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Landon (Md.) Finishes No. 1, Epstein National Player of the Year

July 12, 2017
Matt DaSilva

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

Regional Rankings/Players of the Year