New Jersey County Tournament: Outcomes and X-Factors

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>With the county tournaments in New Jersey ending in May, I took a deep dive into each county tournament, examining top performers, repeat champion storylines and even some fresh names at the top of their respective counties.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Every year teams gear up for a mid to late-season county tournament that always brings the excitement to the field for the players and fans, fighting to be named top-dog in their area and this year was no different.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px"><strong>Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex County Champion: Pope John</strong> <strong>(15-1)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factor:</strong> Mikey Ramirez (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["52847"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e6fd0ce8aa"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Pope John has had an outstanding year, with high production once again this season from the Boston University commit, [player_tooltip player_id='52847' first='Michael' last='Ramirez']. The senior FOGO had a fantastic tournament for the Lions, going 56-60 on face-offs at a 93% win rate and tallying 3 goals and 6 assists to go along with it. Having a FOGO who can play make it, take it is a huge advantage which definitely contributed to the wide scoring margins seen during their games. In the county title game, Ramirez finished with 2 goals and 1 assist while going 19-21 from the X to help crown the Lions champions for the first time since 2023. With only one more game on their schedule, Pope John will hope to keep the momentum on their side as they look to make a deep run in the state tournament.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/3 vs. Delaware Valley, 18-2 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/6 vs. Sparta, 8-6 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/10 vs. Voorhees, 13-4 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px"><strong>Somerset County Champion: Gill St. Bernard's (13-5)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factor:</strong> Griffin O'Sullivan (Jr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Griffin O'Sullivan","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2026","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"142","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Gill St. Bernard's","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"BBL","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e6fd0ce969"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>O'Sullivan was out for revenge in this year's edition of the Somerset County tournament after losing in the quarterfinals just a season ago. The Brown University commit totaled 9 goals and 5 assist in the three games played, with 2 goals and 1 assist coming in the title game. He is a body body to deal with and he exhibits a nice balance of power and finesse in his dodging and finishing abilities, making him a tough matchup for any defender. The junior attackman sees the field well, dodging with his head up and looking for open teammates cutting or setting up a step down shot. Gill St. Bernard's came into the county festivities riding a 4-game win streak and have since extended that to eight games, looking to finish out the regular season strong.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/10 vs. Somerville, 12-6 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/14 vs. Bridgewater-Raritan, 12-6 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/17 vs. Pingry, 10-4 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px"><strong>Morris County Champion: Delbarton (16-2)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='127092' first='Peter' last='Falk'] (Jr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["127092"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e6fd0ce9bc"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delbarton is having a fantastic season thus far, knocking down multiple out-of-state schools highly-ranked nationally and having only lost one game to Chaminade (N.Y.) since late-March. One of the keys to the Green Wave success this season has been senior [player_tooltip player_id='127092' first='Peter' last='Falk'], tallying 11 goals and 9 assist in the tournament, the Trinity-bound attackman put on a show. Leading the team with 55 goals on the season so far, Falk has shown the ability to affect the game with and without the ball. He has good size and strength to be able to absorb checks from his defender and keeps his head up while doing so to either turn the corner or find an open guy. He stays active off-ball and times his cuts well with his teammates. Delbarton finishes top in Morris County for the third straight season and have their eyes set on another state title later on down the road.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/6 vs. Pequannock, 14-2 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/8 vs. Jefferson, 15-6 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/10 vs. West Morris, 18-3 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/13 vs. Chatham, 13-12 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px"><strong>Union County Champion: Westfield (12-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='24388' first='Corey' last='Gilford'] (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["24388"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e6fd0cea02"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Westfield conquered Summit and climbed to the top of the mountain in Union County for the first time since 2017 in a thriller, with a solid offensive contribution from senior attackman [player_tooltip player_id='24386' first='Colin' last='Coyle'], but defensively junior defender [player_tooltip player_id='24399' first='Ben' last='Seward'] tallied 2 goals and senior goaltender [player_tooltip player_id='24388' first='Corey' last='Gilford'] came up with save after save, recording 19 saves in both games to keep the Blue Devils alive. He is an athletic player with high lacrosse IQ and a fearlessness between the pipes. The senior goalie has quick hands and good footwork with a good, hard step to the ball and the ability to get low and across the goal quickly. Already with 176 saves on the season, Gilford has been a brick wall for the Blue Devils and is a big reason why they hoisted the county trophy and will be a big reason why, if they end up with a state title once again this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/8 vs. Scotch Plains-Fanwood, 8-4 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/10 vs. Summit, 6-5 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px"><strong>Essex County Champion: Seton Hall Prep (14-3)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='127076' first='Nolan' last='Sabel'] (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["127076"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e75dfa929d"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Seton Hall Prep is on a historic Essex County title run, with now having won the last 12 tournaments, with the last three coming by wide margins vs. Caldwell. With much of the same this year, the Pirates put a lot of points, with a standout performance by junior attackman [player_tooltip player_id='113110' first='Alex' last='Ante'] tallying 3 goals and three assist in the quarterfinals. But senior midfielder [player_tooltip player_id='127076' first='Nolan' last='Sabel'] stayed steady with his production, recording a hat trick in the semifinals and then racking up 4 goals and an assist in the title game to help seal the victory. The Villanova commit is the leader of the Pirates' offense and has the ability to take the game over, with 57 goals and 26 assists on the season, leading the team in both categories, Sabel shows no signs of slowing down.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/5 vs. Columbia, 19-1 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/7 vs. Montclair, 12-2 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/10 vs. Caldwell, 14-5 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px"><strong>Passaic County Champion: Wayne Valley (6-10)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factor:</strong> Rocco Destefano (So.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":["not_in_db"],"_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_selected_featured_image":"field_62cca28ffa4e7","player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"Rocco Destefano","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_player_name":"field_62aba4c9ecf2f","player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"2027","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_graduating_class":"field_62aba4ddecf30","player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"null","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_height":"field_62aba4e8ecf31","player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_weight":"field_65b288425ecf6","player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"147","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_position":"field_62aba4f0ecf32","player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"Wayne Valley","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_school":"field_62aba4fdecf33","player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details_club_team":"field_62d20e723441a","player_evaluations_0_player_details":"","_player_evaluations_0_player_details":"field_62aba4afecf2e","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e75dfa9354"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Wayne Valley captured the Passaic County title for the third year in a row and after a rocky start to their season, the Indians were able to steady the ship and stay perfect in the county once again. They benefitted from big contributions from upperclassmen Brayden Rude, Ty Cummings and Nick Rubino, among others but the biggest of which came from the face-off X. Sophomore FOGO, Rocco Destefano, tallied 33 wins on 38 attempts at a 87% win rate and not only controlled time of possession for his team, but also found ways to impact offensively. The first two games, Destefano had 3 goals and 3 assists, and while he didn't score in the title game, he made sure to keep pressure on the defense by taking shots on goal. Wayne Valley will miss the state playoffs but can learn a lot from this season and have a bright future ahead with Destefano controlling the X for another two years.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/5 vs. Eastern Christian, 23-1 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/7 vs. DePaul, 13-7 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/10 vs. West Milford, 10-8 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"style":{"typography":{"fontSize":"22px"}}} --> <p style="font-size:22px"><strong>Bergen County Champion: Don Bosco Prep (13-6)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>X-Factor:</strong> [player_tooltip player_id='28069' first='Scott' last='Conte'] (Sr.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["28069"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-682e75dfa93a3"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Don Bosco Prep has had a great season, with a few bumps in the road, but they came out on top for their fifth straight Bergen County title and did so with sharpshooters and suffocating defense. Senior attackman [player_tooltip player_id='14548' first='Brady' last='Scioletti'] is worth noting, having tallied 11 goals in the tournament with a 5 goal performance in the quarterfinals, but senior FOGO [player_tooltip player_id='28069' first='Scott' last='Conte'] once again put on an outstanding performance in the county tournament, going 33-38 at a 85% win rate, while going up against some tough competition, but the one-two punch of Conte and junior [player_tooltip player_id='123056' first='William' last='Lugo'] held strong and wore down opponents with the ability to win it clean either forward or backward, and not shying away from getting involved in ground ball battles. The Delaware commit went 12-14 in the title game and was a big reason why the Ironmen were able to run out the clock late to secure the win.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Tournament Opponents:</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/6 vs. Glen Rock, 14-4 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/8 vs. Ramapo, 9-6 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>5/12 vs. Bergen Catholic, 9-6 (W)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->