North Hunterdon Pulls Away Late to Defeat Montgomery Boys Lacrosse in Season Opener

Nicholas Mistretta

MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent

SKILLMAN, NJ — Despite generating strong offensive pressure, the Montgomery boys lacrosse team fell to North Hunterdon, 9-5, in its season opener at Cougar Stadium, as a decisive third quarter proved to be the difference.

Montgomery (0-1) outshot North Hunterdon 30-20 on goal, but struggled to convert consistently against North Hunterdon goalkeeper Jonah Spagnuolo, who turned aside 21 shots in a standout performance.

Third Quarter Swing Proves Decisive
After a slow start that saw North Hunterdon (2-0) jump out to a 3-0 first-quarter lead, Montgomery responded in the second quarter. The Cougars scored twice to cut the deficit to 3-2 heading into halftime, showing signs of momentum.

However, that momentum stalled in the third quarter, where North Hunterdon erupted for four unanswered goals, extending its lead to 7-2 and creating a gap Montgomery could not overcome.

Both teams traded goals in the fourth quarter, with Montgomery scoring three times, but North Hunterdon matched with two of its own to secure the win.

Long Leads Montgomery Offense
Colin Long led the Cougars offensively with a four-goal performance, accounting for the majority of Montgomery’s scoring output. Patrick Petrozzini added a goal, while Will Schwartz and Zach Mutton each contributed an assist.

Montgomery finished with five goals on seven total points, but struggled to capitalize on its high shot volume, converting just a fraction of its opportunities against a disciplined North Hunterdon defense.

Possession Battle Favors Lions
While Montgomery held an edge in shots, North Hunterdon controlled key possession metrics. The Lions dominated on the ground, winning the ground ball battle 42-27, which helped limit second-chance opportunities for the Cougars.

North Hunterdon also benefited from strong faceoff play, with Stephen Cavitch winning 8 of 15 draws (53%), contributing to extended offensive possessions.

Hunter Perdue and Brendan Scott each led the Lions with five points (two goals, three assists), pacing a balanced offensive effort that saw six different players score.

Defensive Effort and Goaltending
Montgomery goalkeeper Xander Mancilla recorded four saves on nine goals against, facing a North Hunterdon offense that capitalized efficiently on its opportunities.

Despite the loss, Montgomery’s defense limited North Hunterdon’s shot volume, but the Lions’ ability to convert and control possession proved critical.

Photo Credit: sportoakimirka/shutterstock.com