The Inquirer's South Jersey Boys Lacrosse Preseason Top 10

The Inquirer TOP 10

Team   Record

With last season's final record.

1. St. Augustine    17-5

Despite graduating some key players, St. Augustine brings back enough talent to be the clear preseason No. 1. Steve Pontrello and Tommy O'Neill will anchor the team's offense, and Joe Gigantiello is one of the state's best goalies.

2. Shawnee    17-5

Highlighting a well-balanced team is an offense that is among the best in the state. It will be tough to find a scoring duo in the area as potent as sophomore midfielder Kylie Borbi and senior attack Owen Demmerly. The Renegades also return another top attack in junior Robby DiOrio (58 assists last season). Look for Shawnee to score plenty of goals, to say the least.

3. Moorestown    13-8

The Quakers made a bit of a surprise run to a Group 3 championship last season. A lights-out defense was the catalyst of that title and, though it graduated some talent, Moorestown brings back enough, including junior goalie Dan Willis, to compete again for a title. As usual, playing in the Skyland Conference, featuring tough competition from around New Jersey, might limit Moorestown's regular-season win total.

4. Haddonfield    13-6

New coach Damon Legato, who led Moorestown to a state title in 2001, seems poised to bring the Bulldogs program to the next level. He certainly has the talent to do so. Senior attack Mike Walker and senior defender Alex Walter will lead the Bulldogs.

5. West Deptford    14-6

Junior defender Tim Fair and senior attack Nick Reardon are among a strong group returning for West Deptford.

6. Washington Township    12-3

The graduation of Steve Chapman, one of the area's best goal-scorers, leaves a void. But the Minutemen return enough, including senior attack Nate Rhodes and senior goalie D.J. Cheney, to be competitive.

7. Seneca    11-6

Seneca returns a tough defense, led by Wagner recruit Sean Grey. But the team is well-rounded with solid midfielders in Tyler Schulte and Mike Southwick and strong attacks in Dylan Schulte and Jack Blythe.

8. Eastern    11-8

Eastern graduated some punch on offense and defense and in the midfield. But junior attack Robby Weingart is set to establish himself among the top players in South Jersey. Senior defender Ian Sawyer and senior midfielder C.J. Penberthy are also players to watch.

9. Lenape    10-8

The Indians lost just four seniors from last season. They will be led by a Widener recruit, senior attack James O'Donnell.

10. Clearview    7-11

Clearview was a team on the rise last season, which included a midseason upset of Lenape. The team brings back plenty of talent, led by senior attack Joe Donnian, a St. Leo's recruit.

- Chris Melchiorre