Seton Hall gives SWR all it can handle, and more
PIRATES 14, WILDCATS 10
The Shoreham-Wading River Wildcats may have visions — nightmares, really — about Jules Heningburg dodging defenders with great dexterity, making lightning-quick turns and firing in goal after goal. Should they wake up in a sweat, they wouldn’t be able to console themselves with the thought that it was just a dream.
No, it was real, all too real for the Wildcats.
Heningburg and his teammates on the Seton Hall Prep (N.J.) boys lacrosse team posed a formidable test for the Wildcats on Saturday in an interstate clash between the two lacrosse powers. The senior attackman who is headed to play for Rutgers University, struck for six goals as Seton Hall put on an impressive display of skill in a 14-10 victory on the sun-splashed field at Shoreham-Wading River High School.
Seton Hall (3-1), the defending Essex County champion from West Orange, reached the New Jersey non-public A final last year, losing to Don Bosco Prep. Although the Pirates graduated six starters and 16 players from that team, they still have 16 players returning as seniors. And they can play.
Coach Dave Giarrusso liked what he saw from his Seton Hall team, and what was not to like? The Pirates moved the ball with skill and precision, defended tenaciously and received some fine saves from their goalie, Connor Bozzo (nine saves).
But there was no question who the player of the day was. Heningburg was a force, taking 16 shots himself. He also had an assist and collected nine ground balls. Not a bad haul for a day’s play.
Seton Hall never trailed. After a first quarter that ended with the score tied, 2-2, Heningburg pumped in four goals as Seton Hall went on a 9-1 run.
Shoreham (4-4) scored six of the game’s last eight goals to close gap.
Seton Hall outshot Shoreham, 43-29, and picked up 50 grounds balls to Shoreham’s 31.
As impressive as Heningburg was, he wasn’t alone. Chris Donovan and Joe McHale had three goals each. Spencer Butter registered a goal and three assists, and Paul Dougherty also scored. Seton Hall’s face-off man, Nick Carnovale, came up with 11 ground balls.
Ryan Bray led the Wildcats with three goals and one assist. Dan Hughes (two goals, one assist), Michael Loscalzo (two goals, seven ground balls), Troy Miller (one goal, two assists), Hunter Hayes (one goal, one assist) and Anthony Visintin (one goal, one assist) also factored in Shoreham’s scoring.
Shoreham goalie Thomas Tatarian stopped 19 shots.
