Rams Win Opener, Face St. Dominic And Cardinal Hayes This Week

The Fordham Prep lacrosse season started on a high note as the Rams executed a solid 11 - 7 win over Bethlehem Central on Murphy Field.  James Spring ‘24 (Bronxville) set the tone, going 17 for 21 at the faceoff X as the offense put the Prep up early and the Rams controlled the game on both sides of the field from start to finish.  PJ Cunningham ‘24 (Bronx) picked up where he left off last year, notching 5G/3A, matching his eight point (7G/1A) performance last season against Trinity and one short of his nine points (8G/1A) versus Hackley last year.  Sebastian Zarkowski ‘25 (Hastings-on-Hudson) contributed 3G/2A while Jack Lucchese ‘24 (Somers) led the defense.  

Congratulations to Zarkowski ‘25, Dima Athanson ‘26 (Mamaroneck), and Mike Nalepka ‘25 (Greenwich), who notched their first career goals during the game and Drew Pagen ‘26 (Rye) who recorded his first career assist.  As well as Cash Berner ‘27 (Rye) who picked up his first career win in goal.

Looking ahead to this week, the Prep is hosting games against St. Dominic this afternoon and Cardinal Hayes on Thursday.  Thursday’s game will be for the inaugural Duffy Cup in honor of John Duffy P’95, P’95, P’99 and the Duffy Family.  John is a Hayes alum, as well as Prep parent, sending three sons (two lacrosse players) to the Prep and has been a long-time supporter of both schools and athletic programs.

St. Dominic’s opener against Monsignor Farrell was washed out so this will be its first game of the season.  The Rams have won five out of the past six against the Bayhawks, but historically games are always tight including the Rams winning last year in double overtime and St. Dom’s taking the victory by one in 2022.  Hayes is the reigning CHSAA “B” champs and already has two games under its belt this season - a dominating 18 - 1 victory over Xavier and a 7 - 1 loss to Fox Lane.

As we mentioned in last week’s season preview (here), the team schedule and roster is up on the Top Corner Club website and can be found here - schedule, roster.