Before we get set to start Week 3 of our LaxLessons.com all-region team voting and the defense position, let’s check out the final vote tally for the midfield position.

So here you go:

Final reader votes for LaxLessons.com all-region team/midfield

Jeff Froccaro, Port Washington, 92
John Ranagan, Yorktown, 72
Thomas Schreiber, St. Anthony’s, 33
John Bolton, Darien, 18
Ian Braddish, West Islip, 18
Will Stewart, John Jay, 12
Brendan Walsh, Ridgefield, 11
Drew Belinsky, Manhasset, 11
Erik Pfiffner, Somers, 9
Andrew Hodgson, West Islip, 7
Colin Tullgren, Somers, 5
Forrest Walter, John Jay, 5
Rob Lombardo, Somers, 5
Matt Baker, Ridgefield, 5
Cole McCormack, Rye, 5
Nick O’Reilly, South Side. 5
Jimmy Vande Ver Donk, Putnam Valley, 4
Matt Deiana, Somers, 3
Chase Thompson, Mahopac, 3
Collin Parkhurst, Hen Hud, 3
Dylan Haas, Somers, 2
Duncan Morrissey, Ridgefield, 2
Peter Crisara, Irvington, 2
James Bryant, White Plains, 2
Jeff Molinari, Manhasset, 2
Jordan Fried, Greeley, 2
Robby Cegielski, Somers, 1
Doug Tesoriero , Syosset, 1
Joey Porcelli, Yorktown, 1
Giuseppe Rice, Peekskill, 1
Stefan Carpentieri, Byram Hills, 1
R.J. Medeo, Byram Hills, 1

Total Votes: 338

Now, here are the defense nominees. Remember, you can write in anyone not nominated.

Beginning two weeks ago, and lasting for the next two weeks, we have been having balloting by position. We are presenting the names of at least five nominees per position and asking you to write in anyone not included. So all players from Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Nassau, Suffolk and greater Fairfield — including public and private schools — are eligible.

The voting starts at midnight each Sunday and end Saturday at midnight.

Then, we will move on to another position.

After all the positions are decided on July 4, we will publish our all-region team on Monday, July  6.

On Sunday, July 5, we will start week-long balloting for coach of the year, which will be announced on July 12, the same day we start week-long balloting for region player of the year.

Here’s the order of voting:

• Attack: June 7—12 (Voting completed)

Results:

* Nicky Galasso, West Islip, 78
* Connor English, Manhasset, 76
* Matt White, Ridgefield, 68
* JoJo Marasco, Somers, 64
* Kevin Interlicchio, Yorktown, 54
* Dante Fantoni, St. Anthony’s, 22
* Greg Petre, Somers, 22
* Ryan Fitzgerald, Putnam Valley, 13
* Will Manny, St. A’s, 13
* Rob Santangelo, Rye 6
* Nick O’Reilly, South Side 4
* Joey Leonard, Hicksville 4
* Mike Daniello, John Jay 3
* Tyler Perrelle, Mahopac 3
* Colin Scott, Ridgefield 2
* Jack Doherty, Lakeland/Panas 2
* Remy Lieberman, Yorktown 2
* Eddie Loftus, Syosset 1
Total Votes: 435

• Midfield: June 14-20 (Voting completed)

Results:

Jeff Froccaro, Port Washington, 92
John Ranagan, Yorktown, 72
Thomas Schreiber, St. Anthony’s, 33
John Bolton, Darien, 18
Ian Braddish, West Islip, 18
Will Stewart, John Jay, 12
Brendan Walsh, Ridgefield, 11
Drew Belinsky, Manhasset, 11
Erik Pfiffner, Somers, 9
Andrew Hodgson, West Islip, 7
Colin Tullgren, Somers, 5
Forrest Walter, John Jay, 5
Rob Lombardo, Somers, 5
Matt Baker, Ridgefield, 5
Cole McCormack, Rye, 5
Nick O’Reilly, South Side. 5
Jimmy Vande Ver Donk, Putnam Valley, 4
Matt Deiana, Somers, 3
Chase Thompson, Mahopac, 3
Collin Parkhurst, Hen Hud, 3
Dylan Haas, Somers, 2
Duncan Morrissey, Ridgefield, 2
Peter Crisara, Irvington, 2
James Bryant, White Plains, 2
Jeff Molinari, Manhasset, 2
Jordan Fried, Greeley, 2
Robby Cegielski, Somers, 1
Doug Tesoriero , Syosset, 1
Joey Porcelli, Yorktown, 1
Giuseppe Rice, Peekskill, 1
Stefan Carpentieri, Byram Hills, 1
R.J. Medeo, Byram Hills, 1

Total Votes: 338

• Defense: June 21-27

• Goaltender: June 28-July 4

During each balloting period, you will be allowed to make just one vote per position.

And finally, our all-region team will be broken down this way numbers wise:

Attack — 4

Midfield — 4

Attack/midfield — 4

Defense — 6

Goaltenders — 2

Total — 20

So there you have it. Be sure to exercise your right to vote and let us know what you think about the attack position on this thread.

Reach Joe Lombardi at joe@laxlesons.com.

• Joe’s MaxPreps.com column: English, Galasso come up huge in finals; Fairfield Prep, Darien repeat

Posted In: General

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42 Responses to “LaxLessons.com all-region team: Who’s the best defenseman?”

  1. IslandLaxpert says:

    When you combine footwork with stick skills, field vision and takeway ability, I have to rate Thomas Keith #1. I was also impressed by the job Fennessy did on Fantoni of St A’s and Galasso of WI.

  2. LaxObserver says:

    I must agree. Keith is probably #1, then Fennessy, then Cappellini. All have the athleticism to succeed at the college level

  3. TownLax says:

    Gotta go with Fenn.

  4. Pequa says:

    In order;

    1. Keith.

    2. Fennessey

    3. Lasalla

  5. taz says:

    Keith might not be top 3. I’d vote Fennesy although not sure what IslandExpert watched vs WI (Gallasso 3/1). Am surprised how Froccaro ran away with the midfield poll since Ranagan seemed the crowd favorite in here. Hodgson from WI could definitely have been higher IMO.

  6. ISLAND LAX says:

    The top three has to be Keith Fennessy or Cap. Carc on the MSG Lax report had Keith 1 and Fenn 2. Its a toss up between who you talk to about who’s #1 but al of those guys are capable. I voted Keith and if i could have a second i would have voted Cap.

  7. Laxtime says:

    Depends what you’re looking for. If you want a physically imposing, athletic, intimidating shutdown defender, then Fennessy is the clear choice. If versatility is what you want then Keith, stick skills then Fox. Tenacity then Lasala. Combinaton of all these Cappellini. Overall Fennessy is tops as indicated by his Under Armour AA selection.

  8. RED RAGE says:

    Interesting convo about who is #1 this year. By far the best defensive combo in the state next year will be Eddie Schurr and John Bello at close D next year playing in front of “The Wall” Chris Longo in goal.

  9. Quaker Nation says:

    By far the best defenceman in Section I next year will be Hunter Bastian of Greeley. He has the size and skills to be a great player at the next level and is being recruited by Ohio State and a lot of other D1 powerhouses.

  10. LAX says:

    I think Pickel, Schurr, and Bastian will be the 3 best in section 1 next year.

  11. JT LAXIN says:

    Fenn was a UA AA, but you have to remember, those teams were chosen before the year even started and they didn’t show any love to LI defense men. Keith over Cap in the finals i say

  12. slacrosse says:

    Still think Don Keough of Rye right at same level as Fenn.

    Played ESG with Fenn and Fox and was a dominant force at LSD as he was this season.

  13. LI Lax says:

    Maybe he isn’t the best, but I think Mike McCormack from WI should be mentioned in the poll.

  14. taz says:

    McCormack is definitely an interesting consideration but really think he excels more @ LSM than close D. Keith vs Cappellini is interesting – Keith more versatile while Cappellini had more success this year. Cappellini was clearly #1 defenseman on last summers ESG LI team.

    Island – Carc was a great player @ Cuse but he put English on his 2nd attack team and STILL hypes Greeley after numerous no shows in big games over the last 2 years.

  15. LAXIT says:

    I have to agree with LaxObserver top 3

    1 Kieth

    2 Fennessey

    3 Cappellini

    4 LaSalla

    5 McCormack

    6 Keogh or Fox

  16. LAXIT says:

    Hey Joe

    I herd that after the goalies are picked you are taking the all region team
    for a steak dinner @Ben Bensons is that true!

  17. Joe Lombardi says:

    LAXIT –

    That’s a great idea. I was actually thinking Morton’s or Ruth’s Chris, but I don’t know, that may violate NCAA rules?

  18. SuffolkLax says:

    Whoever played Interlicchio in the final game.

  19. Lax Novice says:

    Yeah, Joe, Dayton will get a year’s probation, better stick to the T-shirts, you don’t want your All-Region team to end up like Jeff Ruland, lol.

  20. ctlax says:

    From what I’ve seen Keith is fantastic – the complete package. Fennesey and Cappellini are very good shutdown defensemen. LaSala is a takeaway machine – that over the head check of his is the nastiest in the tri-state…

  21. KS Lax says:

    Pound for pound Derek Katchis of Greeley is the best. I mean KI couldn’t even get a shot off against him and Derek didn’t even shut him off or face guard him. That and Keough holding Jo-Jo without a point til the last second of regulation are the two best defensive performances of the year.

  22. o baby says:

    ^^^ Definitely Derek Katchis. Amazing foot work, if he doesn’t have a pass on a clear, he has no problem successfully taking it himself. Shuts off any one he needs to. KI couldn’t do anything against him.

  23. Redd says:

    No one hits harder than Bello. Section 1 should be careful of him and Schurr next year, they compliment each others styles very well.

  24. Observer says:

    I agree Jon Bello is a very hard hitter and good athlete with a huge upside. From what I saw in the two John Jay games he is still raw. Looks like he really needs some coaching about technique, positioning to get to the next level. I take it he was on JV when Schurr was coach and missed out on the chance to learn all that from him.

  25. OK. says:

    Observer
    Let It Go. Schurr is not the Coach anymore. Its OK, Let It Go. Maybe Therapy!!

  26. lilax says:

    Cappellini was the number 1 dman on empires… keith did not make the travel team. fennessy reminds me of meyers, got the hype because of football and his size, but we’ll see how much he does in college. meyers hasn’t amounted to anything.

  27. Drive for Five Alive says:

    Good to see Matty Gorski of the Big D picking up ground in the poll.

  28. LILAX says:

    lilax,
    Have you even seen Keith since last summer? He was a full time hockey player till the empires. Stood out for athletic ability. Went full time lacrosse this year, and is different player entirely.

  29. LAXIT says:

    Have to agree with LaxObserver top 3 But i think i should rethink my 5th and 6th pick still like my top three or top 4

    1 Kieth

    2 Fennessey

    3 Cappellini

    4 LaSalla

    5 Fox (Just to much diversity all around athlete)

    6 Keogh or Mcormack

  30. Observer says:

    OK, sounds like your the one that needs theraphy. I have never met Schurr but know he runs a tight ship and obviously knows defense. When I saw Somers play it seemed like their D was athletic but didn’t really know fundamentals, when to slide, etc., and took too many penalties Except for Eddie Schurr. Wonder where he learned that from?

  31. Your Not Observing says:

    Mr Observer, Do Not really know what games you are watching or your actual knowledge of the game. I played for both coaches now. Coach Schurr had us in zone, and that worked for most of the time, but it did not let us be athletic.. Coach Lew runs multiple looks, and we do alot of different things to try to take people out of their game.. We Do know when to slide, and we work on fundamentals every day. So if you want to come to practice to learn some things,I’m sure Coach J won’t mind. But Don’t act like you know our team!!

  32. Jaybird says:

    Oh please. Somers offense was let JoJo run the show. The defensive “scheme” was hope the goalie would come up with a big save. Basically roll the balls out and let the athletes hit and get ground balls. Hey no knock on it – it worked until they played a well coached well disciplined team like Nisky when it blew up in their face.

  33. LaxObserver says:

    LILAX. You obviously have not seen Kieth this year. Completely different player, but Cap is a very good defenseman that need to work on foot speed

  34. laxforfun says:

    jaybird all season you were touting the ability of jj so now that Somers beat them twice are you saying jj is not a well coached well disciplined team? If I recall correctly how many different players scored for Somers and not just once – JoJo is amazing but there are others who will shine. As far as defense only getting better

  35. Old Rugger says:

    Jaybird, totally disagree with your JoJo was all. He was the most explosive player on the team but that was a good team that beat JJ not a one man show. Defense was quick and athletic, midfield was more physical, ball distibution was good and scoring and assists game from many places. That Junior Class is good and will only get better. JJ will have a fight on its hands next year, this will be no walk in the park, but it is good to see the U17 Roster of the PT team is solidly JJ so they will be playing together this summer.

    Joe/Cuse a quick question (well maybe not so quick) There are 2 thoughts to all this summer Lax.
    1. More stick time and different coaches will make better players but there is also this
    2. Players need to develop their body and also focus on strength, speed, agility and endurance.
    At times I find these 2 in conflict if they always have a stick in their hands their skills will become much better but what about the other side of the equation when do they get to work on the other?

  36. Joe Lombardi says:

    Old Rugger –

    Of course, most players join summer travel teams for one reason — to get exposure for colleges. The commitment requires one or two days of practice during the week and one tournament on the weekend. That makes it tough time-wise to work on strength and speed on your own time through mid July or so — but not impossible.

    The bottom line is players who want to play at the next level need to find the time. Let’s face it. Players like to work at what they’re good at. Doing speed and strength training is not fun. But it’s exactly what players around here should be doing in the offseason — and what those already playing in college should continue to be doing.

  37. HV Lax says:

    I agree Joe. If the players up here don’t put more time and effort in agility and speed, college opportunities are going to pass them by.

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