Lacrosse season preview: North Broward Prep trio set to represent Israel in Heritage Cup
Cody Miller had his barmitzvah at the Wailing Wall on his first trip to Israel.
This May 24-27 – nearly two years later – Miller is set to enjoy another life-altering experience as he and two of his North Broward Prep lacrosse teammates will compete for Israel in the Heritage Cup in Philadelphia.
As part of the Heritage Cup, all participants are invited to watch the NCAA lacrosse Final Four, which is also set for Philadelphia that same weekend.
“It’s going to be a great experience, representing Israel,” Miller said. “Getting to watch the Final Four will be another one of the highlights. It will be helpful to learn what the best of the best are doing so I can get better.”
The Heritage Cup, a multi-tiered lacrosse tournament which started in 2002, is expected to have at least 15 teams represented in each age group this year.
Miller, 15, and Chase Rosenstrauch, 14, will compete in the 15-and-under tournament. Both of them are freshmen at North Broward Prep.
In addition, 17-year-old junior Chandler Ripps – who owns a perfect surname for lacrosse – will play in the 19-Under tournament. All three of the aforementioned players are Jewish.
Lacrosse, which hasn’t been in the Olympics since 1948, when it was a demonstration sport, is growing in popularity. In fact, the 2028 Olympics, held in Los Angeles, will include lacrosse.
Locally, the Florida High School Activities Association has included lacrosse as a championship sport since 2008. Boca Raton St. Andrew’s has been a dominant boys’ team, and Vero Beach has accomplished the same on the girls’ side.
As for North Broward Prep, coach Josh Blumenthal took over the team last year and led the Eagles to a 7-5 season, their first winning record since 2017.
The Eagles, who play an independent schedule, have more than 40 lacrosse players in their varsity program. Last year, the Eagles had 24 varsity players.
Given that growth, the Eagles plan to compete in the FHSAA-sanctioned state series starting next year.
Part of the Eagles’ growth has to do with Ripps and Rosenstrauch, who are considered their top two players.
Ripps, who was second on the Eagles last season with 19 goals, has become more of a leader this year.
“He has improved mightily,” Blumenthal said. “He will be our top scorer this year.”
Blumenthal said Rosenstrauch is one of the hardest workers he’s seen in 22 years of coaching.
Rosenstrauch was a starter on varsity as an eighth-grader last year, producing eight goals and six assists.
“He earned it,” Blumenthal said. “He sprints all over the field, and he’s really improved on defense this year. Last year he was an attacker. Now he’s become a two-way player.”
Miller, who moved with his family from New Jersey to South Florida this past summer, is also a quarterback on the Eagles’ football team.
In lacrosse, Miller plays behind a talented senior, Alec Dubin. But Miller does get playing time, and he’s on track to become a starter by next season.
“Cody gives us that ‘northeast edginess’ and I’m a fan of that,” said Blumenthal, who played college lacrosse at Rhode Island. “He’s never satisfied.”
Blumenthal, who is also Jewish, recommended Miller, Ripps and Rosenstrauch for the Heritage Cup.
Rosenstrauch, who traveled to Israel for the first time in the summer of 2022, said he is saddened by the current war in the Gaza Strip.
“I feel a connection to Israel,” Rosenstrauch said. “In some ways, it feels like I’m representing (the Israeli people) while I’m playing a sport I love.”
MORE BOYS’ OUTLOOKS
▪ Belen Jesuit is led by senior goalie Andrew Candela (Oberllin College recruit) and senior midfielder Rafael Antun. Belen graduated 19 seniors from last year’s team that finished 14-8, reaching the regional semifinals. Though young, this year’s team has speed and plays tight defense.
▪ Columbus, which is coming off a 10-10 record and a district championship will be led by seniors Alejandro Masferrer, Elijah Castano and Javi Escobar as well as sophomore Diego Duque.
▪ South Plantation, which went 10-6 last year under coach Joseph Atria, is led by senior Josh Kreis and junior Nicolas “Nico” Lewin. Roughly 80 percent of the team returns, and Atria has coached 10 of his players since they were six years old.
▪ American Heritage is led by juniors Jack Switter and AJ Melvin, who started as freshmen before missing last season due to injuries. Sophomore Jacob Rosenberg won 70 percent of his face-offs last year, and Austin Arias is a top goalie in the Class of 2026.
▪ West Broward is led by Santi Figueroa, a senior who had 50 goals and 20 assists for a 6-14 squad. Junior defender Marshall Jones is another top player.
▪ Archbishop McCarthy, coming off a 7-10 season, has an experienced squad with 14 seniors. Heavy on defense, this squad is seeking its first district title since 2013 and will be led by seniors Robert Diaz and Lucas Vega. Diaz will play next season for Florida Southern.
▪ Westminster Academy, which went 5-6 last season, is led by junior goalie Sean Harris (56.7 save percentage) and junior Noah Critch (20 goals, 12 assists). The team is dominated by juniors who have been together since middle school.
▪ Stoneman Douglas, which went 10-6 last season, is led by senior Darren Edenbaum, who has committed to Florida Atlantic. He has scored 142 career goals, including a school-record 84 last season.
GIRLS’ OUTLOOKS
▪ American Heritage is led by Zoe Horwitz, a junior All-American who scored 85 goals and added 16 assists. Senior Courtney Lesser had 18 goals and 21 assists, earning Academic All-American honors as Heritage went 14-3, advancing to the regional semifinals.
▪ Gulliver, which finished 4-13 last season, is led by junior Marena Goodman (32 goals). Senior midfielders Giulia Gubeissi Francez and Nicole Quevedo provide support.
This story was originally published February 6, 2024 at 10:03 AM.