Montgomery Cougars Weekly Sports Recap: Golf Splits Matches, Girls Lacrosse Triumphs, Softball Faces Setbacks

April 11, 2025

Nicholas Mistretta

MHS ’79 Cougar Sports Correspondent

Montgomery Cougars Golf Show Resilience, Split Week Matchups
The Montgomery Cougars boys golf team put together a strong showing this week, competing in back-to-back matchups that highlighted both grit and growth as they near the heart of their season.

On Wednesday, the Cougars traveled to face Westfield in a tightly contested 9-hole stroke play match on a par-34 course. Despite a competitive team score of 154, Montgomery narrowly fell to Westfield, who carded a 151. The bright spot for the Cougars came in the form of standout golfer Tyler Sugarman, who fired an even-par 34. Aidan Sim followed with a solid 39, while Connor Benedict and Arav Rathmore rounded out the scoring with a 40 and 41, respectively.

Just one day later, Montgomery bounced back with authority, defeating Gill St. Bernard’s on home turf at Cherry Valley Country Club. Playing a 4-hole stroke format on the par-36 course, the Cougars dominated with a team score of 150, cruising past Gill’s 179.

Sugarman continued his stellar week, once again leading the field with another 34 to secure first place. Aidan Sim wasn’t far behind, placing second with an impressive 35. Rounding out the top performers for Montgomery were Michael Berwick, who placed fifth with a 40, and Mike Vannozzi, who came in sixth after shooting a 41.

Montgomery Cougars Edge Mount St. Mary’s in Nail-Biter, Improve to 5-1
In a tense Thursday night matchup on home turf, the Montgomery Cougars girls lacrosse team pulled out a thrilling 8-7 win over visiting Mount St. Mary’s, improving their season record to 5-1. The Cougars showcased resilience and balanced play on both ends of the field, holding off a late push from Mount St. Mary’s, who now fall to 3-2 on the season.

The Cougars were efficient on offense, scoring 8 goals on 11 shots on goal and scooping up 22 ground balls over the course of the contest. Leading the way offensively was junior standout Ellie Pizzulli, who delivered a hat trick along with 2 ground balls, 1 draw control, and 4 forced turnovers in a dynamic all-around performance.

Sophomore midfielder Sophia Soron added firepower with 2 goals of her own, while also dominating the middle of the field with 6 ground balls and a team-high 5 draw controls. Rounding out the scoring for Montgomery were Mollie Little, Lexi Lopez, and Emma Scrudato, each contributing one goal apiece to help keep the Cougars ahead.

The Cougars stayed composed under pressure, and the midfield stepped up in key moments.

On the defensive end, goalie Victoria Formica made 3 saves on the night and allowed 7 goals, while also picking up a ground ball. Despite facing an aggressive Mount St. Mary’s attack, the Cougar defense held firm in the closing minutes to secure the one-goal victory.

Girls Softball Struggle in Home-and-Home Series Against Ridge
It was a tough week on the diamond for the Montgomery Cougars varsity softball team, as they dropped both ends of a home-and-home series against the Ridge Red Devils, falling 19-1 on Tuesday and 11-1 on Wednesday.

Game 1 – Ridge 19, Montgomery 1 (at Montgomery)
The Cougars found themselves overwhelmed early in Tuesday’s contest, as Ridge’s offense came out swinging, plating six runs in the first inning and never looking back. The Red Devils continued their offensive surge with three runs in the second, seven in the third, and three more in the fifth, ending the game in five innings.

Montgomery’s lone highlight came in the third inning when Connor Fogarty scored the team’s only run. Fogarty went 1-for-2 at the plate, while Allison McKnight and Maahi Sethi each added a hit to round out the Cougars’ offensive efforts. On the mound, Ryane Riddell started and threw 2 1/3 innings, surrendering 16 hits and 16 runs—12 of them earned—while walking two and striking out two. Fogarty pitched the remaining 1 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and three earned runs while issuing three walks.

Game 2 – Ridge 11, Montgomery 1 (at Ridge)
The following night, Montgomery traveled to Ridge hoping to turn things around, but the Red Devils once again proved too much to handle. Ridge built a steady lead while keeping the Cougars’ bats mostly quiet. Montgomery managed just two hits in the game—one each from Nicolette Shackelford (1-for-3) and Ryane Riddell (1-for-2)—with Shackelford crossing the plate for the team’s only run. Riddell pitched the complete game for the Cougars, battling through defensive miscues. Of the 11 runs she allowed, only six were earned. She gave up five walks and struck out one. With the back-to-back losses, Montgomery falls to 0-3 on the season.

Photo Credit: Photoongraphy/Shutterstock.com;
Photo Credit: Nick Mistretta/headlinenewsmontgomery.com