Leading Edge Elite ● Home ●
Follow Leading Edge on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook and Twitter.
Jake Melchionni remains extremely awesome.
The Leading Edge 2023 LSM by way of Delbarton was at the heart of Villanova‘s 14-13 upset of Penn State on Saturday. Melchionni collected a half-dozen ground balls, including the one on the overtime faceoff, to help the Wildcats stun the top-10 Nittany Lions.
The preseason All-American also took the ball away twice for the Wildcats. Villanova also got a monster defensive day from ’23 Beau Kemler (Rumson-Fair Haven), who took the ball away three times and snatched up two ground balls. ’22 David Link (Delbarton) scored once in the win, while ’24 Ryan Martin (Christian Brothers) had an assist for his first career VU point. ’25 Nolan Sabel (Seton Hall Prep) picked up his first career ground ball.
Duke 23, Bellarmine 8
Duke 14, Utah 7
It didn’t take long for ’25 Will Pedicano (Delbarton) to start causing havoc at Duke.
Pedicano was back to his old tricks in his first games as a Blue Devil. He asserted himself with a three-caused turnover day against Utah after a two-ground ball day against Bellarmine.
A five-star recruit and the New Jersey Player of the Year as a senior, Pedicano also scooped up a ground ball against the Utes. ’22 faceoff midfielder Luke Engelke (Pingry) was 5-for-8 at the stripe to go with a goal and a trio of ground balls against Utah. He followed it up with two faceoff wins against the Knights.
Bucknell 11, St. Bonaventure 2
’22 Jaz Zanelli (Seton Hall Prep) was a brick wall for the Bison, stopping seven of nine shots to push Bucknell to 2-0. Zanelli also picked up two ground balls for the Bison. ’23 defenseman Corbin Lukanski (Delbarton) helped Bucknell lock things down with a takeaway.
Richmond 17, Robert Morris 7
’25 Cole Hayden (Immaculata) recorded his first two career points with a pair of assists to go with two ground balls as the Spiders romped.
Quinnipiac 15, UMass-Lowell 12
’25 faceoff midfielder Sean McCaffery (Allentown) impressed in his college debut with six faceoff wins and ground balls on all of his wins to lead the Bobcats.
Monmouth 15, Manhattan 9
’22 Matt Dollive (Wall) picked up three ground balls to pace the Hawks’ season-opening win.
Denver 10, Air Force 2
’25 defenseman Jack Gounaris (St. Augustine Prep) did everything he could for the Falcons. Gounaris took the ball away three times, picked up four ground balls and handed out an assist for Air Force.
Virginia 19, Colgate 14
’22 defenseman Ryan Bilello (Manasquan) did yeoman’s work on the Raiders’ back end with two takeaways and a trio of ground balls. ’24 Andy Croddick (Rumson-Fair Haven) bagged a goal for Colgate.
Providence 16, Bryant 11
’24 faceoff midfielder Jordan Hernando (Mountain Lakes) won three faceoffs in split duty for the Bulldogs.
Drexel 11, Delaware 1
’23 John McCurry (Wall) supplied the Blue Hens’ lone tally.
Fairfield 14, Lehigh 13
’24 Charlie Sherman (Pingry) made his presence felt on the ride with a takeaway for the Mountain Hawks.
Army 11, Rutgers 9
’22 Andrew Macheca (Culver, Ind.) secured a ground ball for the Scarlet Knights.