Previews of the 5 Shore boys, girls lacrosse sectional championship games

Tuesday brings five sectional championship games being played with Shore Conference boys and girls lacrosse team involved.

Some of these games are longtime playoff rivalries, some Shore teams are searching for redemption while others are hoping to go back-to-back. Whether you’re staying at the Shore or heading out to other parts of the Garden State to watch your favorite team play — here’s a preview.

South Group 2: Manasquan (12-6) at Ocean City (15-6), 5 p.m.

What to expect from Manasquan: The No. 1 Warriors are searching for their seventh sectional title in program history, third consecutive. There’s only been three times the two teams have squared-off in recent years and Manasquan has won each game. Leading scorer and Cornell commit Jack O’Reilly is 6-foot-5 and can use his size to get by defenders and fire off crafty shots. Quinnipiac commit Dax Klein and Kieran Schneider are also X-factors for the Warriors. Though this Warriors team hasn’t been as dominant as years past, they’re to not be overlooked as the vets on the squad know how to make winning plays in the postseason.

What to know about Ocean City: The Red Raiders won their lone sectional title in 2021 when they were in Group 3. Otter Donohue is their leading scorer with 40 goals and 24 assists. No. 2 Ocean City won an overtime game against Southern earlier this season.

South Group 1: Haddonfield (13-5) at Rumson-Fair Haven (17-6), 6 p.m.

What to expect from Rumson-Fair Haven: The No. 1 Bulldogs are riding a 12-game win streak and now face a team they’ve won the last five meetings against — convincingly, too. Rumson’s roster top to bottom has played at a high level consistently. Boston University commit Luke Lydon, Washington & Lee University signee Joseph Whitehouse and also Teddy Whitehouse have been putting high scoring numbers at this point of the season. Blake Ahmann has came on with impressive performances in the postseason. Jaden Cavise has been stellar at face-off. Defensively, Princeton commit John Paik is out with injury but Virginia commit Danny Sullivan and Brown commit Toby Najenson have been strong. There’s too many Bulldogs to list as players who could have a big game. Though Rumson hasn’t won a sectional title since 2022, the Bulldogs have more than enough to win their eighth in program history.

What to know about Haddonfield: Nate Yi has been a good specialist winning 70% of face-offs this season for No. 2 Haddonfield. Franklin & Marshall commit Mac Clancey has scored 54 goals and has 34 assists on the season. They also have freshman Owen Chiarieri who’s scored 47 goals this season. Keep an eye on those three players.

South Group 4: Washington Township (18-3) at Southern (17-5), 4 p.m.

What to expect from Southern: The No. 1 Rams are searching for their fifth sectional title. This year, Southern has had a healthy balance of strong offense and defense to win games. Goalkeeper Nick Hughes has over 200 saves on the season. Shea O’Donell, Cash McVey, and Mount St. Mary’s University commit Kyle Sininsky make it hard for any team to defend.

What to know about Washington Township: Le Moyne commit Robbie Finnegan has 62 goals and 48 assists on the season. RPI commit Parker Reese has not only won 80% of face-offs, but has 31 goals and 23 assists on this season for the No. 3 Minutemen.

South Group 1: Rumson-Fair Haven (16-5) at Haddonfield (17-2), 4 p.m.

What to expect from Rumson-Fair Haven: The battle of the Bulldogs (Haddonfield is also the Bulldawgs) is always a great game. Last season, it was No. 2 Rumson that won in the sectional championship game against Haddonfield 11-9 before going on and winning a state championship. Rumson is looking for its eighth sectional championship in program history. Only three seniors on the team, but the roster is still loaded with talent that has found its stride at this part of the season. Players such as Chase Memmott, Chloe Kelly, Reese Lydon and Aly Megaw can all get hot on offense. Harbour Goldsmith has continued to put out a strong case of being the top defender at the Shore this season. Michigan commit Sydney Kiernan has been a reliable player protecting the net.

What to know about Haddonfield: The No. 1 Bulldawgs are in search of their seventh sectional championship. Harvard commit Riley Austin has scored 68 goals and has tallied 78 draws on the season. She will be the key factor. Washington & Lee commit Lauren Hamblin has 52 goals and 16 assists coming into Tuesdays game. Goalie and Lenoir-Rhyne University Mackenzie Keleher has 90 saves on the season.

South Group 2: Manasquan (10-8) at Allentown (18-5), 4:30 p.m.

What to expect from Manasquan: This will be the fourth time the Warriors face the western Monmouth County school in the sectional championship game. Allentown has won the last three meetings with Manasquan, before that, the Warriors won their third sectional title — so the two teams have a deep history with each other. Rachel Lasda, in her first year of coaching Manasquan after runs at Ranney and Oak Knoll, has a relatively young team doing well against tough competition this season. Chloe Stevens has been the leader on offense with 58 goals. Defensively, Albany commit Logan McCarthy has been playing strong all season for No. 2 Manasquan

What to know about Allentown: The No. 1 Redbirds are searching for their second straight sectional title, fourth in program history. Rider University and attacker Addison Wagner has 65 goals and 28 assists on the season. They have a stud in the net with Notre Dame commit Megan Conroy, who has 183 saves.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: NJ Shore lacrosse teams involved in 5 sectional finals: preview