The season opener on April 2 did not work out so well for the Cranford High School boys lacrosse team when the Livingston Lancers inflicted a 162 drudging at Memorial Field in Cranford. Two days later, Montclair Kimberley stopped the Cougars, 1511, then the Summit Hilltoppers topped the Cougars, 17-5, on April 6.
Senior Joe Brodbeck netted a goal, an assist and a ground ball for the Cougars against the Lancers. Tom McCarthy scored the other goal. Lucas Caldwell had an assist and scooped two ground balls. Goalkeeper Mark Doyle made three saves and Ethan MacNab made one save.
Luke Piche led the Lancers with five goals, two assists and three ground balls. Noah Anzelone notched three goals. Alex Holland had a goal, five assists and three ground balls. Sam Goldstein had a goal and two assists. Reid Snow finished with two goals, an assist and three ground balls. Mike Snow won 18 of 22 face-offs and scored once. Jack Bershad had a goal and an assist. Hudson Siegel had a goal and two ground balls. Conor Healy scored once. Goalkeeper Frank Bagolie recorded four saves and Dylan Levine had two saves.
Brodbeck put in five goals and added an assist and two ground balls against Montclair Kimberley. Caldwell netted three goals, an assist and three ground balls. Ryan Gregersen had two goals and a ground ball. McCarthy had a goal and an assist. Will Morgan had an assist and two ground balls. Kevin Goldfeder scooped seven ground balls and Mason Mannix scooped four ground balls. Matt O’Donnell, Jack Corcoran and Jared Acinapura each had one ground ball. MacNab made 15 saves.
For the Kimberleys, Henry McCann recorded five goals, an assist and three ground balls. Charlie Wolf scored four goals and added two assists and two ground balls. Nick Snyder had three goals, two assists and three ground balls. Tom Meeker had a goal, two assists and three ground balls. Noah Rodgers scored twice. Finn MacEvoy (10 ground balls) won 14 of 23 face-offs and Kiran Hailey (4 ground balls) won five of seven face-offs.
The Hilltoppers seized a quick 103 lead over the Cougars by halftime then tacked on another three within the first five minutes of the third quarter before easing off a bit. Cade Gilbert netted three goals and an assist for Summit. Dan Flaim had a goal and six assists. Quinn Hynes (assist), Lucas Kohaut and Will Iacovelli each scored twice. Seven others scored once.
Gregersen had two goals and an assist for Cranford. Brodbeck and Caldwell each had a goal, assist and a ground ball. Tom McCarthy scored once. Lucas Hoeffler had an assist and two ground balls. MacNab recorded 10 saves.
