MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Boys Lacrosse Rankings

On the biggest stage and in the toughest of circumstances, Conestoga made a monumental statement Friday night.

The Pioneers, in their season opener, rallied for six unanswered goals and stunned host and former No. 1 Calvert Hall, 11-10, to state their case for the No. 1 spot. And this week they have it – the ranking of No. 1 in the nation.

"I am still a little stunned myself at the show we were able to put on in the last 22 minutes," said Conestoga coach Brian Samson. "The kids really rallied together and I am so impressed with the way our defense was able to pressure Calvert Hall. I think that was the key to the last third of the game."

The Cards (4-1) seized a 10-5 lead with four quick goals to start the second half. They were totally dominating at the faceoff X behind U-19 player Stephen Kelly (won 20 of 22 draws), but the Pioneers began to take control behind a stifling defense led by LSM Miles Thomas and defenseman Jaime Ikeda.

Bradlee Lord led Conestoga's attack with a brilliant five-goal effort, including the game-winner with 2:21 to play off a man-up feed from Connor Frisina (one goal, three assists). Tyler Brooke added three goals.

"Jamie Ikeda and Miles Thomas played like stars and they were also keys on the wings on face-offs," said Samson. "They must have done a marathon with all the running they did."

Landon School snaps Haverford School streak
The other big game Friday was at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium where Landon School (Md.) shocked Haverford School (Pa.), 5-4, to break the Fords' 30-game win streak.

Led by the superb goaltending of Alex Joyce, who had 14 saves, the Bears took a 4-1 lead and held off a furious Fords comeback attempt at the finish. Landon had dropped two one-goal games entering play and Haverford was 3-0 and ranked No. 2 at the time.

"Our goalie was outstanding, he played a monster game," said Landon assistant coach J.R. Bordley. "The defense was tenacious and this was a battle between two great teams. It was a game we had to have."

Games to Watch this week
No. 4 Gilman at No. 12 Georgetown Prep, Tuesday
No. 16 Landon at No. 4 Gilman, Friday
No. 19 Gonzaga at No. 12 Georgetown Prep, Friday
No. 20 Episcopal Academy at No. 23 La Salle, Friday
No. 2 Calvert Hall vs. No. 21 Manhasset, Saturday at St. Paul's

MaxPreps Xcellent 25 Boys Lacrosse Rankings

1. (No. 4 last week) Conestoga (Berwyn, Pa.), 1-0
The Pioneers pulled off a comeback win that will be talked about for a long time. They earned the No. 1 spot the hard way.

2. (1) Calvert Hall (Baltimore), 4-1
The Cardinals bounced back from the Conestoga loss by handling Delaware state champion Salesianum School, 13-5.

3. (3) St. Anthony's (Melville, N.Y.), 0-0
The Friars host Holy Trinity (N.Y.) in their opener Tuesday.

4. (9) Gilman (Baltimore), 1-0
The Greyhounds opened with a strong 8-3 win over Hereford (Md.) and gear for a killer stretch that includes games with Georgetown Prep (away, Tuesday), Landon School (home, Friday), La Salle (home, April 3) and Haverford School (away, April 5).

5. (5) Deerfield Academy (Mass.), 0-0
The Big Green open Saturday when they host Brunswick (Greenwich, Conn.).

6. (6) Salisbury School (Conn.), 0-0
The Crimson Knights, last year's New England West runners-up, open April 6 at Berkshire School (Sheffield, Mass.).

7. (2) Haverford School (Pa.), 3-1
The Fords look to rebound from the loss to Landon School Saturday when they play St. Joseph's Prep, a PIAA state finalist last year.

8. (8) Jamesville-DeWitt (DeWitt, N.Y.), 0-0
The Rams - who have the nation's longest winning streak at 44 – open April 5 at Chittenango.

9. (11) Chaminade (Mineola, N.Y.), 2-0
The Flyers opened with a thrilling 10-9 overtime win over Massapequa and host West Islip Saturday in another Long Island showdown.

10. (10) Duxbury (Mass.), 0-0
The Green Dragons open April 5 at North Quincy.

11. (12) Garden City (N.Y.), 3-0
The Trojans had key wins over Long Island rivals Syosset (13-8) and Ward Melville (12-9), and have scored 41 goals in three games. They play at St. Paul's (Md.) on Saturday.

12. (14) Georgetown Prep (North Bethesda, Md.), 6-0
The Hoyas have a big week: home games against Gilman School (Tuesday) and Gonzaga (Friday).

13. (13) Lawrenceville School (N.J.), 1-0
The Big Red routed Mercersburg Academy (PA), 15-1, in their opener.

14. (7) Loyola Blakefield (Towson, Md.), 4-1
The Dons rebounded from a loss to Haverford School by downing Upper Arlington (Ill.), 15-3, at the LacrossePlayground.com Spring Classic.

15. (15) Smithtown West (N.Y.), 1-0
The Bulls opened with a 10-3 triumph over Mt. Sinai.

16. (16) Landon (Bethesda, Md.), 2-2
The Bears rebounded in style from two one-goal losses by breaking Haverford School's 30-game win streak.

17. (18) Bridgewater-Raritan (Bridgewater, N.J.), 0-0
The Panthers open Saturday at Watching Hills (N.J.).

18. (19) Darien (Conn.), 0-0
The Blue Wave opens April 4 vs. Fairfield-Ludlowe.

19. (23) Gonzaga (Washington, D.C.), 6-0
The Purple Eagles play at McDonogh (Md.) Tuesday and then gear for a key battle at Georgetown Prep Friday.

20. (NR) Episcopal Academy (Newtown Square, Pa.), 4-0
The Churchmen break into the rankings with an impressive 8-4 win over St. Stephen's & St. Agnes (Va.), which came in undefeated. EA has key games this week vs. Downingtown East (Tuesday) and La Salle (Friday).

21. (21) Manhasset (N.Y.), 0-0
The Indians host Hewlett Tuesday and then gear for Calvert Hall Saturday.

22. (22) West Islip (N.Y.), 0-0
The Lions open Tuesday at home vs. Middle Country and then face two stern tests vs. Smithtown East (Thursday) and Chaminade (Saturday).

23. (25) La Salle College (Wyndmoor, Pa.), 1-0
The Explorers opened with a 10-5 win over Radnor (Pa.) and have a key home game Friday vs. Episcopal Academy.

24. (NR) St. Augustine Prep (Richland, N.J.), 0-0
The Hermits open Saturday at Chatham (N.J.).

25. (NR) Irondequoit (Rochester, N.Y.), 0-0
The Eagles opened with a 25-2 spanking of Webster Schroeder (N.Y.).

Dropped out: Boys' Latin (Md.) 4-1, Malvern Prep (Pa.) 0-2, Ward Melville (N.Y.) 0-1

Chris Goldberg, editor and owner of Lacrosse Media, operates Phillylacrosse.com, LILacrosseNews.com and BaltimoreLacrosseNews.com, as well as the new national gear site, LaxGearZone.com. He may be reached at golax@phillylacrosse.com.