Category: VSN Lacrosse

Calvert Hall is No. 1 in VSN's Boys Lacrosse Top 20 poll; state champs Severna Park and Westminster land in Top 10

by Derek Toney

After becoming the first team to go back-to-back as champion in the nation's toughest conference, Calvert Hall College is No. 1 in the first VSN Boys Lacrosse Top 20 poll of 2019.

The Cardinals won their second straight MIAA A Conference championship last spring, and look to become the first team to 3-peat since St. Paul's School won the MSA (Maryland Scholastic Association) A titles from 1969 to 1971. The Hall will have a long list of teams determined to derail its bid at history.

Boys' Latin School, McDonogh School, St. Mary's and Gilman School make the rest of the Top 5, and will challenge for the MIAA A crown. Gerstell Academy will try for a second straight MIAA B championship while Indian Creek School is the reigning champion in the MIAA C.

The area dominated the state public ranks with Severna Park (Class 4A), Westminster (3A), Marriotts Ridge (2A) and Patterson Mill (1A) winning crowns last May.

Severna Park will look to extend its reign in Anne Arundel County. Westminster is the huge favorite in the Carroll County Athletic League as well in 3A. Marriotts Ridge, which won its first state title last spring, will have survive an ultra-competitive Howard County league.

Patterson Mill also won its first title last spring. The Huskies will have to get past the likes of Bel Air and Fallston in the UCBAC Chesapeake. Hereford will try to continue its dominance in Baltimore County while Mervo and City College should battle for supremacy in Baltimore City.

Pictured above: Calvert Hall won its second straight MIAA A Conference championship last spring. The Cardinals are again No. 1 in the first VSN Boys Lacrosse Top 20 poll of 2019.

Editor’s note: 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.

Here is the entire 2019 VSN Boys Lacrosse Top 20 for week 1:

VSN BOYS LACROSSE TOP 20 POLL - WEEK 1

1. CALVERT HALL COLLEGE CARDINALS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #1

Final 2018 record: 16-3 (MIAA A Conference champions)

Players to watch: Cole Herbert, junior, midfielder; Grant Mitchell, senior, midfielder

In the box: The Cardinals have another talented roster, seeking a historic third straight MIAA A title.

2. BOYS' LATIN SCHOOL LAKERS

Final 2018 VSN Top ranking: #2

Final 2018 record: 14-5 (MIAA A Conference finalist)

Player to watch: Brendan Grimes, junior, attack

In the box: After losses in the 2016 and 2018 MIAA A final, Lakers hope the third time is a championship in 2019.

3. MCDONOGH SCHOOL EAGLES

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #3

Final 2018 record: 13-5 (MIAA A Conference semifinalist)

Player to watch: Liam Powderly, senior, attack

In the box: The Eagles may have enough pieces to challenge for a second MIAA A crown in four seasons.

4. ST. MARY'S SAINTS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #6

Final 2018 record: 11-6 (MIAA A Conference quarterfinalist)

Player to watch: BJ Burlace, senior, defense

In the box: Saints have solid nucleus in place for bid a second straight MIAA A postseason berth.

5. GILMAN SCHOOL GREYHOUNDS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking #7

Final 2018 record: 7-8

Players to watch: Noah Klein, senior, goalie

In the box: Greyhounds will look to send retiring coach Brooks Matthews off with a third MIAA A championship.

6. LOYOLA BLAKEFIELD DONS

Final 2018 VSN Top ranking: #4

Final 2018 record: 14-6

Player to watch: Jack Koras, junior, midfielder

In the box: Dons will again have a say in the MIAA A title chase as former Boys' Latin assistant Gene Ubriaco takes the reigns.

7. SEVERN SCHOOL ADMIRALS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #5

Final 2018 record: 8-7 (MIAA A Conference quarterfinalist)

Player to watch: Jon Jarosz, senior, attack

In the box: Admirals have senior experience for another MIAA A postseason bid

8. ST. PAUL'S SCHOOL CRUSADERS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #10

Final 2018 record: 8-9

Player to watch: Mason Woodward, senior, longstick midfielder

In the box: The Crusaders ready to enter MIAA A playoff picture with one of league's most versatile players in Marquette-bound Woodward.

9. WESTMINSTER OWLS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #11

Final 2018 record: 18-1 (Class 3A state champions)

Player to watch: Christian Etchison, senior, midfielder

In the box: Led by Mount St. Mary's recruit Etchison, Owls are the area's best public team and overwhelming favorite to repeat as 3A state champs.

10. SEVERNA PARK FALCONS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #8

Final 2018 record: 17-2 (Class 4A state champions)

Player to watch: Shane Carr, senior, goalie

In the box: The Falcons seek to become first team in 15 years to win four straight titles in the state's largest classification.

11. GLENELG GLADIATORS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #13

Final 2018 record: 14-2 (Class 2A South Region semifinalist & Howard County champions)

Player to watch: Tyler Reiff, senior, midfielder

In the box: The Gladiators look to retain Howard County crown and atone for last season's early postseason exit

12. ARCHBISHOP SPALDING CAVALIERS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #20

Final 2018 record: 7-10

Player to watch: Will Sherwood, senior, midfielder

In the box: With Loyola recruit Sherwood leading the charge, Cavaliers look to claim first MIAA A playoff berth.

13. MARRIOTTS RIDGE MUSTANGS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #11

Final 2018 record: 17-2 (Class 2A state champions)

Player to watch: Colin Kelley, senior, goalie

In the box: Mustangs will rely on experienced defense to defend 2A state championship.

14. HEREFORD BULLS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #14

Final 2018 record: 16-3 (Class 2A state finalist & Baltimore County champions)

Player to watch: Jake Furman, senior, attack

In the box: The Bulls will again be the team to beat in Baltimore County.

15. BROADNECK BRUINS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #19

Final 2018 record: 12-6 (Class 4A East Region finalist)

Player to watch: Vinny Facciponti, senior, faceoff specialist/midfielder

In the box: Bruins look to send retiring coach Clay White off with Anne Arundel County and 4A state titles.

16. MOUNT ST. JOSEPH GAELS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #15

Final 2018 record: 6-11

Player to watch: Wesley Chairs, senior, defender

In the box: New coach Phillip Bates will try to keep Gaels competitive in tough MIAA A Conference.

17. GERSTELL ACADEMY FALCONS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #16

Final 2018 record: 10-7 (MIAA B Conference champions)

Player to watch: CJ Kovalsky, junior, attack

In the box: Falcons seek repeat in MIAA B with former Liberty coach Mike Flemming at the helm.

18. CENTENNIAL EAGLES

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: Not ranked

Final 2018 record: 12-6 (Class 3A state semifinalist)

Player to watch: Stafford Smith, senior, defender

In the box: Eagles thinking big in 2019 after reaching 3A state Final Four last spring.

19. TOWSON GENERALS

Final 2018 VSN Top 20 ranking: #19

Final 2018 record: 14-5 (Class 3A state semifinalist & Baltimore County finalist)

Player to watch: Leighton Bechdel, senior, midfielder

In the box: The Generals will be in the hunt for Baltimore County and Class 3A state titles.

20. HOWARD LIONS

Final 2018 VSN Top 2o ranking: Not ranked

Final 2018 record: 16-2 (Class 4A state semifinalist)

Player to watch: Ben Stephanos, senior, defender

In the box: Led by UMBC recruit Stephanos, Lions will again be a contender for Howard County and 4A state championships.