Shore Sports Network Final 2016 Boys Lacrosse Top 10

 

Lacrosse Top 10
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1. Manasquan (19-5)

The Warriors finish the season on top after taking down Rumson-Fair Haven, 8-4, to win the NJSIAA South Group II state sectional title. The two teams split games this season with Rumson winning 8-5 in the Shore Conference Tournament championship game, but Manasquan gets the nod from us for getting it done in the state playoffs to bring home its first ever sectional crown. The Warriors also captured the Class B South division title for the second straight season and advanced to the SCT final for the first time since 2005. Junior attackman Jarrett Birch led the Shore in both goal (75) and points (103) and freshman attackman Canyon Birch set a Shore Conference freshman record with 61 goals. Manasquan should be primed for another championship run in 2017 as they return what will be a loaded senior class along with a group of outstanding sophomores that will already have a year under their belts.

 

2. Rumson-Fair Haven (18-4)

The Bulldogs won a record sixth Shore Conference Tournament title and fifth in the last six years when they defeated Manasquan, 8-5, in the SCT final. They advanced to a sectional final for the fourth straight year but fell to the Warriors in the rematch, 8-4, in the South Group II final. Rumson also won another Class B North division title and boasted nonconference wins over Shawnee and St. Peter's Prep. The Bulldog graduate an outstanding senior class, including SSN Player of the Year Robbie Garavente, but with an elite feeder program and stalwarts Bryan Hess, Charlie Curran, Emmett Jennings and Dan Maloney, among others, back next year Rumson will be contending for titles at the division, conference and state levels yet again.

 

3. Southern (14-2)

One year after graduating the best class of players to come through the program, Southern turned in an important season by winning its fourth straight Class A South division title and reaching the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament. Many expected the Rams to fall off the map, but they did no such thing. They started the season 12-0 before losing to Manasquan in the SCT final four. Senior attackman Nick Simonelli tallied 97 points and was selected as the Class A South Player of the Year.

 

4. Christian Brothers Academy (12-7)

The Colts remained in their customary spot near the top of the conference once again while claiming the Class A North division title and reaching the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament. Senior midfielder John Salcedo was selected as the Class A North Player of the Year and junior attackman Nick Casner led the team in scoring with 73 points.

 

5. Ocean (14-3)

The Spartans ascension to one of the top teams in the Shore continued with the program's second consecutive 14-3 record while qualifying for the SCT and state playoffs for the second year in a row. The Spartans finished second in Class B North to Rumson-Fair Haven and reached the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament where they fell to CBA. Senior attackman Joey Appio led the Shore with 69 assists and tied for second in the conference in scoring with 99 points. He also finished his career with 221 assists, second all-time in New Jersey. Senior midfielder Erik Rant was also one of the top offensive threats in the area with 62 goals and 88 points.

 

6. Freehold Township (11-5)

The Patriots finished third in Class A North behind CBA and Colts Neck and reached the quarterfinals of the both the Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA South Group IV playoffs. Junior attackman Josh Nastarowicz finished in the top 10 in scoring in the Shore with 49 goals and 33 assists for 82 points.

 

7. Wall (12-4)

The Crimson Knights finished second in Class B South to Manasquan and reached the quarterfinals of the Shore Conference Tournament. They also qualified for the NJSIAA South Group II playoffs. Senior attackman Mike Steppe led the Knights in scoring and was top five in the Shore with 59 goals and 33 assists for 92 points.

 

8. Shore (12-6)

The Blue Devils turned in one of the best seasons in program history, finishing third in Class B North behind Rumson and Ocean and winning the first Shore Conference Tournament game in program history. Shore also qualified for the state playoffs. Senior midfielder Doug Goldsmith had an outstanding season with 53 goals and 46 assists to finish tied for second in the Shore in scoring with 99 points, while also picking up 124 ground balls.

 

9 Jackson Liberty (13-6)

The Lions set a program record for wins with 13 and reached the state sectional semifinals for the first time in program history. Liberty finished third in Class B South behind Manasquan and Wall and won two state playoff games to advance to the NJSIAA South Group II quarterfinals. Senior attackman Tyler Kalmowitz was second in the Shore Conference in goals with 64.

 

10. Toms River North (9-5)

The Mariners finished second in Class A South behind Southern and qualified for both the Shore Conference Tournament and NJSIAA South Group IV playoffs. Senior attackman Ryan Clancy led the team in scoring with 36 goals and 18 assists for 54 points.

 

Lacrosse editor Bob Badders can be reached at badders@allshoremedia.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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