BOYS Top 20 Preview: #1 Benilde St. Margaret’s

As we did last year, we will be taking the LaxNumbers 2024 final rankings and previewing the top 20 teams heading into next season.

Benilde-St. Margaret’s (BSM) has been a gold standard for success since lacrosse arrived in MN. They have made the state final in 6 of the past 7 seasons, winning the championship 3 times (‘21, ‘22 & ‘24). This program is now attracting top talent around Minnesota and is a machine built for dominance. Let’s take a look at the top dogs heading into the 2025 season.

“Tale of the Tape”

*according to LaxNumbers

**according to MN Lax Hub

• 2024 Record: 18-1**

• Strength of Schedule: 76.96 (2nd Hardest)*

• Team Offense: Averaged 15.00 Goals For per game (1st in MSHSL)**

  • Graduted Senior Production: 67.5%

• Team Defense: Averaged 4.58 Goals Against per game (3rd MSHSL)**

  • Graduated Defensive Personnel: 2 Starting Close D, Goalie, LSM

Offense Returning

Dylan Popehn - 35/36 (71)

Holton Vanderlinde - 19/12 (31)

Jack Anderson - 12/3 (15)

David Langevin - 11/1 (12)

Defense Returning

Nick Coppo - Close D (starter)

Raphael Johnson-Nixon - Close D (was the #4 last year but quite a bit of playing time)

Brady Marcus - LSM (#2 last year but quite a bit of playing time)

Josh Ims - “backup” goalie (use “backup” very loosely as he is committed to D1 Bellarmine)

Judah Johnson-Nixon - SSDM (starter)

Vinny Verrett - SSDM (starter)

2025 Schedule

In the Metro West, their game against Jefferson should be a good one as the Jags are the only blemish on their 2024 record. Chanhassen has been one of the other few programs that has beat BSM over the past 7 seasons and I think there is a real interesting matchup against Orono who seems to play them tough every year. Outside of that, they should be heavily favored in all of the other Metro West Conference games

Out of Conference they have: White Bear Lake, Lakeville North, Woodbury, Stillwater, Eden Prairie and Prior Lake. That is a strong OOC schedule and will test the Red Knights throughout the year.

Final Thoughts

BSM is the champ until proven otherwise and they have a culture/system designed to win at the highest level. After talking with Coach Palermo on the podcast, I think he does a great job keeping his guys hungry, engaged and focused. They get a lot of experience back on defense and have a new D1 caliber goalie to replace the graduated D1 caliber goalie. My only question of the Red Knights is who will step up to replace the production of Bell, Rold, Parker and Payer - more specifically as an initiator. Popehn has the most experience and looks to be that guy for next season,