Point Boro Rallies Past Rumson-Fair Haven, Captures Second Sectional Title in Three Years

POINT PLEASANT — For the second consecutive game, Point Boro found itself searching for answers offensively before halftime. And for the second straight game, the Panthers delivered a decisive response after the break.

Trailing 1-0 at halftime, Point Boro erupted for three goals in a six-minute span early in the second half to defeat Rumson-Fair Haven, 3-1, and capture its second Central Jersey Group 2 championship in three seasons and fourth sectional title in program history. The victory sends the Panthers to the Group 2 semifinals, where they will travel to Delsea on Tuesday with an opportunity to reach their second state championship game in three years.

Much like their semifinal victory over Allentown, the Panthers emerged from halftime looking like a completely different team. After struggling to generate consistent scoring opportunities in the opening 40 minutes, Point Boro quickly seized control with three unanswered goals before shutting down Rumson’s attempts to mount a comeback.

“We were sloppy I told them,” Point Boro head coach Mike Edolo said. “Sometimes you can not control things that happen on the field, but we were the better team and we were going to score three goals. We just had to connect a few passes and keep believing.”

After trailing since the 13th minute, Point Boro needed just four minutes of the second half to pull even, with two defenders combining for the equalizer.

Junior Grace Tansey delivered a corner kick deep into the penalty area, where senior Abby Crowell rose to meet the ball and headed it toward the far post for her third goal of the season, tying the game at 1-1 in the 44th minute.

Tansey, a key contributor throughout Point Boro’s successful three-year run, made her presence felt on both ends of the field. In addition to recording her team-leading 13th assist, she played a significant defensive role in the second half, helping limit the opportunities for Rumson standout Jordyn Sullivan.

“She (Tansey) just understands the game a lot better,” Edolo said. “She is a raw athlete that can fly down the field. She had all the tools but she really understands the game a lot better than a lot of kids at this level. When I tell her things, she understands how to do it and what really is the best decision in most of those moments. It is a testament to her hard work and her ability.”

Point Boro wasted little time turning the equalizer into a lead.

In the 48th minute, junior Maddie Renna sent a cross into the box that found junior Megan Viggiano just a few yards from the goal line. Viggiano controlled the ball with her chest before finishing into the net, giving the Panthers their first lead of the afternoon.

“She (Viggiano) is one of our best forwards,” Tansey said. “I think it is really special. She has really good skills and everything, so for her to get a goal, besides Maddie (Renna), that just means a lot to us to show all of our forwards that we can work as a team and everyone can score.”

Just two minutes later, Renna put the finishing touches on Point Boro’s offensive outburst.

The junior standout lined up a free kick from approximately 30 yards and drove a low shot toward the goal. Similar to one of her two goals against Allentown in the semifinals, the ball took a bounce that carried it over the outstretched hands of diving Rumson goalkeeper Lexi Brisman.

Renna’s 29th goal of the season extended Point Boro’s advantage to 3-1 in the 50th minute, completing a stunning turnaround that saw the Panthers go from trailing at halftime to holding a two-goal lead in a matter of minutes.

“She (Renna) decided to dominate from day one and that is what she has done,” Edolo said. “When you do not necessarily get all the accolades that you deserve sometimes, you wear that on your shirt sleeve. I think she took a couple things to heart and wanted to show the world how good she is.”

The celebration surrounding Renna’s goal eventually gave way to concern when Point Boro’s leading scorer suffered an ankle injury near midfield later in the second half.

Renna remained on the ground for several minutes before being carted off the field with 21:26 remaining. She was unable to return and later joined her teammates for the championship celebration on crutches.

Despite losing their most dangerous offensive player, the Panthers refused to let the injury disrupt their momentum. Point Boro continued to push forward when opportunities presented themselves while its defense prevented Rumson from finding a way back into the game.

“Even though she (Renna) is one of our better players, we still want to fight for each other and win for her,” Tansey said. “Now that she is hurt, we can’t let up and let them come back into this game.”

Before Point Boro’s second-half surge, Rumson had controlled much of the opening half, applying consistent pressure and forcing the Panthers to withstand several dangerous scoring opportunities.

The Bulldogs broke through in the 13th minute when Sullivan was fouled inside the penalty area and converted the ensuing penalty kick. Sullivan drove a low shot toward the left post, beating Point Boro senior goalkeeper Stella Stevenson to give Rumson a 1-0 lead.

Stevenson, however, was instrumental in keeping the deficit at one goal and giving the Panthers an opportunity to rally.

Before Sullivan’s penalty kick, Stevenson made an outstanding save on a powerful shot from the Rumson standout, getting a hand on the ball and directing it over the crossbar. She also correctly anticipated the direction of Sullivan’s penalty attempt but narrowly missed making the stop.

“She (Stevenson) has grown into herself,” Edolo said. “She always had the ability to make big saves. She has got more and more confident. You can hear her talking and a testament to Ava (Bjorndahl) for pushing her for those two years. I said this when Ava graduated that there were already things that Stella could do better than Ava. A combination of experience, making mistakes over the last few years and then growing from those mistakes. She has that self belief and she is a tough individual.”

Stevenson finished with six saves, including another crucial stop on a difficult attempt by Sullivan with approximately 17 minutes remaining. From there, Point Boro’s defense limited Rumson’s quality chances and protected the two-goal advantage through the final whistle.

“She (Stevenson) is a phenomenal goalie,” Tansey said. “We rely on her a lot and she makes huge saves that helps us so much and she did a phenomenal job today. Her big saves really help us and then go score three goals and keep us in the game.”

The victory marked Point Boro’s second Central Jersey Group 2 championship in three seasons and continued an impressive postseason run that has seen the Panthers respond to adversity in consecutive games.

In 2024, Point Boro defeated Wall in the sectional championship before continuing its run to the overall Group 2 state title. Last season, the Panthers fell to Allentown in overtime in the sectional final, a disappointment they avenged with a 2-0 semifinal victory earlier this week.

With another sectional championship secured, the Panthers now turn their attention to Delsea as they look to continue their postseason run and return to the Group 2 state final.

“It feels great, again, after losing to Allentown in the sectional final last year,” Tansey said. “It means a lot to come back and we know that we could make a run this year and it feels great to win.”