VIDEO: Hungry for championship, Middle Township off to fast start

Posted: April 7th 2025

By BRIAN CUNNIFF

CapeAtlanticLive.com

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE – The first time the members of the Middle Township High School boys lacrosse program came together prior to the season, their coach, Gavin Liepe, spoke to the players about the team’s potential.

“On Day 1, we had all the kids in a classroom and I wrote all of our opponents on the board and I told them that that’s what’s standing between you and our No. 1 goal, which is the division championship,” he said.

After quite a few years of struggles and eight-win showings over each of the past two seasons, the Panthers are proving to be one of the breakout teams of the Cape-Atlantic League so far.

Saturday’s 15-6 win over Gloucester Catholic in a non-league game ran the team’s record to 5-0. The Panthers have placed themselves squarely in the race for the CAL National Conference title. 

“This is the kind of year you’re waiting for,” said Liepe, in his third year as coach. “Taking over a program that’s struggled the past few years, we’ve had some speed bumps we had to get through to get to this point. But now we have some really good players in the right spots and we’re hoping to make a run.”

One of those really good players is senior midfielder Micah McAnaney, one of the top two-way players in the CAL. He’s posted 12 goals and 11 assists while also scooping 31 ground balls so far. He also provides Middle with a physical presence across all areas of the field.

“He has the ability to affect the game both ways,” Liepe said of McAnaney. “He’s an impact player on both sides of the ball.”

Sophomore Jacob Rossi-Friend, a transfer from Ocean City, is the team’s leading goal scorer with 19 tallied thus far. Other key offensive contributors include senior Eddie Hirsch (14 goals, seven assists) and Lucas Scheeler-Matthews (six goals, five assists). Senior midfielder Joe Berrodin has chipped in five goals while leading the team with 53 ground balls.

Sophomore face-off specialist Tyler King has been critical to earning extra possessions for the team. He’s won 72 percent of his faceoffs to date (38 for 53). Senior Tommy Gontz has also won his share of faceoffs, posting 23 wins in 43 draws (53 percent).

Middle’s defense has been excellent. Sophomore Mason Oliver has made 33 saves against just 24 goals through five games. He’s conceded no more than eight goals in a game so far. Sophomore defenders Chase Castellano and Davon Anderson have been instrumental in aiding Oliver in front of goal.

“This is finally the year where we have all the pieces in the right spots,” Liepe said. “We’ve been waiting for this for a while. Hopefully, we can continue the success.”