Rankings compiled by Unsettled Situation hosts Steve Manitta & Sal Marinello.

Here we go! It’s the moment (article) you’ve all been waiting for! Up to this point, we’ve highlighted some absolutely tremendous lacrosse programs across the Garden State. Now we get to see the cream that has risen all the way to the top of our list as we reveal the final portion of our pre-season rankings for the 2024 boys lacrosse season. Enjoy!

For a video breakdown of the list click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLWrx7x-hSc (Hey, I’m in this one!)

#5 Rumson-Fair Haven

  • Reigning Group 1 State Champions, beating Mountain Lakes 12-6.
  • Head Coach: Marc Moreau.

Top Returning Players:

  • Senior attacker Andy Croddick was a goal-scoring machine last season scoring 40 in his second varsity season while adding eight assists. He’ll be relied upon to lead the charge on offense with the loss of 100+ point scorer Cole Cashion to Yale, but he should be more than up to the challenge.
  • Croddick will receive plenty of help in the form of sophomore Luke Lydon who burst onto the scene last season with 34 goals and 11 assists in his first varsity season. Even if he doesn’t improve (don’t worry, he will), Lydon will be an incredible weapon for Coach Moreau to deploy.
  • Senior FOGO Luke Marascio won 64% of faceoffs to set the tone for the Bulldogs. He eclipsed the 70% mark in over a third of his team’s contests, so expect to see more of that in his final season.

Top Games of the 2024 Schedule:

  • April 6 vs St. Augustine
  • May 1 @ Summit
  • May 4 @ Bridgewater-Raritan

The Bulldogs are another team that are losing a series of key players but are always able to reload. Last year’s championship run gave the young guys a ton of invaluable experience against the state’s top competition and showed them what it takes to win at a high level. It’ll be fun to see the youth movement grow into their own, particularly with Mickey Walker in goal.

#4 St. Augustine

  • Lost in Non-Public A Semifinals to Seton Hall.
  • Head Coach: JC Valore.

Top Returning Players:

  • Last year’s leading scorer, Delaware commit Noah Plenn (63 points), will look to carry the torch handed off to him by the 11 graduating seniors in his program. His wicked left-handed shot paired with excellent field vision makes him a force to be reckoned with on the attack.
  • Senior Hunter Johnson has committed to Merrimack and returns to the Hermits as their prized FOGO. His team was 7-1 when he won 70%+ of draws, and posted an overall mark of 64%.
  • Though junior Ben Zeitz and sophomore Kyle Helphenstine saw very limited action at the varsity level, they’ve played plenty of club lacrosse, preparing them well as the new goaltending tandem for this season and beyond.

Top Games of the 2024 Schedule:

  • April 2 vs Westfield
  • April 6 @ Rumson-Fair Haven
  • May 22 vs Delbarton

After an early by their standards exit from the state playoffs against a red-hot Seton Hall squad, the Hermits will be as hungry as ever to prove themselves. They’re got a great coach, a stacked roster, and a loaded schedule, let’s see how they rise to the occasion.

#3 Delbarton

  • Morris County Champions, Non-Public A Champions, Kirst Cup Semifinalists.
  • Matt Kovachik, 25th Season as Delbarton Head Coach.

Top Returning Players:

  • Senior attacker Willie Doyle (54 points) was the second-leading scorer in 2023, just behind his brother Gray (72 points) who’s continuing his career at Bates. The Amherst commit has a knack for scoring, and the ability to cut through even the best defenses. Expect a solid step up this season.
  • Ryan Trafford is more than a FOGO, he’s an athletic specimen to behold. The senior has committed to Navy to play both football and lacrosse, starring in both for the Green Wave. His athleticism and IQ will help the squad get off to good starts and control the area between the lines.
  • Overall, the team is loaded with college-committed players, but the boys down low might be their most impressive unit. Senior defencemen Bo Popham (Notre Dame), John Finkeldie (Lafayette), junior defenceman Will Pedicano (Virginia), and senior long-stick middie Gabe Reiter (Washington & Lee) will be a huge problem for opposing offenses.

Top Games of the 2024 Schedule:

  • April 4 vs Mountain Lakes
  • April 11 vs Summit
  • May 22 @ St. Augustine

Delbarton were two games away from a clean sweep through all of the championships they were elligaible for, but ultimately fell short against a loaded Summit team. It was only their second loss against a New Jersey opponent, with the other being a 11-10 loss against Seton Hall. With perhaps the best defense in the state and a bevy of returning weapons on offense, this team can flirt with perfection all season long.

#2 Summit

  • Union County Champions, Group 2 Champions, Kirst Cup Finalists.
  • Head Coach: Jim Davidson, 441 career wins, nine-time State Champion.

Top Returning Players:

  • Senior attacker Daniel Flaim had 60 goals and 91 points in his first two varsity seasons, and that’s all Villanova needed to see to lock him down. He’s got the moves and experience against top teams to score regardless of what he’s up against.
  • Washington & Lee close defenseman Carter Shallcross is back to patrol the defensive area. His work near the crease did a ton to ease the transition into varsity lacrosse for the next player on this list.
  • Sophomore goalie Robbie Kievit had 121 saves last season and played in all 19 games of his first season in high school. It’s scary to think about how much he can improve, and will be a thrill to watch in net this season.

Top Games of the 2024 Schedule:

  • April 13 vs Mercer Island (WA)
  • May 1 vs Rumson Fair-Haven
  • May 18 vs Ridgewood

As long as Jim Davidson is walking the sidelines for the Hilltoppers, they’ll be in the mix. This is a guy who went three seasons in a row without losing a game. Morristown Beard, Delbarton, and Pingry each had All-Americans from Summit last year. Even with those players opting for private school, Summit still had one of the best teams in New Jersey, speaking to the amazing coaching they have.

#1 Ridgewood

  • Bergen County Tournament Finalist, Group 4 State Champions, Kirst Cup Champions.
  • Head Coach: Mike Pounds, former Virginia, U Penn, and SUNY Cortland coach, 2017 NJ Lacrosse Hall of Fame Inductee.

Top Returning Players:

  • Maryland commit Jack Schultz played so well last season, it was hard to believe it was his first on the varsity squad. He finished second on the team with 66 points (32 goals, 34 assists), making 100 career points seem like a layup and 150 very well within reach. He’s a special player in that he can take over a game no just by scoring, but also facilitating others.
  • Junior Lafayette commit Jack Frers was another first-time varsity player in 2023 who hit the ground running. 42 of his 51 points were goals, as he often gave his opponents whiplash with his power and speed.
  • Senior Matthew Roughgarden returns as every coach’s dream in the crease. He posted 208 saves last season and allowed just 4.31 goals per game. He’ll try to anchor the Maroons to back-to-back Kirst Cups before shipping out to Stony Brook to play college ball.

Top Games of the 2024 Schedule:

  • April 4 vs Ridge
  • May 2 @ Don Bosco Prep
  • May 18 @ Summit

What else is there to say about Ridgewood? They have one of the best coaches, best rosters, and toughest schedules in the state and maybe even the country. Mike Pounds just knows how to win, and he imparts that through the culture he’s created at Ridgewood. Expect this team to look amazing even against the best teams in the state and compete for titles at the county, group, and overall levels.

That’s our list! It’s been a blast bringing this to you each and every week! Moving forward, we’ll update the Top 20 regularly while bringing you the best high school boys lacrosse coverage in the state.

Watch all the games at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCY2CGpvc5fMOHLOuDxy1OmA.