LACROSSE

Pingry boys lacrosse tops Montgomery in TOC quarterfinals

Harry Frezza
@thefrez56

BRIDGEWATER – Nothing seems to bring out the best in The Pingry School boys lacrosse team like a Tournament of Champions quarterfinal at John Basilone Memorial Field.

For the third straight year, the Non-Public B champions surprised in the quarterfinals with perhaps their most impressive effort of the three - a commanding 9-4 victory Saturday night over third-seeded Group IV champion Montgomery.

The Cougars (17-6) thumped the Big Blue 15-8 on May 2 and came into the rematch on a five-game winning streak.

READ: PINGRY WINS THIRD-STRAIGHT NON-PUBLIC B TITLE

RELATED: MONTGOMERY WINS FIRST GROUP IV TITLE SINCE 2007

"And it really wasn't that close," Pingry coach Mike Webster said of the first game with the Cougars. "Phenomenal team, athletes, all those  seniors, Division I kids…a tall task for us tonight."

The Big Blue never trailed nor tied Saturday night.

"We were ready to play," Webster said.

The sixth-seed Big Blue (14-6) stretched their win streak to seven. They will attempt to make it eight when they face second-seed Moorestown on Wednesday in the semifinals at Kean University’s Alumni Stadium at 5 p.m.

Two years ago, the Big Blue beat Ridgewood in the T of C quarterfinals and last year they beat Chatham before snapping Bridgewater-Raritan’s 42-game winning streak in the semifinals, but they were beaten 13-4 by Delbarton in the final.

Pingry lost in the semifinals to Bridgewater-Raritan in 2015.

Many of those players that orchestrated those victories played vital roles in beating Montgomery. Experienced leaders like seniors Ollie Martin, Jake Moss, juniors Jamie Zusi and George Enman and senior goalies David Metzger and Frankie Dillon.  
Montgomery had been averaging 15 goals in five state tournament games, but Pingry’s defense was superb. The Cougars were held to two extra-man goals in the first half and two even strength in the second.

Dillon made nine saves in the first half and Metzger six in the second. Zusi dominated in faceoffs, winning 13 of 15, and collected 12 ground balls.

"I've always said if you've got a hot goalie and a great faceoff guy, you can beat anyone," Dillon said.

Enman scored four goals and assisted on two others. He now has 40 goals and 31 assists for the season. Enman scored the first two goals of the game, then scored his third off a pretty two-on-one with Martin with nine seconds left in the half to give the Big Blue a 4-2 lead.

"We thrive when we are the underdogs, we've been underdogs all three times we've been here," Enman said.

"Nothing beats experience," said Dillon, who split halves with Metzger. "Having been here two times (before Saturday) helps with the jitters."

Webster praised his defense, especially Martin.

"He never stops running," Webster said.

Pingry also made sure it was well-schooled on the opponent. Dillon said he spent a lot of time watching tape of Montgomery.

"Our defense gave me the kind of shots I wanted and I saw the ball really well," he said. "I watched a lot of film. I wanted to know their players."

Anytime Montgomery looked as if it might make a run, Pingry quickly answered. The Cougars’ Nico Ipeker scored with :44 left in the third to cut the Pingry lead to 6-3, but Martin scored not long after to make it 7-3. Ipeker’s third goal cut the Big Blue lead to 7-4 with 7:42  left in the fourth. That lasted until the 5:45 mark when Spencer Duryee scored to give Pingry an 8-4 lead.

"We played outstanding," Webster said. "I thought both of our goalies were outstanding, our faceoff kid was tough, our rides, our clears, it was a team effort. Our zone defense played great.

"The key was to move the ball on offense. Take away some of their good matchups because they have some really good defensemen. Keep moving and picking and getting timely shots. They took great shots."