Stockton 8, Vassar 7

Pete Marcelliano

Boxscore
Richard Stockton (3-2) erased an early three-goal deficit and staved off a late rally by Vassar (3-5) to prevail 8-7 for its second straight victory. Goalkeeper Pete Marcelliano (Morristown/West Morris Mendham) led the defensive effort with 16 saves. Drew Flagler (Califon/Voorhees), Mike Velez (Barnegat/Barnegat) and Brendan McCarthy (Howell/Howell) paced the Ospreys with two goals apiece on offense.

Vassar jumped out to a 4-1 lead before Stockton netted four consecutive goals, including two by Flagler, for a 5-4 edge in the third quarter. After Vassar tied the game at 5-5, the Ospreys reeled off three straight tallies, the last two by McCarthy to put Stockton on top 8-5 with 14:04 remaining in the game. Vassar pulled within 8-7 with 51 seconds to play and won the ensuing faceoff but Marcelliano made three clutch saves to preserve the one-goal lead for an 8-7 triumph.