Cougars Deliver a Statement Week: Girls Lax Stuns Princeton, Boys Roll, Softball Splits Two

Nicholas Mistretta

MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent

Girls Lacrosse — Montgomery Outlasts Princeton in Heavyweight Clash, 12-11

Montgomery’s girls lacrosse team added another marquee win to its standout season, edging Princeton 12-11 in a tightly contested matchup between two of the area’s top teams.

The Cougars improved to 10-1 behind a balanced offensive effort and strong work in the draw circle. Elliana Pizzulli, Kennedy Dexter, and Sophia Soron each scored three goals, helping Montgomery overcome a determined Princeton squad that continued to pressure throughout the afternoon.

Emma Scrudato added a goal and two assists, while Lexi Lopez helped drive the attack with three assists. Mollie Little and Carson Benedict also scored for Montgomery, and Lexi Sambol contributed an assist.

Montgomery showed its depth across the field. Pizzulli controlled eight draws, while Soron added five and Scrudato chipped in two. Dexter finished with three goals and an assist, and Montgomery’s ability to generate opportunities proved decisive as the Cougars posted 16 shots on goal and held off Princeton late.

Princeton was led by Leah Bornstein’s four goals, while Quinn Gallagher and Emerson Barker each turned in three-point efforts. But Montgomery answered each challenge, doing enough offensively to secure another one-goal victory in a season already full of them.

Boys Lacrosse — Schwartz, Mutton Lead Montgomery Past Marlboro, 10-5

Montgomery’s boys lacrosse team improved to 6-4 with a 10-5 victory over Marlboro, fueled by big performances from Will Schwartz and Zach Mutton.

Schwartz scored four goals, while Mutton matched him with four goals and added two assists in a six-point outing. Miles Dawson contributed two goals, giving the Cougars a trio of offensive standouts who accounted for all 10 goals.

Montgomery kept consistent pressure on the Marlboro defense, finishing with 27 shots on goal. Jack Finnegan added an assist and collected four ground balls, while Patrick Petrozzini also picked up four ground balls in a strong all-around effort. The Cougars totaled eight ground balls in the box score and received steady possession play throughout the afternoon.

In goal, Alexander Mancilla made five saves while allowing five goals, helping Montgomery hold Marlboro in check and secure the five-goal win.

Softball — McGlynn Powers Cougars Past Belvidere, 7-2

Montgomery softball bounced back in impressive fashion Tuesday, defeating Belvidere 7-2 behind a dominant day from Maggie McGlynn and a strong complete-game effort from Matilda Suh.

McGlynn delivered the biggest offensive performance of the game, going 3-for-3 with five RBIs to lead the Cougar attack. Montgomery collected seven hits and used a three-run third inning and a three-run fifth to take control.

Ryane Riddell added two hits and an RBI, while Suh helped herself at the plate with a double, a run scored, and a walk. Nicolette Shackelford singled, scored, and stole a base, while Grace Gandolfo and Allison McKnight each scored a run. McKnight also walked twice and stole a base. Isabella Malek drew two walks, and Maahi Sethi added another as Montgomery showed patience throughout the lineup.

In the circle, Suh earned the win, going the distance and allowing two runs while not surrendering an earned run. She gave up only two hits over seven innings and helped Montgomery improve to 8-6.

Belvidere managed four hits, led by Claire Duryea’s two-hit effort, but Montgomery’s timely hitting and steady pitching proved too much to overcome.

Softball — Cougars Edged by Rutgers Prep in Pitchers’ Duel

A day earlier, Montgomery was on the short end of a tightly played 2-1 loss to Rutgers Prep despite a strong outing from Matilda Suh and a solid offensive effort.

The Cougars scattered seven hits but were unable to generate enough run support in a game dominated by pitching. Suh was sharp in the circle, allowing just three hits and no earned runs over six innings while striking out four.

At the plate, Suh also had a strong game, collecting two hits, including a double. Nicolette Shackelford, Ryane Riddell, Grace Gandolfo, Maggie McGlynn, and Allison McKnight each added a hit for Montgomery. Gandolfo drove in the Cougars’ lone run, while Riddell scored and stole a base. Shackelford and Alex Winer also added steals.

Rutgers Prep managed only three hits, but timely execution made the difference. Gianna Bowman tripled and drove in a run, while Jurnee Caldwell added an RBI. Kate Dougherty earned the win in the circle, striking out 12 and keeping Montgomery from putting together a late rally.

Photo Credit: Nick Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomry.com