The Hilltoppers did it again!
For the fifth year in a row both Summit lacrosse teams captured Union County Tournament championships.
In the re-scheduled title games played Tuesday night at Johnson High School’s Nonal Field in Clark, it was the top-seeded Summit girls’ edging second-seeded Oak Knoll 10-9 before the top-seeded Summit boys’ downed second-seeded Westfield 9-5.
The Summit girls’ won their fifth UCT crown in a row in the seven-season history of the event, while the boys’ captured their sixth consecutive title and ninth championship overall in the 11-season history of their event.
The Summit girls’ were led by Meagen Celmer, who scored a team-leading three goals. Scoring twice for the Hilltoppers, who overcame a 4-0 first-half deficit, were Madeleine Gramigna, Stuart Humphrey and Sara Szynal. Cathleen Pomeroy scored once.
Summit was down 5-3 at the half, but came back to outscore Oak Knoll 7-4 in the second half.
Summit, which lost at Oak Knoll 6-4 on April 22, improved to 13-4. Oak Knoll slipped to 12-5.
For the Summit boys’ vs. Westfield, Liam Mennig scored four goals, Austin Carbone three and Matt Maier two. Goaltender Scott Caputo made four saves.
Summit, which defeated Westfield 4-3 at home on April 4, improved to 14-2. Westfield, which defeated Summit in the 2006 and 2007 finals for its two county crowns, fell to 10-5.
Including this season’s 14-2 start as of Thursday’s game at Ridgewood, Summit’s record since the beginning of the 2009 season is 101-6, with three of the losses by one goal.
Here’s a closer look:
2009: (22-1) – lost at home to Delbarton 10-6 on April 1.
2010: (22-0)
2011: (23-1) – state-record 68-game winning streak snapped in TOC final
– lost to Bridgewater-Raritan 6-5 in TOC final at Rutgers on June 11.
2012: (20-2) – lost at home to Ridgewood 10-7 on May 15. – lost to Delbarton 5-1 in TOC semis at Kean on June 6.
2013: (14-2, so far) – lost at Ridgefield, Conn. 7-6 on April 13. – lost at home to Delbarton 9-8 on April 24.
UCT BOYS’ CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORES, SITES
2013: Summit 9, Westfield 5 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
2012: Summit 12, Westfield 1 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
2011: Summit 15, Cranford 2 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
2010: Summit 7, Westfield 2 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
2009: Summit 9, Johnson 3 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
2008: Summit 7, Johnson 6 – at Summit’s Tatlock Field
2007: Westfield 7, Summit 6 (2OT) – at Summit’s Tatlock Field
2006: Westfield 10, Summit 9 – at Summit’s Tatlock Field
2005: Summit 14, Westfield 2 – at Summit’s Tatlock Field
2004: Summit 12, Westfield 3 – at Summit’s Tatlock Field
2003: Summit 4, Westfield 3 – at Kean University in Union
UCT GIRLS’ CHAMPIONSHIP GAME SCORES, SITES
2013: Summit 10, Oak Knoll 9 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
Summit was the top seed and Oak Knoll the second seed.
2012: Summit 17, Oak Knoll 7 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
Summit was the top seed and Oak Knoll the second seed.
2011: Summit 16, Kent Place 12 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
Summit was the top seed and Kent Place the second seed.
2010: Summit 15, Oak Knoll 12 – at Johnson’s Nolan Field
Summit was the third seed and Oak Knoll the top seed.
2009: Summit 11, Kent Place 6 – at Governor Livingston
Summit was the top seed and Kent Place the second seed.
2008: Kent Place 13, Summit 10 – at Kent Place’s Pat Conley Field
Kent Place was the top seed and Summit the second seed.
2007: Oak Knoll 20, Kent Place 13 – at Kent Place’s Pat Conley Field
Oak Knoll was the top seed and Kent Place the third seed.
– JR PARACHINI