Point Boro Edges Shore 6-5 in Thrilling SCT Battle

POINT PLEASANT — Every once in a while, a team puts together a season that feels different from the rest. For Point Boro, this may be one of those years.

The Panthers continued their remarkable run on Thursday afternoon, defeating Shore 6-5 to advance to the Shore Conference Tournament quarterfinals against top-seeded Trinity Hall while extending their winning streak to 12 games. In a matchup filled with physical defense, momentum swings, and late-game drama, it was senior midfielder Francesca Skowronski and the Panthers defense that delivered the game’s defining stand in the closing moments.

The first half unfolded as a defensive battle.

Point Boro carried a narrow 2-1 advantage into halftime behind goals from senior attacker Lily Scalabrini and junior midfielder Lucy Hauser, while both defenses consistently disrupted offensive rhythm and limited clean scoring opportunities.

The Panthers struck first in the third quarter when junior attacker Reilly Wahl found the back of the net to extend the lead to 3-1, but the pace of the game quickly shifted.

Shore responded with a surge of its own behind standout performances from junior midfielders Ava Matthews and Marielle Montenegro. Matthews, who finished with three goals on the day and scored her 100th career goal in the process, helped ignite the Blue Devils offense alongside Montenegro as Shore battled back to even the score by the end of the third quarter.

The intensity only escalated in the fourth.

Scalabrini gave Point Boro the lead once again after attacking downhill and finishing past sophomore goalie Olivia Merten. Shore answered shortly after when Matthews bounced a shot past senior goalie Sloane Schwertheim, who delivered several key saves throughout the afternoon to keep the Panthers in position to win the game.

With the game tied at four, junior attacker Audrey Gilbert stepped up during the biggest stretch of the game, scoring consecutive goals to put Point Boro ahead 6-4.

Montenegro added another goal late for Shore to cut the deficit to one, setting up a frantic finish.

The drama intensified in the final minutes when a potential Point Boro goal was waved off due to a coach’s timeout. The Blue Devils then had an opportunity to tie the game in the closing seconds, but Point Boro’s defense locked down the possession and preserved the victory.

“We play defense 150 miles an hour,” said head coach Liz Kolb. “Everyone has to go out there and do their jobs and they did that.”

One of the biggest reasons for Point Boro’s defensive success was Skowronski, who once again showcased the versatility and leadership that have defined her career.

The senior captain contributed offensively with an assist while also playing a major role defensively against a talented Shore attack. Throughout the game, she consistently disrupted passing lanes, pressured ball carriers, and delivered key stops during critical moments.

“You can rely on Francesca on any inch of the field,” said Kolb. “She is an incredible defender and she really does it all for us.”

Kolb also reflected on Skowronski’s impact on the program over the last four seasons.

“Over the last four years getting to see her develop and build this program around her love for Point Boro and lacrosse has been the best.”

Her teammates echoed those sentiments.

“Frankie is always there for me,” said Hauser. “She is always pumping me up.”

“I’ve played with Frankie since I was a freshman, we have really gotten to know how to play with each other,” said Lily Scalabrini.

Skowronski, meanwhile, remained focused on the responsibility of leading the Panthers through the game’s tense final moments.

“All I kept thinking was don’t get beat, don’t be the one who gives it up.”

Scalabrini also delivered one of her strongest performances of the season.

The senior attacker scored twice while adding an assist, increasing her season total to 51 points and continuing to serve as the driving force behind the Panthers offense.

“Lily has a presence, when she has the ball she draws attention,” said Kolb.

“Me and Lily have grown up together,” said Skowronski. “This has been our best year together yet.”

Even amid the emotional swings of the fourth quarter, Scalabrini remained composed.

“This was our game,” said Scalabrini. “We wanted to win really badly.”

Hauser also made key contributions with a goal and steady all-around play throughout the afternoon. Though she has flown under the radar at times this season, the junior has become one of the Panthers’ most reliable pieces.

“Lucy is a sneaky player,” said Kolb. “She can get it done.”

Hauser, who now has 40 points on the season with 29 goals and 11 assists, has emerged as another major piece of Point Boro’s future.

“I know I can trust Lucy on the draw,” said Skowronski.

This season is already becoming one to remember for the Panthers, and Thursday may have added another defining chapter.

“Beating Shore and moving on to the quarterfinals is unheard of in Boro history,” said Skowronski. “To know we made history today is a good way to go.”

“This was our best game this season. Everyone played so well together it was awesome,” said Scalabrini.

Still, Point Boro believes there is more left to accomplish.

The Panthers now turn their attention toward Saturday’s quarterfinal matchup against Trinity Hall, with the state tournament also approaching quickly. One of the biggest reasons behind the team’s success this season, according to Kolb, has been the collective mentality throughout the roster.

“It’s a complementary team. We don’t have a superstar that does it all, we have a lot of girls who do a little bit of everything really well,” said Kolb.

That mentality has carried Point Boro throughout its memorable season — and it is the reason the Panthers are still playing with an opportunity to create even more history on Saturday.