STOCKTON SUFFERS FIRST LOSS OF THE SEASON, 9-8

Vinny Gencarelli

Boxscore

Richard Stockton (2-1) trailed the whole match and was never able to grab a lead as they fell to the Gwynedd Mercy (1-2) 9-8. It was the first loss of the season for the Ospreys and first victory of the year for the Griffins.

Vinny Gencarelli (Rockaway/Morris Hills) led the Ospreys with three tallies. Wade Veselka (Chesterfield/Northern Burlington) scored twice and Nick Bologno (Glen Gardner/ West Hunterdon) finished with a goal and an assist.

Eight goals were scored were scored during the first 15 minutes of play with the Griffins holding a 5-3 advantage. Two goals by Gwynedd Mercy were answered by Robert Krais (Jackson/Jackson Memorial) and Nick Bologno to forge the first tie of the night at 2.

Roy Bakeoven tallied his two goals of the night sandwiched around a Stefan Hetland goal to give the Griffins a 5-2 lead. Veselka then scored to cut the margin to two. Veselka and Gencarelli hit the net in the second period to offset a Nathan Pendleton goal and Gwynedd-Mercy was ahead 6-5 at the break. Nick Bologno assisted on Gencarelli’s score.

Drew Flagler (Califon/Voorhees) tied it at 6-6 to start the third quarter but Pendleton added two more counters for Gwynedd-Mercy before Gencarelli’s second of the night cut the Griffins’ lead to 8-7 entering the fourth period.

Craig Trueblood scored the eventual game-winner before Gencarelli struck to make it 9-8 with 3:05 remaining. Veselka had a shot to tie with just 1:23 left but Griffins goalkeeper Ryley O’Keefe made the game-clinching stop.

Pendleton led Gwynedd-Mercy with four goals on the night, followed by Bakeoven with two markers and an assist. Stockton goalkeeper Tim Wolcott (Toms River/Toms River North) suffered his first loss of the year, making five saves. O’Keefe kicked out 11 shots for the Griffins in the victory.