Welcome to Varsity Sports Network’s 2011 preseason Top 20 boys’ lacrosse poll. VSN ranks the top teams in the Baltimore region which covers public and private schools in Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Cecil County, Harford County and Howard County.
1. St. Paul’s School (16-4 last season)
Players to watch: Taylor Michel, Sr., Attack; Jay Carlson, Sr., Attack; Gunnar Waldt, Sr., Goal; Spencer Parks, Jr., Attack.
On the X: Coach Rick Brocato’s defending MIAA A Conference champs are bolstered offensively and with perhaps the league’s best goalie despite sharp losses on defense and at midfield.
2. Boys’ Latin (16-4)
Players to watch: Wells Stanwick, Sr., Attack; Jeff Chase, Sr., Midfield.
On the X: A talented attack and senior class includes the return of Coach Bob Shriver’s top three defenders for the MIAA A Conference runners-up.
3. Calvert Hall College (9-6)
Players to watch: Garrett Novotny, Sr., Attack; Matt Diehl, Sr., Attack; Patrick Kelly, Jr., Attack; Ryan Brown, Jr., Attack; DominicScarfo, Jr., Defense; Evan Connell, Jr., Defense.
On the X: Youthful and talented Cardinals could make some noise, but coach Bryan Kelly’s squad may be a year away.
4. Gilman School (9-10)
Players to watch: Ryan Tucker, Sr., Midfield; Conor Doyle, Sr., Midfield.
On the X: Coach Brooks Matthews’ Greyhounds have the speed, talent and athleticism as well as strong returning goalie and defense that should return the program to the MIAA A Conference playoffs following last year’s rebuilding season.
5. McDonogh School (16-6)
Players to watch: Bryson Greene, Sr., Defense; Kyle DeVinney, Sr., Defense; Keegan Michel, Sr., Midfield; Brenny Daly, Sr., Midfield; Brady Faby, Sr., Attack.
On the X: Coach Andy Hilgartner’s MIAA A Conference semifinalists may have the league’s deepest defense.
6. St. Mary’s (12-8)
Players to watch: Logan Connolly, Sr., Attack; K.C. Beard, Sr., Midfield.
On the X: The MIAA A Conference semifinalists will be under former offensive coordinator Rob Chomo, who has a high-powered attack at his disposal.
7. Loyola Blakefield (13-6)
Players to watch: Dylan Bozel, Sr., Midfield; Deemer Class, Jr., Midfield; T.J. Neubauer, Jr., Midfield; Conor Dalton, Jr., Attack.
On the X: Coached by Jack Crawford, the youthful MIAA A quarterfinalists will rely on an their athleticism, size and high work rate against the league’s more experienced teams.
8. Fallston (13-3)
Players to watch: Brian White, Sr., Attack; Andy Thrasher, Sr., Attack; Zack Esser, Jr., Defense.
On the X: Coached by Matt Parks, last year’s Class 3A-2A West Region semifinalists look to go beyond their 15-14 semifinal loss to three-time state titlist Hereford.
9. Severna Park (20-0)
Players to watch: Timmy Cloud, Sr., Defense; Avery Littlejohn, Sr., Midfield.
On the X: Coach Larry Kramer’s Falcons are defending Class 4A-3A state champs, and return some depth that could help them repeat.
10. Hereford (19-1)
Players to watch: C.J. Stafford, Sr., Midfield; Tyler Dimes, Sr., Attack; Nick Bittner, Sr., Defense; Cory Nettleton, Sr., Defense.
On the X: Baltimore County’s Bulls of coach Brian King are attempting to earn their fourth straight Class 3A-2A state championship.
11. Archbishop Spalding (9-11)
Players to watch: Conor Pequigney, Jr., Midfield; Ryan Cochran, Jr., Midfield.
On the X: Already committed to Syracuse University, Pequigney will be a key force for first-year coach Ricky Schwartzberg and the athletic Cavaliers of the MIAA A.
12. Glenelg (17-2)
Players to watch: Brendan McMahon, Sr., Defense; Nick Wynne, Jr., Attack.
On the X: The Gladiators of Howard County and coach Josh Hatmaker have the depth to improve on last year’s Class 2A-1A state runner-up finish.
13. Arundel (12-5)
Player to watch: Cameron Gormley, Sr., Goal.
On the X: The Class 4A-3A East Region semifinalist Wildcats’ defensive unit returns several players who saw significant action, their deep and skilled offense is explosive, and the midfield, experienced and athletic under fourth-year coach Kevin Necessary.
14. Marriotts Ridge (13-4)
Players to watch: Garvin Harrison, Sr., Midfield; Bryan Martinelli, Sr., Midfield; Ethan Tompkins, Sr., Midfield.
On the X: Coach Dan Sageman’s Class 3A-2A South finalist Mustangs could surpassed last year’s accomplishments.
15. Bel Air (15-2)
Players to watch: Justin Gayo, Sr., Midfield; Danny Rew, Sr., Midfield; Carson Kalama, Soph., Attack.
On the X: 2010 Class 3A-2A North Region finalists of coach Scoop Kelly should make another solid run.
16. John Carroll School (15-2)
Players to watch: Wyatt Paris, Sr., Defense; Luke Stiebe, Sr., Defense; Sam Hopkins, Sr., Defense; August Pons, Sr., Midfield; Ricky DeMicco, Sr., Attack.
On the X: The MIAA B Conference champs, of coach Keith Hinder, return 12 players and several underclassmen toward a another successful title run.
Player to watch: Ben McCarty, Sr., Midfield; Chris Frederick, Sr., Attack.
On the X: Towson University-bound McCarty is the catalyst for the high-powered offense of last year’s Class 2A-1A West Regional finalists.
18. Westminster (12-3)
Player to watch: Eric Natale, Sr., Goalie
On the X: A Yale-bound, three-time All-Carroll County selection, Natale leads the county champs with a career 61.9 save percentage with 393 saves.
19. Dulaney (7-9)
Players to watch: Devin Colegrove, Sr., Defense; Pat Thomas, Sr., Defense; Brodie Bond, Sr., Midfield; Jack Dana, Sr., Defense.
On the X: Baltimore County and Class 4A-3A state power looks to return to contention and prominence under first-year coach Kyle Fiat.
20. Baltimore Lutheran (13-5)
Player to watch: Robert Rupp, Sr., Attack.
On the X: Coach Bill Zopp looks to three-peat in MIAA C Conference.
