Boys Lacrosse: Somerset County Tournament final preview

WHAT: Somerset County Boys Lacrosse Tournament final

WHEN/WHERE: Saturday at 2 p.m. at Torpey Athletic Complex, Bridgewater

WHO: Top-seeded Bridgewater-Raritan (13-0) vs. No. 3 Pingry (11-2)

GIRLS LACROSSE: SOMERSET COUNTY TOURNAMENT FINAL PREVIEW

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Bridgewater-Raritan beat No. 8 Immaculata 15-7 in the quarterfinals and fourth-seeded Ridge 11-1 in the semifinals. Pingry defeated No. 6 Bernards 14-7 in the quarterfinals and No. 2 Montgomery 14-13 in the semis.

PINGRY REPORT: Bridgewater-Raritan again stands in the way of Pingry, which is making its second-straight appearance in the county final after falling to the Panthers last season 11-3. The Big Blue has faced off against some of the best teams in the state, and started the season 8-0 before falling to Moorestown by a goal. Pingry is led by Ben Shepard, who has 31 goals and 28 assists, and Thomas Zusi, who has 35 goals and five assists. Austin Chang (29 goals, 10 assists), Jake Moss (15 goals, 14 assists) and George Enman (15 goals, 11 assists) are also threats. Frankie Dillon and David Metzger have split time in goal this season and have combined to make 113 saves.

BRIDGEWATER-RARITAN REPORT: Bridgewater-Raritan enters Saturday's game undefeated at 13-0, and also riding a 36-game win streak that stretches from last season in which the Panthers won the Tournament of Champions. The Panthers have a number of players from last year's team, and they're another year older and wiser. Brian Kolen leads the team with 29 goals and 16 assists, while Ethan Christensen (27 goals, 11 assists), Sean MacKinney (22 goals, six assists) and Ryan Kaden (18 goals, 19 assists) round out a balanced-scoring attack. The Bridgewater-Raritan defense is also lethal, as it hasn't allowed a team to score more than nine goals.

PREDICTION: Bridgewater-Raritan has only needed overtime once this season to get the win, and it was double overtime against Ridge on April 2. Don't be surprised if the Panthers need it again to get past Pingry, who won't be as easy to push around as it was last year. Bridgewater-Raritan 9, Pingry 8. 

Staff Writer Lauren Knego: lknego@gannettnj.com; on Twitter: @laurenknego