Boys lacrosse: Meet the Elite 11, the Poughkeepsie Journal's 2024 players to watch
Lacrosse still is a developing sport in this area, but several programs have made considerable strides and a few have established themselves as title contenders. Red Hook, Arlington and Haldane are among the local teams that had strong runs last spring, and Our Lady of Lourdes broke through, winning a Section 9 championship.
With consideration to past performance and team success, and with potential factored, the Journal selected some of the stars who are expected to shine brightly this spring and several others who should stand out.
Boys lacrosse 2024 Elite 11
Drew Cornax
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Midfield
What makes Drew shine? With his size, athleticism and ever-expanding skillset, Cornax was a centerpiece of the program rebuild and eventually the catalyst of a championship run. The Marist College commit excels on both ends but has made his reputation as a prolific scorer. He rang up 112 points, including 87 goals, leading the Warriors to a Section 9 Class C title ― their first of any kind. He did that despite being the obvious focus of opponents, and for those accomplishments he was named the Journal's Co-Player of the Year last spring.
Softball: Meet the Nine Who Shine and the Journal's players to watch
Baseball: Here are the area's top returning players, others set to break out
The breakthrough: Cornax shines as Lourdes captures first lacrosse section title
Alex Crysler
School: Our Lady of Lourdes
Grade: Senior
Position: Attack
What makes Alex shine? A two-sport star, Crysler is a superb athlete with a tireless drive and has been a key cog in an explosive Lourdes offense. He had 43 goals and 15 assists last season and, coach Chris Malet said, "makes life difficult for the opposing defense when they're trying to clear the ball."
Liam Gaugler
School: Haldane
Grade: Senior
Position: Attack
What makes Liam shine? A returning first-team Journal All-Star, he established himself last season as an excellent facilitator and finisher. The Vassar College commit had 43 goals and 31 assists, earning all-section honorable mention after helping Haldane reach the Section 1 Class D semifinals.
Evan Giachinta
School: Haldane
Grade: Senior
Position: Attack, midfield
What makes Evan shine? He is a physical mismatch for most opponents, combining size and strength with outstanding speed. As well, Giachinta has developed into a dominant scorer and passer. The High Point commit had 53 goals and 41 assists last season, earning Journal Co-Player of the Year honors. Giachinta this school year already has helped the Haldane football and boys basketball teams make unexpected runs to the state tournament.
Jordon Hankel
School: Haldane
Grade: Senior
Position: Goalkeeper
What makes Jordon shine? The Sage College commit more than held his own last spring, despite facing several explosive offenses in Section 1, and helped lead the Blue Devils' resurgent season. Hankel made 163 stops with a .600 save percentage, earning all-section and Journal All-Star recognition.
Brayden Kuczma
Team: Wappingers
Grade: Senior
Position: Attack
What makes Brayden shine? His quickness and shifty moves are accompanied by sound fundamentals and a high lacrosse IQ. Those talents already have earned him three Journal All-Star selections and a commitment to Rochester Institute of Technology. Kuczma last season had 29 points and 32 assists, leading a rebuilding Wappingers squad to the Section 1 Class A playoffs. He also helped the United States Under-18 indoor lacrosse team win a junior world championship last fall.
Lucas Mackin
School: Arlington
Grade: Senior
Position: Attack
What makes Luke shine? He is a standout on an Arlington team that steadily has been among the best in Dutchess County in recent years. The Adelphi commit combines instincts, athleticism and physicality with extraordinary shot-making skills. Mackin had 42 goals and 25 assists while leading the Admirals to the Section 1 Class A quarterfinals last season.
Landon Ramsey
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: Defender
What makes Landon shine? A dynamic three-sport standout, Ramsey brings remarkable athleticism to the defensive end, often able to shadow and disrupt offensive players, and he excels in transition. The Canisius commit scooped 97 groundballs last season and showed his improving offensive skillset, totaling 30 points and earning all-Section 9 honors for a second time.
PJ Ruggiero
School: Haldane
Grade: Senior
Position: Long-stick midfielder
What makes PJ shine? Tasked with and trusted to consistently guard the best scorer on the opposing team, the Dickinson College commit flourished while leading a Haldane defense that stifled most of its opponents. The two-time Journal All-Star got 48 takeaways, forced an additional 45 turnovers and recovered 51 groundballs, earning all-Section 1 honors.
Nate Strassberger
School: Red Hook
Grade: Senior
Position: FOGO
What makes Nate shine? He starred as a faceoff specialist last season, utilizing his quickness and leverage to dominate the circle. He won almost 77% of his faceoffs and collected 178 groundballs, consistently providing extra possessions for a high-powered offense. Strassberger also is a midfielder and scored 26 goals, and has shown early this season his abilities as a facilitator.
Landon Zehr
Team: Highland/Marlboro
Grade: Senior
Position: Goalkeeper
What makes Landon shine? He earned USA Lacrosse All-American recognition last spring following an exceptional season in which he made 281 stops with a .655 save percentage while leading a rebuilding team. Zehr's agility and quick reaction time, combined with his vision and ability to dissect offensive sets, make him one of the better goalies this area has produced. He is committed to Flagler College.
Others to watch
Yoav Alperson, Red Hook, G, Sr.; Caleb Clamser, Wappingers, D, Jr.; Oscar Cline, New Paltz, A, Sr.; Andre Coleman, Highland/Marlboro, D/MF, Sr.; Jack Cook, Roosevelt, M, Sr.; Brody Corless, Haldane, M/D, Jr.; Logan Davis, Highland/Marlboro, A, Fr.; Frankie DiGiglio, Haldane, M, Sr.; Kamrin Doyle, Highland/Marlboro, A, Sr.; Cooper Driscoll, New Paltz, D, Sr.; Atticus Eglinski, Lourdes, G, Sr.; Fallou Faye, Haldane, A, Jr.; Jason Finn, Arlington, A, Jr.; Quinn Heinly, Arlington, M, Jr.; Collin Irwin, Lourdes, D, Sr.; Hugo Kay, New Paltz, M, Sr.; John Macri, Red Hook, M/A, So.; Joe McGann, Arlington, D, Sr.; Carson Palmer, Highland/Marlboro, A, So.; Andrew Plant, Roosevelt, A, Sr.; Michael Pomeroy, Arlington, A, Jr.; Patrick Siegrist, Lourdes, A, Sr.; Miles Soper, New Paltz, D, Sr.; Nate Stickle, Haldane, D, Jr.; Brad Tuttle, Roosevelt, A, Sr.; Eric Waldron, Wappingers, G, Sr.; Andrew Washall, Wappingers, M, Sr.; Luke Wiese, Highland/Marlboro, M, Fr.
Stephen Haynes: shaynes@poughkeepsiejournal.com; 845-437-4826; Twitter: @StephenHaynes4
This article originally appeared on Poughkeepsie Journal: Boys lacrosse: Meet the Journal's 2024 Elite 11 and players to watch
