Rumson-Fair Haven Revenge Tour Rolls On With Rout of Manasquan

MANASQUAN — Rumson-Fair Haven entered the postseason with plenty of motivation. The intensity that naturally comes with playoff lacrosse was only amplified by what the Bulldogs viewed as a disrespectful seed in the Shore Conference Tournament. Add in an earlier one-goal loss to Manasquan during the regular season, and RFH had every reason to come out with urgency on Saturday.

The result was a statement performance. Rumson dominated from start to finish in a 17-4 victory over Manasquan, advancing in emphatic fashion while setting up a highly anticipated rematch with top-seeded Trinity Hall next Tuesday.

From the opening draw, the Bulldogs looked like a team playing with purpose. Junior Reese Lydon struck first at the 10:05 mark of the opening quarter, scoring the first of what would become a first-quarter hat trick. Just 14 seconds later, junior Emma Kroll buried a feed to give RFH a quick 2-0 lead. By the end of the opening quarter, the Bulldogs had built a commanding 5-1 advantage, and by halftime the score had ballooned to 12-2. The second half became little more than a formality as RFH cruised to revenge over the Warriors.

The second quarter belonged entirely to junior Ohio State commit Chloe Kelly. Kelly erupted for five goals in the quarter alone, overwhelming the Manasquan defense with both her scoring and playmaking ability. Saturday served as a reminder of just how dynamic she can be. Kelly finished with an incredible career-high 10-point performance, recording six goals and four assists.

“We finally put the pieces together,” said Kelly. “We moved the ball really well today.”

“Chloe ended up being the beautiful feeder today,” said head coach Amy O’Keefe. “Her passes opened up everything else.”

Kelly’s vision consistently unlocked the Bulldogs offense, particularly in tandem with Lydon.

“Me and Chloe were really together,” said Lydon. “Every time we pass to each other I know either of us will score.”

If Kelly was the one who buried the Warriors, then it was Reese Lydon who dug the grave.

Lydon, who has quietly assembled an outstanding season, turned in one of the finest performances of her career. Her three first-quarter goals established the tone early, and she finished with four goals and two assists while pushing her season total to 50 points. Through two SCT contests, Lydon now has nine goals and four assists.

“We left the middle open for Reese to do her thing today,” said O’Keefe. “Reese does an amazing job at getting open with beautiful cuts.”

Lydon admitted afterward that motivation played a major role in her performance.

“We knew we had to come out on top today,” said Lydon. “We did that and that was great.”

Her teammates echoed similar praise.

“Me and Reese really pushed each other to do our best,” added Chase Memmott.

Defensively, the Bulldogs were equally dominant behind Rutgers commit Harbour Goldsmith. Goldsmith has been one of the Shore Conference’s premier defenders all season, and Saturday was another example of why she has a strong case for Defensive Player of the Year honors.

“Harbour is so good, so fast, and she always shuts down the opposing team’s best player,” said O’Keefe. “I am so proud of her.”

Goldsmith’s impact has not gone unnoticed by her teammates.

“Playing with Harbour is a once in a lifetime opportunity,” said Kelly.

Memmott also continued her breakout season with two goals and two assists. After serving as a lockdown defender on last year’s championship squad, the junior has thrived in a new midfield role and now sits at 40 points on the season.

“We worked really well as a team today,” said Memmott. “We really capitalized on our strengths.”

One of those strengths has become the chemistry between Memmott and Kelly.

“I can always trust Chase with the ball no matter what,” said Kelly.

Much of the Bulldogs’ edge throughout the postseason has stemmed from the belief that they were under-seeded in the SCT bracket. Despite consistently ranking among the top teams in the Shore Conference throughout the year, RFH was seeded fifth by the tournament’s seeding committee. Rather than discouraging the Bulldogs, it has fueled them. Through two tournament games, they have outscored opponents 37-13.

“It was hard to let it go,” said O’Keefe. “We didn’t feel like we deserved the five seed.”

Still, the veteran coach used the disappointment as motivation.

“I told the team that we can win whether we are home or away,” said O’Keefe.

The players embraced that mentality immediately.

“I didn’t feel disrespected, but I felt like we needed to win the thing now,” said Goldsmith. “I thought that we should have been higher.”

“It was a slap in the face finding out we got the five seed,” said Memmott. “Now we get to upset teams.”

The victory now sets up one of the most anticipated matchups of the entire tournament: a rematch with top-seeded Trinity Hall. The Bulldogs will once again have revenge on their minds.

“I can’t even explain how excited I am to play them again,” said Goldsmith. “We know what we have to do.”

O’Keefe delivered perhaps the strongest message of all.

“If you beat us, great,” said O’Keefe. “But we’re going to get you when it counts the most.”

Now, the Bulldogs will get their chance.