Season Ends With Playoff Loss To Iona Prep; Alumni Game And Family BBQ This Saturday

***The Alumni Game and Family BBQ is scheduled for this Saturday, June 3rd at the Prep.  We’d love to see a great turnout and the sooner we know numbers the better.  All alumni, friends, parents, family are welcome.  To help with organizing and numbers, please register through the google form here.****

The Prep’s season came to an end with a loss to Iona Prep in the CHSAA playoffs as the Rams hung tight for the majority of the game, staying within striking distance into the fourth quarter.  Iona led 2 - 0 at the end of the first quarter and took a 4 - 0 advantage in the second quarter before Fordham dug back and cut the lead to 4 - 2.  A score by Iona with seconds left made it 5 - 2 at the half.  Every time the Rams got close and closed the gap, Iona answered to keep the cushion between the two teams, holding a 10 - 4 score after three quarters.  The Prep scored the first two goals of the fourth quarter to get within four, 10 - 6, but the Gaels fired off four straight and ate up the remaining clock to take the 14 - 6 victory.  Keep your eyes out for the season recap coming to your email sometime in the next few weeks.

With his goal in the Iona Prep game, PJ Cunningham ‘24 (Bronx) set the Fordham Prep lacrosse single season goal scoring record with 65 goals, surpassing Connor Nugent ‘06’s 2006 season tally.  Cunningham 24’s 82 points this year is tied for 6th all-time in a season.  You can find the program records (here).

Congratulations to Charlie English ‘23 (Port Chester) who was named the News12 Bronx Scholar Athlete of the Week (video).  English ‘23 plans to play both football and lacrosse at Middlebury College next year.  Kudos to Will Rice ‘20 for receiving Honorable Mention USILA All-American accolades following his All-NESCAC junior season at Connecticut College (press release).

The Prep coaching staff will be offering a lacrosse summer camp Monday, July 10th to Wednesday, July 12th for rising 6th, 7th, 8th, and 9th grade boys.  Check out the program’s social media for updates on some impressive guest and alumni coaches.  You can find more details and register (here).

We’re pleased to present the 2023 Fordham Prep Lacrosse Media Guide.  In it you can find information on this year’s teams as well as the history, records, Hall of Fame, and past success of the Fordham Prep Lacrosse program.  There is also lots of information on Fordham Prep and its athletics and facilities.

Iona Prep Recap: L 14 - 6

Early on, both sides each had two lengthy possessions but came up empty handed as Trey Lalonde ‘25 (New Fairfield) and the Gaels’ goalie made two saves a piece.  Iona broke the ice with 5:54 remaining and followed it up a minute and a half later to take a 2 - 0 lead.  Another long, solid possession by the Rams at the end of the quarter yielded nothing and two Lalonde ‘25 saves kept it a two goal game at the end of the first quarter.  Iona scored two early in the second quarter, extending the lead to 4 - 0, before Jack Freel ‘23 (Manhattan) fought through a double team and found PJ Cunningham ‘24 up top for a step down shot to get the Rams on the board at the 7:50 mark.  The Prep cut the lead to two at 6:43 left when Tommy Gies ‘23 (Rye) ripped a shot from up top when the Rams were man up, however both defenses and goalies held strong keeping tallies off the scoreboard until Iona snuck one in with 11 seconds left to take a 5 - 2 lead into the half.

Iona added to the lead in the first minute of the second half, but soon after Gies ‘23 cut the lead to three off a Charlie English ‘23 pass, firing it low past the Gaels’ keeper.  The fast paced scoring continued as Iona netted two straight, but James Spring ‘24 (Bronxville) answered off his faceoff win to cut the lead to 8 - 4 with 7:49 left in the quarter.  The Prep was unlucky hitting the pipe twice on a long possession while Iona dropped two more and took a 10 - 4 advantage into the fourth quarter.  The Rams lit the lamp to open the fourth as English ‘23 once again found Gies ‘23 for his third score of the day, cutting the lead to 10 - 5.  Gies 23’s fourth score, on a man up opportunity, got the Prep within four at 7:56 remaining in the game.  At the five minute mark Iona notched another score to make it 11 - 6 and with time on their side ate up the clock keeping the ball out of the Rams hands.  Three straight in succession by the Gaels extended the lead to 14 - 6 with just under four minutes to go, where it ended as the final.

Stat Line:  Gies ‘23 4G/4GB, Spring ‘24 1G/5GB/, Cunningham ‘24 1G, O’Leary ‘23 1A/3GB, Freel ‘23 2A, English ‘23 2A, Lalonde ‘25 12 saves