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MOUNTAIN LAKES – Aidan Troy has a lot of games circled on his calendar. But the Delbarton goaltender might have put a bit more emphasis on Tuesday's rivalry rematch against Mountain Lakes.

The Green Wave's challenging early schedule paid off with a 8-4 come-from-behind road victory.

It wasn't the first time Delbarton had to respond after giving up early goals. With Mountain Lakes up 2-0 after the first quarter, the Green Wave responded with five second-period goals – four in the first seven minutes.

But while Delbarton (5-2) was unable to come back against nationally-ranked St. Anthony's of Long Island or Malvern (Pennsylvania) Prep, those challenges gave the players the experience needed on Tuesday.

"Those guys have a lot of experience under their belt, and came out and punched us in the mouth. In both of those games, we had to respond," said Troy, a senior from Westfield, which visits Delbarton next month.

"We came out here after all that and said, 'We can go down one. We can go down two. But in the second quarter, the third quarter, we'll have the same amount of energy and catch them sleeping. ... A lot of the experience really helped us there."

The Green Wave snapped a four-game losing streak against the Lakers, a stretch which includes the 2022 Morris County Tournament final. The Green Wave holds a 41-39 all-time lead in the series.

Delbarton senior midfielder T.J. Coffey attended quite a few of those games while growing up in Chatham. Both he and Troy expect to cross paths with the Lakers again, quite possibly in the MCT final on May 9.

Mountain Lakes and Delbarton have decided the MCT lacrosse title 24 times in the tournament's 34-year history.

"It's awesome," said Coffey, who scored the Green Wave's first goal with 10:26 left in the second quarter and an insurance goal in the fourth.

"It's a Delbarton tradition. It's a Mountain Lakes tradition. It's always big to win these games, end the losing streak here and get back going the right direction. ... It's something a lot of New Jersey youth teams look at. It's always fun to watch the two teams compete. You know it's going to be a good game."

Delbarton launched its lacrosse program in 1976. About the same time, John Walters – Mountain Lakes assistant coach Mark Walters' father – founded a recreation program when the family moved into town. It grew into a high school varsity team in 1980, with Walters a sophomore on the field and Tim Flynn at the helm.

The Delbarton-Mountain Lakes rivalry began that first year, based solely on proximity. Now, they meet annually in the NJAC-American, as well as Morris County and NJSIAA tournaments.

Coffey and Delbarton senior attack Gray Doyle had two goals and an assist apiece. Green Wave senior midfielder Sean Diczok added a goal and two assists.

Attacks Kevin Gillespie, Merric Martorana and Giacomo Bevacqua each had a goal and an assist for Mountain Lakes (4-1). Lakers senior goalie Matt Sentowski made 18 saves, many of them acrobatic.

"I told them I was extremely proud of them," Flynn said. "We battled the entire time. We made some mistakes and they took advantage of them, but in terms of how hard the kids went out after stuff, it was fantastic. It's a great rivalry based on respect, great players, and great programs. ... Our fans, our people, our program, we work really hard for games like this."

NORTH, GROUP 1 FINAL

BRACKET

Monday, June 6

2-Mountain Lakes (8-11) at 1-Verona (15-4), 4

TITLE HISTORY

Mountain Lakes has won five sectional titles

Titles – 2007, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2022

Verona has never won a sectional title.

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Mountain Lakes: Defeated No. 15 Pascack Hills 16-4 in the first round. Kayla Plotts led with a hat trick, two assists, four draw controls and three ground balls, Kaylin Oey had a hat trick, three draw controls and two ground balls, Lindsay Gellert added one goal and four assists. Defeated seventh-seeded Mahwah 14-7 in the quarterfinals. Oey led with five goals, one assist, seven draw controls and three ground balls, Abigail Hawes finished with four goals, one assist, four draw controls and four ground balls, Plotts added four goals and one assist and Gellert totaled one goal, four assists and five ground balls. Defeated sixth-seeded Westwood 15-6 in the semifinals. Plotts led with 10 goals and one assist, Julia Peterson recorded a hat trick and one assist, Oey added one goal, three assists, 11 draw controls and eight ground balls and Gellert contributed one goal and three assists.

Verona: Defeated No. 16 Pompton Lakes 16-2 in the first round. Riley Kenrick led with four goals and one assist, Bridget Lonsinger finished with two goals, two assists, eight draw controls, four ground balls and one forced turnover, Clara Nippes added two goals and three assists. Defeated ninth-seeded Jefferson 15-2 in the quarterfinals. Kenrick led with eight goals and three ground balls, Lonsinger finished with three goals, four assists, 10 ground balls, seven draw controls and five forced turnovers, Brooke Rienecker added five ground balls, four draw controls and three forced turnovers. Defeated fourth-seeded Kinnelon 13-5 in the semifinals. Kenrick finished with a hat trick, one assist and two forced turnovers, Lonsinger contributed two goals, one assist, 10 draw controls, eight ground balls and four forced turnovers, Nippes totaled two goals, three assists, two ground balls and one forced turnover.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Mountain Lakes: Kayla Plotts, Jr. (65G, 14A, 20GB, 37DC); Kaylin Oey, So. (42G, 13A, 39GB, 131DC); Abigail Hawes, So. (22G, 4A, 51GB, 41DC); Lindsay Gellert, Sr. (12G, 40A, 13GB); Emma Barkauskas, Jr. G (189 saves, 185 goals allowed).

Verona: Bridget Lonsinger, Sr. M (63G, 54A, 140GB, 129DC, 73FT); Riley Kenrick, So. A (55G, 17A, 54GB, 8DC, 30FT); Clara Nippes, Sr. A (37G, 28A, 37GB); Brooke Rienecker, Sr. M/D (5G, 4A, 56GB, 41DC, 41FT); Chloe Theilmeier, Sr. A (25G, 22A, 26GB, 12FT); Juliana Squilanti, Sr. D/M (4G, 59GB, 75FT); Julia Dacey, So. A (14G, 19A, 33GB, 20FT).

KEY FACTOR: JUMP OUT EARLY

Top-seeded Verona, which is on the hunt for its first sectional title, has been averaging over 12 goals a game this season. The Freedom North Division champions enter with a 15-4 record, with losses against a ranked West Essex team, Montclair (twice) and Madison. Senior Bridget Lonsinger, who leads the team with 63 goals, 54 assists, 140 ground balls and 129 draw controls, leads a well-round squad that has numerous options on offense, including Riley Kenrick, Clara Nippes, Jane Sorger and Chloe Theilmeier. The defense, highlighted by seniors Juliana Squilanti and Brooke Rienecker, has held opposing offenses to an average of seven goals a game. During its state tournament run, Verona has outscored opponents 44-9.

Second-seeded Mountain Lakes, which won its first sectional title since 2014 last season, enters with a record of 8-11 but plays in the Stars & Stripes South Division against the likes of Summit, Oak Knoll, Chatham, Morristown and Ridgewood. Seven of the Lakers’ 11 losses have come against teams that were ranked in the Top 20 at some point this season. Led by Kayla Plotts (65 goals), Mountain Lakes is averaging over nine goals a game this season and has held opposing offenses to 10 goals a game.

It’s clear that Mountain Lakes has the advantage when it comes to experience of playing in a sectional final, and it has played a tougher schedule. Verona has played against its fair share of tough opponents this season, and can win in close games. Whichever team can win the draw and jump out to a fast lead should gain enough momentum to hold off the opposing offense long enough to hoist a sectional title trophy.

THE PICK

Verona

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Lauren Knego covers girls lacrosse and may be reached at @laurenknego.

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Jen Munday Topakas had plenty to celebrate on Friday. Mountain Lakes girls lacrosse defeated Westwood, 15-6, to advance to the NJSIAA Group 1 North final. It was Topakas' 200th career victory, all at her alma mater.

It also happened to fall on the coach's 42nd birthday. Her younger sister, University of Southern California women's lacrosse coach Lindsey Munday, was back at home to commemorate the occasion with her family.

"Two hundred is big. It's a big deal," said Munday, who helped launch the USC women's lacrosse team in 2013. "She's been doing this a long time. It's important to say congrats and acknowledge the hard work and the time and the dedication to be part of a program for a long time. She cares so much about the program and about Mountain Lakes and about the kids."

Munday recalled being a ball girl as Topakas played soccer for Mountain Lakes, "always wanting to be like her and learn from her." Topakas also played basketball, and added lacrosse as a Mountain Lakes junior. She planned to play basketball at The College of New Jersey, but wound up becoming the lacrosse goalie there as well. Sharon Pfluger, who is still the TCNJ women's lacrosse coach, helped Topakas learn to love her newest sport.

Topakas began coaching freshman girls basketball at Mountain Lakes while still student teaching, leaving the sport when she met her now-husband, Rockaway River Country Club superintendent John Topakas. A second-grade teacher at Wildwood Elementary School in Mountain Lakes, she became an assistant girls lacrosse coach in 2004, and moved to head coach in 2008.

Topakas hadn't been counting wins or milestones, except perhaps sectional and Group titles. This is the Lakers' second consecutive trip to a sectional final, and they have been to nine of the last 10.

"I like to win, period," said Topakas, whose kids – 7-year-old Carolyn, 6-year-old Lily and 4-year-old John – are regularly on the sideline.

"That's how I've always been. I've always been a competitor. It's the drive to be successful. ... I wanted to compete and win and help kids experience that great feeling."

Girls lacrosse sectional finals

Monday, June 5

Group 1 North: (2) Mountain Lakes at (1) Verona

Group 2 North: (2) Mendham at (1) Summit, 4 p.m.

Group 3 North: (2) Northern Highlands at (1) Chatham, 4 p.m.

Group 4 North: (2) Morristown at (1) Ridgewood, 4:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosse sectional finals

Tuesday, June 6

Group 1 North: (2) Caldwell at (1) Mountain Lakes

Group 2 North: (3) West Essex at (1) Summit

Group 3 North: (2) Ridge at (1) Chatham

Group 4 North: (3) Ridgewood at (1) Westfield

Boonton 5, No. 13 Mountain Lakes 19

Kevin Gillespie scored four goals with two assists as well as top-seeded Roxbury, also No. 13 in NJ.com’s Top 20, defeated 16th-seeded Boonton 19-5 in Mountain Lakes.

Mountain Lakes (13-5) came out on fire, posting 11 goals in the first quarter alone. It added six more in the second quarter to hold a 17-2 lead at the half.

Noah Gellert also had a hat-trick and an assist with Jordan Hernando, Bryan Pigden and Gavin Ananian adding two goals each. Giacomo Bevacqua had two goals and an assist with Nick Fidacaro tallying a goal to go along with three assists. Justin Brennfleck had a goal and an assist and Jimmy Elliott and Awais Ullah posting a goal each. Oliver Bush and Marius Donnelly had an assist apiece as well. Matt Sentowski tallied six saves in goal.

Nick Scaltro led the way for Boonton (7-13) with two goals and two assists. Dylan Cannizzaro also had a goal with Christian Fokas adding one and Colin Bostrom posting an assist. Cody Larsen had 14 saves.

Mountain Lakes will face ninth-seeded Lenape Valley in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Newton 7, Ramsey 17

Cullen Gorman led the way for sixth-seeded Ramsey, scoring four goals as it defeated 11th-seeded Newton 17-7 in Ramsey.

JJ Phillips was solid, scoring four goals as well with Quinn O’Neill adding two goals and an assist. Dillon Kelly was playmaking all over the field, scoring a goal to go along with seven assists. Alex Scavone had two goals as well with Noah Laurino scoring one. Brian Pierpont tallied two assists, Matty Stone posted one and Sean Hali had a goal to go along with an assist. Brian Pierpont had 13 saves in goal.

Newton falls to 10-9 with the loss, while Ramsey improves to 9-8 this season.

Ramsey will face third-seeded Mahwah in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

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PISCATAWAY − Mountain Lakes will forever be a part of New Jersey high school football history, just not on the side it hoped to be on.

Anthony Reagan Jr. scored three touchdowns, highlighted by a 33-yard pick-six midway through the fourth quarter as Woodbury, No. 25 in the latest USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey statewide Top 25 rankings, defeated No. 24 Mountain Lakes, 31-7, on Saturday in the Group 1 title game at Rutgers' SHI Stadium.

This is the first year that true state championship games were held for public schools in New Jersey, and the Mountain Lakes game was the first game of the weekend.

"After the game I told the team to keep their heads up. It's been such a great run. The game got a little away from us at the end, but we were right there and had a chance to win a group championship," Mountain Lakes coach Darrell Fusco said. "I give them [Woodbury] credit. They just made a few more plays than us. But I'm so proud of our group and we'll be back. We have a lot of guys back next year. This is a tremendous group to get us to this point and I'm not sure we even thought we'd be here early on."

It was a defensive battle in the first half as both teams struggled to gain ground and momentum. Steady rain also played a factor as Mountain Lakes was able to contain Woodbury's fast-paced passing game and limit quarterback Bryan Johnson's opportunities. Johnson, who entered the game with 2,159 yards and 24 touchdowns, was held to 6-of-9 for 87 yards in the first half.

Mountain Lakes (11-2) scored first when Nico Dunn (15 carries, 36 yards) took a handoff 17-yards up the middle to give Mountain Lakes a 7-0 lead with 8:32 left in the first half.

"We played well in the first half and came up with some big plays," Dunn said. "Our goal from day one was to get here. We accomplished a lot this year. I'm sad it's over. This is a brotherhood."

Woodbury (12-2) came out firing to start the second half. The Gloucester County school needed just three plays to get into the end zone when Johnson connected with freshman receiver Ibn Muhammad from 19-yards to pull within one, 7-6 following a missed point-after-attempt.

Eight minutes later, Reagan, Jr. gave the Thundering Herd its first lead of the game when he barreled in from eight yards to cap a six play, 80 yard drive with 2:51 left in the third.

Momentum appeared to shift in Mountain Lakes' direction early in the fourth quarter when Giacomo Bevacqua picked off Johnson at the Woodbury 27-yard line. But on the first play of the ensuing drive, quarterback Ben Miniter (2-of-10, 30 yards) fumbled at his own 39-yard line and Woodbury recovered.

Five plays later, Reagan, Jr. barreled in from a yard out for an 18-7 lead with 7:39 left in the quarter.

Less than a minute later, Wilson Torres put the game out of reach when he scored on a 33-yard interception return and Derron Moore put on the final touches on a 1-yard run with 2:34 left to play.

What it means

Woodbury is the first program in state history to win a group title. Last month the Thundering Herd captured their second straight sectional title and seventh overall when they defeated rival Maple Shade, 36-6.

Woodbury closes out the campaign on a six-game win streak.

Mountain Lakes (11-2) closes out a memorable campaign in which it captured its first sectional title in eight years and seventh in school history. The Herd defeated Brearley, 16-6 in North 1, Group 1.

By the numbers

Reagan, Jr. rushed for 211 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns.

Johnson threw for 146 yards and one touchdown.

Mountain Lakes linebacker Marco Dzamba had a game-high 12 tackles, nine solo, a forced fumble and one sack.

Woodbury out-rushed Mountain Lakes, 236-128.

They said it

"We already have our goal set for next year. Unfortunately, someone had to be a footnote in history and I don't mind it knowing we're the team that got here. It's disappointing, but we're going to look back on this game and then move on before getting back to work. To be the team that got here, it's special." − Fusco

"We're definitely going to keep this in the back of our minds come next year in the playoffs. We're going to make sure it doesn't happen again. We all stuck together knowing this was our last game with some of the guys and we just wanted to leave it all out on the field." − Dzamba