Is it girls first, boys next up for Hornets?
The Bishop Moore Hornets never doubted they would sting their fair share of boys’ lacrosse opponents this year — even in the postseason.
Taking advantage of 14 returning varsity players from last year’s squad that came within two goals of advancing to the region finals, Bishop Moore has stormed to an 18-2 record and the first state semifinal berth in program history.
The Hornets will try to move a step closer to a title today at 5 p.m. when they take on longtime power Ponte Vedra (17-5) at Boca Raton High School.
The winner will take on either Jupiter (19-2) or fourtime state champion Boca Raton Saint Andrew’s (17-2) for the title on Saturday at 8 p.m. Jupiter and Saint Andrew’s meet in the tonight’s second semifinal at 7 p.m.
The Bishop Moore boys are trying to bring another lacrosse state title to their school after its girls team prevailed last year.
“The boys are working very hard to obtain this goal, and we as a staff are doing the best we can to prepare them for it,” Bishop Moore coach Reed Reynolds said. “This was our preseason expectation and team goal was to go to states.”
Bishop Moore has used offensive balance and a dominant defense to make it this far. Three players have scored 40 or more goals and recorded 25 or more assists, led by junior captain Jake Kiefer (68 goals, 25 assists), also a standout running back, receiver and blocker for the Hornets football team.
R.J. Sanfilippo (48 goals, 30 assists), Brooks Rask (41 goals, 31 assists), Brett Heneghan (19 goals, 24 assists), and Jack McKeever (16 goals, 10 assists) also have contributed big for the Hornets.
“We have a very talented group and we have tried to instill as much discipline, focus, and faith as possible to help them work one day at a time to get to where we are now,” Reynolds said. “Focusing on details and doing little things right to add up to the main goal.”
Helping to set up scoring opportunities have been Bishop Moore’s Hudson Bohn, who has a 73 percent face-off winning percentage, and recorded 141 ground balls. Teammate Jack Greeno has a 71 percent face-off winning percentage.
“These two are a great combination in helping us gain possessions,” Reynolds said.
Defense is Bishop Moore’s calling card. Will Jones has recorded 73 ground balls and 33 caused turnovers, and Jackson Canfield, 70 ground balls and 40 caused turnovers. In goal, stellar senior Mikey Randazzo has a 64-percent save percentage for Bishop Moore.
The team balance has helped Bishop Moore remain consistent with a brutal schedule. After falling to West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 6-4 in the second game of the year, the Hornets ripped off 11 consecutive wins, including a 7-6 victory against four-time state runner-up Ponte Vedra on March 17.
Bishop Moore lost its only other game to Palm Beach Gardens-Benjamin 5-4 on April 6. The Hornets have won six straight since, including a 16-1 rout of previously undefeated West Orange and a 16-3 thumping of Winter Park in the playoffs.
“Playing tough games makes you play through adverse situations and being able to overcome some of those as well as learn from mistakes has helped us improve to have continued success over the course of the season,” Reynold said.
Ponte Vedra looms as another big challenge. The Sharks have scored 44 goals in three playoff wins.