If there is a position in lacrosse that inadequately explains by name alone the duties of the player who occupies the role, it would be midfielder.
Granted, these guys begin the game smack in the center of the field and return there after each successive goal. But after those faceoffs, these guys proceed from that point to contribute on just about every inch of the turf, with the exception of goal. And while the middies may not have yet found a way to seize the keepers’ job, they sure have earned the respect of those netminders through their versatility and diligence.
They are the faceoff men, offensive sparks and shortstick defenders, and many times a midfielder will handle a variety of those jobs during the course of a game. They are always among the most versatile and athletic performers in the sport.
Here are the top midfielders to watch this 2024 season.
MIDFIELDERS TO WATCH
Malik Alzubu, Parsippany Hills, Sr.
He was successful on 194 of his 293 faceoffs (.662) and came up with 148 ground balls last spring for the 13-7 Vikings. He also scored 16 goals, three to spur a win over Boonton.
Nash Appell, West Milford, Sr.
Appell won 67 of 118 faceoffs and had 105 ground balls last spring for the Highlanders. He also scored eight goals and assisted on 14.
Andrew Baltus, Donovan Catholic, Sr.
Baltus is one of the top guys back for what should be a strong Donovan Catholic offense. The senior had 39 goals and 24 assists a year ago. He also won 65 percent of the faceoffs he took for the Shore Conference squad. Jack Farlekas, Emanuel Gerena and Teague Hibbard are also back for Donovan Catholic, which is looking to improve on the 12-7 season it had in 2023. Jake Kerwin is back as well for an attack that brings back a lot of talent.
Brendan Beatty, Princeton, Jr.
Beatty earned third team All-Group 3 honors after collecting 92 points on 41 goals and 51 assists for the Tigers. He will continue his career at Vermont.
Giacomo Bevacqua, Mountain Lakes, Sr.
He tossed in 46 goals and had 14 assists for the 16-6 Lakers. The Holy Cross commit cranked in a career-best six goals to spark a victory against Morris Hills.
Zach Bevis, Woodstown, Sr.
Bevis had 22 goals and 34 assists a year ago and those numbers alone would make this playmaker someone to watch. The senior also handled faceoffs though and had 133 wins at the faceoff X. That all-around impact will make Bevis a game-changer in 2024.
Macky Bonner, Lower Cape May, Sr.
Bonner is a special athlete and a two-sport star who also scored his 1,000th point his winter on the basketball court. In lacrosse, the senior is a two-way midfielder who has an endless motor and will leave it all out on the field for his team. He was awesome last spring and led Lower Cape May to a 16-3 record. Bonner paced the offense with 48 goals and 37 assists. He has 130 goals and 84 assists in his career. Lower Cape May is hoping to make a run at a couple of championships this season and having Bonner back puts this team in a great spot.
Colin Bostrom, Boonton, Jr.
Bostrom connected on 17 goals and 38 assists for 55 points and he scooped up 78 ground balls last spring for the Bombers. He had 70 points and 130 ground balls over his career.
Shea Brennan, Wall, Sr.
Brennan was an offensive force last season and finished with 54 goals and 31 assists for a team that won the program’s first-ever sectional title. Wall’s offenses have been explosive the last few years and each spring, a new face steps in and delivers. Brennan played a key role last year, but might be even better this season. Monmouth commit William Madden and Jack Meyer are back and ready to rip as well.
Tommy Brennan, St. Joseph (Mont.), Sr.
He scored 14 goals and had eight assists for the 8-10 Knights. Brennan comes into the season with 57 points on 27 goals, 30 assists.
Justin Brennfleck, Mountain Lakes, Sr.
He scored 20 goals and had 17 assists for the Lakers (16-6), who reached the final in both the Morris County Tournament and the Group 1 tournament. The Gettysburg commit connected for three goals in three games.
Harrison Brinkman, Moorestown, Sr.
Brinkman was solid in the midfield last year for a team that proved it was one of the best in South Jersey. He will be a senior leader this spring and give Moorestown a player it can trust in big games. This team is looking to take another step forward and win a sectional title.
Colin Brockman. St. Joseph (Mont.), Sr.
He won 220 of his 351 faceoffs as a junior for a .626 success rate. Brockman scooped up 121 ground balls.
Luke Brocious, Paul VI, Sr.
The senior made plays all over the field a year ago. He scored 25 goals and sent out 16 assists for the offense. Brocious will be the top offensive playmaker back in 2024 for Paul VI. He also scooped up 46 ground balls and showed he’s not afraid to battle in big spots.
Nick Carnevale, Freehold Township, Sr.
Carnevale came through with 28 goals a year ago. He’s back and looking to have an even bigger season for the Patriots. Senior Nolan Thompson will be counted on as well.
Brandon Cash, Montville, Sr.
Cash was successful on 234 of 424 faceoffs for a .551 win percentage last spring.
Nate Ceneri, Clifton, Sr.
He struck for 36 goals and 17 assists for 53 points last year for the Mustangs. He enters the year with 128 points on 88 goals and 40 assists.
Michael Chiefa, Gov. Livingston, Sr.
Chiefa directed his Highlanders to the NJILL-Klank Division crown by winning 198 of 302 faceoffs and collecting 165 ground balls. He has won 410 of 612 at the X over his career for a .669 percentage.
DJ Clark, Rutgers Prep, Sr.
The Wagner commit is a tone-setter and his ability to step up and make plays on both ends of the field is going to set this team up for success. Clark had 24 goals a year ago and helped keep the offense going. He also made the little plays and chipped in on defense to keep this team competitive. Clark will be one of the best all-around players back this season.
Jack Clintock, Watchung Hills, Sr.
Clintock scored 40 goals a year ago and he’s coming back as the top offensive force for the Warriors. Senior David Dubas will be there alongside Clintock in the midfield to give Watchung Hills a pair of veteran leaders that this team can count on game in and game out. Senior Scott Drews will also be counted on. He led the attack with 22 goals and 34 assists last spring.
Scott Conte, Don Bosco Prep, Sr.
Conte claimed 220 of 341 faceoffs for a .645 win percentage for the Ironmen. He also scored four goals and assisted on four. Conte has won 65 percent of his faceoffs (394 of 603) over his career.
Matt Costigan, Caldwell, Sr.
He helped the Chiefs finish 15-9 last spring by scoring 32 goals and assisting on six for 38 points. Costigan blasted in a season-high four goals in a victory against Kinnelon.
Andy Croddick, Rumson-Fair Haven, Sr.
Croddick was a clutch player last year as he switched from a defensive role to an offensive one. The Boston commit finished with 40 goals for a team that won a Group 1 championship. Croddick will be one of the team’s go-to guys again and he will need to lead this offense. His physical play will make him an all-around force for the Shore Conference squad.
Nate Cummings, Toms River East, Jr.
Cummings played more of a complementary role a year ago, but still finished with 26 goals and 36 assists. He proved that he could step up and make big plays. Cummings will play a bigger role this year and will lead the offense along with Nicholas Caruso.
Coleman Dahl, Montgomery, Sr.
Dahl was Montgomery’s top guy on faceoffs a year ago. He also put up 11 goals and nine assists. Dahl will be one of the team’s leaders for Montgomery in 2024.
Cristian Davis, Kingsway, Sr.
Davis won 67 percent of the faceoffs that he took last season and also chipped in offensively with eight goals and seven assists. Kingsway will need to win possession to have the upperhand in games, especially if the offense takes a step back this year. Davis works hard at the faceoff X and he will give this team an edge from the opening whistle.
Owen Deady, Pascack Valley, Sr.
Deady steered his club to an 11-9 record by winning 190 of 348 faceoffs (.545) and scooping up 131 ground balls. He has won 315 of 580 career faceoffs.
Adam DeCristofaro, Mount Olive, Sr.
He compiled 102 points on 58 goals and 44 assists to lead the Marauders to an 11-9 mark and earn second team All=Group 3 mention. DeCristofaro struck for a season-best seven goals and three assists to fuel a win over Lenape Valley. He has amassed 184 points in his career.
John Devir, Don Bosco Prep, So.
Devir was surprisingly prolific as a freshman against a rigorous schedule, hitting for 28 goals and assisting on 14. He netted three goals in four games.
Ryan Dickson, Lenape, Sr.
A lot of the top scorers from last year’s team graduated, but Dickson is a playmaker who made a name for himself a season ago and is back and ready to lead in 2024. He had 21 goals and 19 assists for a team that had an up-and-down year, but battled game in and game out.
Robert Donahue, Woodstown, Jr.
Donahue ripped it up for the offense last season and finished with 50 goals. That effort led an attack that also relied on Laitton Roberts and Lucas Sperry. Donahue took a huge jump as a scorer a year ago and now he’s back and looking to match those numbers in 2024.
Evan Dupras, Somerville, Sr.
Dupras was an all-around star last season at Somerville and finished the year with 23 goals and 28 assists. He really stepped up and made a name for himself on a veteran offense. Now, he will be part of a senior group that is ready to step in and take over for the Pioneers.
Parker Dupuis, Glen Rock, Sr.
Dupuis, a second team All-Group 1 pick, won 121 of his 219 faceoffs (.552) and compiled 23 goals and 30 assists for the 11-7 Panthers. He gathered up 165 ground balls as a junior and has won 229 of 398 faceoffs in his career.
Marco Dzamba, Mountain Lakes, Sr.
Dzamba played a significant role for a defense that helped the Lakers finish 16-6 by allowing 5.7 goals a game. He will continue his career at Dartmouth.
Brandon Edwards, West Morris, Sr.
Edwards won almost 73 percent of his faceoffs last year with a 271-for-372 clip for his 13-7 Wolfpack. The Bucknell commit has won 531 of his 788 faceoffs in his career.
Luke Ellis, Cherokee, Jr.
Ellis was a young playmaker on a team that made it to the Group 4 championship game a year ago. The junior is back and ready to let it rip again. Ellis had 34 goals and 23 assists last season for the South, Group 4 champions. Senior Sean Hoffman will be back at the faceoff X for Cherokee and his ability to win possession is also going to be game-changing for the Chiefs.
Jordan Foley, Williamstown, Sr.
Foley is a three-sport athlete at Williamstown and that athleticism will be on display this spring. The senior had an eye-catching 57 goals and 21 assists a year ago for the Braves. That ability to strike will make Foley stand out again this season. Juniors Aidan Batterman and Joe Hatefi will also be counted on sophomore Jackson Foley will get more offensive looks. Hatefi also takes faceoffs for Williamstown and won 67 percent of his faceoffs last season.
Colin Gallagher, Middletown South, Sr.
Gallagher stepped up with 22 goals and 12 assists last season. He will have the chance to take on an expanded role this season along with Logan Bailin. That duo will lead the offense.
Nick Gargan, Egg Harbor, Sr.
Gargan carried this offense a year ago and he will be the focal point for Egg Harbor again. The senior has scored 63 times in the past two seasons, including 29 goals last year.
EJ Garvey, Don Bosco Prep, Sr.
Garvey scored 13 goals and assisted on eight last year for the 15-5 Ironmen. He is committed to Sacred Heart.
Max Gigante, Columbia, Sr.
Gigante claimed 175 of his 335 faceoffs (.522) and had 107 ground balls last season. He has taken 715 faceoffs over his caree, winning 389.
Will Gilfillan, Holmdel, Sr.
The senior came a point shy of 100 last season, finishing the year with 47 goals and 52 assists. His balanced offensive play really opened things up for Holmdel, which put together the best season in program history. Senior Gary Collyer also is coming off a big year. He had 44 goals and 28 assists last season and will be one of the top playmakers back in 2024.Junior Jack Powers was awesome at the faceoff X a year ago and won 74 percent of his faceoffs. He was one of the state’s leaders in ground balls with a jaw-dropping 217.
Ben Girard, Ocean Township, Sr.
Girard was the team’s leader in scoring a year ago and he’s the go-to guy again this season. The senior also picked up 37 ground balls and was an all-around playmaker for this team.
Brandon Gleason, Morris Hills, Sr.
He won 87 of 172 faceoffs (.505) and collected 18 goals and 10 assists for the Scarlet Knights. Gleason scooped up 55 ground balls on the season.
Sam Goldtein, Livingston , Jr.
He sank 34 goals and assisted on 11 for the 10-10 Lancers. Goldstein turned in a five-goal game to spur a win against Cranford.
Cullen Gorman, Ramsey, Jr.
Gorman scored 27 goals, assisted on eight and scooped up 31 ground balls for the 10-9 Rams. He cranked in five goals to spark victories over Westwood and Allentown.
Pat Grimley, Ocean City, Sr.
Grimley is an elite midfielder who could have gone off and played at bigger schools, but decided to stay home and do something special at Ocean City. When he was a rookie, the program won its first sectional title and came close to winning the Group 3 championship. Grimley has gotten better year after year and the Harvard commit is playing at an All-State level. The senior had 57 goals and 44 assists a year ago and was one of the only players in the state who cracked 100 points. He’s going to have that same type of impact in 2024 and if he puts up those numbers and leads Ocean City to a championship, he’ll be a serious Player of the Year candidate.
Zack Groves, Pascack Hills, Sr.
He helped his squad win the NJILL-Cullen Division title by winning 218 of 365 faceoffs for a .597 rate. Groves scored four goals and had four assists.
Kyle Hardie, Morris Knolls, Sr.
He directed the Golden Eagles to a 15-4 mark by recording 28 goals and 22 assists for 50 points, giving him 85 points for his career. Hardie, an Iona commit, generated a season-high seven points with four goals, three assists in a won against Millburn.
Luke Harris, Summit, Sr.
The shortstick middie was a steady part of a defense that allowed only 4.4 goals a game on Summit’s way to a 15-4 record and the Group 2 state title. The Long Island University commit finished the season with four goals, five assists and 27 ground balls.
Nathan Harris, Passaic Tech, Sr.
Harris helped his club finish 11-7 by claiming 197 of his 246 faceoffs (.800) and also scoring 20 goals as a junior. He has won 394 of his 511 draws for a .771 career rate.
Cole Hayden, Immaculata, Jr.
The Richmond commit has been a top player for this program since he first stepped on the field. Hayden had 49 goals and 16 assists last season and he’ll look to add to those numbers in 2024. The junior leads an offense that will also rely on Connor Sanford, who had 34 goals and 32 assists a year ago. That duo will keep Immaculata in games this spring.
Colin Henderson, Nottingham, Sr.
Henderson claimed 43 of 85 faceoffs and scored 10 goals last spring. He closed with 101 ground balls.
Jordan Hernando, Mountain Lakes, Sr.
Hernando claimed 244 of his 354 faceoffs (.689) and scored four goals to help direct the Lakers to a 16-6 record and to the Group 1 final. He will continue his career at Bryant.
Travis Hickman, Brick Township, Sr.
Hickman, Cailean Connolly, Travis Trempy and Zack Wagner make up a senior core that Brick Township is going to count on this year. They all scored double-digit goals last season.
Michael Hoarle, Wall, Jr.
Hoarle is an awesome hockey player and the last two years, he’s turned himself into one of the best faceoff specialists in New Jersey. The junior won 66 percent of his faceoffs last season and helped Wall make it to the Group 2 championship game. Hoarle also scored 18 goals. sent out 23 assists and picked up 214 ground balls. The junior is a true X-factor and if Wall is going to make it to the state championship game again, Hoarle will play a leading role.
Charlie Hunnewell, Bernards, Sr.
Hunnewell scored 39 goals and had 48 assists for 87 points for the 16-5 Mountaineers. The Long Island University commit has 50 goals and 65 assists for his career.
Colin Inman, Cherry Hill East, Sr.
Inman won 81 percent of his faceoffs a year ago and also added 18 goals and eight assists. He is the type of tone-setter that every team would love to have. Nolan Cruz and Tyler Short will also be counted on to create offense this season at Cherry Hill East.
Hunter Johnson, St. Augustine, Sr.
The Merrimack commit was one of the best FOGOs in the state last season, winning 64 percent of his faceoffs. Johnson will need to bring that same effort this spring. St. Augustine is going to be in a lot of big games and possession will make a major difference in those spots.
Nate Johnson, Northern Highlands, Jr.
Johnson scored 22 goals, assisted on 13 and picked up 31 ground balls for the Highlanders. Johnson sank a season-best four goals and had one assist in a victory against West Milford.
Tyler Juhlin, Seton Hall Prep, Sr.
Juhlin helped the Pirates close at 19-2 and win the Essex County Tournament crown by contributing 36 goals and 23 assists on a balanced offense. He produced four goals and two assists in a victory over St. Joseph (Mont.).
Jake Kelshaw, West Milford, Jr.
Kelshaw won 109 of 185 faceoffs (.589) and produced 13 goals and 13 assists last spring. He closed with 105 ground balls.
Daine Kostes, Bridgewater-Raritan, Sr.
The Boston commit is one of the elite FOGOs in New Jersey and last season he won 73 percent of the faceoffs he took. Kostes’ ability to win possession for Bridgewater-Raritan is going to set this team apart this season and helped as the Panthers reload the lineup.
Christos Koutzis, Eastern, Sr.
Eastern is out to make history this season and win the South, Group 4 title. Koutzis is back in the midfield after a season that saw him score 34 times. Kevin Duffy took faceoffs for the Vikings and also stayed on and provided some offensive pop with 23 goals. If those guys play like that again this season, Eastern is going to be one of the best teams in the state.
JP Lagunowich, Chatham, Sr.
He connected on 35 goals and assisted on 10 to earn third team All-State honors and help the Cougars to a 16-7 finish. Lagunowich, a Virginia commit, netted a season-high three goals in three games. He enters the season with 91 points on 76 goals and 15 assists.
Ryan Lazzaro, Mendham, Jr.
He was a faceoff specialist with scoring punch last year for Morris Catholic, and will now be handling that chore for Mendham. He won a staggering 83 percent of his faceoffs last spring and recorded 37 points on 29 goals and eight assists. Lazzaro scooped up 91 ground balls.
Lex Lucas, Kinnelon, Sr.
Lucas earned possession for the offense with his work at X and helped feed it with his crisp shooting. He won 225 of 302 faceoffs (.745) and sank 48 goals and assisted on 12 for the 15-3 Colts. Lucas has won 375 of 536 faceoffs in his career for a .699 clip.
Dylan Mackie, Sayreville, Jr.
Mackie was successful on 149 of 224 faceoffs (.665) and picked up 82 ground balls last season.
Nick Marco, Rancocas Valley, Sr.
The veteran midfielder had 35 goals and 30 assists last season for the Red Devils. His ability to read a defense and find an opening is really good to help this team in 2024. Brian Flanders, Dean Marco, David Myers and Ryan O’Dare also return on the offensive end. In addition to his offense, Marco will also be valuable at the faceoff X. Junior Sean Flynn will also be on faceoff duty and looks to give Rancocas Valley an edge in that area in 2024.
Sean McCeney, Summit, Sr.
McCeney was a second team All-State selection after guiding the Hilltoppers to the Group 2 state championship and to the final of the Kirst Cup, where they lost to Ridgewood. The Vermont commit scored 29 goals and assisted on 13 for 42 points. McCeney generated two goals and three assists in Summit’s 9-7 victory over Wall in the Group 2 final.
Vincent Meehan, Howell, Jr.
Meehan is one of the top scoring threats back this year. He had 18 goals and 13 assists last spring. On top of that, he also split faceoff duties with Alexzander Mooneyhan. Ian McDow and Nicholas Turturro are also back in the midfield.
Charlie Merrick, Ridgewood, Sr.
He helped the Maroons go 19-4 and claim the first Kirst Cup championship by contributing 16 goals and 14 assists. Merrick will continue his career at Lafayette.
Simon Miklaszewski, Montclair, Sr.
He scored 14 goals and had seven assists last spring for the Mounties, and should play a considerably larger role offensively this season. He is committed to Boston University.
Cole Mogenson, Tenafly, Sr.
He led the Tigers to a 12-5 mark by winning 139 of 229 faceoffs (.631) and scooping up 96 ground balls. Mogenson is 189 of 309 in the faceoff box over his career.
Brody Muly, Manasquan, Jr.
The Leigh commit can play on both ends of the field for Manasquan and his two-way ability will be key for Manasquan. Muly had 24 goals a year ago as a part of the offense. He will have a bigger role this season and Manasquan will need him to step up in 2024.
TJ Munn, New Providence, Jr.
Munn generated 38 goals and 31 assists for 69 points and he picked up 33 ground balls last spring. His biggest outing was a seven-goal, three-assist effort in a victory against Cedar Grove.
Doug Nelson, Cinnaminson, Jr.
Nelson won 89 of his 131 faceoffs (.67 percent) and had two goals and seven assists for 11-7 Cinnaminson.
Alex Odenheimer, Robbinsville, Sr.
He was selected to the All-Group 2 second team after striking for 42 goals and 25 assists for 67 points last season. Odenheimer constructed an eight-point game with five goals, three assists in a win over Hopewell Valley.
Ryan Olivo, Ridge, Sr.
Olivo is a player who stepped up and delivered last season with 35 goals and 22 assists. Ridge’s offense will look to be better in 2024 and will lead on Olivo again. Dan Caesar, Johnny Kaiser, Brendan Laffey and AJ Lembo are also back in the mxi. Leffey led Ridge with 39 assists a year ago and his ability to set up chances to score will also be key.
Joey Ortega, Johnson, Sr.
Ortega was a bulldog at the faceoff X, winning 223 of 332 (.671 win rate) with 179 ground balls last season. He has claimed 348 of 518 in his career.
Andrew Pape, Red Bank Regional, Sr.
The Boston commit is back as one of the leaders for the offensive lineup. Pape stepped up with 33 goals and 23 assists last season and will be a centerpiece of the attack again in 2024. His brother, Gabe, is back as well after putting up 21 goals and 13 assists last season. Jack Tavares also provided a spark a year ago and will add to this offensive dynamic.
Drew Pfeifer, Montclair, Sr.
The versatile Pfeifer connected for 11 goals and three assists over the final five games last season to close with 31 goals and 15 assists for 46 points. He is committed to Lafayette.
Colin Pridaddy, Edison, Jr.
Pridaddy was successful on 115 of his 198 faceoffs for a .580 rate, and he also netted 12 goals and assisted on 19 for the Eagles. He gathered up 94 ground balls.
Sean Ralph, Clearview, Jr.
Ralph was a balanced offensive threat a year ago and saw the field well. The junior had 25 goals and 28 assists for a team that went 13-5. Junior TJ Mills joins Ralph in the midfield this season for Clearview. This should be one of the best teams in South Jersey.
Mike Ramirez, Pope John, Jr.
Ramirez claimed 183 of 305 faceoffs (.600) and gobbled up 104 ground balls for the 14-4 Lions. The Boston University pledge has won 234 of 395 faceoffs in his career.
Thomas Reinholt, Triton, Jr.
Reinholt came in last year and made an immediate impact. The junior finished with 24 goals and 22 assists. He’s expected to be an even bigger part of the offense this spring.
Sebastian Rzeczycki, Princeton Day, Sr.
Rzeczycki netted 66 goals and assisted on 42 for 108 points as he steered his club to the Prep B state championship. He has produced 201 career points on 126 goals and 75 assists.
Nolan Sabel, Seton Hall Prep, Jr.
He scored 14 goals and assisted on 22 last spring for the 19-2 Pirates. The Villanova commit had a pair of two-goal outings in wins against West Essex and Westfield.
Antonio Santora, Lakeland, Sr.
The fourth-year starter won 214 of 283 faceoffs (.756) and recorded 55 points with 33 goals and 22 assists last season for the Lancers. He has won 72 percent of his faceoffs in the last three years (451 of 624) and has scooped up 329 ground balls.
Trevor Sardis, Bernards, Sr.
Sardis was successful on 272 of 396 faceoffs for a .689 rate, and he added four goals and three assists for the 16-5 Mountaineers. The Michigan commit has been victorious on 594 of 848 faceoffs in his career.
Will Schlageter, Seton Hll Prep, Sr.
The 6-2 middie is an effective playmaker on offense and a nusiance to opposing middies on the other side of the field. Schlegeter is committed to Marquette.
Ryan Schmitz, Wayne Valley, Sr.
Schmitz sank 45 goals and assisted on 23 for 67 points for the Passaic County Tournament champion. Schmitz enters this season with 102 points on 65 goals and 37 assists, and also 106 ground balls for his career.
Frank Semiraglio, Bishop Eustace, Jr.
Semiraglio played a lot of different roles last year for Bishop Eustace, but continued to find ways to make plays. He had 45 goals and 27 assists, but he also lined up at the faceoff X when needed. Mike Ciampi, Matthew Hughey and Brady McDonough are back as well for the South Jersey squad. Keep an eye on sophomore Alexander Scibilia too this spring.
Charlie Sherman, Pingry, Sr.
Sherman was awesome last spring and stepped up with 43 goals and 15 assists for the Big Blue. The Leigh commit played a central role for an offense that took over late and made Pingry one of the hardest teams to beat. The Big Blue proved that in its win over Bridgewater-Raritan in the Somerset County final. Pingry is going to be explosive again this season.
Carson Spallone, Shore, Sr.
Spallone was on fire last year and stepped up with 46 goals and 23 assists. The senior is back and ready to lead the offense again this spring. Shore will be looking to replace Sam Madalone, who transferred to IMC Academy. Spallone and senior Brady Cooke will work together to set the pace for this offense, but Shore will need guys to step up and play bigger roles alongside them.
Marc Stefanelli, Manalapan, Sr.
Manalapan is a young program and has come a long way in the last few seasons. Stefanelli had a team-high 35 goals and 14 assists last season and he’s the top scoring option back in 2024. Seniors Anthony Macchio and Christian Zdziarski are also back in the mix for the Braves.
Lucas Strand, Robinsville, Sr.
Strand won 301 of his 438 faceoffs (.687 success rate) and gobbled up 214 ground balls a year ago for the Ravens. He also scored six goals and assisted on seven.
Adam Teixeira, Sparta, Jr.
Teixeira won 96 of 179 faceoffs (.536) and scooped up 94 ground balls last season fort the Spartans. He also scored one goal and assisted on one.
Luke Tortorici, Barnegat, Jr.
Tortorici played well as a rookie, but he was even better last spring. The junior had 30 goals, 55 assists and 95 ground balls. That all-around effort really sparked Barnegat. Bailey Carroll, Keegan Dunn and Jakob Jason also made strides for the Bengals. This team has a good core back and Tortorici will lead the way when the season kicks off.
Ryan Trafford, Delbarton, Sr.
Trafford handeld the Green Waves’ faceoff duties the past two seasons along with 2023 graduate Nick Faccone, winning 62 percent of his draws (130 of 209) last season and 65 percent over his career. The U.S. Naval Academy commit also scored seven goals for the Non-Public A state champion.
Matt Tuttle, Highland, Sr.
Tuttle was another all-around star down in South Jersey last season. He scored 49 times and dished out 20 assists. That offensive impact came on top of the success he had at the faceoff X, winning 134 faceoffs for Highland. He will be a tone-setter again this year. Dante Nessola had 28 goals and 27 assists a year ago and he will be a dual threat again this season.
Finn Vaccaro, Bernards, Jr.
He netted 44 goals and assisted on 39 last spring for 83 points. Vaccaro pumped in seven goals and had three assists in a win against Delaware Valley.
R.J. Weiss, River Dell, Jr.
Weiss tossed in 43 goals and assisted on 32 for 75 points for the 15-6 Golden Hawks. He also scooped up 51 ground balls. Weiss enters the season with 97 points on 59 goals and 38 assists, and 91 ground balls.
Jackson Zarinko, New Providence, Sr.
Zarinko deposited 50 goals and assisted on 17 last spring for the 9-9 Pioneers. The three-sport star (also football and basketball) enters the season with 99 goals and 50 assists for 149 points, and also 114 ground balls.
Brandon Gould can be reached at bgould@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @BrandonGouldHS.
Mike Kinney can be reached at mkinney@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @MikeKinneyHS.
Follow us on social: Facebook |Instagram | X (formerly Twitter)
The N.J. High School Sports newsletter is now appearing in mailboxes 5 days a week. Sign up now!
Ad Choices