By Chris Goldberg
TopLaxRecruits.com, Posted 3/11/13
As the No. 1-ranked team, Boys’ Latin had a bulls-eye on its head when it traveled to Florida to open its season Saturday night against Lake Highland Prep, of Orlando, at Boca Raton.
And indeed, the Lakers found the Highlanders to be a very formidable opponent. In fact, Lake Highland Prep seized a 3-1 lead after the first period until Boys’ Latin kicked into gear.
Led by Colin Heacock (four goals), Michael Lynch (three goals) and Shack Stanwick (one goal, two assists), Boys’ Latin forged ahead, 7-4, at the half and opened up a 12-5 bulge before allowing some late goals and claiming a 13-9 victory.
Lake Highland Prep is 3-3, but was a state finalist last year.
“We played a talented team,” said Boy’s Latin coach Bob Shriver. “We had to get into game speed, but once we settled down we played fairly well after the first quarter.”
Boys’ Latin also was strong at the face-off X behind the tandem of Brian Lichtenauer (Ohio State) and Hunter Moreland.
Saturday night’s game was played at Pope John Paul II in Boca Raton. On Tuesday in Boca Raton the Lakers play a 7 p.m. game at defending Florida state champion St. Andrew’s, which is 7-1 after giving another MIAA power, McDonogh School (MD), a battle in a 7-5 loss at the Spring Face-Off Classic in Durham, N.C.
Shriver is pleased to have the experience of the Florida trip.
“Very much so; we’ve been very lucky to be able to come to Florida like 13 of the last 14 or 15 years,” he said. “It’s a wonderful trip for the kids. We’re by ourselves and we get to play quality opponents.”
California showdown: No. 16 St. Ignatius Prep meets Torrey Pines (2-0) in a matchup of California powers on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. in Pasadena, roughly midway between the two schools. Torrey Pines (San Diego) dealt St. Ignatius (San Francisco) its lone defeat last year, 10-9.
The TopLaxRecruits North America Boys’ Rankings
1. Boys’ Latin, Md. (1-0) Prev: No. 1
2. Garden City, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 2
3. Calvert Hall, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 3
4. St. Anthony’s, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 4
5. La Salle, Pa. (0-0) Prev: No. 5
6. Chaminade, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 6
7. Hill Academy, Ontario (2-0) Prev: No. 7
8. Salisbury School, Conn. (0-0) Prev: No. 8
9. Deerfield Academy, Mass. (0-0) Prev: No. 9
10. Landon School, Md. (1-0) Prev: No. 10
11. Smithtown West, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 11
12. Gilman School, Md. (0-0) Prev: No. 12
13. Gonzaga, D.C. (1-0) No. 14
14. Loyola Blakefield, Md. (1-0) Prev: No. 15
15. Haverford School, Pa. (0-0) Prev: No. 16
16. St. Ignatius Prep, Cal.(2-0) Prev: No. 18
17. Conestoga, Pa.(0-0) Prev: No. 17
18. Jamesville-DeWitt, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: No. 19
19. Yorktown, N.Y. (0-0) Prev: N0. 20
20. McDonogh School (Md.) 1-0 Prev; NR
Under consideration: Darien, Conn. (0-0); Don Bosco Prep, N.J. (0-0); Duxbury, Mass. (0-0); Georgetown Prep (Md.) 0-0; Ithaca (N.Y.) (0-0); Niskayuna, NY, 0-0; St. Andrew’s, Fla. (7-1); St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va,) 1-0; Torrey Pines Cal. (2-0); West Genesee, NY ( 0-0); West Islip, N.Y. (0-0).
