2009 Northeast Region High School Boys' Games to Watch

By Adam C. Warner

LaxPower's Northeast Region Games to Watch slate features a variety of highly anticipated match-ups ranging from rivalry contests to likely conference clinchers and to inter-regional showdowns. From Massachusetts to Pennsylvania and everywhere in between, these ten boys lacrosse games surely cannot be missed in 2009.

Mountain Lakes Lakers (NJ) vs. Delbarton Green Wave (NJ), April 4

These two New Jersey and regional powers are always gunning for the No. 1 spot in the Garden State and bring lots of talent to the field. The fierce rivals split the regular season series in '08 before Mountain Lakes beat Delbarton in the NJSIAA state championship game, 12-6. They finished the year ranked second and third, respectively, in the final LaxPower rankings.

As expected, both teams are loaded in '09 and should compete for the state title once again. Midfielder Alex White leads the way for Delbarton along with Notre Dame recruit Ryan Foley at attack. Watch for a terrific match-up between those standouts and Mountain Lakes middies Chase Winter and Jake Tripucka – two more Division I recruits.


Deerfield Big Green (MA) vs. Longmeadow Lancers (MA), April 15

This is always a highly anticipated match-up between two New England powers that are considered the elite of their class. Last season, Deerfield finished the year at 15-1 overall, which included a 10-6 win over Longmeadow. However, Longmeadow won the Mass. Division II state title and finished the year 21-2. While Longmeadow took home the hardware, they want to prove they can beat the Big Green this time around.

Deerfield will be headed by Georgetown recruit Mike Morris on defense along with Harvard commit Pete Berg at midfield. Meanwhile, Deerfield will likely have its hands full with Longmeadow attacker Kyle Smith, a UMass recruit and likely 100-point scorer.


Malvern Prep Friars (PA) vs. Darien Blue Wave (CT), April 18

There won't be any state implications in this one, but there will be some regional implications. Darien finished No. 1 overall in Connecticut last year in the final season LaxPower rankings after going 22-1 and winning the state title thanks to an 11-4 win over New Canaan. Meanwhile, Malvern finished 11th in the country despite the second-hardest schedule in all of Pennsylvania. This year, both teams want to be at the top.

Darien features standout midfielder/attacker Tyler Foley, a Loyola recruit, and hard-nosed defender Matt Gorski among a handful of other top college prospects. On the other side, Malvern brings its elite defense and should make for some excellent match-ups against Darien's outstanding offense. Duke commit Billy Conners and teammate James Connelly will be hard-pressed to give up many goals, however. Last season, the Friars never allowed more than seven goals in any of their 24 contests.


Duxbury Dragons (MA) vs. Georgetown Prep Hoyas (DC), April 18

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2009-03-31