AMHERST – The NLF National Championships took place recently at UMass Amherst. BostonLax.net was there with video, photo, and coverage of the event. You can check out our multi-media coverage of the event here.
Our HIgh School coverage culminated in four Championship games on Sunday, with four fantastic matchups, all featured LIVE on ESPN3.
2019 NFL High School National Championship Results
2020: Team 91 Long Island Crush 13, Laxachusetts Black 3
2021: D.C. Express, 7, Big 4 HHH 6
2022: Long Island Express 8, Leading Edge 7 OT
2023: Long Island Express 8, Baltimore Crab 6
Long Island Express Captures 2022 and 2023 Gold Belts
The 2022 and 2023 LI Express squads pulled off two-in-a-row on Sunday to begin the NLF National Championships (High School Divisions) at Garber Field at 1 pm.
The 2023 team started the action strong for the New York club power, battling the Baltimore Crabs throughout, in a close contest. Despite trailing 4-3 at the half the Express battled from behind to earn an 8-6 win. The comeback was highlighted by an exciting fourth quarter of play, as the Express completed a beautiful man-down goal sequence, which followed a Crabs behind-the-back goal. The victors would score the final two goals, which also included a big defensive stand and a transition game-sealer to earn the Championship.
A BIG closing defensive stand and a nice finish – cap off a 2023AA National Championship for @ExpressLacrosse at the @natlaxfed yesterday at UMass. @bostonlaxnet pic.twitter.com/9KrS9mCFrI
— Ryan Kilian (@masspreps) July 22, 2019
The 2022 LI Express squad also trailed (6-4) at the half, as Leading Edge got off to a strong start behind a balanced offensive attack that saw five different players find the back of the net to open the game.
Leading Edge was led by the strong early play of Tyler Marmo who netted the game’s first goal, along with middie Hunter Sancetta, who scored two goals in the opening frame. The Express was led by midfielder Joey Terenzi, who was in on every play on the offensive end, drawing numerous poles, double teams, and attention.
The second half would belong to the Express, as they outscored Leading Edge, led by their staunch and balanced defense and Will Snyder in cage, who helped contain Leading Edge and hold them to just one goal in the second half.
With the score tied at 7-7, it would be Long Island Express attackman Charles Balsamo who would provide the heroics, early in the extra session, and seal the National Championship victory for his team.
Charles Balsamo wins it for @ExpressLacrosse – as his Overtime goal lifted his squad to an 8-7 victory in the 2022AA @natlaxfed National Championship game at UMass yesterday. @bostonlaxnet pic.twitter.com/u0zVZASKJs
— Ryan Kilian (@masspreps) July 22, 2019
2021 – Big Second Half Lifts DC Express to National Championship
Trailing 4-2 at the half DC Express executed a pivotal and precise third quarter, outscoring Big 4 HHH 4-1 in the frame to take a 6-5 lead heading into the fourth quarter of play.
Big 4 HHH attackman Luke Walstrom would score first in the fourth quarter to tie it up at 6-6 with 7:40 on the clock in the fourth quarter on an aggressive move from X, finishing a pretty wrap-around goal.
DC would answer back, however, as Michael Ridgway would net the eventual game-winner on a pass from Lucas Hilsenrath.
It would take one final defensive stand, however, to ice the game, as goalie Jack Fracyon would come up with a big, focused save for DC with Big 4 HHH knocking on the door in the final seconds of play.
A game saving stop by Jack Fracyon of the 2021AA @DCExpressLax helped propel his squad to a 7-6 victory and their 2nd consecutive @natlaxfed National title. @bostonlaxnet pic.twitter.com/f0NREywmCx
— Ryan Kilian (@masspreps) July 22, 2019
DC received seven goals from seven different goal-scorers on the afternoon.
2020 Team 91 Long Island Crush State Their Claim as One of the Best Ever
Laxachusetts came out strong to begin the game, trading goals early, with Timmy LaCroix (St. John’s Shrewsbury) (Bryant commit) highlighting the action as he connected on a nice move and deep finish from just inside the top of the box.
Tim LaCroix of @SJHSLacrosse finds the back of the net early for @LXCMinutemen in yesterday’s 2020AA @natlaxfed National Championship game at UMass. @bostonlaxnet @Bryant_MLax pic.twitter.com/VYrOwu7rYW
— Ryan Kilian (@masspreps) July 22, 2019
It would be all Crush from that point on though, as the veteran unit put a cap on their amazing Club run with their second consecutive NLF Club National Championship, winning 13-3 in impressive fashion.
Team 91 Crush was led by the play of No. 1 recruit Brennan O’Neill (Duke-commit), along with running mates Xavier Arline (North Carlina), Joey Spallina, Ryan Levy (North Carolina), and Andrew McAdorey, as they scored early and often and proved to be one of the most unstoppable 6-v-6 units in recent club lacrosse history.
O’Neill performed as advertised, looking like a man amongst boys all tournament long. He utilized his size, speed, and numerous skills to overwhelm defenses all weekend. There was no stopping him from anywhere on the field, as he worked from X, the Wing, and up top with dominating balance to his game.
10 Top Standouts from Sunday’s Championships (Classes 2022-through-2020)
Brennan O’Neill ’20 – Attack – (St. Anthony’s) Team 91 LI Crush
Xavier Arline ’20 – Attack – (Shoreham-Wading River) Team 91 LI Crush
Joey Spallina ’20 – Attack – (Mount Sinai) Team 91 LI Crush
Quinn Richards ’20 – Goalie – (Belmont Hill) Laxachusetts
Tim LaCroix ’20 – Midfield – (St. John’s Shrewsbury) Laxachusetts
Jack Fracyon ’21 – Goalie – (Bullis) DC Express
Mason Lazasz ’21 – Midfield – (La Salle) Big 4 HHH
Joey Terenzi ’22 – Midfield – (Manhasset) LI Express
Charles Balsamo ’22 – Attack – (Chaminade) LI Express
Luke Engelke ’22 – FO Mid – (Pingry) Leading Edge
