TOP CORNER CLUB — Fordham Prep Lacrosse News and Updates

Another season of Fordham Prep lacrosse is behind us and it was probably the most unique season we’ve had in our history. With no season in 2020 because of COVID, and uncertainty deep into this Spring whether there would be a 2021 season, it looked like it would be 2022 before we saw the return of Rams lacrosse. Luckily, the powers that be in New York City came around and allowed sports to be played and the coaching staff was able to get the boys on the field. Kudos to the players, coaches, and parents for successfully navigating the unusual circumstances this year.

With no season last year there were 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 three freshmen. This year’s roster consisted of 28 boys from across Westchester, Manhattan, and Connecticut from a diverse 14 towns with Rye, Yonkers, and Manhattan leading the way (roster). The team was led by captains Will Aventuro ’21 (White Plains), Sean Miller ’21 (Rye), C.J. Sowarby ’21 (Manhattan), and Phil Thompson ’21 (Yonkers).

COVID restrictions and all-around difficult planning wreaked havoc on programs’ scheduling and Fordham Prep was no exception. Unfortunately, the annual trip to Florida for the Jesuit Classic was canceled, as well as the usual games in neighboring states and most of the contests against Section 1 public school teams. However, the coaching staff and athletic department were able to put together a solid schedule of mainly CHSAA foes, including a few the Rams hadn’t played in years (schedule).

The Prep faced one of the more difficult schedules around, including two teams that finished the season nationally ranked (#1 St. Anthony’s and #4 Chaminade) plus one that rolled to a Section 1 championship (Bronxville). The final record for the team was 4 - 10 with the season ending against Stepinac in the CHSAA ‘AA’ Semifinals. The Rams youth and inexperience might be reflected in the win/loss record this year but we see this turning into an advantage as this squad continues to play together for another two to three years. Returning next year will be the team’s leading scorer, Jack O’Leary ‘23 (Rye) - 19G/13A. Plus three of the five top scorers representing over 50% of this season’s scoring output.

Once again the team filled a trophy case of end of season awards (see below). Leading the way was Will Aventuro ‘21 who was named CHSAA Short Stick Defensive Midfielder of the Year and nine Rams who took home All-League honors.

Unfortunately, many of the things The Top Corner Club does and helps facilitate every year – Hall of Fame dinner, alumni game and BBQ, clinics for Bronx Lacrosse, equipment drive, game watches – weren’t able to take place. However, we were able to bring in seven time MLL/PLL all-star and gold medal winner for the USA National team Greg “The Beast” Gurenlian (bio) for a faceoff clinic. We got great feedback from the coaches and players on the session and we look forward to hosting Greg again, as well as having a more normal environment in the future so we can get back to our annual events.

We would like to thank all those that helped continue the momentum the Top Corner Club has achieved the past few years and look forward to continuing to bring updates, news, and events to the Fordham Prep lacrosse community. We welcome all feedback and ideas for improvement, and encourage all alumni, parents, and friends who would like to help with the continued success of the organization to contact us at fptopcornerclub@gmail.com. If you would still like to support the Top Corner Club and the lacrosse program, you can donate (here). Enjoy the summer and we’ll see you soon!!!

Season Recap:

Instead of opening the season in sunny Florida, like previous years, the Rams began the season at home with a 15 - 10 win versus St. John the Baptist. The Prep never trailed in what was a well rounded effort where eight players tallied points, including Charlie English ‘23 (Port Chester) with three goals and Jack O’Leary ‘23 with two goals and three assists (recap). Fordham then took on Kennedy Catholic, shaking off a slow start to come away with a 10 - 5 victory. Lohud.com attended the game and posted a solid write-up (here) and photo gallery (here) of the game. Up next was perennial national power Chaminade who came to the Bronx ranked #4 in the nation. The Flyers, with 15 college recruits, overmatched the Rams taking an early lead and never looking back, winning 15 - 2 (recap). The Rams rebounded from their first loss with a dominating 18 - 4 victory over Monsignor Farrell. Thomas Gies ‘23 (Rye) went 15/16 at the faceoff X and Matthew Leonard ‘21 (Larchmont) had five goals and two assists to lead the Rams (recap).

Three tough games against rivals Stepinac, Iona Prep, and Kellenberg followed with Fordham on the losing end of all three. Against Stepinac the Rams lost 12 - 5, having trouble converting on their possessions as Stepinac’s defense was relentless and the Crusaders had solid goalie play (recap). Thomas Gies ‘23 continued his faceoff success going 10/11. Fordham’s youth was overmatched by Iona’s depth and experience as the Gaels owned the transition game and executed near perfect rides on the Prep side of the field, which was the difference on the day in a 17 - 7 loss (recap). The Prep was slow out of the gate against Kellenberg and found themselves in a decent hole early they couldn’t dig out of, losing 13 - 4 (recap). Sean Miller ‘21 had a fantastic game in goal registering 20 saves, including 11 in the first quarter.

The Prep ended its three day losing streak with its second win of the season versus St. John the Baptist. It was back and forth in the first half before the Rams pulled away in the second half (recap). Miller ‘21 had another outstanding game with 17 saves while Jack O’Leary ‘23 had four goals and an assist. The man-up group was a highlight as they took advantage of Cougar penalties scoring seven times on nine opportunities. Next up was Long Island’s St. Anthony’s, the #1 ranked team in the country. The St. Anthony’s contest went about how you would think playing the top team in the nation stacked with college level talent. The Friars jumped ahead early and never looked back coming away with a 17 - 3 win (recap).

A loss to eventual Section 1 champion Bronxville (recap) and losing efforts in rematches against Iona Prep and Kellenberg (recaps) brought the Rams into the final week of the season and two games against Stepinac (recaps). First was the regular season finale followed by the CHSAA playoffs. The first game was a back and forth dogfight with most of the contest being only a one goal game. Although Fordham dominated the faceoff X and won the groundball battle they came up just short losing 9 - 8. The second game was also back and forth early before Stepinac took a big five goal lead into the half. However, the Rams dug deep continuing to own the faceoffs, and fought back to within two in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately, the Prep ran out of time, falling short 12 - 10, and ending its season. Highlights include Thomas Gies ‘23 going 38 for 43 (88%) on faceoffs and picking up 34 groundballs. Lewis Moore ‘23 (New Rochelle) and Charlie English ‘23 each had four goals in game one and game two, respectively.

Will Aventuro ‘21 led the team in goals this season with 22, while Jack O’Leary ‘23 led the team in total points with 32 (19 goals and a team high 13 assists). Thomas Gies ‘23 registered a 57% faceoff win percentage along with scooping up a team high 96 groundballs. Gies 23’s’ grounball tally was good enough for 8th palace on the Lohud.com final season stat list (here). Sean Miller ‘21 stopped 161 shots between the pipes. You can see the full set of season stats (here).

Twelve Rams notched their first career points during the 2021 season: CJ Sowarby ’21, Matthew Leonard ’21, Ryan Suarez ’21 (Briarcliff Manor), Sean Robichaux ’21 (Stamford), Jack O’Leary ’23, Charlie English ’23, Lewis Moore ’23, John Chmiel ’23 (Harrison), Thomas Gies ’23, Noel Regan ‘23 (Rye), Hudson Pifer ‘23 (Croton-on-Hudson), Patrick Cunningham ‘24 (Bronx).

The 2021 team picked up a plethora of end of season awards; deserving acknowledgements for the boy’s accomplishments on the field. The following were recognized for their performances this Spring:

CHSAA Short Stick Defensive Midfielder Of the Year - Will Aventuro ‘21

CHSAA ‘AA’ 1st Team All-League: Will Aventuro ‘21, Sean Miller ‘21, Cullan Sowarby ‘21, Charlie English ‘23, Lewis Moore ‘23, Jack O’Leary ‘23

CHSAA ‘AA’ 2nd Team All-League: Matthew Leonard ‘21, Phil Thompson ‘21, Thomas Gies ‘23

Alumni:

We look forward to hearing about two of our newest alumni who will be continuing their playing careers. Phil Thompson ‘21 will be playing at the Wentworth Institute of Technology and Sean Miller ‘21 will be at Loomis Chaffee for a postgraduate year.

Seven former Rams completed another collegiate season - 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). Highlights included Madden ‘18 and the Diplomats making it to the Sweet 16 of the D3 NCAA tournament, longpoles Tym ‘18 and Zupicich ‘19 tallying their first collegiate goals (Zupicich goal), and Rice ‘20 seeing his first time on the field as a freshman.

Thank you to Stephen Zupicich ‘19 (Ohio State), Jack Dougherty ‘18 (Holy Cross), Chris Smith ‘11 (Holy Cross), Mark Powers ‘02 (Boston College), and Damien McGough ‘95 (Holy Cross) who attended the end of year dinner. The alums discussed their experiences playing lacrosse in college and at the Prep. It was great to have them participate in a Q&A session and see them mingle and field questions from the current players.