| VIDEO: Westfield knocks out Ridgewood in overtime stunner | ||
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Westfield hasn't always enjoyed tremendous regular-season success in the past few boys' lacrosse seasons. But once tournament time rolls around, the Blue Devils have proven difficult to beat. James Bohlinger scored with 10 seconds left in regulation to force overtime in the sectional quarterfinal against Ridgewood. Then Bohlinger put home the game-winner in the final seconds of the first extra period to knock out the highly-ranked and second-seeded Maroons, 8-7.
Trailing for much of the game, Ridgewood struck for two goals in 13 seconds with under two minutes to play to take a 7-6 lead. Kevin Mollihan scored both of those goals and had a whopping six goals in the contest. But Bohlinger converted a wraparound shot to tie the score, and fired home the game-winner off a feed from Devon McLane. Bohlinger ended up with three goals and two assists on the day. Jake Wornow scored twice for the Blue Devils. Brandon Leuthold recorded a goal and three assists, while Blake Taylor and Nick Bond also scored. Goalie Toby Burgdorf made 13 saves in a tremendous performance for Westfield, including a clutch stop on Ridgewood's only possession of the overtime. Cooper Telesco had a goal and an assist for the Maroons. Ridgewood won its first 14 games of the season and the Bergen County title and finishes 16-2. This is the first time in four years the Maroons have not won a state group title; after dominating Group III in recent years, Ridgewood moved up this season to Group IV. Westfield, the seventh seed in the North Group IV section, is 12-10. After a rough start to the season, the Blue Devils upset Summit to win the Union County Tournament in an even wilder finish. Westfield also won the county tournament last season, and was the Group IV state champion in 2014 after a similar tough regular season. Next up, the Blue Devils visit sixth seed North Hunterdon in the sectional semifinals. For sports video highlights of this New Jersey high school boys' lacrosse state tournament game, click play in the box at left. |










