Shore Conference Boys Lacrosse Championship Preview: CBA Vs. Rumson-Fair Haven
Shore Conference Tournament Championship Game Preview
(1) CBA Vs. (2) Rumson-Fair Haven
When: Thursday, May 21st, 2 p.m.
Where: Monmouth University
CBA (14-5)
Head Coach: Dave Santos
CBA’s Danny Varone (Photo by Sam Mayer)
Road to the Finals:
Quarterfinals – Defeated (8) Wall 11-4
Semifinals – Defeated (4) Holmdel 15-5
Players to Watch
Danny Varone, M – 58 P (47 G, 11 A)
Jackson Chaney, A – 45 P (23 G, 22 A)
Christian Fox, M – 34 P (20 G, 14 A)
Caden Lucich, A – 32 P (19 G, 13 A)
Chase Grimando, M – 29 P (19 G, 10 A)
John Little, FOGO – 159-199 FOS (80%)
Blake Griswold, D – 23 GB
Turner Cooke, A – 18 P (13 G, 5 A)
Shayne Boresen, G – 185 S, 118 GA
CBA’s Christian Fox (Photo by Sam Mayer)
Rumson-Fair Haven (13-6)
Head Coach: Marc Moreau
Rumson-Fair Haven’s Jaden Cavise (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Road to the Finals:
Quarterfinals – Defeated (10) Middletown South 19-4
Semifinals – Defeated (3) Southern 14-5
Players to Watch
Luke Lydon, A – 87 P (43 G, 44 A)
Joseph Whitehouse, M – 60 P (39 G, 21 A)
Teddy Whitehouse, M – 46 P (32 G, 14 A)
Blake Ahmann, A – 34 P (22 G, 12 A)
Jaden Cavise, FOGO – 248-371 FOS (67%)
Toby Najenson, D
Danny Sullivan, D
John Paik, D
Peter Kessler, G – 96 S, 89 GA
Rumson-Fair Haven’s Luke Lydon (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
CBA
The Colts enter the matchup riding significant momentum, having won six consecutive games in the month of May. CBA’s only loss to a Shore Conference opponent this season came in a narrow 9-8 defeat to Holmdel in mid-April, but the Colts responded emphatically with a dominant 15-5 victory in the semifinal rematch earlier this week.
CBA possesses all the characteristics of a championship-caliber team, including balanced offensive production — with five players scoring 30 or more goals, led by sophomore Danny Varone — along with disciplined team defense, elite face-off play from junior John Little, and strong goaltending from senior Shayne Boresen.
If there is one question surrounding the Colts, it is their relative youth. However, after navigating one of the toughest schedules in New Jersey, CBA has shown little sign of inexperience during its recent stretch of play.
Notably, CBA was without Little in the first meeting against Rumson due to transfer eligibility rules after he returned to the program as a junior following a departure after his freshman season. The Colts lost 21 of 29 face-offs in that contest but still managed to secure the win. If CBA is able to control possession more effectively this time around, it could significantly influence the outcome of the game.
Rumson-Fair Haven
The Bulldogs enter the game with even greater momentum than CBA, carrying an eight-game winning streak into the matchup. After opening the season 1-5 against CBA and several out-of-area opponents, Rumson-Fair Haven regained its health and dramatically turned its season around, winning 12 of its next 13 contests. Remarkably, the Bulldogs’ closest game in the month of May was a six-goal victory over Moorestown.
Like their opponent, Rumson-Fair Haven has all the makings of a championship contender. Defensively, the Bulldogs are anchored by three Division I commits: senior Toby Najenson (Brown), junior Danny Sullivan (Virginia), and junior John PaikPaik (Princeton). That defensive unit is capable of playing at an elite level and will need to do so in order to contain CBA’s balanced offensive attack.
Offensively, the Bulldogs are led by senior Luke Lydon, who may be the most dynamic offensive player in the Shore Conference. Rumson-Fair Haven has outscored CBA by 19 goals this season while allowing 15 fewer goals defensively in the same amount of games, though their schedules differed in non-conference play.
The return of several key contributors from injury, including senior Blake Ahmann, has played a major role in the team’s second-half surge. Among the notable absences in the initial meeting with CBA were Ahmann and junior goalkeeper Peter Kessler. Rumson-Fair Haven came within a save or two of winning that first matchup, and the Bulldogs now enter the rematch at full strength and playing their best lacrosse of the season.
The Verdict
Much like the first meeting, this matchup is likely to be decided by the slimmest of margins. It would come as no surprise if the outcome hinges on the final possession and is settled by a single goal. The game appears to be a true toss-up, though Rumson-Fair Haven may deserve a slight edge given its experience playing and winning in this game last season.
Dave’s Prediction:
RFH 11-10 (OT)
