Rumson-Fair Haven 2024 Lacrosse Season Preview
The Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs are fresh off a Group 1 Championship and an appearance in the first ever Kirst Cup. The Bulldogs will have a lot of talent to replace, including three All-Americans and their starting goalie from last spring. Coach Marc Moreau has plenty of players returning that held roles on last year’s 21-4 championship squad, but they will need to continue to step up if they want to defend their title among a good bracket.
On the offensive end, All-American sharpshooter and Shore Conference Player of the Year Cole Cashion (79 goals, 107 points) has graduated and moved on to the attack corps of the Yale Bulldogs. While he was responsible for around 25% of the goals scored by this offense, the players returning should shine in their increased roles. Colgate-bound senior Andy Croddick (40 goals) and junior Grayson Goldin (24 goals) will run the scoring from the midfield, while sophomore Luke Lydon (34 goals) will pace the attack and look to build on a fantastic freshman season. Also returning in the midfield with Croddick and Goldin will be senior Leo Passalaqua (19 goals) and sophomore Joe Whitehouse (13 goals). While Lydon is the big name on attack, he will have help in senior Matt Casazza (6 goals) and gridiron star Alastair Orr, who will transition to the lacrosse field before taking his football talents to Hamilton College in the fall. Faceoffs should remain a strong point of this team, as Dennison-bound Luke Marascio returns after winning draws at a 64% clip.
Back on defense is where the real growing pains will reside. All-American and Shore Conference Defender of the Year Beau Kemler has graduated to Villanova, and his skills as arguably the most versatile player in the state will be missed. Along with Kemler, All-American Luke Jamin has moved onto his post-graduate year at Taft before he will head south to play lacrosse at the University of Virginia. With these two stalwart long poles leaves goalies Will Setteducate, who is taking a postgrad year at Hun before playing at Kenyon, and Marshall Halfacre. The biggest question will be in the crease with who steps up in net to lead the defensive end for the Bulldogs. While you cannot replace talents like Kemler and Jamin, the defenders returning are also among some of state’s best. Bucknell-bound Troy Monte and Williams-bound Brody Page bring senior experience to a group that is expecting major contributions from junior Joe French and sophomore Toby Najenson. Monte will bring that shutdown presence on the backend and Page is fantastic in transition accounting for eight goals and 11 total points last season.
Per usual, the schedule is a gauntlet for Rumson-Fair Haven, including the likes of traditional Shore foes Christian Brothers Academy, Manasquan, and Wall, state powers in Summit and St. Augustine, and Long Island powerhouse Manhasset. Growing pains are expected as this roster adjusts to its new roles, but there is no doubt that they will be settling in when it matters most. The Bulldogs are perennial title contenders, and this season is no different.