquan, 18-4, in the quarterfinals. Howell also had an 11-8 win over Ocean and a 9-4 loss to Cranford during the week. The Rebels are seeded No. 6 in the NJSIAA South, Group 4 playoffs.

10. St. John Vianney (9-7). Last week: not ranked 

The Lancers fell to Southern, 9-8, in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament, but climb into the Top 10 based on their overall body of work and challenging schedule that includes wins over Holmdel, Ocean and Red Bank Catholic. SJV is the No. 10 seed in the NJSIAA Non-Public A tournament.

 Dropped out: Lacey (No. 10 last week)

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.