The Landon (Md.) boys’ lacrosse team put an exclamation point on its first undefeated season and No. 1 national ranking since 2002 with an 18-7 win over Bullis (Md.) on May 12. To no one’s surprise, attackman Joey Epstein was dominant, scoring six goals and adding two assists in the clinching victory.
The Bears (21-0) rarely were tested this season and finished as the top-ranked team in the Nike/US Lacrosse National Top 25 for high school boys’ lacrosse. Epstein, who earned the Epoch/US Lacrosse Mid-Atlantic Player of the Year award last week, also has been named the Epoch/US Lacrosse National Player of the Year, as selected by US Lacrosse Magazine staff and contributors.
Epstein (Johns Hopkins) set Landon’s single-season record with 123 points (75 goals, 48 assists) while climbing past notable alumni like Matt Ward (Virginia), Jake Byrne (Johns Hopkins) and Patrick Keena (Navy) to the No. 1 spot on the Bears’ career scoring chart with 248. A rising senior, he has one more season to add to that total.
Epstein was a rare junior captain in both football and lacrosse at Landon, as he’s also a standout linebacker and fullback on the gridiron.
“If he has an ego, it’s invisible,” Bears lacrosse coach Rob Bordley said. “He’s not some fat-headed kid. He just leads by example, and he works hard. He’s a great, great kid.”
Nike/US Lacrosse National Top 25 (Final)
1. Landon (Md.), 21-0
2. Darien (Conn.), 23-0
3. Culver (Ind.), 21-1
4. Cold Spring Harbor (N.Y.), 21-0
5. St. Ignatius (Calif.), 19-2
6. Delbarton (N.J.), 21-1
7. Calvert Hall (Md.), 17-2
8. Ward Melville (N.Y.), 20-2
9. McDonogh (Md.), 17-4
10. Chaminade (N.Y.), 11-4
11. Jamesville-Dewitt (N.Y.), 21-2
12. La Salle (Pa.), 21-2
13. Bullis (Md.), 18-3
14. Severna Park (Md.), 20-0
15. Victor (N.Y.), 19-3
16. Lincoln-Sudbury (Mass.), 19-1
17. Pittsford (N.Y.), 19-2
18. Smithtown East (N.Y.), 15-4
19. Haverford School (Pa.), 16-7
20. Boys’ Latin (Md.), 14-5
21. Avon Grove (Pa.), 23-2
22. Yorktown (N.Y.), 17-5
23. Conestoga (Pa.), 22-4
24. Manhasset (N.Y.), 15-2
25. Bridgewater-Raritan (N.J.) 17-1
Epoch/US Lacrosse National Player of the Year
Joey Epstein, Landon (Md.), Jr., A