Matt Bellando, St. Andrew's: Post All-Area boys lacrosse player of the year

Friday, June 04, 2010
by Jason Lieser

Photo by Gary Coronado/The Palm Beach Post

Click here to see other players of the year and All-Area teams.

After scoring a staggering 101 goals last year, St. Andrew's attacker Matt Bellando must have been disappointed to register just 86 as a senior this season.

"Nah, it's still a good year," he said. "My junior year was a really big year, but I'm still happy with this year because we won. That's all that matters."

In addition to his scoring total, Bellando also had 41 assists and picked up 65 ground balls on the season.

Wins and goals defined Bellando's three-year career with the Scots. They won Florida High School Athletic Association championships each of those seasons and the team lost only three times in three years.

Bellando set the school scoring mark with 256 goals. He also leaves St. Andrew's as the all-time points leader with 366.

"By far one of the best offensive players ever to play here," Scots coach Jeff Goldberg said. "He has a knack for the net and he's a born finisher."

Bellando is just 5-foot-5, but his handling skills, agility and pure speed enabled him to become one of the nation's best players. He was a three-time all-America selection and earned a scholarship to Stony Brook University.

Bellando credited his teammates for a lot of his success, but Goldberg said he stood out even on a team loaded with talent.

"He's not just one of the guys on a great team," Goldberg said. "Sometimes we had to ride his coattails."

COACH OF THE YEAR

Boys: Riordan Cheatham Benjamin

Cheatham guided Benjamin to its first club state title. St. Andrew's coach Jeff Goldberg also was a worthy candidate.

FIRST TEAM

Ted DiSalvo

Spanish River

Sr., Goalie

All-America goalie saved 71 percent of the shots he faced. Will play for Washington College.

Tyler Black

Jupiter, Sr., Defender

All-America pick was one of area's toughest defensive players. Will play for Jacksonville University.

Will Powers

Jupiter Chr.

Sr., D/Midfield

A threat at both ends of the field, scored 18 goals and had 16 assists.

Bobby Calhoun

Dwyer Sr. Midfielder

All-America player scored 64 times and had 55 assists for the Panthers.

Nick O'Leary

Dwyer Jr., Midfielder

All-America in football and lacrosse. Scored 73 goals and had 13 assists for the Panthers.

Danny Meyer

Jupiter Chr.

Sr., Midfielder

All-America selection led Eagles with 60 goals and had 19 assists. Will play for Jacksonville.

Arron Thomas

C. Newman Sr., Midfielder

Racked up 59 goals and 48 assists on the season for the Crusaders.

Will Diamond

St. Andrew's Sr., Attacker

Second only to Bellando in goals with 73, also had 20 assists and 40 ground balls.

Josh Stauffer

Benjamin, Jr., Attacker

Scored 62 goals and had 52 assists for the club league champion Bucs.

Taylor Smith

Benjamin, Sr., Attacker

Teamed with Josh Stauffer by scoring 55 goals and adding 39 assists.

HONORABLE MENTION

Boys: Robbie Burie, Pope John Paul II; Cassius Cade, St. Andrew's; Tim Finck, Cardinal Newman; Travis Giorrantana, Boca Raton; Dustin Goss, Palm Beach Gardens; Christian Harvey, Boca Raton; Allan Herman, West Boca Raton; Tyler Knight, St. Andrew's; Steven Koch, Palm Beach Central; Nik Kotocavage, Cardinal Newman; Jordan Leake, St. Andrew's; Mark Mancerii, Pope John Paul II; Robby Mercado, Spanish River; Clay Noell, Pope John Paul II; Dylan Nugent, Benjamin; Julian Owens, Palm Beach Central; Ryan Powers, Jupiter Christian; Anthony Rotar, Jupiter; Zach Schefer, Cardinal Newman; Mike Shepardson, St. Andrew's; Jared Shickles, Boca Raton; Ryan Slack, John Carroll; Chad Stephens, Park Vista; Matt Van Keuren, Jupiter; Brandon Weppner, Pope John Paul II; Conor Whipple, St. Andrew's; Kevin Wigley, Jensen Beach.