Atlantic Physical Therapy 2026 Final Boys Lacrosse Top 10
Atlantic Physical Therapy Boys Lacrosse 2026 Final Top 10 Rankings
1. Rumson-Fair Haven (18-7) Last Week: 1
Rumson-Fair Haven’s Joseph Whitehouse (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Despite starting 1-5, the Bulldogs rebounded to win 17 of their final 19 games, including the South Jersey Group 1 and Shore Conference Tournament titles, and a share of the American Division title. Rumson-Fair Haven’s bid for a state championship fell short in a 10-7 loss to Mountain Lakes, in a game they played without two key starters, Joseph Whitehouse and defender John Paik.
Rumson-Fair Haven will be hit hard by graduation, losing a talented 10-man senior class featuring the likes of Whitehouse, leading scorer Luke Lydon, SSDM Beau Devine, midfielder Blake Ahmann, standout defender Toby Najenson, and more.
The cupboard is far from bare at Borden Stadium, as the Bulldogs will return a host of talented underclassmen, including defenders John Paik and Danny Sullivan, FOGO Jaden Cavise, SSDM Kellen Winters, midfielders Kevin Collard and Liam Haggerty, attacker Teddy Whitehouse, and more.
2. CBA (15-7) Last Week: 2
CBA’s Caden Lucich (Photo by SidelineSamsShots)
Despite a difficult schedule, CBA dropped just two games against Shore Conference opponents. The Colts defeated Holmdel in a rematch in the Shore Conference Tournament to avenge the earlier defeat before dropping their second matchup against Rumson-Fair Haven in the championship. CBA advanced to the Non-Public Quarterfinals before falling to St. Augustine. The Colts came away with some hardware this year, earning a share of the American Division title.
The Colts will graduate five seniors, including starting goalie Shayne Boresen, midfielder Dylan Stratton, and attacker Caden Lucich.
The Colts have a strong case to be the preseason number one team next year, returning significant underclassmen talent, including FOGO John Little, midfielders Christian Fox and Danny Varone, and defender Blake Griswold.
3. Southern (18-6) Last Week: 3
Southern’s Braedyn Gialanella (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
The Rams turned in a strong season all-around, finishing with the South Jersey Group 4 title, a semifinal appearance in the Shore Conference Tournament, and a third-place finish in the American Division. Southern battled Ridgewood in the Group 4 State Championship before Ridgewood pulled away in the third quarter to win 13-8.
Southern will graduate four seniors, including impact transfers Braedyn Gialanella and Jayden Nascimento, as well as FOGO Vinnie Ruta.
The Rams will start next season towards the top, as they return a ton of underclassmen talent, including leading scorer Kyle Sininsky, attackers Shea O’Donnell and Gavin Nascimento, midfielder Niko Iliescu, LSM Lucas Iorio, goalie Nick Hughes, and more.
4. Holmdel (16-6) Last Week: 4
Holmdel’s Marcus Cermele scored two goals against Montville (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
The Hornets were the biggest riser in this year’s rankings, starting the season as 9 and finishing all the way up at 4. Along the way, Holmdel upset CBA in the regular season, earned two victories over Manasquan, advanced to the semifinals of the Shore Conference Tournament, and the semifinals in the North Jersey Group 2 playoffs.
Holmdel will graduate five seniors from one of its most productive senior classes in school history across multiple sports. Attacker Finn Buchan, midfielder Jack Cannon, LSM Marcus Cermele, defender Deven Behal, and goalie Jack Tiller will be major losses.
Despite losing high-end talent, the Hornets return a handful of key contributors, led by attackers David Perrotti and James Esposito.
5. Manasquan (12-7) Last Week: 5
(Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Despite an uneven start to the season that saw the Warriors drop five of their first seven games in April, Manasquan came within one goal of capturing another South Jersey Group 2 title, losing to Ocean City in quadruple overtime. Manasquan finished the season strong, winning nine of their last 12 games, which included victories over rival Wall and Shore.
The Warriors will graduate nine seniors, a few of whom were key pieces on last year’s state championship team as juniors, including midfielders Jack O’Reilly and Lucas Longo, defender John Lake, and FOGO Will Conway.
SSDM Dax Klein and attackers Kieran Schneider and Casey Mahoney will lead a returning underclassmen group that has strong potential.
6. Red Bank (11-9) Last Week: 6
Red Bank’s Gabe Pape (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
The Bucs battled all season long against a difficult schedule, earning wins against Manasquan, Wall, Manalapan, and Middletown South. Red Bank defeated Middletown South in the first round of the state playoffs before losing to top-seeded Chatham.
Red Bank will be hit hard by graduation, losing nine seniors, including second-leading scorer Gabe Pape, starting goalie Owen Montgomery, and third-leading scorer Nate Pelensky.
Leading scorer Justin Valentino and rising junior standouts MJ Keating and Ryder Kunkel will lead the returners.
7. Wall (8-12) Last Week: 7
Wall’s Patrick Freud (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
The Crimson Knights’ record is a bit deceiving, as they dropped seven games to teams ranked in the top ten and five games to non-conference opponents. Wall earned several big wins, including Middletown South and Manalapan, in addition to hanging tough with Holmdel, Manasquan, and others. The Crimson Knights lost to Allentown by one goal in the South Jersey Group 2 quarterfinals.
Wall will graduate five seniors, including Patrick Freud and Wyatt Capro, who each finished with over 100 career goals, FOGO Dylan Cohen, and defender Justin Davis.
Rising sophomores Nolan Larkin and Reid Wehner, SSDM Kai Smith, midfielder Luke Harmon, and attacker Declan Freud will lead next year’s Crimson Knights.
8. Manalapan (11-8) Last Week: 8
Manalapan goalie Connor Doel (Photo by luch.visualz)
Manalapan tested itself against a strong schedule and came away with the Colonial Division title. The Braves lost 16-3 to a tough Washington Township team in the South Jersey Group 4 Quarterfinals.
The Braves graduate nine seniors, including the all-time program leader in saves, goalie Connor Doel, FOGO Jason Benisch, midfielder Nick Tufte, and attacker Nick Friscia.
LSM Nick Palmieri, attacker Eli Greenberg, midfielder Ryan Seybuck, and midfielder Cooper Savage will lead next year’s group.
9. Middletown South (11-8) Last Week: No. 9
Middletown South’s Luke Gaffney (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
After starting 0-2, Middletown South improved as the season went along, narrowly missing the Colonial Division title in a one-goal loss to Manalapan and upsetting Red Bank in the Shore Conference Tournament and Shore, before falling in a rematch against the Bucs in the state tournament.
The Eagles graduate a huge 15-man senior class, including leading scorers Jackson O’Keefe and Luke Gaffney.
A promising group of rising sophomores, including Forrest Black, Colton Clark, and Kyle Denery, will be the foundation of the program’s future.
10. Shore (7-8) Last Week: 10
Shore’s Reid Spallone (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
The Blue Devils had a disappointing end to their season, dropping four of the last five games, including a Shore Conference Tournament loss to Toms River East and a South Jersey Group 1 playoff loss to A.L. Johnson. Shore’s season included some high points, including wins over Toms River East, Red Bank, and Wall. The Blue Devils hung tough in losses to Holmdel and Manasquan.
Shore will graduate a sizable 12-man senior class, including Reid Spallone, who tallied over 200 career points.
FOGO Cole Torres and goalie Joey Longo return to lead a group that will feature a variety of newcomers.
