TOP CORNER CLUB — Fordham Prep Lacrosse News and Updates - Rams Start the Season Off 2

“It means everything to be playing this season. These are my brothers for life.” – Will Aventuro ‘21

Don’t forget to order your Fordham Prep lacrosse gear this week as the Top Corner Club team store closes this Thursday May 6th (here). Thank you to those who have donated to support the program. If you would still like to donate you can do so here.

The Rams started off the season with two solid wins against Saint John the Baptist and Kennedy Catholic. The Kennedy game was attended by Lohud.com’s lacrosse reporter who posted a nice write up (here) including the above quote from Will Aventuro ’21 (White Plains). Lohud’s photographer was also there and posted a big gallery of pictures (here). It is nice to see the players and program get some media recognition. The Prep followed up those wins with a tough loss to US Lacrosse #4 nationally ranked Chaminade on Saturday, falling to a roster of over 15 college recruits 15 – 2. The Rams rebounded in short order today by dominating Monsignor Farrell 18 – 4 (recap next week).

Lohud posted its first Boys Lacrosse Rankings of the season (here). The Rams are one of three CHSAA teams to make the list and start out at #9, along with Iona Prep #4 and Stepinac #8. Congratulations to Will Aventuro ’21, Sean Miller ’21 (Rye), and Lewis Moore ’23 (New Rochelle) on making Lohud’s 2021 Boys Lacrosse Watchlist (here).

Congrats to the following players who notched their first career points: CJ Sowarby ’21 (Manhattan), Matthew Leonard ’21 (Larchmont), Ryan Suarez ’21 (Briarcliff Manor), Sean Robichaux ’21 (Stamford), Jack O’Leary ’23 (Rye), Charlie English ’23 (Port Chester), Lewis Moore ’23 (New Rochelle), John Chmiel ’23 (Harrison), Thomas Gies ’23 (Rye). The season stats are now on the website (here).

The Rams take on two Westchester rivals this week with a home game Tuesday against Stepinac and in New Rochelle against Iona Prep on Saturday. Stepinac comes into the contest undefeated with a 3 - 0 record with a big win over Monsignor Farrell and a close two goal victory over Kellenberg and a one goal win against mutual opponent St. John the Baptist. Iona is 1 - 1 also with a big win against Monsignor Farrell and having hung tough with St. Anthony’s in a 14 – 8 loss. As a reminder, home games can be streamed here and most away games seem also to be streamed by opponents.

Recap - St. John the Baptist: W 15 – 10

Lewis Moore ’23 opened the scoring with a rocket from up top before each of the teams traded goals to make it 2 – 2. Then John Chmiel ’23 picked up a loose ball bouncer to give the Rams the lead 3 - 2 at the end of the first quarter. With the score tied 4 - 4 in the second quarter Sean Miller ’21 made a nice save and clear while drawing a penalty to get the man up offense on the field. Will Aventuro ’21 took advantage with a dodge up top after a Chmiel feed to bury the lefty shot and put the Rams up 5 – 4. The Prep took a 7 - 5 lead into the half. The Fordham defense opened the second half shutting down SJB’s offense as the Prep went on a 5 to 1 run including a man up goal from Charlie English ’23 with just under six minutes to go in the third quarter, making it 9 – 5. The Rams punched in several more goals taking the tally to 14 - 7 before SJB answered in the fourth quarter to make it a 15 – 10 final. The large Prep offensive time of possession was enabled by a great job clearing on the defensive side of the field as Fordham went 12/14 on clears.

Stat Line: O’Leary ’23 2G/3A, English ’23 3G, Leonard ’21 2G/1A, Chmiel ’23 2G/1A, Aventuro ’21 2G/1A, Moore ’23 2G/1A, Sowarby ’21 2G, Suarez ’21 1A, Gies ’23 7GB, Miller ’21 10 saves

Kennedy Catholic: W 10 – 5

At the start both teams couldn’t get much done offensively as the defenses dominated the first quarter. The Prep led 1 – 0 at the end of the quarter off a Will Aventuro ’21 snipe to the stick side high corner of the Kennedy goalie. The Rams couldn’t take advantage of a couple of great clears by Matt Battista ’24 (Manhattan) but eventually Aventura netted his second and Thomas Gies ‘23 found the back of the net giving the Rams a 3 – 1 advantage. The Prep took a 5 – 1 lead into the half as CJ Sowarby ‘21 snuck around from behind the cage and scored off a Gies feed with 9 seconds remaining. Kennedy answered with two goals in the third quarter to get within two before Sowarby made it 6 – 3 with under five minutes to go in the third. Both teams traded goals before Sowarby made it 8 – 4, netting his third of the day on a man-up situation. The Prep stuck in two more before Kennedy answered at the two minute market for a 10 – 5 final. Clears were once again a highlight as the Rams were 16/19 on the day.

Stat Line: Aventuro ’21 4G, Sowarby ’21 3G/2A, Leonard ’21 1G/2A, Gies ’23 1G/1A, English ’23 1G, Moore ’23 1A, O’Leary ’23 1A, O’Leary ’23 5GB, Suarez ’21 5GB, Miller ’21 11 saves

Chaminade: L 15 - 2

Tough day for the Rams on both ends of the field but that’s often the result when you face a deep, stacked national power full of future college talent. Chaminade took off from the first whistle scoring on a fast break from the opening faceoff and then dominated possession allowing them to build a 12 – 0 lead before the Prep finally answered. Jack O’Leary ’23 took a Lewis Moore ’23 feed and placed a lefty strike from up top past the Chaminade keeper, making it 12 – 1. After two more goals by the Flyers, CJ Sowarby ’21 found Will Aventuro ’21 who dodged past his defender and scored to bring the tally to 14 – 2 deep into the fourth quarter. A final score by Chaminade made it a 15 – 2 result. Sean Miller ’21 made a season high 14 saves in a valiant effort in the cage.

Stat Line: Aventuro ’21 1G, O’Leary ’23 1G, Sowarby ’21 1A, Moore ’23 1A, Gies ’23 4GB, O’Leary ’23 3GB, Miller ’21 14 saves