High school lacrosse fans in New Jersey have plenty to be excited about this season — especially when it comes to the impressive performances by freshmen players. From scoring goals to dominating faceoffs, these young athletes are already making a strong impact.
Here’s a look at the top freshman stat leaders across the state through Thursday, May 1, based on points, goals, assists, saves, ground balls, and faceoffs won.
Points Leaders
Brendan Scott of North Hunterdon leads with 59 points, followed by Jack Rynearson from Delaware Valley with 42 and Max Bilodeau of West Deptford with 38. These players are proving they’re more than ready for the varsity level.
Other top scorers include Brendan Fox (Jefferson) with 37 points, Gavin Manassao (Colts Neck) with 34, and Jeffrey Schmucker (Boonton) with 29.
Goals Leaders
Once again, Brendan Scott tops this chart with 32 goals, showing his all-round dominance. Close behind are Jack Rynearson (30) and Max Bilodeau (29).
Brendan Fox (Jefferson) scored 26 goals, while Noah Bermingham (Phillipsburg) had 20. Several players like Cole Lewis (Lower Cape May) and Brody Pilek (Pope John) also made it past the 15-goal mark.
Assists Leaders
Scott also leads in assists with 27, proving he’s not just a scorer but a team player too. Vincent Rossi (Old Tappan) follows with 19 assists, while Gavin Manassao and Owen Higgins each recorded 15.
Luca Ingenito (Blair) added 14 assists to his name, showing strong playmaking ability early in his high school career.
Saves Leaders
Goalkeepers are just as crucial, and two players tie at the top: John Martinez (Newark East Side) and Wyatt Curley (Red Bank Catholic) each have 159 saves — an outstanding performance for freshmen.
Anthony Cassella (St. John Vianney) follows with 95 saves, and Alex Blau (Hawthorne) has 90.
Ground Balls Leaders
Ground balls are key in maintaining possession. Zuva Chakabva (Newark Academy) leads here with 86 ground balls, with teammate Ethan Suwankosai not far behind with 66.
Sebastian Assuncao (St. Joseph Metuchen) also stands out with 75 ground balls, showing strong control and hustle on the field.
Faceoffs Won Leaders
Sebastian Assuncao again makes headlines, winning 123 faceoffs — a true midfield machine. Nicholas Mangelli (Christian Brothers) follows with 105, and Zuva Chakabva adds another 100 to his resume.
Others like Gabriel Perrotto-Wald (High Point) and Ethan Suwankosai also show strength at the X, winning over 90 and 80 faceoffs respectively.
The future of New Jersey lacrosse looks bright, with so many freshman athletes already leading in critical stats. From scoring goals and assisting teammates to stopping shots and dominating ground balls, these players are setting the tone for their high school careers. With several years still ahead of them, they are names to watch in the coming seasons.
