Shore Sports Insider Boys Lacrosse Top 10, April 2: Off and running

High school lacrosse is back, and so are we with our Shore Conference Boys Lacrosse Top 10.

There were several notable changes to the division alignment after last season, but the American Division still rules the Shore and starts off the season occupying most of the spots in our season-opening rankings. The big three of Rumson-Fair Haven, Manasquan, and Christian Brothers Academy once again look to be in a league of their own and the anticipation is that they’ll battle for the division title and the Shore’s top spot all season. One of the storylines this spring will be centered around their head-to-head games while also seeing if any team can rise up and challenge their supremacy.

All four of the Shore’s divisions should be competitive from start to finish and produce interesting races for the division championships. The nine-team Colonial Division stands out as it features three division champions from last season with defending Colonial champ Manalapan plus Middletown North and Donovan, who each move up after winning the Constitution and Freedom Division titles, respectively, last year.

The NJSIAA’s flexible start date allowed teams to begin regular-season play as early as March 17. Most of the Shore Conference’s teams took advantage with at least one game through the season’s first 10 days. With the calendar having turned to April, the season is set to begin in full force this week.

Scroll through to see which teams made the cut for the first Top 10 of the season.

 

Shore Sports Insider Boys Lacrosse Top 10 for April 1

 

1. Rumson-Fair Haven (3-0). 

The Bulldogs are in the mix for division, Shore Conference, state sectional, and state group titles every season and that doesn’t figure to change in 2025. Rumson is off to a 3-0 start with wins over St. Joseph Metuchen (8-4), Red Bank (17-3), and Randolph (12-7), and junior midfielder Joseph Whitehouse has helped lead the way with a team-high 11 points on seven goals and four assists. Last season, RFH fell to eventual SCT champion CBA in the semifinals and lost 9-8 to eventual Group 1 champ Bernards in the South Group 1 sectional final. They’ll try to get back on top with a veteran group that includes multiple Division 1 recruits in junior Luke Lydon (Boston University) and senior defensemen Frank Argilagos (Dartmouth) and Toby Najenson (Brown). Upcoming games: April 1 vs. Southern; April 5 vs. Moorestown at Stockton University.

 

 

2. Manasquan (2-0).

The Warriors reached the Group 2 final last season and had their fourth-quarter rally come up just short in a 7-6 loss to Summit. A strong senior class will try to lead the Warriors back to the championship game and secure the program’s first state title. Manasquan has a diverse offense with Lehigh signee and three-sport standout Brandon Kunz leading the way. The offense also boasts Bentley commit Ryan Aldi on the attack line and Monmouth University recruit Matt Schneider in the midfield. Villanova recruit Parker Harms leads a veteran Warriors defense that also includes Chris Carhart (Rollins College) and James Caddott (Delaware Valley) in front of senior goalie Pat Loxley, a Muhlenberg commit, who takes over between the pipes after the graduation of All-Shore netminder Nick Bounassi. So far, Manasquan is 2-0 with a strong 9-5 non-conference win over Ridge and an 18-3 win over Red Bank Catholic. Upcoming games: April 2 vs. Shore; April 5 at Notre Dame.

 

 

3. Christian Brothers Academy (1-2)

A 1-2 start is the sole reason the Colts check in at No. 3 in the season’s first Top 10, but their schedule will give them plenty of opportunities to ascend. CBA has a stout roster with a fantastic defense led by senior Harvard commit Quinn Kelly, senior Bryant commit Luke Krebs, senior Air Force commit Jackson Gervais, and senior Michael Poskay. Senior midfielders Davis Campbell (Holy Cross) and Hunter Kilpatrick (Sacred Heart) and junior attackmen Caden Lucich and Carter McGuire lead the offense. Freshmen Jackson Shaney, Daniel Varone, and Nicholas Mangelli have also earned prominent roles, the latter taking over face-off duties for John Little, who transferred to Culver Military Academy after a standout freshman season. Junior Shayne Boresen takes over in goal. CBA suffered a 13-6 loss to reigning Group 4 state champion Westfield in a matchup of state top 10 teams and then dropped a 7-6 contest to unranked St. Augustine. They bounced back with a 10-9 win over defending South Group 4 champion Eastern. Upcoming games: April 2 vs. Holmdel; April 5 vs. Iona Prep.

 

 

4. Holmdel (2-0)

The Hornets graduated a handful of standouts and suffered another key loss but still return some of the Shore’s top players and should be one of the conference’s top squads this spring. Sophomore attackman Finn Buchan leads the way after a 53-goal sophomore season. He’s already amassed 15 points in two games as the Hornets opened the season with wins over Red Bank Catholic (13-2) and Middletown South (17-7). Junior Marcus Cermele is one of the top defensemen in the Shore and senior Jack Powers won 64 percent of face-offs as a junior. Senior Brian Volpe popped in 41 goals last season and the Hornets will need another strong year out of him to help offset the graduation losses and the loss of junior midfielder Jack Cannon, who decided not to play lacrosse this season. Cannon is an FBS football recruit as a quarterback. Upcoming games: April 2 vs. CBA.

 

 

5. Shore (1-1)

The Blue Devils suffered a 10-9 overtime loss to South Group 4 sectional champion Eastern before bouncing back with a 15-1 victory over Red Bank Catholic. Shore has a solid mix of all four classes on its roster and will be led by senior midfielders Tucker Malfa (RPI commit), Brendan O’Brien, and Lukas Villa (Catholic Univ.) along with senior defensemen Will Turner, Atticus Taboada, and Tommy Schroeder (Susquehanna), senior attackman Braden Miller (Marymount), and juniors Reid Spallone, John Mazzacco, and Jack Madalone. Upcoming games: April 2 at Manasquan; April 5 at East Brunswick.

 

 

6. Southern (2-0)

The Rams are 2-0 to begin the season after two quality wins over Colonial Division opponents, defeating Toms River East (13-6) and Jackson Memorial (16-0). The teeth of the Rams’ schedule awaits next week with games against Manasquan and Shore. Southern beefed up its nonconference schedule, as well, with upcoming games against Allentown, Ocean City, Lawrenceville, Holy Spirit, and Robbinsville as they look to prepare for a run at another sectional title. Senior midfielder Joe Kessler, who is committed to DeSales, has seven goals through two games and is tied for the team lead with nine points. Fellow seniors Liam Griffin (attack), Kody Wagner (defense), Collin Markoski (FOGO), Anthony Oddo (defense), AJ Mattern (goalie), Evan Wyrsch (def. midfielder), and Ryan Paliga (def. midfielder) along with sophomores Kyle Sininsky (midfield), Cash McVey (attack), and Shea O’Donnell comprise a strong core. Keep an eye on standout freshman twins Nico and Lucas Iliescu. Upcoming games: April 9 vs. Manasquan.

 

 

7. Wall (0-1)

An injury to standout midfielder Mikey Hoarle, a Bryant commit, early last season was a major gut punch for Wall, which stumbled to a 5-11 record a year after winning the program’s first sectional title. Hoarle is back as one of the best all-around middies in the Shore and will give a major boost to a squad that also returns standouts Jackson Lemongelli (Emerson commit), Wyatt Capro, Patrick Freud, Dylan Cohen, Kai Smith, Justin Davis, and Riley Cook (Eastern commit). Senior Braeden Buckley takes over in goal. The Crimson Knights opened their season with an 11-4 road loss to St. Joseph (Metuchen). Upcoming games: April 2 vs. Red Bank; April 4 at Middletown South.

 

 

8. Red Bank (0-1).

The Bucs are 0-1 after dropping a 17-3 game to top-ranked Rumson to start the season. Junior attackman Gabe Pape leads the cast of returners after scoring 43 goals and totaling 57 points as a freshman. It will be a group effort to try to offset the graduation loss of Andrew Pape, a current Boston University freshman who scored 60 goals and finished with 98 points last season. Gabe Pape is also committed to BU. Senior attackman Jack Tavares, junior midfielder Ryan Deverin, and sophomore midfielder Justin Valentino will step into bigger roles on the offensive end while seniors Will Ogden and Eric Minetti and sophomore Nate Borenius lead the way on defense. Upcoming games: April 2 at Wall; April 5 at Morristown.

 

 

9. Manalapan (0-1).

The Braves are an ascending program under head coach Nick Filippone and are looking to defend their Colonial Division title against a host of dangerous challengers. Manalapan said goodbye to multiple three- and four-year starters who helped set the foundation but brings back impact players up and down the field. Senior attackman Matt Avivi is the team’s leading returning scorer after netting 39 goals last season. Sophomore attackman Eli Greenberg and senior midfielder Jake Schatz are also returning starters on the offensive end. Junior Connor Doel is committed to Embry-Riddle and enters his third year as the Braves’ starting goalie, while senior Jake Piedrahita is back as the starting face-off specialist. Seniors Dennis Gabinelli and Michael Bruzzese and sophomore Nick Palmieri lead the defense. Manalapan opened its season with a 12-6 non-conference loss to Somerville. Upcoming games: April 2 vs. Jackson Memorial; April 4 vs. Freehold Township.

 

 

10. Toms River East (0-1). 

The Raiders are coming off one of the best seasons in program history after going 13-6 and finishing second in the Colonial Division. They return the bulk of that team this season and should contend for the division championship. Senior midfielder Nate Cummings posted 58 goals, 30 assists, and 102 ground balls during a breakout junior season. Junior attackman Nicholas Caruso had an excellent sophomore season with 55 goals and 25 assists and Gerard Uzzolino was great as a freshman with 29 goals and 27 assists. They form the core of the Raiders’ offense along with senior midfielders Tyler Godlesky and Ethan Kelly. Standout sophomore goalie Ryan Caruso backstops a defense led by senior Ray Merz and juniors Ben Standfast and Colin Cummings. Upcoming games: April 2 at Howell; April 4 at Barnegat.

 

 

Keep an eye on:

Middletown North (1-0)

Howell (1-0)

Point Boro (1-0)

Middletown South (0-1)