One Goal Separated Ridge and Don Bosco in Hard-Hitting ToC Final

Both Ridge and Don Bosco Prep made it to Saturday's NJSIAA boys lacrosse Tournament of Champions final by gutsy, relentless defense and sharp-as-nails offense.  

Here is some video and more photos from the big game, along with a previous story and photos on Ridge's groundbreaking victory.

Ridge had always preached that team defense helped drive the offense. Both teams put together strong performances, but Don Bosco coach Mike Springer felt his Ironmen could have done more. 

"Maybe our shot selection wasn't the greatest today. We were getting beat on too many of the draws in the second half but we knew we'd be in the game. I'm proud of the season these guys had." 

"Alec (Burckley) is one of the keys to this program," said Ridge coach Ken Marsh.  "He wins the ball, he is a warrior.  He plays offense, he does so many things for us.  And the constant possessions are huge.  He dominated the faceoffs today."

Out of the gate, Eric Scott put Ridge on the board with the first of four goals on the day. Scott, NJ Player of the Year, is a four-year varsity starter headed to Yale in the fall to play lacrosse.  

Don Bosco would not be held back for too long and Marc Buermann would score his first of two goals for the Ironmen. As the two teams settled into their defenses, it would be Don Bosco that would take a 3-2 lead into the half.

Shortly after the second half began, Mitchell Gray carried down field and passed to Connor Lalley who would bury a shot to tie the game.  Ridge would get the go-ahead goal from Eric Scott, but just 45 seconds later, Riley O'Sullivan tied the score for Don Bosco. 

Ridge would open the fourth quarter on a tear getting a goal from Scott, followed by a faceoff win and goal from Burckley and a goal from Owen Molloy to give Ridge a three goal lead at 7-4. 

But Don Bosco was not done and put in three goals in a little more than two minutes, the last coming with just 1:14 left in the game. During the flourish, Ridge had scored their eighth goal, and closed out the game, 8-7.

"Eric (Scott) just had to play his game," said Ridge head coach Ken Marsh. "When Eric is able to play his game, what he does, some days the points fall for him, some days they don't. And today they did."

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