Last weekend concluded pool play in the LILJ Boys High School Winter League and the stage is now set for the playoffs starting Saturday January 4th. In addition to the four pool play games, the slate also included a first ever middle school winter league matchup in the 2029 class between GC Elite and 91 Chaos to open the night for the boys. Let’s go back and review the five games from last weekend ahead of next week’s playoff matchups!
GC Elite 2029 vs Team 91 Chaos 2029
For the first time the Long Island Lacrosse Journal hosted two of the top 2029 club programs in the high school winter league in a matchup between GC Elite and 91 Chaos. This was a stand alone one night only event and in this contest it was the boys from 91 who came away victorious with a 7-3 win over GC. 91 jumped out to an early lead, scoring two goals in the first three minutes of the game, and would lead by as many five goals in the first half up 5-0 going into halftime. The second half saw GC cut into the deficit as they climbed within two goals trailing 5-3, but 91 would go on to add two insurance goals down the stretch to secure the win. Offensively for 91 James Forrest delivered a hat-trick to lead them in scoring, followed by two goals from Conor Bruckbauer and one each from Andy Coelen and Nicholas Polanco. Finn McDermott dished out two assists and Henry Compolettano added one. At the face-off X the combination of Chase Oppenheim and Lincoln Rubendall were 10/11 with Oppenheim going 5/5 and Rubendall 5/6. In the cage the combination of James Kalberer and Andrew Limberg combined for just the three goals allowed with Kalberer pitching a first half shut out. On the other side GC Elite got one goal each from Kevin Hegarty, Nicholas Canner and Thomas Breheny, while in goal Luke Vendetti was 67% in saves playing in the second half.
St. Anthony’s 2026 vs Ward Melville
Both the Friars and the Patriots entered this contest with a 1-1 record looking to conclude pool play with a victory, but this one would go to the Friars with a decisive 10-4 win. The tandem of Sean Ronayne and Kristian Rodriguez combined for five of the ten goals, with three from Ronayne and two scored by Rodriguez. The Friars saw a total of seven different players get into the scoring column. At the face-off X Paul LoNigro won 56% of face-offs going 9/16. For the Patriots their sophomore attacker Louis Montellese tallied two goals followed by one goal each from Eric Dipalma (Oswego) and Quinn McKay (Bryant). Both Patriots goalies Colby Alister and Eric Dipalma were 50% in saves each allowing five goals.
Chaminade vs Huntington
The reigning back-to-back champions from Chaminade faced the Huntington Blue Devils, and it was Chaminade closing out their pool play schedule with an 11-3 win to remain unbeaten at 3-0 going into next week’s playoffs. The offense has been headlined by Hopkins commit Connor Kuttin who continues to be on a tear this winter. Kuttin rattled off seven goals in the game on a very efficient 10 shots on goal. At the face-off X Quinn Ball (UPenn) was in command winning 10/13 face-offs and also scoring one goal with one assist. Defensively Louis D’Agostino (Syracuse) forced two turnovers, scooped up three balls off the ground and also struck for a pole goal along with fellow long pole Will Arendt (Catholic). For Huntington it was Tommy Kline (Loyola) connecting for two goals and Luca Cuozzo (UMass) scoring one. On defense Parker Wands (Lenoir-Rhyne) forced a game high three caused turnovers, and in the net in the first half Will Fallon stopped five shots with a 56% save percentage.
Rust & Gold vs St. Anthony’s 2025
St. Anthony’s entered their final game aiming to remain undefeated when they took on Rust & Gold. Although the Friars were tested in this game after two convincing wins, they managed to move to 3-0 with a 7-5 win over Rust & Gold. This one was the Parker McDonald Show as the UNC commit long pole showed his versatility, striking for four of their seven goals, scooping up two balls off the ground and creating three takeaways. Adding two goals was Michigan commit Alexa Ruddy while St. Bonaventure commit Gio Massaro provided the late insurance tally to help secure the win. Joe Schwartz (Skidmore) dished out two assists for the Friars. In the net for the entire game was Dennis Brady (Lynn) who was 50% in saves with a total of five for the game. Rust & Gold’s offense was led by Roy Testa’s hat-trick followed by two goals from Jack Salva (Merrimack). Alex Vitale was 66% at the face-off X going 8/12, and in the cage Ryan Leopard saved 53% of shots faced with eight saves on 15 shots.
Commack vs Hills
In a Suffolk Class A matchup it was Commack taking on Hills to wrap up pool play, and the reigning Suffolk A Champions from Hills came out on top with a 13-4 win for a 2-1 record going into postseason play. Zach Marco (Harvard) came out firing for Hills scoring a game high seven goals on nine shots on goal. Anthony Raio (UNC) and Luke Bradley each scored twice with three ground balls and Nico Ghicas (Air Force was 7/8 at the face-off X with a goal while Colton Raio was 7/11. Hills also saw their young gun attacker in the freshman class Lucas Rodriguez find the back of the net as well. Commack’s four goals came from Zach Fishman (Geneseo) with two and one each from James Pagano (Richmond) and Thomas Grabow.
