The Delbarton School boys lacrosse team locked up its second Morris County title in three years on Tuesday night as they stopped Mountain Lakes, 5-4, at Fairleigh Dickinson University in Madison.
The game was a tight one from start to finish -as is to be expected when the Star Ledger No. 3 and 5 ranked teams in New Jersey go head-to-head- as each team struggled to solve its opponents defense.
But when all was said and done the Green Wave found themselves on top, thanks in large part to a four goal second half performance and a boisterous Delbarton cheering section.
“We needed to start putting stuff together in the second half, and that’s what we did,” said Jack Breit, who netted Delbarton’s fifth and decisive goal on Tuesday. “We came out a little more amped up, which we should have been in the first half, but having the crowd in the second half felt good. I’ve never heard that at a lacrosse game before. It helped amp us up, and the sideline started to pick up the chatter as well.”
After a goal from Anthony Heaton put Delbarton up 3-2 with just over four minutes remaining, Breit gave the Green Wave a two-goal cushion as he scored with three minutes remaining.
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“Once I saw Dean [Breirly] strip the ball and carry it up field, I knew he had the wheels to take it all the way and I just followed him and watched where the ball went,” Breit said. “Once I saw the entire defense surround him and leave my side of the field open, I just threw my stick up and he saw me, made a great pass across the field and I was able to put it away.”
It was a good thing he did because, with just 17 seconds remaining in the game, the Lakers answered, shortening the Delbarton lead to one, 5-4.
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“I’m very proud, the kids came out and gave it all they had,” Delbarton head coach Chuck Ruebling said. “I think we were holding back, maybe a little bit nervous, in the first half, but in the second half we just went out there and let it all hang out and had a good result.”
Goalie John Schisler stopped eight shots in the win, as Delbarton took home its 12th Morris County title in a hard fought defensive battle.
“You never really know, in any game, how it’s going to turn out,” Ruebling said. “But you can pretty much count on it, with Mountain Lakes, that it’s going to be a one-goal game.”
After just one season removed from a Morris County title, Delbarton is ecstatic to be back on top.
“It’s great to back here, back on top of the county” said John Shaffer, who scored two goals on Tuesday and took home tournament MVP honors. “There are 40 guys on the field that could have gotten [MVP]. Guys have to get me the ball and I have to get them the ball, so it was a team effort.”
