Fordham Prep Lacrosse Is Back!!

AAAAAANNNNND we’re back!  It feels like an eternity since we have had some Fordham Prep lacrosse to cover and root for, but happily for all involved there will be a season.  We are looking forward to once again keeping the Prep lacrosse community abreast of all things FP lax related.  Unfortunately, many of the things we do every year – Hall of Fame dinner, alumni game and BBQ, clinics for Bronx Lacrosse, game watches – won’t be able to take place.  We will do our best with the weekly game recaps but with limited ability for spectators at games we will likely miss one or two.  We will be having the annual equipment drive at some point so keep your eyes out for that update.  But remember, don’t donate everything…..you’ll need something to play with in future alumni games.

First things first, check out the Top Corner Club merchandise store (here).  Plenty of gear for players, parents, siblings, alums, and friends to sport around town and on the sidelines.  Any parents or alums who would like to help us with the Top Corner Club, please reach out at fptopcornerclub@gmail.com.  If you would like to support the program, especially in the absence this year of our main fundraising Hall of Fame dinner, you can donate through the Top Corner Club here.  Please also follow FP lacrosse on Twitter @fordhampreplax, the Top Corner Club on Facebook, and subscribe to our distribution through the website if this was forwarded to you (www.fordhampreplacrosse.com).

With no season last year there are a lot of new faces on this year’s team, including what has to be the highest number of underclassmen we’ve seen on a Prep varsity squad – 11 sophomores and two freshman.  This year’s roster consists of 27 boys from across Westchester, Manhattan, and Connecticut from a diverse 14 towns with Rye, Yonkers, and Manhattan leading the way.  Congratulations to this year’s captains: Will Aventuro ’21 (White Plains), Sean Miller ’21 (Rye), C.J. Sowarby ’21 (Manhattan), and Phil Thompson ’21 (Yonkers).  The varsity squad will be led once again by coaches Chris Hemsley, Charlie Cipriano, and Jay Rabinowitz while the JV will be coached by Ryan Gorup ’07, Steve Pettus, and Fred Berrios.

Current COVID restrictions and all-around difficult planning has wreaked havoc on programs’ scheduling and Fordham Prep lacrosse is no exception.  Unfortunately, the annual trip to Florida for the Jesuit Classic won’t happen this year and along with it the traditional games against Georgetown Prep (MD), Belen Jesuit (FL) and Gonzaga (DC).  Also gone are the games in neighboring states like Bergen Catholic (NJ), Don Bosco (NJ), St. Peter’s Prep (NJ), Wilton (CT), and Weston (CT).  Plus the usual contests against Section 1 public school teams.

However, the 2021 schedule will be made up of predominantly CHSAA opponents including schools from the AAA, AA, and A divisions.  The Rams open on Saturday 4/24 against St. John the Baptist, followed by Kennedy Catholic before hosting national power Chaminade (Inside Lacrosse ranked #11 nationally) at home to start off May.  Following contests with Stepinac and Farrell the Prep will face rival Iona Prep in New Rochelle on 5/8.  Kellenberg and St. John the Baptist are next before Fordham heads out to Long Island to face IL #9 nationally ranked St. Anthony’s on 5/15.  Then the lone section 1 game against Bronxville followed by the second meeting with Iona Prep.  The Rams close out the regular season with second their games versus Kellenberg and Stepinac.  Then it’s off to the playoffs.

We’re told there’s a good chance the team’s games will be streamed live so we will keep you posted on that.

Best of luck to our alums playing in college as they continue to navigate through what must be a difficult and unusual season of collegiate lacrosse.  We’re sure they are all just happy to be out on the field!  James Corasaniti ’18 – Fairfield, Jack Dougherty ’18 – Holy Cross, Eddy Madden ’18 – Franklin & Marshall, Thomas Marra – Trinity, Ethan Tym ’19 – Trinity, Stephen Zupicich ’19 – Ohio State, Will Rice ’20 – Connecticut College.  Was great to see Zupicich’s first collegiate goal make the rounds on social media.  Alums and alumni parents please keep sending in updates so we can highlight them.

Thanks again for all your support to Fordham Prep Lacrosse and good luck to all the players and coaches.  We’ll see you on the sidelines (maybe….fingers crossed)!!!