Top Photo: Shay Brennan, freshman, is seeing substantial time for the Caseys this year and has been part of a stellar defensive unit. Courtesy photo
By Rich Fisher, Contributing Editor
There’s only one thing more impressive than how good the Red Bank Catholic boys lacrosse team is.
And that’s how young it is.
With just one senior seeing substantial time, the Caseys carried a 13-5 record into their Shore Conference Tournament second-round game against Manasquan May 14. They won the conference’s Constitution Division championship with a 7-0 record; took a 12-5 win over Point Pleasant Boro in the SCT’s first round, and have matched their highest win total since going 13-9 in 2022.
It was after that season that RBC suffered major graduation losses, making the next three years rebuilding campaigns. A group of freshmen and sophomores endured a 4-15 season last year but, by gaining so much experience, they now play like veterans.
“They’re all juniors and sophomores, so it’s paid off in the long run (along with) playing such a hard schedule,” coach Don Femminella said. “We can take the next step … with a huge senior class coming back next year. We’re getting back to where we should be.”
RBC was dropped from the tougher Colonial Division into the Constitution this year, but Femminella noted that the Caseys have still played all the Colonial teams along with teams from the ultra-competitive American Division.
“We’ve played some Top 20 teams in the state,” he said. “I’m looking forward to moving up to the top division eventually.”
The season started tough with three straight losses to American teams Manasquan, Red Bank and Holmdel. Since then, RBC won 13 of 15 entering its Manasquan rematch.
“It was just getting their feet wet early,” Femminella said. “Being a year older and going through it for a whole year and then having the confidence once the ball starts rolling helps. It’s a lot easier when you start winning.”
Prior to the PPB game, the coach noted that “We’ve won the division, that was a goal. We wanted to be in the top 10 in the Shore and we’re right on the fringe there (seeded 12th in the SCT). We want to do well in the Shore tournament and go forward in states. We’re looking good with a lot of stuff as long as we can keep going with no injuries, knock on wood.”
Leading the offensive charge are juniors Jake Bickerton and Rutgers commit Joe Egan, who each had 48 goals and 22 assists through 18 games.
“They’re great kids and they’re actually best friends,” Femminella said. “They’re probably the hardest workers on our team. Jake usually plays midfield but I have him at attack this year because he’s a natural lefty and he’s having a superb year riding and controlling the attack line.
“Joe Egan is one of the top players in the ’27 class. This is a great kid on and off the field and he’s a huge leader for us. A lot of teams focus a lot of attention on those guys.”
Which helps open things up for junior midfielder Thomas Muniz (35 goals, 14 assists) and sophomore attack Ashton Torregrossa (32, 13).
“Muniz has played since he was a freshman,” Femminella said. “With him having a short stick on him or being the third or fourth option, a lot of teams don’t pay attention to him and he’s able to capitalize on that a lot.”
The team’s unsung hero is sophomore midfielder/faceoff specialist Thomas Burke, who has just two goals but leads the team in ground balls (161). He has won 216 of 304 faceoffs for a .710 average. It’s Burke’s first year of high school lacrosse as he missed last season with a torn rotator cuff.
“He’s huge for us,” Femminella said. “He’s one of the better faceoff kids, which is a huge position because you gotta have possession. And he gets us the ball.”
The third attackman is junior Jack Denver (19 goals 10 assists), who the coach says is “a hard rider and hard worker.” Freshman Shay Brennan is “a tough, two-way midfielder for us.”
In the back are junior Michael Toth, the team’s top defenseman, junior Brady Johnson and senior Lucas Derasmo.
“They do a good job back there and we put a lot of pressure on our goalie Wyatt Curley,” Femminella said. “He’s only a sophomore but he’s having a really good season (with 226 saves).”
It’s a formidable cast that will nearly all be back next year. And while the coach is hoping for SCT and state tournament success, he knows anything he gets this season is just gravy considering the youth.
“We’re really good this year, we’ll be great next year,” Femminella said. “Whatever happens this year, if we push forward and get far, it’s awesome.
“But with a year under everyone’s belt and some new freshmen coming in, I think we’re really built to win next year. You don’t want to push too hard. We still have a chance this year but everything has to line up.”