The last time the Madison High School boys lacrosse team faced West Morris High, the Dodgers found themselves in a battle, recovering from a four-goal first quarter deficit and escaping with a hard fought 10-9 win.
This time, in the Morris County Tournament quarterfinals, the outcome would be totally different, as Madison pummeled West Morris 17-4, advancing to the semifinal game on Saturday.
"We were down 5-1 early and I think it was [in our guys minds] before the game today," head coach Mark Sweeney said. "We reminded them if it wasn't. They heard it from [the coaches]."
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Madison would waste no time in the rematch, as the Dodgers were unwilling to get into another slug fest. Instead, they would jump out to a quick 6-1 first quarter lead behind goals from captain Austen Lein (3), Michael Clemente, Chad Smith and Will Stuhler.
The trend would continue in the second quarter with Madison controlling the ball for much of the twelve minutes.
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The Dodgers would tack on another six goals in quarter two as Smith and Clemente would both add two more goals with Lein adding one and fellow captain Charlie Oldendorp also getting one, leading Madison to a 12-3 lead at half.
Lein would finish the game with four goals and two assists.
In the second half the Dodger defense remained stout, stopping West Morris at every chance they got. The defense was so good, in fact, that they held their opponents scoreless in the third quarter –and allowed only one goal in the fourth quarter.
"We've always known that we have that ability," Sweeney said. "We have real tough defense, great shooters and great goalies and we can do that to you, but sometimes we lose focus. Today we didn't."
West Morris struggled to keep the ball in the Dodgers defensive zone, rarely being given enough leeway to complete more than two passes per possession.
Also impressive was the Dodgers offensive intensity.
Sporting a 12-3 lead, Madison refused to get complacent, adding four more goals in the third, all coming from middie Will Stuhler.
Stuhler recorded five goals on the day.
With a 16-3 lead in the fourth quarter Sweeney sat his starters, feeling very comfortable with a 13-goal lead.
The Dodger backups would hold onto the big lead, adding one more goal and cruising to the 17-4 win.
"They were really focused today, Sweeney added. "You could see it in their eyes in the locker room and it was a really good overall team effort."
Madison will face the winner of Delbarton and Mendham in the MCT semifinal round, tentatively scheduled for Saturday afternoon.
