Who are the top lacrosse players from New Jersey participating in the All-America Underclass Games. What positions and high schools are represented in the New Jersey rosters. How many teams are competing from New Jersey in the All-America Underclass Games.
New Jersey’s Elite: Burn, Command, and Highlight Teams
The All-America Underclass Games showcase the best young lacrosse talent from across the nation. This year, New Jersey is sending three formidable boys’ teams – Burn, Command, and Highlight – along with a girls’ Burn team to compete in Maryland. These rosters represent a diverse array of high schools and playing positions, highlighting the depth and quality of lacrosse talent in the Garden State.
Boys’ Burn Team Composition
The Boys’ Burn team boasts a roster of 22 players from various high schools across New Jersey. Notable institutions represented include:
- Seton Hall Prep
- The Pingry School
- Don Bosco Prep
- Christian Brothers Academy
- Immaculata
The team’s positional breakdown is as follows:
- 6 Midfielders
- 5 Defensemen
- 3 Attackmen
- 2 Long Stick Midfielders
- 2 Goalies
- 2 Face-off specialists
This balanced roster suggests a well-rounded team capable of competing at a high level in all aspects of the game.
Command Team: A Powerhouse of Talent
The Boys’ Command team features 24 players, showcasing the depth of talent in New Jersey lacrosse. Some of the prominent schools represented on this roster include:
- Delbarton
- Seton Hall Prep
- Don Bosco Prep
- Ridgewood High School
- The Pingry School
The Command team’s positional distribution is:
- 7 Midfielders
- 6 Attackmen
- 4 Defensemen
- 3 Face-off specialists
- 2 Goalies
- 1 Long Stick Midfielder
With a strong emphasis on offensive positions, the Command team appears poised for high-scoring performances.
Highlight Team: Showcasing Diverse Talent
The Boys’ Highlight team rounds out the New Jersey male representation with 24 players. Key schools featured on this roster include:
- Seton Hall Prep
- Ridge High School
- Bernards High School
- Westfield
- Bridgewater-Raritan
The Highlight team’s positional breakdown is:
- 7 Midfielders
- 6 Attackmen
- 4 Defensemen
- 3 Face-off specialists
- 2 Goalies
- 2 Long Stick Midfielders
This team’s composition suggests a balanced approach, with slightly more emphasis on offensive firepower.
Girls’ Burn Team: Representing New Jersey’s Female Talent
The Girls’ Burn team consists of 15 players, showcasing the top female lacrosse talent from New Jersey. Notable schools represented include:
- Chatham High School
- Ridgewood High School
- Oak Knoll
- Summit High School
- Trinity Hall
The team’s positional breakdown is:
- 7 Midfielders
- 3 Attackers
- 2 Defenders
- 2 Goalies
With a strong midfield presence, this team appears well-equipped to control the pace of play and transition effectively between offense and defense.
Geographical Diversity: A Statewide Representation
The New Jersey rosters for the All-America Underclass Games demonstrate the widespread talent across the state. Players hail from various counties and regions, including:
- Bergen County (Ridgewood, Ho-Ho-Kus)
- Essex County (Short Hills, Glen Ridge, West Orange)
- Morris County (Morristown, Randolph, Long Valley)
- Somerset County (Bridgewater, Basking Ridge)
- Union County (Westfield, New Providence)
- Monmouth County (Little Silver, Manalapan)
This geographical diversity underscores the strength of lacrosse programs throughout New Jersey and the state’s commitment to developing top-tier talent across all regions.
Positional Strengths and Trends
Analyzing the rosters across all teams reveals some interesting trends in New Jersey’s lacrosse talent pool:
- Midfield Dominance: All teams show a strong presence in the midfield position, suggesting versatile players capable of contributing on both ends of the field.
- Offensive Firepower: There’s a notable emphasis on attackmen, particularly in the boys’ teams, indicating a potentially high-scoring playing style.
- Faceoff Specialists: The inclusion of dedicated faceoff specialists on each boys’ team highlights the importance of possession in modern lacrosse.
- Defensive Depth: While not as numerous as offensive positions, the rosters feature solid defensive representation, ensuring balanced team compositions.
These trends suggest that New Jersey’s lacrosse programs are producing well-rounded players capable of competing at the highest levels of youth lacrosse.
Notable Schools and Their Contributions
Several schools stand out for their significant contributions to the New Jersey rosters:
Seton Hall Prep
Seton Hall Prep emerges as a powerhouse, with multiple players represented across different teams and positions. This strong showing underscores the school’s commitment to developing top-tier lacrosse talent.
Delbarton
Delbarton’s presence, particularly on the Command team, highlights its reputation as one of New Jersey’s premier lacrosse programs.
Ridgewood High School
With players on both boys’ and girls’ rosters, Ridgewood demonstrates its ability to cultivate lacrosse talent across genders.
The Pingry School
The Pingry School’s representation on multiple teams speaks to the strength of its lacrosse program and its ability to produce high-caliber players.
These schools, among others, play a crucial role in shaping the landscape of New Jersey lacrosse and contributing to the state’s strong showing in national competitions like the All-America Underclass Games.
Impact on College Recruitment
Participation in the All-America Underclass Games can significantly impact a player’s college recruitment prospects. How does this showcase affect the future of these young athletes?
- Exposure to College Coaches: The event attracts numerous college coaches, providing players with invaluable exposure.
- Competition Against Top Talent: Players can gauge their skills against the best in their age group from across the country.
- Skill Development: The high level of competition pushes players to elevate their game, potentially accelerating their development.
- Networking Opportunities: Athletes can connect with peers and coaches, building relationships that may benefit their future careers.
For many of these New Jersey athletes, a strong performance in the All-America Underclass Games could be a stepping stone to playing lacrosse at the collegiate level.
Preparing for Success: Training and Development
The selection of these players for the All-America Underclass Games is a testament to their skill and dedication. What goes into preparing athletes to compete at this level?
- Year-round Training: Many players participate in off-season training programs to maintain and improve their skills.
- Multi-sport Participation: Some athletes may play other sports, contributing to their overall athleticism and adaptability.
- Specialized Coaching: Access to high-quality coaching, both in school programs and through clubs or camps, plays a crucial role in player development.
- Mental Preparation: Competing at this level requires not just physical skills but also mental toughness and strategic thinking.
The inclusion of these players in the All-America Underclass Games rosters reflects not only their individual talents but also the strength of New Jersey’s lacrosse development pipeline.
Looking Ahead: The Future of New Jersey Lacrosse
The strong showing of New Jersey in the All-America Underclass Games rosters bodes well for the future of lacrosse in the state. What can we expect in the coming years?
- Continued Excellence: The depth of talent suggests that New Jersey will remain a lacrosse powerhouse for years to come.
- Increased College Recruitment: Strong performances in this showcase could lead to more New Jersey players being recruited by top college programs.
- Growing Popularity: Success at national events may inspire more young athletes to take up lacrosse, further strengthening the talent pool.
- Evolving Playing Styles: The diverse skill sets represented in these rosters may contribute to the evolution of lacrosse strategies and techniques.
As these young athletes continue to develop and new talent emerges, New Jersey’s lacrosse community has much to look forward to in the coming seasons.
The All-America Underclass Games provide a fantastic opportunity for these New Jersey lacrosse players to showcase their skills on a national stage. With strong representation across multiple teams and positions, the Garden State is poised to make a significant impact at this prestigious event. As these young athletes compete against the best of their peers from around the country, they not only represent their schools and state but also take a crucial step in their lacrosse careers. The experience gained and connections made at this event will undoubtedly contribute to the continued growth and success of lacrosse in New Jersey for years to come.
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.
