No. 1 Ranked St. Anthony’s Friars Team Preview

Putting a bow on the LILJ top 26 preseason rankings the Friars of St. Anthony’s sit at the top and are on the heels of another NSCHSAA Championship which they have won every year going back to 2019. They are coached by longtime head coach Keith Wieczorek and this year they come into the season looking maintain their status as the top team not just on the island but as one of the premier teams in the country as they navigate another challenging national schedule. After graduating a sizable senior class from 2025, they still have plenty of proven players in this year’s senior class that will write the next chapter in the rich history of the storied program and carve out its own identity in the always-competitive NSCHSAA landscape.

The Class of 2025 featured experience throughout the lineup. Seniors such as midfielders Gary Merrill (56 points) and Alex Ruddy (20 points) contributed offensively, while Gio Massaro (19 points) at attack and Parker McDonald and Michael Kelton were also huge contributors. In goal, Dennis Brady logged valuable time, recording 81 saves in his senior season. The graduation of last year’s class leaves leadership voids to be filled which is one of the storylines for those returning with the season on the horizon.

The foundation of the 2026 squad will rest with a deep and versatile Class of 2026. Midfielder Dylan Harrigan the future Maryland Terp is part of the returning production after a massive junior season where he accounted for 48 points with 28 goals and 20 assists. Fellow midfielder Jacob Johnston the Hopkins commit found the back of the net 31 times with 10 assists and at attack Danny Rooney (Maryland) added 48 points of his own dishing out 26 assists along with 22 goals. Adding to their returning talent at attack and midfield is Charlie Cacciabaudo (UNC) and Brody Richert (Towson). Face-off options Robert Johnson (UNC) and Paul LoNigro (Wingate) will compete for possessions at the X, an area that could prove pivotal in tight contests. Defensively, a large junior group — including Ethan Bramoff (Maryland) Pat Heron (Navy), David McCue (Hobart), Brendan Shaughnessy, (Wingate) and Frank Filiberto (St. Bonaventure)— returns as that will look to be a big strength of the team. Between the pipes, Dylan Rappaport (Loyola) returns after making 84 saves while splitting time in the cage, positioning him as a key piece of the defensive unit this season.

With a roster now driven by its senior class, and a junior class that is likely to have its share of players in the fold, St. Anthony’s will rely on talent, depth, and defensive cohesion as it aims to stack up the wins against high level teams from across the country and bring home another NSCHSAA Championship to add to the trophy case at the end of the season. The Friars will open up the regular season on March 14th when they host Culver Academy.