Last year’s girls’ lacrosse Tournament of Champions championship game featured in-town arch rivals Summit and Oak Knoll clashing at Kean University’s Alumni Stadium in Union, with Oak Knoll winning a hard-fought game by the score of 11-10.
That was Oak Knoll’s first TOC title.
Summit, which has lost in the last two TOC finals, including a 8-6 decision to South Jersey power Moorestown in the 2014 game at Bridgewater-Raritan, is still seeking that elusive crown.
The Hilltoppers plan to hoist that trophy later this month.
To get back to the TOC, Summit and defending champion Oak Knoll needed to win state championships once more.
That was accomplished by both teams June 4 at Kean and in decisive fashion.
Summit, which is now 22-1 and has just produced its second 11-game winning streak, downed Moorestown 15-6 to garner its first Group 3 title. Northwestern-bound standout senior Sara Szynal paced Summit with a five-goal performance.
It was Summit’s first win over Moorestown since 1999 when the Hilltoppers defeated Moorestown 6-5 at Rutgers in the state final that year, which was before there was a TOC.
Summit also became just the second team in state history to win four straight state championships. Moorestown was the first.
Presently ranked No. 1 in New Jersey, Summit’s only loss was to an out-of-state opponent.
Oak Knoll, which won its fifth straight to improve to 16-8, repeated as Group 1 state champions after taking care of Shore 16-3.
Cassie Ford and Claire Galvin each netted four goals and added an assist to lead Oak Knoll’s scoring.
2016 GIRLS’ LACROSSE TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS
SEMIFINALS:
Wednesday, June 8
At Monmouth University
Group 2 champ Rumson-Fair Haven vs. Group 3 champ Summit, 3 p.m.
Group 1 champ Oak Knoll vs. Group 4 champ Ridgewood, 5 p.m.
FINAL:
Saturday, June 11
At Kean University
Semifinal winners, 5 p.m.