Rumson-Fair Haven Routs Manasquan to Win NJSIAA South Group 2 Boys Lacrosse Title

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RUMSON -- As the stakes have become higher, so has the level of play for the Rumson-Fair Haven boys lacrosse team. And with a sectional championship on the line Friday night against a fellow state top-20 team, the Bulldogs played one of their most complete games of the season.

A goal by senior midfielder Philip Passalaqua with four seconds left in the first quarter opened the floodgates as the catalyst for an 11-goal run that turned a close game into a blowout as the top-seeded Bulldogs stormed past second-seeded Manasquan, 17-6, to capture the NJSIAA South Group 2 state sectional championship.

Rumson turned a 2-2 tie game with 2:28 left in the first quarter into a runaway victory, building an 8-2 halftime lead and stretching the advantage to 15-4 heading into the fourth quarter. The sectional title is Rumson's sixth in program history and second in a row, putting the Bulldogs into the Group 2 title game. Rumson will square off with Summit at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, June 1 at Bridgewater-Raritan High School.

Senior attackman Christian Bockelmann had a monster game with three goals and four assists, senior midfielder Tommy French and junior attackman Quinn Stankovits each delivered three goals and one assist, and junior attackman/midfielder Cole Cashion struck for two goals and two assists to lead a balanced offense. Passalaqua, senior attackman Connor Spagnuola, and sophomore midfielder Andy Croddick each scored twice. Rumson, which is ranked No. 1 in the Shore Sports Network Top 10 and No. 7 in the NJ.com Top 20, improved to 20-4 on the season.

Senior Noah Beacher played a major role at the face-off X to help limit the impact of Manasquan standout FOGO Max Pauwels. The Warriors senior won 13 of 23 face-offs but Rumson did a great job of preventing the Quinnipiac recruit from winning them cleanly. Rumson's wings did a great job of pursuing off the initial pull and winning 50/50 ground balls.

In goal, junior Will Setteducate didn't face a ton of work but was sharp when called upon to squash any attempt at a comeback by Manasquan.

The Warriors, ranked No. 2 in the Shore and No. 17 in New Jersey, received two goals from Pauwels, a goal and an assist from sophomore midfielder Brody Muly, and one goal each from senior midfielder Robert Pendergist, junior midfielder Blake Gorski, and freshman attackman Brandon Kunz. Manasquan had its streak of three consecutive sectional titles -- all of which came in South Group 1 -- snapped.