By Jim Hintelmann
RUMSON – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional and Somerville have played some memorable NJSIAA sectional title games in football and boys lacrosse in recent years.
Saturday’s 8-3 victory over RFH in the South Jersey Group II boys lacrosse finals was typical with Somerville stopping the two-time defending champion Bulldogs to avenge a football setback to the Bulldogs from last fall.
“We gave a great effort out there, but I’m not sure that we played our best game,” said Rumson coach Mark Moreau. “I know that Somerville did and that is why they came out on top.”
The story of the game, however, was the play of Somerville junior goalie Evan Barr. Rumson got off 20 shots on goal but Barr turned back 17 of them, several on spectacular saves.
“He played a great game and made some excellent stops,” admitted Moreau.
Somerville led from the start with Julian Varona, who had a hat trick (three goals), scoring just a minute into the game.
Rumson, behind the strong defensive play of goalie Ryan Croddick, who had six saves in the quarter, trailed only 1-0 after the first period.
Varona, however, scored on an odd goal late in the second quarter when he had the stick knocked from his hands, but still recovered the ground ball and knocked it into the net for a 2-0 lead.
Steve Dupras made it 3-0 just before the half before Rumson finally got on the board when Sam Mannino took a pass from Drew Shaw and scored just five minutes into the third quarter.
Michael Rosen made it 4-1 for the Pioneers, but Rumson stayed close a while longer when Shaw took a pass from Pat Jamin and scored to make it 4-2. Somerville answered with goals from Rosen, Pierson and Varona to put the game out of reach.
“They beat us in the finals last year and that made us sick to our stomachs,” said Barr, who has already committed to play lacrosse at Duke University despite being only a junior. “We came back with a lot of fire today and did a good job beating them on their home field. A lot of hard work paid off.”
“Evan was the story of the game,” said Somerville coach Justin Lovejoy. “However we still put together a great effort on both sides of the ball and were very physical against a very good, well-coached team.”
Despite the loss, the future outlook is bright for the Bulldogs, who have most of their starters returning.
“The majority of the guys out there are coming back and I’m excited about that,” said Moreau. “There is a lot of work to be done between now and next March, but I’m confident that we will do it.”
