Culver Outlasts Top-Ranked St. Anthony’s in Season Opener

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><a href="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/02/2026-preseason-high-school-rankings-who-leads-the-pack/" id="https://preplacrosse.com/2026/02/2026-preseason-high-school-rankings-who-leads-the-pack/">Prep Lacrosse's preseason No. 1, St. Anthony's</a> (N.Y.), opened its season with a tough loss to a battle-tested Culver (Ind.) squad on Saturday at Cy Donnelly Field in New York. Culver entered the matchup with two regular-season games and several scrimmages already under its belt, while this was St. Anthony's first true test of the spring—and it showed early.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The faceoff battle was tightly contested throughout, with Culver's sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='129980' first='Geoffrey' last='Standfast'] and freshman Russell Bosek going head-to-head against St. A's duo of [player_tooltip player_id='45368' first='Robbie' last='Johnson'] (UNC) and Paul LoNigro (Wingate). Both goalies were sharp: [player_tooltip player_id='120633' first='Bodhi' last='Harmon'] (Duke) anchored Culver with 18 saves, while [player_tooltip player_id='21434' first='Dylan' last='Rappaport'] (Loyola) stood tall for St. Anthony's with 12 stops. Culver's relentless 10-man ride also set an early tone, forcing turnovers and converting several into quick transition goals the other way.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Offensively, the Eagles showed their depth even without standout [player_tooltip player_id='123009' first='Riley' last='Woods']. [player_tooltip player_id='175339' first='Bryceson' last='Lamoureux'] (3g/1a), [player_tooltip player_id='163159' first='PJ' last='Kennedy'] (2g, 1a), Parker Prater (2g), Nate Zander (1g, 1a), Nate Szweda (1g), Jacob Chapman (1g), and [player_tooltip player_id='16862' first='Hayden' last='Delaney'] (1g) all found the back of the net. St. Anthony's had plenty of bright spots as well, led by [player_tooltip player_id='45399' first='Danny' last='Rooney'] (2g, 1a), [player_tooltip player_id='16391' first='Charlie' last='Cacciabaudo'] (2g), [player_tooltip player_id='17446' first='Jacob' last='Johnston'] (2g), [player_tooltip player_id='17521' first='Dylan' last='Harrigan'] (1g, 1a), and [player_tooltip player_id='166380' first='Aidan' last='Dale'] (1g, 1a).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Here's a closer look at five standout performers from Culver's 11-8 over St. Anthony's: </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175339"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b876d849e81"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">With [player_tooltip player_id='123009' first='Riley' last='Woods'] sidelined by injury, [player_tooltip player_id='175339' first='Bryceson' last='Lamoureux'] has owned the lefty attack spot—and he's made every minute count. The Yale commit from Ottawa fits the profile you'd expect from a Canadian product: slick hands, quick reads, and great in tight. Against St. Anthony's, all of that was on display as he tallied a hat trick and an assist.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">His first goal came late in the opening quarter, where he scooped up a rebound and capped it with an around-the-world finish—pure instinct and flair. A few minutes later, he threaded a perfect feed between two poles to find Nate Zander on the doorstep for an easy finish. Not long after, Lamoureux added his second of the game, showing he can handle physical matchups despite his size. After picking up the ball on the endline following a near-connection with [player_tooltip player_id='163159' first='PJ' last='Kennedy'], he dodged hard up the hashes, fought through contact, created separation with a smooth step-back, and snuck an underhand shot five-hole. His final goal of the day surprised even seasoned watchers: catching lefty, rolling to the middle, and finishing righty to the far corner—a rare sight for a Canadian left-hander. That moment, more than anything, underscored his confidence and evolving versatility within Culver's offense.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["16862"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b876d849e0b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Delaney embodies the prototypical Culver midfielder — quick, confident, and technically sharp. He's a straight-line dodger with excellent field awareness and strong wrists that allow him to get some velocity on the run. His dodging style is efficient and decisive — usually one move and go — relying on his burst to beat defenders to dangerous locations. He's especially comfortable attacking down the alleys, often favoring his right hand, whether he's leaving it on the outside or slicing through the lefty alley with an S-dodge. Against St. Anthony's, one of his most eye-catching moments came on a righty alley dodge where he burned his short-stick matchup and jumped into a release before the slide arrived. The shot bounced off the goalie's stick to [player_tooltip player_id='175339' first='Bryceson' last='Lamoureux'], who finished with an around-the-world highlight, but the sequence showcased Delaney's acceleration and how much velocity he can generate off the run through his core and wrists.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Beyond his athletic skill set, Delaney's lacrosse IQ stood out all afternoon. He repeatedly read slides at a high level, drawing defenders to open up quality looks for teammates. On three separate dodge-and-dump sequences, he beat his man clean and drew the adjacent slide far enough to free shooters for great opportunities — though none found the net. His situational awareness paid off later when he recognized a defensive lapse in transition, sprinted out of the box unmarked, took a short feed from Nate Zander, avoided a couple of checks, and buried it five-hole late in the third quarter.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175341"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b876d849ed0"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Already seasoned as a sophomore, [player_tooltip player_id='175341' first='Sanchez' last='Rucker'] is settling into his role as a true two-way midfielder after spending most of last season as a short-stick d middie on Culver's Prep team. What jumps out first is his raw athleticism—he moves differently. On defense, he's everything you want in an SSDM: physical on contact and clean with his feet. He engages dodgers with confrontational cross-checks, mirrors with quick, balanced footwork, and hunts groundballs with a motor that doesn't quit.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Offensively, his confidence is catching up fast. Against St. Anthony's, Rucker showed real offensive upside—especially as a dodger who can draw and kick the ball efficiently. One sequence summed it up well: he initiated against his LSM, split through pressure, drew the adjacent slide, and kicked it out to Jacob Chapman for a clean step-down finish. Earlier, he nearly converted on a right-handed step-down that whistled just over the top corner—a heavy release that few goalies would want to see again. Rucker plays fearless, unbothered by contact, and always willing to sacrifice his body to make a play. For college coaches, he checks every box you look for in a young midfielder—athletic, accountable, and adaptable. As a sophomore, he's already producing on both ends with a ceiling that continues to climb.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175343"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b876d849f1a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">The senior short-stick defensive middie made his presence felt right away against St. Anthony's with a tough, hard-nosed performance. The High Point commit has everything you'd expect from a top SSDM—good size, real foot speed, and that edge that makes offensive players think twice before dodging his way. Technically, he's impressive: long, efficient strides that let him match speed in space, fluid hips to flip and run with dodgers, and the upper body strength to deliver cross-checks that reset matchups.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Gray's football background shows in every possession. He embraces contact, initiates it when necessary, and makes sure opponents feel his presence. One of his signature moments came on St. Anthony's opening possession—sharp communication through team offense, clean footwork to funnel his man down the alley, and a punishing cross-check that sent the shooter to the turf after forcing a low-percentage attempt. Gray plays the short stick position the way coaches want—disciplined, athletic, and flat-out competitive. He's steady in team defense, navigates pick play well, takes pride in winning his individual matchups, and brings a physical edge that gives Culver's defense its bite.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["175345"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-69b876d849f60"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='175345' first='Patrick' last='Heron'] hasn't drawn much attention from us at Prep Lacrosse until now, but his play against Culver absolutely warrants it. Tasked with guarding one of the top sophomores in the country, [player_tooltip player_id='163159' first='PJ' last='Kennedy'], Heron handled himself with real poise. Kennedy finished with two goals—one coming off a ride-back and the other on a highlight-level individual effort. Outside of that, Heron held his ground and made things hard all afternoon.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">What stood out most was how well he worked through Culver's pick-heavy offense. Heron fought through multiple picks, kept his positioning, and refused to get caught trailing. Kennedy has a deep toolbox as a dodger, yet Heron limited him by matching physicality, delivering clean, confrontational checks, and keeping his body topside to force Kennedy below GLE. Beyond his one-on-one work, Heron made smart reads within St. Anthony's team defense. As Culver constantly shifted their sets and movement, he communicated well and slid on time. It was a performance that didn't scream for attention—but left you impressed if you were watching closely.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->