Anthony Raio named USA Lacrosse's 2025 Northeast Player of the Year
Anthony Raio of Half Hollow Hills scores in the second quarter in NYS Class A lacrosse Southeast Region quarterfinal against Mamaroneck on Saturday June 7, 2025 in Yorktown Heights. Credit: Michael A. Rupolo Sr.
When Anthony Raio learned he was USA Lacrosse’s 2025 Northeast Player of the Year, the first person he told was his dad.
“He was super happy and proud of all the hard work paying off,” Raio said.
And justifiably so.
Raio, Newsday's boys lacrosse player of the year, set Long Island’s career goals record this spring (295) while leading Half Hollow Hills to a 23-win undefeated season and a program-first state title. He scored 99 goals and assisted 77 more for a terrific 176 points.
The accomplishment was announced on Thursday, just days after Raio had won the Lt. Ray Enners Award, which highlights the top lacrosse player in Suffolk.
“It’s the result of all the work I put in when people weren’t looking,” Raio said. “All the times I went to shoot by myself after practice, or when I’ll take a couple teammates on weekends to just shoot and mess around. I couldn’t be more grateful to my teammates and coaches for helping me become who I am, because I wouldn’t be half the person I am without them.”
As Northeast Player of the Year, Raio is a member of the 14-team All-Northeast lineup. He’s joined by Gary Merrill of St. Anthony’s, Quinn Ball of Chaminade, and Owen Wuchte and Blake Cascadden of Garden City. The list considered players from New York, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont.
“[Long Island] is the best place to play lacrosse,” Raio said. “The grit, the intensity and love for the game that all the guys who come out of here have just shows on championship weekend.”
