Sophomore John Bono had one lone goal on the year for Monroe Township High School coming into the ice hockey with the Howell-Matawan high school’s co-op team on Jan. 3 at Jersey Shore Arena in Wall Township.
The one goal grew to three on the season when Bono started the new year in style and connected twice to guide Monroe to a 2-1 victory.
“It was really exciting to score and help my team win,” Bono said. “It felt really good to score two goals in a game.”
Monroe held a 1-0 lead going into the second period, but Dylan Kramer got Howell-Matawan even when ht hit on his team-high 10th goal of the season to tie the game at 1-1 just over four minutes into the period.
The game still knotted up at 1-1 with under two minutes to go in the second period, when Bono struck again to put the Falcons back in the lead.
The sophomore knocked home a slap shot into the back of the net to give Monroe a 2-1 edge with 1:41 to go in the second period.
Vincent Foresta had an assist on both of Bono’s goals in the contest.
Goalie Marino Lupo racked up 19 saves in net to help Monroe hang on for the one-goal victory.
Howell-Matawan goalie Dan McEvoy recorded 18 saves in the contest.
Monroe improved to 4-3, while Howell-Matawan dropped to 5-4-2 on the season.
Follow Steven Bassin on Twitter @SBassin_Sports