Ridge Boys LAX Defeats Westfield for State Sectional Title

Ridge High's boys lacrosse and Westfield went into Sunday afternoon's North Group 4 sectional title game as the number one and two seeded teams, and promised a shoot out with only one to be left standing for the title. Ridge's grit and determination on defense apparently proved more than Westfield could handle. The visitors left Lee Field with a 9-3 defeat meted out by the Red Devils.

The Ridge boys varsity lacrosse next are scheduled to play for the Group IV State Championship against Southern Regional at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday at Somerville High School. Fans are asked to wear white for "white-out" effect.

Westfield's Jack Flaherty put his team on the scoreboard first. But it took little time for Ridge, with their infinite patience on offense, to get their first goal off the stick of J.T. Palladino. Eric Scott would be next to get on the board putting Ridge on top, 2-1.

After going over 15 minutes scoreless through rest of the first and most of second periods, Ridge would get a emotional backbreaker goal from Eric Scott with just 9 seconds left in the half and close out the period 3-1.

Coming out of halftime, Ridge looked re-invigorated and got a early goal from freshman Kevin Quigley and shortly thereafter, one from Sean O'Brien. Mitchell Gray would add the third goal of the period after carrying to ball the length of the field and taking a shot on goal that hit its mark.

Ridge then added three more goals in the fourth quarter.

Westfield would get fourth quarter goals from Dane Huber and Jack Colwell.  Westfield goalie Garrett Williamson made eight saves.

"They stuck to the plan," said Ridge head coach Ken Marsh. "We preach that the first and fourth quarters are the most important ones, and we took care of both of those. The first quarter was a little slow, [but] the kids stuck to what we were doing and we were able to win it throughout four quarters of lacrosse. It was fun."

"What it came down to today was execution," said Westfield head coach Patrick Tuohy. "The kids always play hard and give 110%, that is never a question. Today, our execution wasn't there. We weren't crisp, we didn't take advantage of fast break opportunities, we didn't take advantage of ground ball opportunities. We just were not sharp today, and if you come out not sharp against a team like this, you will feel it. We kept at it, the kids never gave up.  That is really all I can ask of them." 

"Defensively we thought we matched up well with them," added Coach Tuohy.  "The problem is when you get the ball down the other end and it comes back in your face all the time, you can only hold for so long. They are a very talented team and they make really good adjustments. Hopefully the younger guys on our team will take this as a learning lesson for next year. We will be in the weight room next week starting again. Only one team gets to win their last game of the year."

"We came out strong, possessed balls, stayed strong on offense," said J.T. Palladino, who scored two goals for the Devils. 

"This was a great game," said Eric Scott, who scored three goals for the Devils. "We played well as a team. Out of the year, we haven't had too many games where we have played well as a team, but this was one. It was a real confident win for the whole team."

"This was awesome," said goalie T.J. Jones who had nine saves in the win.  "The defense really held it down and gave me the shots I needed to save. It was all around a good game."

UP NEXT - Ridge will play Southern Regional Wednesday at Somerville for the Group 4 title.