Who are the top New Jersey lacrosse players selected for the All-America Underclass Games. What positions do these talented athletes play. How are the teams structured for the upcoming tournament in Maryland.
New Jersey’s Elite Lacrosse Talent: Breaking Down the All-America Underclass Rosters
The All-America Underclass Games, a prestigious showcase of young lacrosse talent, is set to feature an impressive lineup of players from New Jersey. This event, taking place in Maryland, brings together some of the most promising high school athletes in the sport. Let’s delve into the rosters and analyze the wealth of talent representing the Garden State.
Team Burn: A Powerhouse of Defensive Prowess and Midfield Dominance
The New Jersey Boys’ Burn team boasts a formidable roster, with a particularly strong emphasis on defensive and midfield positions. Notable players include:
- Noah Blinkoff (Livingston, NJ) – A stalwart defender from Saint Joseph Regional HS
- Michael Clifford (Sparta, NJ) – Another defensive powerhouse hailing from Seton Hall Prep
- Graham Coakley (Montclair, NJ) – A midfield dynamo from Seton Hall Prep
- Brock Getson (Los Angeles, CA) – An intriguing long stick midfielder from The Lawrenceville School
What makes Team Burn’s roster stand out? The blend of defensive strength and midfield versatility suggests a team built on controlling the pace of the game and shutting down opponents’ offensive threats.
Team Command: Offensive Firepower and Strategic Diversity
The Command roster for New Jersey boys showcases a more balanced distribution of positions, with a slight edge towards offensive specialists. Key players include:
- Andrew Ahrens (Lambertville, NJ) – An attacking force from Princeton Day School
- Lucas Angel (South Orange, NJ) – A face-off specialist from Seton Hall Prep
- Jimmy Benson (Glen Ridge, NJ) – A midfield threat from Glen Ridge HS
- Dara Corr (West Orange, NJ) – A defensive anchor from Delbarton
How does Team Command’s composition differ from Team Burn? The Command roster appears to prioritize offensive versatility and strategic face-off control, potentially setting the stage for a high-scoring, fast-paced playing style.
Team Highlight: A Blend of Skill and Positional Balance
The Highlight team for New Jersey boys presents a well-rounded group of athletes across all positions. Standout players include:
- Adam Angel (South Orange, NJ) – A promising goalie from Seton Hall Prep
- Evan Dupras (Somerville, NJ) – An attacking threat from Somerville High School
- Alex Fontecchio (Englewood Cliffs, NJ) – A defensive specialist from Deerfield Academy
- Caden Kirst (Bernardsville, NJ) – Another skilled goalie from Bernards High School
Why might the Highlight team’s balanced roster be advantageous? This diverse mix of talents could allow for greater tactical flexibility and adaptability during gameplay, potentially giving them an edge in varied match-up situations.
New Jersey Girls’ Burn Team: A Showcase of Multi-Positional Talent
The Girls’ Burn team from New Jersey features a strong contingent of midfielders, complemented by key players in other positions. Notable athletes include:
- Kadyn Brandt (Flemington, NJ) – A midfield specialist from Hunterdon Central
- Ashlyn Carpenter (Chatham, NJ) – An attacking force from Chatham HS
- Emme Dunphey (Ridgewood, NJ) – A defensive anchor from Ridgewood HS
- Alexandra Genua (Berkeley Heights, NJ) – A skilled goalie from Oak Knoll
How might the Girls’ Burn team’s midfield-heavy roster influence their playing style? This composition could lead to a strong transition game and the ability to control the tempo of play from the center of the field.
Analyzing the Geographical Distribution of New Jersey’s Lacrosse Talent
The rosters reveal interesting patterns in the distribution of lacrosse talent across New Jersey. Some observations include:
- A strong representation from Bergen and Essex counties, particularly from schools like Seton Hall Prep and Ridgewood HS
- Notable clusters of talent in Morris and Somerset counties
- Players from prestigious lacrosse programs like Delbarton and Don Bosco Prep
What factors contribute to these geographical concentrations of lacrosse talent in New Jersey? The presence of established high school programs, access to quality coaching, and strong youth development systems likely play significant roles in nurturing these athletes.
The Role of Preparatory Schools in Shaping New Jersey’s Lacrosse Landscape
Several players on the rosters hail from preparatory schools, both within and outside of New Jersey. This trend raises interesting questions about the development of lacrosse talent:
- How do prep schools contribute to the growth of individual players?
- What advantages might athletes gain from attending these institutions?
- How does the prep school experience influence college recruitment prospects?
The presence of prep school athletes on these rosters suggests that these institutions play a significant role in developing high-level lacrosse talent in the region.
Notable Prep School Representations
Some of the prep schools represented in the New Jersey rosters include:
- The Hotchkiss School
- The Pingry School
- The Lawrenceville School
- IMG Academy
- Deerfield Academy
These institutions have long-standing reputations for athletic excellence, particularly in lacrosse. Their inclusion in the All-America Underclass Games rosters underscores the quality of their programs and the talent they attract and develop.
Positional Trends and Specializations in New Jersey Lacrosse
Analyzing the rosters reveals interesting trends in positional specialization among New Jersey’s top lacrosse prospects:
Face-off Specialists
The importance of face-off specialists is evident in the rosters, with several players designated specifically for this crucial role. Players like Grant Carle, Lucas Angel, and Brandon Edwards highlight the emphasis placed on this specialized skill set.
Long Stick Midfielders
The presence of dedicated long stick midfielders (LSM) on the rosters indicates a growing recognition of this hybrid defensive role. Players like Brock Getson and Francis Keneally represent this important tactical position.
Goalie Depth
Each team features multiple goalies, underlining the critical nature of this position. The depth at goalie across the rosters suggests a wealth of talent in this specialized role within New Jersey.
How do these positional trends reflect evolving strategies in modern lacrosse? The emphasis on specialized roles like face-off specialists and LSMs points to a more nuanced and tactically sophisticated approach to the game at the high school level.
The Impact of Multi-Sport Athletes in New Jersey Lacrosse
While not explicitly stated in the rosters, it’s worth considering the potential impact of multi-sport athleticism on these lacrosse players. Many high school athletes participate in multiple sports, which can contribute to their overall athletic development.
Potential Benefits of Multi-Sport Participation
- Enhanced overall athleticism and coordination
- Reduced risk of burnout and overuse injuries
- Development of diverse tactical thinking and game awareness
- Exposure to different coaching styles and training methods
How might multi-sport experience contribute to the success of these lacrosse players? The varied skill sets and athletic adaptability gained from playing multiple sports could provide these athletes with unique advantages on the lacrosse field.
College Recruitment Implications of the All-America Underclass Games
Participation in the All-America Underclass Games can significantly impact these athletes’ college recruitment prospects. The event provides a platform for showcasing skills against top-tier competition, often under the watchful eyes of college coaches and recruiters.
Potential Recruitment Benefits
- Increased visibility to college programs across different divisions
- Opportunity to demonstrate skills in a high-pressure, competitive environment
- Chance to compete alongside and against other elite prospects
- Exposure to diverse playing styles and strategies from across the country
How might strong performances in this tournament influence these players’ collegiate opportunities? Standout showings could lead to increased interest from top lacrosse programs, potentially opening doors to scholarships and prestigious academic institutions.
The Future of New Jersey Lacrosse: Emerging Trends and Prospects
The composition of these All-America Underclass rosters offers insights into the future of lacrosse in New Jersey. Several trends and potential developments emerge from this analysis:
Continued Excellence in Traditional Powerhouses
Schools like Seton Hall Prep, Delbarton, and Ridgewood HS continue to produce top-tier talent, suggesting sustained excellence in these programs.
Rising Programs and Emerging Talent Pools
The presence of players from a diverse range of high schools indicates a broadening of the talent base across the state, potentially leading to increased competitiveness and overall improvement in the quality of play.
Specialization and Tactical Sophistication
The inclusion of specialized positions like face-off specialists and long stick midfielders points to an increasing emphasis on tactical nuance and position-specific skills development.
Gender Parity in Development
The strong representation in both boys’ and girls’ rosters suggests a commitment to developing talent across genders, potentially leading to continued growth and success in both men’s and women’s lacrosse at higher levels.
What long-term impacts might these trends have on the landscape of New Jersey lacrosse? As the sport continues to evolve and grow in popularity, New Jersey seems well-positioned to maintain and potentially enhance its status as a hotbed of lacrosse talent.
Conclusion: New Jersey’s Bright Lacrosse Future
The All-America Underclass Games rosters for New Jersey paint a picture of a thriving lacrosse community rich with talent, diversity, and potential. From the defensive strengths of Team Burn to the offensive firepower of Team Command, and the well-rounded composition of Team Highlight, these young athletes represent the cream of the crop in New Jersey’s lacrosse scene.
As these players take to the field in Maryland, they carry with them not just their individual skills and aspirations, but also the proud tradition of New Jersey lacrosse. Their performances will not only shape their own futures but also contribute to the ongoing evolution and growth of the sport in their home state.
The future of lacrosse in New Jersey looks bright indeed, with this generation of players poised to make their mark on the sport at collegiate levels and beyond. As they compete, learn, and grow through experiences like the All-America Underclass Games, these athletes are laying the foundation for the next chapter in New Jersey’s rich lacrosse history.
New Jersey rosters for All-America Underclass Games
Phillylacrosse.com, Posted 7/27/23
New Jersey rosters for All-America Underclass Games in Maryland this weekend:
NEW JERSEY BOYS – BURN
Name Hometown High School Position
Dylan Ah Now SHORT HILLS, NJ The Hotchkiss School Mid-Field
Dylan Blekicki Warren, NJ The Pingry School Attack
Noah Blinkoff Livingston, NJ Saint Joseph Regional HS Defense
Grant Carle Manalapan, NJ Grant Carle Face-off
Michael Clifford sparta, NJ Seton Hall Prep Defense
Graham Coakley Montclair, NJ Seton Hall Prep Mid-Field
David Corb Wayne, NJ Don Bosco Prep. Defense
Colin Coyle Westfield, NJ Westfield HS Attack
Brock Duerring Washington, NJ Warren Hills Regional Defense
Jackson Gervais Little Silver, NJ Christian Brothers Academy Lincroft Defense
Brock Getson Los Angeles, CA The Lawerenceville School Long Stick Mid-Field
Cole Hayden Hillsborough, NJ Immaculata Mid-Field
Kyle Holtby Flemington, NJ Immaculata HS Goalie
Chase Huggard Voorhees, NJ Eastern Regional HS Mid-Field
Charles Killen Glen Ridge, NJ Seton Hall Prep Attack
Sam Madalone MONMOUTH BEACH, NJ Img Academy Mid-Field
David Manzo Glen Ridge, NJ Seton hall prep Long Stick Mid-Field
Elliott McClendon Randolph, NJ Randolph Mid-Field
TJ Munn New Providence, NJ New Providence HS Mid-Field
Eli Pounds Ridgewood, NJ Ridgewood HS Goalie
Michael Ramirez Oak Ridge, NJ Pope John XXIII HS Face-off
Will Yates Ridgewood, NJ Ridgewood HS Mid-Field
NEW JERSEY BOYS – COMMAND
Name Hometown High School Position
Andrew Ahrens Lambertville, NJ Princeton Day School (Hill School) Attack
Lucas Angel SOUTH ORANGE, NJ Seton Hall Prep Face-off
Alexander Ante Maplewood, NJ Seton Hall Prep Attack
Jimmy Benson Glen Ridge, NJ Glen Ridge HS Mid-Field
Shepard Boyd Chatham, NJ Chatham NJ HS Mid-Field
Griffin Breen Haddonfield, NJ Haddonfield Mid-Field
Luke Burns Califon, NJ Pingry School Goalie
Jesse Busch South Orange, NJ Pingry Attack
Wes Canton Moorestown, NJ Moorestown Goalie
Cooper Christian Lebanon, NJ Seton Hall Prep Mid-Field
Dara Corr West Orange, NJ Delbarton Defense
Gus Cummings Westfield, NJ Delbarton Mid-Field
Luke Gouse Long Valley, NJ West Morris Central Face-off
Ryan Healey West Caldwell, NJ James Caldwell HS Defense
Chase Houser Caldwell, NJ Delbarton School Attack
Declan Kurdyla Bridgewater, NJ Bridgewater Raritan Mid-Field
AJ LoSauro Ridgewood, NJ Ridgewood HS Attack
Michael Marino Mahwah, NJ Don Bosco Prep Defense
Isaac McGarvey Basking Ridge, NJ Ridge HS Defense
Michael Roelke Morristown, NJ Delbarton Long Stick Mid-Field
Luke St.
Pierre Ho Ho Kus, NJ Don Bosco Prep Defense
Easton Tedesco Glen Rock, NJ Bergen Catholic Attack
Brayson Thurber Medford, NJ St Augustine Prep Attack
Christian Troczynski Clark, NJ Delbarton Face-off
NEW JERSEY BOYS – HIGHLIGHT
Name Hometown High School Position
Adam Angel SOUTH ORANGE, NJ Seton Hall Prep Goalie
Jake Caldwell Bernardsville, NJ Bernards HS Mid-Field
Sean Rooke Donohoe Basking Ridge, NJ Ridge HS Defense
Evan Dupras somerville, NJ Somerville High School Attack
Brandon Edwards Long Valley, NJ West Morris Central Face-off
Aidan Fairweather Scotch Plains, NJ Scotch Plains Fanwood HS Mid-Field
Alex Fontecchio Englewood Cliffs, NJ Deerfield Academy Defense
Charles Hodulik Tewksbury, NJ Seton Hall Prep Defense
Charlie Hunnewell Peapack, NJ Bernards High School Mid-Field
Tyler Juhlin Kinnelon, NJ Seton Hall Prep Mid-Field
Patrick Kenah Lawrenceville, NJ Princeton HS Attack
Francis Keneally Warwick, NY Warwick Valley HS Long Stick Mid-Field
Caden Kirst Bernardsville, NJ Bernards High School Goalie
Daine Kostes Bridgewater, NJ Bridgewater-Raritan Face-off
Cody Lam Westfield, NJ Westfield Attack
AJ Lembo Basking Ridge, NJ Ridge HS Attack
Zachary Lipton Short Hills, NJ Millburn HS Attack
Ryan Olivo Basking Ridge, NJ Ridge High School Mid-Field
Greg Peters Sparta, NJ Sparta HS Defense
Hudson Rocheville Livingston, NJ Seton Hall Prep Mid-Field
Connor Ross Morris Plains, NJ Morristown HS Long Stick Mid-Field
Trevor Sardis Bernardsville, NJ Bernards High School Face-off
Christian Schweiger Tewksbury, NJ Seton Hall Prep Attack
NEW JERSEY GIRLS – BURN
Name Hometown High School Position
Kadyn Brandt Flemington, NJ Hunterdon Central Mid-Field
Ava Cantillon Chatham, NJ Chatham HS Mid-Field
Ashlyn Carpenter Chatham, NJ, NJ Chatham HS Attack
Kayla Davi Bernardsville, NJ Bernards HS Mid-Field
Emme Dunphey Ridgewood, NJ Ridgewood HS Defense
Delaney Falk Manahawkin, NJ Southern Regional HS Mid-Field
Alexandra Genua Berkeley Heights, NJ Oak Knoll Goalie
Grace Hallahan Chatham, NJ Chatham HS Mid-Field
Karina Harrison Chesterfield, NJ N Burlington Regional HS Attack
Karsen Hippert Easton, PA Easton Area High School Mid-Field
Rebecca Lenner Short Hills, NJ Morristown Beard Defense
Gabriella Mariani Madison, NJ Madison HS Mid-Field
Marin McGuire SUMMIT, NJ Summit HS Goalie
Mary Catherine O’Connor Rumson, NJ Trinity Hall Mid-Field
Charleston Pike Cherry Hill, NJ Cherry Hill West Defense
Aleena Seyam Denville, NJ Morris Knolls Magnet program for Math & Science Attack
Zoey Smith LANOKA HARBOR, NJ Marine Academy of Technology and Environmental Science Mid-Field
Julia Swanson Montville, NJ Montville Township HS Attack
Addyson Walker Denville, NJ Morris Knolls HS Mid-Field
Lily Wood LITTLE SILVER, NJ Trinity Hall Mid-Field
NEW JERSEY GIRLS – COMMAND
Name Hometown High School Position
Jayde Amico Berkeley Heights, NJ Oak Knoll School Attack
Sam Bruno Cherry Hill, NJ Cherry Hill West Attack
Gillian Cohen Westfield, NJ Westfield Attack
Casey Conklin Livingston, NJ Livingston High School Mid-Field
Meghan Criqui essex fells, NJ Oak Knoll Attack
Stella Cuneo Ridgewood, NJ Ridgewood High School Mid-Field
Molly DeStefano morristown, NJ Oak Knoll School Defense
Leighton Gee Flemington, NJ Hunterdon Central Mid-Field
Reagan Larson Oradell, NJ Immaculate Heart Academy Goalie
Logan McCarthy Brielle, NJ Manasquan High School Defense
Maris McGinty Madison, NJ Oak Knoll school Mid-Field
Madison Mortimer Kinnelon, NJ Kinnelon High School Goalie
Lucia Nash Denville, NJ Morris Knolls High School Mid-Field
Mia Paulmeno Amawalk, NY Somers High School Attack
Korryn Peterson Morristown, NJ Madison Mid-Field
Rylee Rath Stroudsburg, PA Pleasant Valley High School Mid-Field
Margaret Rogers Madison, NJ Oak Knoll School Defense
Tallula Stebbings Springfield, NJ Oak Knoll Defense
Taylor Tabulov Ramsey, NJ Ramsey High School Defense
Bridget Troy Westfield, NJ Pingry School Mid-Field
Capri Valentino Allentown, NJ Notre Dame Attack
NEW JERSEY GIRLS – HIGHLIGHT
Name Hometown High School Position
Chloe Babich Skillman, NJ The Lawrenceville School Mid-Field
Maddie Brogan West Windsor, NJ The Lawrenceville School Attack
Sidney Cherry Redondo Beach, CA Redondo Union High School Defense
Bianca Chiarella Brielle, NJ Manasquan High School Mid-Field
Jacinda Connor Scottsdale, AZ Roland Park Country School Defense
Sofia Della Rocco Westfield, NJ Westfield High School Mid-Field
Alexandra Kucharz Glen Rock, NJ Immaculate Heart Academy Attack
Abigail Leporati Cherry hill, NJ Cherry Hill West High School Defense
Cathleen Moran Morristown, NJ Morristown High School Attack
Samantha Mortimer Kinnelon, NJ Kinnelon High School Defense
Ava Olender Flemington, NJ Hun School Mid-Field
Kayla Plotts Morris Plains, NJ Mountain Lakes Attack
McAllister Salter Tappan, NY Saddle River Day Goalie
Ava Sigrist Middletown, NJ Middletown High School North Mid-Field
Alyson Sojak Barnegat, NJ Barnegat High School Attack
Deborah Sullivan Little Silver, NJ Deborah Sullivan Mid-Field
Charlee Thomas Towson, MD Mount de Sales Academy Defense
Maggie Turco east windsor, NJ Rutgers Preparatory School Attack
Malia Zovich Plainsboro, NJ The Lawrenceville School Goalie
Lacrosse Friends Shine In The World Series
Eighth graders Michael Mesite and Ryan Plouffe have enjoyed growing up as lacrosse players in Cheshire.
This summer, the friends had the chance to travel out of state and pit their skills against the nation’s best.
Representing the Eclipse Lacrosse Club, Mesite and Plouffe helped their team go 5-2 in the Lacrosse World Series Championship held June 28 to July 1 at the Mecklenburg County Sportsplex in Matthews, North Carolina. Elite U.S. 13-and-under clubs and some international squads attended the event.
“I was excited because we got to fly down and beat some great competition,” stated Plouffe.
Mesite and Plouffe play for an Eclipse summer team, but to represent the club nationally, they had to sign up for a tryout last summer in New Canaan.
Plouffe tried out on defense, while Mesite was evaluated as a mid-fielder.
“We had drills that tested our skills,” stated Plouffe. “We also did a scrimmage.”
Selected players had some workouts last fall, but the team didn’t all come together until January of this year.
“After a few practices, we meshed pretty well,” reflected Mesite.
“We bonded together.”
The preparation paid off, as the squad went 6-1 in a North regional tournament that ran March 25-26 in Frederica, Delaware. Teams competed from Connecticut, as well as Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Eclipse swept four games in qualifying and went 2-1 in the playoffs.
“It was great competition and great to play against other kids on a high level,” explained Mesite.
While coming up short in the title game, the team still qualified to play in North Carolina.
“After what we showed in qualifiers, we expected to do well in the World Series,” recalled Plouffe.
In the first two days in North Carolina, Eclipse went 4-1 against teams from Canada, Maryland, California, and Pennsylvania. Plouffe and Mesite liked seeing new styles of play.
“It (the tournament) showed how unique and different teams play lacrosse,” stated Plouffe. “Canada only used one hand (with their stick) and they didn’t switch hands.
It was like watching an indoor style of lacrosse.”
Eclipse kicked off the playoffs with an overtime victory over Duke’s Elite (Pennsylvania).
“It was really exciting and fun to celebrate with the team,” recalled Mesite.
In the quarterfinals, the team came up just short by a goal against 2Way Lacrosse, a club that is also based in Connecticut.
“It was fun to play them,” said Mesite. “The whole tournament we were playing kids from around the country and then got to play kids near us.”
Plouffe and Mesite both developed a passion for lacrosse at a young age.
With his father Nick being very active in the Cheshire boys’ youth lacrosse program, Mesite picked up the sport before going into kindergarten.
Plouffe signed up for lacrosse in kindergarten.
“I like the physicality,” said Plouffe. “It relates to football. It is a fast-paced and unique game.”
Mesite and Plouffe recently finished up their summer season in the National Lacrosse Federation Championship.
