Christopher Dirienzo Makes His Mark

With 15 goals and four assists on Feb. 23, Christopher Dirienzo of Lyman (Fla.) carved his name into the high school record book. The junior lept to the top of the 2023 season leaders lists for the Most Points and Most Goals in a game. 

In addition to leading early in the 2023 season, Dirienzo jumped into a seven-way tie for the most points scored in a game. The last time a player scored 19 points in a game was in 2021 when Bo Lockwood from Hartland (Mich.) did it against Howell (Mich.). 

Jimmy Lewis from Uniondale (N.Y.) holds the top spot with 21 points in a 1961 game. Lewis scored 11 goals and dished out 10 assists. 

His 15 goals put him in a two-way tie for third all-time with Colin Theisen who scored 15 for Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central (Mich.) in 2015. Only three players have scored more goals in a single game than Dirienzo. 

The junior has 32 points on the strength of 27 goals this season.

School Record

There’s a new record holder at Mitchell (Fla.). Chris Ferrini broke the school record for most career goals in a 21-10 win over Wiregrass Ranch (Fla.) on Feb. 23. The senior scored four goals and dished out four assists in the win.

Ferrini has 34 goals and 26 assists through 10 games this season. He posted a season-high 11 points in the Mustangs’ season opener against Cypress Creek (Fla.). He totaled 10 points (6g, 4a) in a 19-9 win over Riverview Sarasota (Fla.) on Feb. 25. The senior has scored at least five points in six games this season.

The attackman is coming off a junior year in which he totaled 100 points on 59 goals and 41 assists. 

Rankings Released

The first rankings of 2023 were released over the last two weeks. Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Texas all have their state rankings live. 

A quick look at the early-season rankings as of Monday, March 13.

Vestavia Hills (Ala.) with a 6-0 record has a narrow edge over 8-0 Mountain Brook (Ala.) in Alabama. In Arizona, the 6-4 Brophy Prep (Ariz.) squad has the edge over Notre Dame Prep (Ariz.). The Broncos posted a 9-8 road win over Foothill Santa-Ana (Calif.), then a home victory over Notre Dame Prep to improve their standing.

Lake Mary (Fla.) sits atop the Florida rankings with an 8-0 record, followed by four one-loss squads. St. Andrew’s (Fla.), Ponte Vedra (Fla.), Winter Park (Fla.), and St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) round out the Top 5. Lake Mary has an overtime 9-8 win over Ponte Vedra, along with a Top 10 win over Jupiter (Fla.) to help them top the current rankings.

Three undefeated teams in Georgia highlight the Top 3, with Roswell (Ga.) leading the way with a 7-0 record. Roswell has outscored its opponents 108-42 through seven games, including a 13-6 win over Lambert (Ga.), an 18-6 road win over Lovett (Ga.), and a 16-4 road win at Lassiter (Ga.).

Roswell has been led by Alex Lobel and Hill Plunkett this season. Lobel has 50 points through eight games, including 37 goals. The senior passed 300 career points last week. He has 305, with 198 career goals. Plunkett has 56 points on 38 goals and 18 assists this year and 270 career points.

Christ Church Episcopal (S.C.) has the No. 1 spot in South Carolina with a 5-1 record, followed by 4-0 Nation Ford (S.C.). Christ Church opened its season with six straight road games, which have included wins over JL Mann Academy (S.C.), Oceanside Academy (S.C.), and Wando (S.C.).  

The Woodlands (Texas), Westlake (Texas), Southlake (Texas), St. Marks (Texas), and Dallas Jesuit (Texas) all sit in the Top 5 in Texas and are less than a point apart in the rating. The Woodlands has the top spot with a 6-2 record, but the strength of the Texas Top 10 means this could shift depending on what day you’re reading this. 

First Program Victory

Marco Island Academy (Fla.) earned the first win in program history with an 18-0 win over Golden Gate (Fla.) on Feb. 23. The road win was also the team’s first shutout in program history. Thank you to @LAX_239 on Twitter for bringing this to our attention. 

Winning Streaks

LaxRecords has regularly tracked the longest winning streaks in the nation and as we head into the 2023 season, we will continue that tradition. 

There are seven reported teams with current active winning streaks of at least 15 games.

Mountain Brook (Ala.) has the longest streak with 30 games. Their streak dates back to the 2021 season with a 13-1 road win over John Carroll (Ala.). The Spartans join an elite list of teams that have won at least 30 consecutive games. LaxRecords has 71 reported teams with at least a 30-game winning streak. West Genesee (N.Y.) and Sewanhaka (N.Y.) are tied for first with 91 game streaks

Here are the other active streaks of at least 15 games as of March 12, 2023.

• 22 Radnor (Pa.)
• 21 Forest Hills Central (Mich.)
• 20 Jesuit Portland (Ore.)
• 20 Middle Creek (N.C.)
• 16 Culver Military Academy Prep (Ind.)
• 15 Mountain Lakes (N.J.)

Debut Performance

Logan Huelsman, a freshman from Collins (Ky.), made his first varsity start on March 6. The freshman opened his career with an eight-goal, one-assist performance against Cooper (Ky.).

Interstate Games of Note

Academy New Church (Pa.) pulled off an impressive early-season upset of St. John’s College High School (D.C.). The Lions defeated the Cadets 10-9 in overtime. The win ended St. John’s 23 game winning streak that dated back to June 4, 2021. According to PhillyLacrosse.com, Hunter Aquino led the team with three goals, including the game-winner in overtime. Aquino has dished out two assists in the victory. Lucas Flynn, Slater DeLaCruz and Anthony Chiango each scored two goals. Brady Carver made 17 saves.

Haverford School (Pa.) opened its season with an 8-6 win over Loyola-Blakefield (Md.) on March 10. The Fords won the rematch from last seasons’ 8-6 loss at the hands of the Dons. Wells Flinn and Brady O’Kane led the Fords with two goals each. Brody Murphy made 15 saves in the victory. Loyola-Blakefield’s YouTube channel has the full game.

Ponte Vedra traveled north and came away with a 16-14 win over St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes (Va.). The win improved the Sharks’ record to 9-1. Maddox Johnson led the Sharks with eight goals. Corey Bloss and Canon Hauseman each scored three. Mason Hauseman led the team with five assists and added a goal. Jack Pelot made 20 save and Lad Harper went 21-for-30 at the faceoff in the victory.

St. Ignaitus Prep (Calif.) took on Dallas Jesuit and came away with an 11-5 victory to improve to 4-0 on the year. Rye Kushner led all scorers with three goals. Jack Porter, Pierce St. Geme and Hugh Gates each scored 2 goals in the win. Goalie Chase Morgan made 11 saves.

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Do you have a highlight or notable performance from a player, team, or coache you want to be included in a future notebook? Email Mike Loveday or tweet him @LaxRecords.