Lally Fuels North to 20-14 Win in 20th Boys’ Senior All-America Game

With outside rips that scorched crossbars and celebrations that we’ll talk about for years, the 20th Boys’ Senior All-America Game Saturday night at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, Md., was one to remember.

“I think the coolest part was standing there waiting to go on the field while 'Free Bird' was playing, and then they did fireworks,” said Notre Dame-bound Teddy Lally, who was named the MVP of the contest after leading the North to a 20-14 win over the South.

Midfielder Anthony Raio kicked off the scoring with a shot on the run down the right side of the alley. The North Carolina-bound midfielder, who can dodge to his left and right, was very hard for the south to guard.

On the other side, McDonogh alumnus Brendan Millon scored on a power play off a skip pass from Maryland attack commit Matthew Higgins to bring the Norths’ lead down to 13-10 with two minutes left in the third quarter. 

But Anthony Drago extended their lead to 14-10, which was too much for the South to overcome. The Duke bound Drago was another one of the talented players who fought for significant screen time.

Raio, Millon, Robby Hopper and Rowyn Nurry were fresh off U20 Men's National Team training camp in Ithaca, N.Y., which ended earlier that day. They are the only 2025 graduates in the mix for the roster.

The matchup was as tight as 5-5 with 1:16 left in the first quarter after Jack Bickel scored a goal for the South. Bickel might have scored the goal of the weekend, though, when he shot between his legs through North goalie Liam O’Keefe with 5:34 left in the game.

Even at the end of Saturday night’s exciting action, it’s hard to argue that Lally, wasn’t at the epicenter of the action and a fitting MVP. The attackman finished with three goals and one assist — on top of one of the game’s best celebrations.

Lally said his riding the pony celebration was inspired by the movie “Happy Gilmore 2,” which released this week and he watched while heading down to Towson. 

Lally was roommates over the weekend with North teammate Cam Kelly, who will also be joining Notre Dame in August.

The pair scored together with 15 seconds left in the first quarter after Lally scooped a one-handed ground ball and found his future teammate.

Both North long-stick midfielders, Duke-bound Will Pedicano and North Carolina-bound Parker McDonald, also found the back of the net.  

Lally said the All-Americans had an impactful experience off the field, too, during an activity with the Harlem Lacrosse Group in Baltimore.