By Bob Nuse, Sports Editor
The Montgomery High boys lacrosse team had faced adversity enough this season to know even a seven-goal deficit late in the third quarter was not too much to overcome.
The Cougars trailed Lenape, 12-5, with just over three minutes to play in last Saturday’s South Jersey Group IV final. At that point Montgomery seized the momentum and scored 10 straight goals on its way to a 15-13 win and a sectional title.
“I was trying to key on the fact that we have been in this spot before,” said Montgomery coach Jon England, whose team had overcome similar deficits in games against Moorestown and Pingry earlier this year. “We were down against Moorestown and we dug back just like we did here. We never quit.
“We panicked in the first half and we were forcing things. Once we settled down and got a little fire under them I think they woke up a little bit. We have great coaches and great leadership on the sidelines. This was the best effort that I have ever been a part of.”
The offense goal rolling, led by Kyle Marrapodi’s six goals and four from Matt Stagnitta. Meanwhile, the defense settled in and help Lenape without a goal for nearly 15 minutes to allow the comeback to take place.
“Me, Jared (Reinsen) and Zach (Masessa) were triple pulling on the wing and we really wanted to win for ourselves and for our team and coaches,” junior defender Tyler Gallagher said. “Earlier this season our senior captain, Lucas Goldoni, broke his arm. He has been a key factor with keeping the defense together. We have been preaching family all season. We were a little slow in the first half but we brought it together and played like a family.”
Even down by seven goals late in the third quarter the Cougars never felt like they were out of the game.
“Our coach likes to say calm is contagious, so we kept it cool,” Gallagher said. “We cooled down, physically, on the sideline because we were pretty hot after the first half. Once we were cooled down and calm we went out there and played our best.
“We had confidence in our offense. We have great attackmen. Kyle Marrapodi is scoring goals and has a great attack like around him feeding him. He can finish. We have Wyatt Colangelo and Matt Stagnitta. We have a high-powered offense and when we need them they will step up.”
The win out the Cougars into the Group IV state final, where they dropped a 6-5 decision to Bridgewater. Nico Ipeker and Wyatt Colangelo each scored two goals in the loss to the Panthers, while Mike Yanovitch finished with nine saves.
The loss was the Cougars’ second of the season by one goal to unbeaten Bridgewater. Montgomery finished 16-4, with all six losses coming to sectional champions and all four by one goal.
“I think it helps playing on our division against Bridgewater, Pingry, Hunterdon Central and a lot of other good teams,” Gallagher said. “It really helps us tune up for the playoffs and get ready for the post-season run.
“This was a big goal. This is the second banner ever that Montgomery has won. We have been saying all season that we want to keep pushing forward and try to get than banner. Coach (Nick) Angrisani and Coach Jared Simmons were part of the team that won. They have been a big part of keeping that goal alive.
“Losing to Pingry after we beat them the first time was a big heartbreak. But it helped us in the end because it gave us motivation to work even harder. This game today was like Moorestown. We were way down and we were able to come back and get to triple overtime. We didn’t end up winning that game but it showed that we don’t give up.”
The Cougars certainly had fight in them all season. They secured a sectional title and were close to a state title.
“Our slogan is rising up,” England said. “We talked about finding that little bit extra and rising up above. They definitely dug deep.”
