Montgomery Girls Lacrosse Edges Southern Regional, Advances to South Jersey Group 4 Final

Nicholas Mistretta

MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent

Cougars withstand late rally to secure 9-8 road victory in sectional semifinal

MANAHAWKIN — The Montgomery High School girls lacrosse team is headed to the South Jersey, Group 4 championship game.

The Cougars built an early advantage and held off a determined Southern Regional comeback Thursday, earning a 9-8 road victory in the semifinal round of the NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 4 tournament.

Montgomery, which improved to 15-4, carried a three-goal lead into the fourth quarter and then relied on its defense to protect the narrow margin. Southern scored twice in the final period while holding the Cougars scoreless, but Montgomery prevented the Rams from finding the tying goal and secured its place in the sectional final.

Elliana Pizzulli and Emma Scrudato led the Cougars with four points apiece. Pizzulli recorded three goals and one assist, while Scrudato finished with two goals and two assists.

Montgomery opened the game with one of its strongest quarters of the postseason, outscoring Southern 5-2 in the first period. Each team scored twice in both the second and third quarters, allowing the Cougars to maintain a 9-6 lead entering the final 12 minutes.

Southern narrowed the deficit with two fourth-quarter goals, but Montgomery goalkeeper Elizabeth Andes and the Cougars’ defense preserved the lead. Andes made eight saves as both teams finished with 16 shots on goal.

Carson Benedict, Kennedy Dexter, Sophia Soron and Lexi Sambol each added one goal for Montgomery. Soron also contributed an assist.

The Cougars produced several strong individual efforts beyond the scoring column. Pizzulli collected six ground balls and controlled five draws, while Soron recorded five ground balls and five draw controls. Montgomery finished with 12 draw controls and 15 ground balls as a team.

Mackenzie Sininsky led Southern with three goals. Brynn Angelozzi scored twice, while Callie Siek, Izzy Muti and Kaylee Gibson each added one goal.

Montgomery’s early offensive surge ultimately provided the difference in a closely contested matchup. The Cougars scored seven times in the opening half and then did enough defensively to withstand Southern’s late pressure.

Photo Credit: sportoakimirka/shutterstock.com