Chatham Holds Off Seton Hall Prep in Late-Season Battle

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association state lacrosse tournament begins tomorrow and Chatham and Seton Hall Prep – two Fitch/Pitt Division rivals are hoping to make profound runs. 

While fourth-seed Seton Hall Prep will play host to fifth-seed St. Joseph of Metuchen next Thursday at 2 p.m. in a Non-Public A game, Chatham will play the winner of Saturday's Pascack Valley-Morris Hills game in a state Group II playoff game next Tuesday afternoon.

The two met in something of a playoff warm-up Thursday afternoon with Chatham improving its record to 13-5 with an 8-7 home victory.

The victory was the third straight for Chatham.

Chatham coach Tony Calandra said he feels like his team is in a "a good place" as it prepares for its first state game.  

Juniors Cory Heidaran and Kyle Howard-Johnson scored two goals apiece to spark Chatham, which held off a late comeback from the Pirates, now 7-6.

"It's always a good game when we play Chatham, it's a good rivalry," said Pirates' coach Dave Giarusso. "It was hard fought."

The Pirates had a 3-1 lead after one quarter, but the game was tied at 5-5 at the half. Chatham led 8-6 in the fourth quarter before Seton Hall Prep cut its deficit to one.

"We had four or five great quality shots," to tie the game, Giarusso said.

Senior keeper Sam Nestler made 17 stops for Chatham. 

Calandra said he expects his team to make a "deep run" in the state tournament.

Sophomore middie Sam Carson, senior attack Jake Finnen, freshman middie David Gill and junior middie Matt Proto had the other Chatham goals. Proto also had two assists.

Jack Fraser made 12 stops for the Pirates, who will play Madison in a regular season game Saturday in West Orange.

The Pirates have lost two straight after winning three in row. 

Senior Mac Stewart and junior Tim Mulrenan had two goals apiece for Prep. Stewart, a midfielder, will play at the University of Delaware next year.  Junior Brent Croonquist, senior Jack Murray and junior Paul Werner had the other Seton Hall Prep goals.

"The kids have to play hard for each other for 48 minutes," Giarusso said. "We just didn’t get that today."

Giarusso was very happy with the play of senior Charlie Kennedy, who will play at Lafayette University in Easton , Pa. next year.