Gill St. Bernard's Boys' Varsity Lacrosse Team Captures Double Crown

The 2024 season has been a historic and triumphant journey for the Gill St. Bernard's (GSB) Boys' Varsity Lacrosse team.  

Under the leadership of Head Coach Byron Collins, the Knights have solidified their place as a powerhouse in New Jersey high school lacrosse, capturing both the NJISAA Prep B State Championship—for the first time in program history—and the NJSIAA Non-Public B State Championship in back-to-back seasons. The winning 14-6 season (4-0 against Skyland division rivals) boasted the most wins in a season to date and was underscored by finishing No. 1 in the Skyland Conference, Raritan Division. 

“Last year, we overachieved; this year, we had to overcome,” said Head Varsity Coach Byron Collins. “Because we won the states last year, the challenge this year was overcoming all the expectations. Not to mention, because of that win, we had a huge target on our back from day one.” 

The Knights kicked off their championship run by securing their first-ever NJISAA Prep B State Championship on May 20, 2024, with a resounding 11-3 victory over Rutgers Prep. The win, celebrated in front of a packed home crowd, was a testament to GSB's dominance on both ends of the field. Junior goalkeeper Colin Anderson, verbally committed to the University of Vermont, was stellar between the pipes, allowing only three goals in 48 minutes of play. Freshman Braden Hammond was nearly unstoppable at the faceoff X, winning almost every draw. 

Offensively, junior Brendan Schwalb, who recorded his 100th career goal during the season, led the charge with three goals. Senior Corbin Migliaccio and senior Michael Scarpati, a Hobart and William Smith-commit, also made significant contributions. The Knights' balanced attack saw goals from juniors Noah and Zach Blinkoff, sophomore Griffin O'Sullivan, and freshmen Johnny Cranga and Dante Lam. 

“We faced the hardest schedule in the history of GSB lacrosse,” Coach Collins shared. “We played six of the top-twenty teams in the state including Seton Hall Prep, Dom Bosco, and Pope John. By the time we got to the playoffs, we were battle tested, and we had learned how to compete on a higher level. The pieces finally came together, and we peaked at the right time.” 

Building on their Prep B success, the Knights captured their second consecutive NJSIAA Non-Public B State Championship on June 6, 2024, with a commanding 15-6 win over Rutgers Prep. The game, held at Kean University, saw GSB launch an unstoppable offensive assault, scoring the first goal just 64 seconds into the match. By the end of the first quarter, the Knights had surged to a 7-1 lead and never looked back. 

O’Sullivan led the team with five goals, while Schwalb added three goals and six assists. Junior Max Voigt, who is verbally committed to Dartmouth, contributed three goals and two assists, with additional goals from junior Robert Herrington, sophomore Luke Greenseid, and Migliaccio. Freshmen faceoff specialists Lam and Hammond dominated their matchups, securing crucial possessions for GSB. 

The Knights' defense was equally impressive, anchored by Scarpati, senior and Wagner College-commit Declan Gillen, senior George Taylor, senior Jonah Wang, Blinkoff, and sophomore Nathan Costa. Anderson made four saves, ensuring Rutgers Prep never found their rhythm. 

“We want to develop our players to the best of their abilities by challenging them to become better than they ever thought they could be,” Coach Collins explained. “We focus on preparing them for a college career—and for life. Winning the state championships are really a by-product of what we want out of the program.” 

The success of the GSB Boys' Varsity Lacrosse team has been a collective effort, which resulted in a significant number of players receiving prestigious post-season accolades including: 

• Michael Scarpati: 1st Team All-State Non-Public, 1st Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division, 1st Team All-State Prep B 

• Max Voigt: 1st Team All-State Non-Public, 1st Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division, 1st Team All-State Prep B 

• Declan Gillen: Honorable Mention All-State Non-Public, 1st Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division 

• Griffin O’Sullivan: 2nd Team All-State Non-Public, Honorable Mention All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division 

• Colin Anderson: Honorable Mention All-State Non-Public, 1st Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division, 1st Team All-State Prep B 

• Corbin Migliaccio: 2nd Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division, 1st Team All-State Prep B 

• Brendan Schwalb: 1st Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division, 1st Team All-State Prep B 

• Kellen Sturm: 1st Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division 

• Robert Herrington: 1st Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division 

• Luke Greenseid: 1st Team All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division 

• Brady Domsic: Honorable Mention All Skyland Conference-Raritan Division 

“In order for a program to be successful, you have to have strong players, but you also have to have a good support system—and we have the best,” said Collins. “Our athletic trainer, Glen DePino, the strength and conditioning coach, Steve Leo, our athletic director, Jenn Noon, and the entire coaching staff set us up for success.  

You have to surround yourself with incredible people to make something like this happen, and their collective efforts were a huge part of our accomplishments.” 

The 2024 season has been a remarkable chapter in GSB Boys' Varsity Lacrosse history, marked by teamwork, skill, and unwavering determination. With Assistant Coach Sal Tromonda being named NJSIAA Non-Public Coach of the Year and New Jersey Boys’ Lacrosse Coach of the Year, and Collins returning as Head Varsity Coach, the future looks bright for the GSB Knights.