Sectional titles and state championships are up for grabs and teams have the next few weeks to chase those dreams. Check out favorites and contenders in both Group 3 sections.
North, Group 3
Favorite
Summit: The last time Summit was classified in Group 3, it fell to Moorestown in the 2017 state championship. That is the expected matchup this year, as well, though the Hilltoppers do have a challenging field against which to navigate. While James Grainger, Chris Davies, Quinn Hynes, Will Iacovelli, Jack Freeman and Tyler Sebastian lead a young offense that has had some struggles in recent games, the defense is as stout and cohesive as ever, entering the tournament with a 4.2 goals-against average. Defenders Luca Avelino, John Conniff, Luke Broderick and Jake Reimold all were contributors to last year’s Group 2 championship and Kirst Cup title. That is also true of junior goalie Robbie Kievit, who was even between the pipes as a freshman to help Summit win the Group 2 crown.
Contenders
Chatham: The Cougars, at 12.5 goals per game, average almost three goals more than the team that reached the sectional last year. That explosiveness and confidence will be critical should Chatham wind up squaring off against stingy Summit in the North final. Nicholas Lagunowich, Shep Boyd, Declan Leahy, Kyle Gibney and Charlie Dunn pace that offense. The Cougars almost pulled off a big upset against No. 1 Delbarton May 13 in the Morris County Tournament final, losing, 13-12, but were unable to build upon that strong play in subsequent games. They ended the regular season with losses to No. 4 Don Bosco Prep, 11-5, and unranked Mountain Lakes, 13-9.
Ramapo: The fifth-seeded Raiders (13-4) average 9.1 goals per game, yet generated 36 goals in their last three of the regular season to beat Northern Highlands, Tenafly, and then-No. 18 St. Joseph (Met.), 11-6. Brendan Gold, Will Goldstein, Nick Begina, Max Teel and Cole Seyffer lead a young offense that seems to have matured in recent weeks. Ramapo did lose an 18-2 game against North 3 entry Chatham earlier this month, but that would only be in the final if Ramapo were able to upset Summit.
Ridge: The Red Devils have played a tough schedule all year. That slate has prepared Ridge for what it is going to take here in this section. This program won the North, Group 3 title a year ago and nearly won the overall state championship. If that type of run is going to happen again, the defense needs to be locked in. Senior David Hamilton is insane in net. He’s one of the top goalies in New Jersey and if he’s on his game, it will be hard to score on this team. Peter DeCandia, Ryan Ward, Tucker Daggett and Danny Way make up the defense in front of him. Senior Dan Caesar is having a career year and leads Ridge with 42 goals. Jack Fedor, Spencer Jiang and Johnny Kaiser are also scoring options. Senior Liam Thoma is doing a little bit of everything, including handling faceoff duties. Senior Ryan Swan has also played a key role.
Scotch Plains-Fanwood: The Raiders’ sophomore-driven offense entered the season in need of varsity repetitions, and senior Ryan Mauer has accommodated the group with his exceptional faceoff work. He has won 85 percent of his draws this season, and grateful Nick Homer, Brian Kloepfer, Colin Kochanowicz and Lorenzo Tittanegro are helping the club produce 10.1 goals a game. Seniors Louis Kelly and Jake Lukko, junior Caleb McDowell and sophomore Connor Scarpa anchor the defense.
South, Group 3
Favorite
Moorestown: This team is on a collision course with Shawnee down in South Jersey. The Quakers rallied in the second half to beat Shawnee, 9-8, in the regular season. Moorestown got home-field advantage in the playoffs with that win, but that’s all that win matters for now. Shawnee is going to come in with revenge on its mind, so Moorestown needs to create an edge and use it to secure another sectional championship. Junior Aidan Ruff leads the offense in scoring. Embry-Riddle commit Bryce Buck is having a breakout year and has 31 goals. Senior Chase Caulder’s numbers are modest, but he feels comfortable delivering in the big moments. So does UMass-Lowell commit Luke Grant. Senior Eric Morano is another veteran scorer that Moorestown can rely on. Villanova commit Ryan O’Connor is a jack of all trades, who takes faceoffs and also stays on the field and scores. Sophomore Wes Canton is young, but he’s one of the top goalies in New Jersey. He was an instrumental piece last year during Moorestown’s run to an overall Group 3 championship. Canton’s brother, Paul - an Albany commit - is part of a defensive foundation that also includes Iona commit Luke Holmgren, Lexi Tomaselli and Blake Richards. Short-stick middies Braxton Pica and Ben Labroli support the defensive effort.
Contenders
Clearview: This is a well-coached team that has been in the thick of the championship chase in this section the last few years. Monmouth commit JD Steidle is a tone-setter and his play as a long-stick midfielder is going to make a big difference in the playoffs. This team has won nine games in a row and is peaking at the right time. The South Jersey program made it to the sectional final a few years back and it’s looking for a return trip.
Mainland: The Mustangs made it to the Cape-Atlantic League final this year and fell in a close game against Ocean City. Mainland was in a hole early and struggled with consistency in the first half. It played better late in that game, but it was too late to stage a comeback. Offense will carry this team in the playoffs. Harrison LaMonaca is the all-time leading scorer in program history. His knacking for scoring goals is special and puts Mainland in position to win a lot of games. The senior has 57 goals and 23 assists this season. Junior midfielder Joe Eyde has also been on fire with 48 goals and 26 assists. Senior Luke Hall and rookie Ryan Scannell have been chipping in as complementary pieces on offense. Drew Kwapinski, Trevor Dill, Ethan Schock and David Simpson make up the defense in front of goalie Garret Chew. Junior Harrison Gurwicz is the team’s FOGO and has won 72 percent of his faceoffs.
Shawnee: This team has arguably the best collection of offensive talent in the state. Duke commit Thomas McAneney can make magic with his stick. He leads this team with 43 goals and 39 assists. Rutgers commit Tyler Rotkowitz is right there with him. The junior has 46 goals and 29 assists. Duke commit Brett Lundberg adds offensive pop and has 26 goals. Iona commit Cale Stielau has been dynamic as well with 34 goals and 19 assists. Michael Bartasius, EJ Martino and Grayson Santucci are also options that Shawnee trusts. Johnny Sears, Jack Creaney, Nick Carrero and Jackson Hays have earned time this year on a young defense. Senior Eddie Penberthy anchors that defense. Senior Lucas Estevez has put together some incredible games. If he’s locked in on faceoffs, it’s going to be hard to beat Shawnee in the state playoffs. Shawnee had a lead and control of a game against Moorestown in the regular season before a two-minute, locked-in penalty changed everything. The Renegades have been itching for a rematch with Moorestown and if things fall right, it will happen in the sectional title game.
Toms River East: The Raiders are in the middle of the best season in program history, and they’re looking to make it even better. Junior Nicholas Caruso is putting up video-game numbers with 72 goals and 28 assists. His younger brother, Ryan, is a rock in net and is a defensive ace for the Raiders. Senior Nate Cummings is also having a big year along with sophomore Gerard Uzzolino. Senior Tyler Godlesky is a solid playmaker out of the midfield. Junior Colin Cummings is headliner on defense. Junior Benjamin Standfast is playing well overall too this season. Toms River East has the chance to do something special and win its first-ever sectional title.
Mike Kinney can be reached at mkinney@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @MikeKinneyHS.
Brandon Gould can be reached at bgould@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @BrandonGouldHS.
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