MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Boys Lacrosse Rankings

After entering the season as the No. 1 team in the nation, Calvert Hall has had its ups and downs.

The biggest downer was a 7-6 loss to McDonogh School on April 13, an MIAA loss that was a shocker to many.
But since that game, the Cardinals (9-2) have rebounded quite well, topping two previously undefeated league powers, Gilman School (11-8) and Loyola Blakefield (11-6). The win over the Dons Friday saw the Cards bolt to an 8-0 lead before coasting to the win.

"It's huge when you get momentum like that," said Calvert Hall junior face-off man Stephen Kelly. "We really haven't done that this year and to get that lead and get that confidence, I think our team is hitting a good stride right now. We have to just keep it rolling."

Patrick Kelly led Calvert Hall with four goals and an assist. More importantly, the Cards had good focus, making coach Bryan Kelly happy.

"We had a really great first quarter and our kids came out ready and focused to play," said Patrick Kelly. "The kids played smart, they played a smart lacrosse game I thought and that is something you know we had problems with. I'm really proud of how well our kids handled it."

Haverford tops Episcopal, 9-8, in overtime

Gavin McBride took a pass from Zach Rego and converted in tight 59 seconds into overtime to lift Haverford School to a key 9-8 overtime win over Episcopal Academy Friday in an Inter-Ac league showdown of first-place teams.

The Fords (12-1) are 4-0 in the league after one round through the schedule. EA (11-2) is 3-1. The Churchmen led 8-6 until Haverford tied it with two goals midway through the fourth period.

"Zach Rego had the ball behind and he's always good about keeping his head up," said McBride. "I kind of drifted to the backside – and we do that all the time – and he knew where to put it. It was right on the money and luckily I put it in."

Games to Watch

No. 13 Loyola Blakefield (Md.) at No. 12 Gilman, Tuesday
No. 3 Haverford School (Pa.) vs. No. 8 Conestoga (Pa.) at Katie Samson Festival at Radnor, Saturday
No. 19 Manhasset (N.Y.) at No. 2 Chaminade (N.Y.), Saturday
No. 24 Ward Melville (N.Y.) at No. 14 West Islip (N.Y.), Saturday

MaxPreps Xcellent 25 National Boys Lacrosse Rankings

1. (No. 1 last week) Garden City (N.Y.), 9-0
The Trojans rebounded quickly from a 2-0 deficit and toppled Duxbury (Mass), 10-5, as Liam Kennedy (three goals) scored two goals in 15 seconds to tie it and spark a 5-0 run. Devin Dwyer dished off five assists and scored once and Justin Guterding had a goal and two assists for Garden City. The Trojans play Saturday at 7-1 Shoreham-Wading River (N.Y.).

2. (2) Chaminade (Mineola, N.Y.), 7-0
The Flyers, who routed Kellenberg Memorial (N.Y.) 13-1, host Manhasset Saturday for a key Long Island showdown.

3. (3) Haverford School (Pa.), 12-1
The Fords rallied from an 8-6 deficit in Friday's Inter-Ac league win over Episcopal Academy. Henry Blynn had three goals and two assists and Zach Rego had three goals and an assist. The Fords host Penn Charter Tuesday in the Inter-Ac and gear for a Philly showdown with Conestoga Saturday at the Katie Samson Festival at Radnor.

4. (6) Salisbury School (Conn.), 5-0
The Crimson Knights toppled Loomis Chaffee (Conn.), 16-10. They have two big games this week, at 7-1 Millbrook School (N.Y.) on Wednesday and at 6-1 Hotchkiss (Conn.) on Saturday.

5. (9) St. Anthony's (Melville, N.Y.), 7-1
Brian Sherlock had three goals Eric Caliendo stopped 13 shots as the Friars toppled Wilton (Conn.), 11-4. Sean McDonagh and Matt Koerner each added two goals for the Friars. Their biggest game this week may be at Section 1 Somers on Saturday.

6. (13) Darien (Conn.), 8-0
The Blue Wave earned a 10-7 win over Manhasset in the "Battle of the Sound" as Bobby Weaver had four goals and one assist and Case Matheis added two goals and four assists. Darien plays Tuesday at 6-2 Yorktown (N.Y.).

7. (16) Calvert Hall (Baltimore), 9-2
The Cardinals had a big week, toppling Gilman 11-8 and Loyola Blakefield 11-6 in wins that put them back into a first-place tie in the MIAA. They are at St. Mary's (Md.) Tuesday and host Severn (Md.) Friday.

8. (4) Conestoga (Berwyn, Pa.), 9-2
The Pioneers won their two Central League games last week to retain first place, but frittered away a three-goal lead and dropped a 7-6 decision to Hill Academy (Ontario, Canada) on Saturday. They have two more Central League games this week (vs. Marple Newtown and Penncrest) and then take on No. 3 Haverford School Saturday at the Katie Samson Festival.

9. (12) Bridgewater-Raritan (Bridgewater, N.J.), 8-0
The Panthers continue to run roughshod over their New Jersey foes, having won every game by six or more goals. They should be tested Wednesday at 7-1 Hunterdon Central (N.J.).

10. (14) Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 12-1
The Purple Eagles toppled St. Mary's Ryken (Md.),11-3, to improve to 4-0 in the WCAC as Patrick Myers scored four goals and Alex Corboy scored twice. They play Tuesday at Our Lady of Good Counsel (Md.).

11. (17) Niskayuna (N.Y.), 8-0
The Silver Warriors have yet to be seriously challenged and are averaging more than 16 goals per game. They host Sarasota Springs (N.Y.) Thursday.

12. (7) Gilman (Baltimore), 7-2
The Greyhounds rebounded from an 11-8 loss to Calvert Hall by downing Mount St. Joseph (Md.), 13-7, to remain tied atop the MIAA. They host Loyola Blakefield Tuesday in a key MIAA game.

13. (8) Loyola Blakefield (Towson, Md.), 11-2
The Dons fell behind 8-0 in their 11-6 loss to Calvert Hall on Friday, snapping an eight-game winning streak. They travel to Gilman Tuesday for a key MIAA contest.

14. (20) West Islip (N.Y.), 8-1
Jon Reese scored in overtime to give the Lions a 7-6 triumph over Smithtown West in a key League 1 contest. Nick Aponte had sent the game into overtime when he weaved his way through four defenders and scored with 4.6 seconds remaining in regulation. West Islip won 12-11 when the teams met in the 2011 Suffolk Class A Championship Game.

15. (11) Smithtown West (N.Y.), 8-1
The Bulls are still smarting over their 7-6 overtime loss to West Islip, a game that saw them allow the tying goal in the final 5 seconds. They host rival Smithtown East today and host 7-2 Sachem North on Saturday.

16. (22) Summit (N.J.), 9-0
The Hilltoppers toppled previously undefeated Ridgefield (Conn), 10-5, and now gear for a contest with 9-0 Mount Olive today.

17. (5) Deerfield Academy (Mass.), 6-1
The Big Green suffered an 8-7 loss to Trinity-Pawling (N.Y.) and then rebounded by edging Taft School (Conn.), 8-7. They play Wednesday at Loomis Chaffee (Conn.).

18. (10) Irondequoit (Rochester, N.Y.), 6-1
The Eagles dropped an 11-8 decision to Ithaca (N.Y.). Their big game this week is Thursday at 5-2 Penfield (N.Y.).

19. (15) Manhasset (N.Y.), 6-2
The Indians bounced back from a 10-7 loss to Darien by downing Bethpage (N.Y.), 14-6, as Dino Lavalle had four goals and an assist, while Christian Zanetis tallied three goals. They play Saturday at Chaminade.

20. (18) Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square, Pa.), 11-2
The Churchmen held an 8-6 lead over Haverford School in their Inter-Ac League showdown Friday night, but allowed the Fords to send it into overtime before bowing 59 seconds into the extra frame. If nothing else they know they can play with Haverford. They host Germantown Academy Tuesday.

21. (19) Duxbury (Mass.), 6-2
The Green Dragons suffered a 10-5 loss to Garden City Saturday despite two goals by leading scorer Paul Hellar. They host Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.) Thursday.

22. (NR) Brother Rice (Bloomfield Hills, Mich.), 7-0
The Warriors had big wins last week over Culver Academy (Ind.), 9-8, and Hill Academy (Ontario, Canada), 13-12, in overtime on a goal by Riley Kennedy. They play Wednesday at Detroit Catholic Central.

23. (NR) Dublin Jerome (Dublin, Ohio), 11-0
The Celtics earned a key 7-4 win over previously undefeated Worthington Kilbourne. They play at 9-2 Upper Arlington on Wednesday.

24. (NR) Ward Melville (East Setauket, N.Y.), 8-2
The Patriots toppled Sachem North (N.Y.), 14-7, and now gear for Saturday's key contest at West Islip.

25. (21) West Genesee (Camillus, N.Y.), 8-1
Thirty-seven-year coach Mike Messere became the all-time winningest lacrosse coach, notching his 748th career victory when the Wildcats defeated rival Oswego (N.Y.), 7-3. In reaching the milestone, Messere passed another long-time New York high school coaching legend and fellow Hall of Famer, Joe Cuozzo of Ward Melville on Long Island. Two days later, the ‘Cats fell to Jamesville-DeWitt (N.Y.), 13-11.

Dropped out: St. Ignatius (San Francisco), 18-1; Massapequa (N.Y.), 7-2; Lawrenceville School (N.J.), 9-2.

Chris Goldberg, editor and owner of Lacrosse Media, operates Phillylacrosse.com, LILacrosseNews.com and BaltimoreLacrosseNews.com, as well as the new national gear site, LaxGearZone.com. He may be reached at golax@phillylacrosse.com.