Ranking the top 68 seniors in Shore Conference boys lacrosse
It's been the seniors shining so far this boys lacrosse season.
Shore teams that have proved themselves so far have some of the best upperclassman, and that's no coincidence. A multitude of players are heading to college next year and are playing for some of the best programs in not only the tri-state, but the country too. With that said, it makes sense to rank the top 25 seniors this season so far - plus a Watch List of 40+ more top players.
More: Inside the big turnaround at Jackson Memorial boys lacrosse: 'We're coming'
Class of 2024 rankings
1. Andrew Croddick, Rumson-Fair Haven, Midfield
The Colgate University commit has been one of the few seniors on the unbeaten Bulldogs team that has been running through the Shore Conference. He's currently second on the team in goals with 27 through 10 games. He had a season-high seven goals in a win over Red Bank Regional. He's on pace to score his 100th career point this season.
2. Ryan Martin, CBA, Attack
Since missing most of his junior year due to the injury, the Villanova University commit has returned with a vengeance. He's by far the leading scorer on the team with 32 goals and 14 assists through 11 games. Surpassing over 100 career goals last week, he's been the most consistent on that offense. He's had four goals against Wall, Red Bank Regional, and Morris Knolls, all of which were for wins.
3. Nick Bounassi, Manasquan, Goalie
A High Point University commit that's been playing lights out protecting the net for the Warriors so far this season. He hasn't let up double figures as a goalie with a season-high 20 saves against Eastern. Bounassi also has over 300 career saves. He also scored a goal against Red Bank Regional to go along with 10 saves in the victory.
4. Brody Muly, Manasquan, Midfield
Though the Warriors have been dominating games with their defense, the Lehigh University commit has been getting the job done on both sides of the field. He's second on the team in scoring with 32 points, and he's leading Manasquan in goals with 26 so far this season. He had a season-high seven goals in a win over Southern back in mid April.
5. Andrew Pape, Red Bank Regional, Midfield
A consistent scorer for the Bucs that's having the best season of his four-year varsity career. 32 goals on the season so far and the Boston University commit had a season-high six goals against Morristown in early April. So far in his career he's had 132 goals, 86 assists, 218 points, and 106 ground balls.
6. Owen Richter, Middletown South, Defense
The future Ivy-League player has been one of the best lockdown defenders in the Shore Conference. The six-foot-one Brown University commit has had nine goals, seven assists, and 58 ground balls through seven games this season. He has 113 career ground balls and scored a career-high three goals against Barnegat.
7. Troy Monte, Rumson-Fair Haven, Defense
The six-foot-three defensive player has been an added boost to the Bulldogs tough defense this season. The Bucknell commit has been able to get a goal against St. Augustine and CBA this season. He also has an assist on the season with 11 ground balls in six games. A talented player that can force turnovers and impact the game more than one way.
8. Kyle Capodanno, Manasquan, Defense
The Bryant University commit has been a key returner for the Warriors. He managed to get an assist in a win over Holmdel earlier this month. The long-stick defender Played club lax for Leading Edge and stands at five-foot-nine. May not pop up on the stat sheet but his presence is always felt.
9. Will Madden, Wall, Midfield
The Monmouth University commit is close to hitting 100 career points. He's been able to score five goals and have three assists through seven games. His season-high was two goals and assists in a win over Red Bank Regional in the season opener. He also has 10 ground balls on the season. The senior is more of a defensive-minded player that can impact the game offensively too.
10. Connor Kelly, Manasquan, LSM
The Longstick midfielder stands at six feet and has been a huge help for the Warriors being a lockdown team. Committed to Albany University next year, Kelly is able to do all the little things right for his team. Despite the stats not being there, no one can overlook his skills defensively.
11. Jake Horowitz, Manalapan, LSM
A Lynn University commit that's been helping the Braves win four-straight games midseason with his defensive abilities. He's had 17 ground balls through six games. Throughout his career he's had a goal and assist, plus 59 ground balls in his four years on the varsity team.
12. Will Gilfillan, Holmdel, Midfield
The leading scorer for the Hornets with 28 goals, 39 assists to total for 67 points through 11 games. The Catholic University commit had a season-high six goals and assists against Paramus. In his career he has tallied 122 goals, 129 assists, and 132 ground balls for the Hornets. An all-around player than can not only score but get his teammates involved.
13. Nick Carabetta, Manasquan, Midfield
The Drew University commit is having his best season in his fourth year on varsity. Has scored 10 goals in the seven games the unbeaten Warriors have played to go with nine assists. In his career he has 31 goals, 21 assists, and on pace to have the most goals he's ever had in a single season.
14. Joseph Carabetta, Manasquan, Midfield
So far this season the Drew University commit has tallied five goals and three assists this season for the Warriors in five games. His season-high was two goals against Holmdel. In his career he's tallied 22 goals and seven assists in the last three years.
15. Jackson Lu, Red Bank Catholic, Attack
Eclipsed the 100th-career goal mark in a win over Kinnelon when the Oberlin College commit scored three goals. Through nine games he's had 21 goals, 10 assists, and 22 ground balls. His season-high was five goals against Howell in the season opener. He has 127 ground balls in his career and 163 total points playing for the Caseys.
16. Drew Barocas, Jackson Memorial, Attack
He's shown great stick skills for the Jaguars this season as he's put up 23 goals in the first nine games. His season-high was five goals in a win over Freehold Township in the season opener. He also tallied 18 ground balls and three assists as well. In his career, he has 156 goals, 68 assists, and 119 ground balls in his four years. He'll be heading to the University of Alabama in Huntsville.
17. Michael D’Amico, Wall, Defense
The Crimson Knight's top defenseman that's committed to play at Stockton University next year. He's on pace to reach 100 career ground balls with 92 currently. So far this season he's tallied 19 ground balls in seven games. He's been covering the opposing team's top scorer and hasn't backed down all season.
18. Peter Villare, Red Bank Regional, Attack
The top goal getter on the Caseys roster this season with 23 through nine games. He scored a season-high seven goals against Ocean Township. He tallied six assists and 13 ground balls as well this season. In his career has 94 goals, 54 assists, 68 ground balls and 148 total points. He'll be playing at DeSales University next season.
19. Leo Passalaqua, Rumson-Fair Haven, Midfield
The five-foot-10 midfielder has tallied 22 goals, 17 assists and nine goals in 10 games for the Bulldogs. He scored his season-high four goals in wins over Southern and Holmdel. In his career he has 42 goals, 26 assists, nine ground balls and 68 total points. He had a game-winning double overtime goal against St. Augustine earlier this month.
20. Shea Brennan, Wall, Midfield
Through seven games for the Crimson Knights, Brennan has 12 goals and 15 assists through seven games. He's also taken some face-offs in which he won 38% of them. For his career, he has 84 goals, 59 assists, 64 ground balls, and 143 total points.
More: Why Rumson-Fair Haven boys lacrosse isn't going to 'dial back the aggressiveness' on defense
21. Luke Marascio, Rumson-Fair Haven, FOGO
The Denison University commit has been doing a good job on the face-offs for the Bulldogs so far this season. Through 10 games, he won 69% of the face-offs to go with 82 ground balls for his team. He also has two goals this season, he scored against Holmdel and Southern. He has four goals and assists in his career with a 68% winning percentage on face-offs.
22. Brandon Desena, CBA, Goalie
Through 11 games the goalie has had 64 saves and allowed in 53 goals so far. He had a season-high 15 saves against Iona Prep (NY). In his career, he's tallied 107 saves, and allowed in 102 goals in the 16 games he's been in. He'll be heading to Stockton University next school year.
23. Paul Capozzi, Jackson Liberty, Midfield
The Chestnut Hill College commit has been a special scorer for Jackson Liberty his entire career. Through nine games, he's tallied 41 goals, 28 assists, 46 ground balls and has won 59 face-offs. He's done it all and has been a big part of his team being unbeaten through nine games. He's 24 goals away from reaching 200, and 14 points away from hitting 300 for his career.
24. Carson Spallone, Shore, Midfield
The Ithaca College commit is eight goals away from reaching he 100 mark in his career. Through seven games he's had 14 goals and seven assists so far this season for the Blue Devils. He's tallied 45 ground balls, 63 assists, and 155 total points.
25. Anthony Arch, Southern, Midfield
Leader in points on the team with 16 goals, 11 assists through eight games which tallies up to 27 points. In his career he's tallied 35 goals and 43 points. His season-high was four goals against Red Bank Catholic and Clearview.
More: This boys lacrosse team is taking the Shore Conference by storm
Class of 2024 Watch List
American Division
Cameron D'Alterio, CBA, Midfield
Gary Collyer, Holmdel, Midfield
Jack Doran, Holmdel, Defense
Matt Tempone, Holmdel, LSM
Finn Tierney, Red Bank Regional, Midfield
Kyle Borenius, Red Bank Regional, Goalie
Alastair Orr, Rumson-Fair Haven, Midfield
Brady Cooke, Shore, Midfield
Noah Karaban, Shore, Goalie
Lucas Seelinger, Wall, Goalie
Colonial Division
Ian McDow, Howell, Attack
Jon Peal Pepe, Howell, Attack
Elias Craig, Jackson Memorial, Midfield
Russell Cender, Jackson Memorial, Goalie
Michael Bonner, Manalpan, Midfield
Anthony Macchio, Manalapan, Attack
Marc Stefanelli, Manalapan, Midfield
Christian Zdziarski, Manalapan, Attack
Logan Bailin, Middletown South, Attack
Sean Burns, Middletown South, Goalie
Gavin Reid, Point Pleasant Boro, Midfield
Greyson Ritter, Point Pleasant Boro, Midfield
Colin Cole, Point Pleasant Boro, Goalie
Brian Vecchio, Red Bank Catholic, FOGO
Gianvito Viola, Red Bank Catholic, Goalie
Patrick Hinkson, Toms River East, Attack
Constitutional Division
Aaron Nasimov, Colts Neck, Goalie
Nick Carnevale, Freehold Township, Midfield
Luis Rojas, Long Branch, Goalie
Jason Sondak, Marlboro, Attack
Hayden Mattos, Middletown North, Midfield
Willie Canavan, Ocean Township, LSM
Ben Girard, Ocean Township, Midfield
Freedom Division
Travis Hickman, Brick Township, Midfield
Ryan Kurc, Brick Township, Goalie
Matt Golizio, Central Regional, Midfield
Andrew Baltus, Donovan Catholic, Midfield
Jack Farlekas, Donovan Catholic, Attack
Matthew LaBianca, Jackson Liberty, Goalie
Colin Bradley, St. John Vianney, Midfield
William Keegan, St. John Vianney, Midfield
Ben Meyer, St. Rose, Midfield
Jack Harmon, St. Rose, Defense
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ Shore boys lacrosse: Class of 2024 senior player rankings
