Ridgewood Lax Downs West Morris, Advances to Group Stage Finals

A superb performance by senior goalie Noah Pounds propelled the Maroons to victory on Sunday over West Morris in the North Jersey Group 3 finals. The Maroons now control their playoff destiny.

Pounds, who will star at Navy next year, made 10 saves in a 6-3 win over the Wolfpack. The team now advances to the group stage finals to play familiar foes Shawnee, the Group 3 South winner, at Ridge High School on Wednesday.

"Our defense plays really well together. Today we played zone all the way, talked it up and never really gave them a game," Pounds said Sunday. "It's a great feeling knowing that you are the last line of defense and everyone is relying on you." 

Consistently squaring off against the state's top teams, Ridgewood struggled early in the season. But the team has picked up the pace in May, rattling off eight victories in ten games, losing only to powerhouses Summit and Don Bosco Prep.

Should Ridgewood prove victorious against Shawnee, it will play in the NJSIAA tournament of champions, which is set to being on Saturday, June 1. 

"I say we've just got to come out with the same mindset we have for every game, bring energy and play our game," said Pounds.