Toms River East Gets Revenge on Brick, Advances Behind Dickman’s OT Winner
TOMS RIVER — The postseason always raises the intensity level, but for Toms River East, Tuesday’s Shore Conference Tournament opener carried even more significance.
Facing a Brick team that defeated them earlier this season, the Raiders entered with added motivation and delivered one of their grittiest performances of the year, earning a dramatic overtime victory in a game defined by defense, momentum swings, and composure under pressure. Junior attacker Libby Dickman provided the defining moment, scoring the overtime winner in a 7-6 victory to send Toms River East into the next round
Toms River East’s Libby Dickman (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
For much of the first half, neither team was able to create separation.
Brick received goals from senior Reese Achille and senior Madison Lacerda, while the Raiders countered behind early scoring from junior Kacey Briles and sophomore Ciley Francis. The game remained tied entering the final minute of the second quarter before Toms River East seized momentum late in the half.
Senior Allison Momm broke through the Brick defense to give the Raiders the lead before Dickman added a goal just 37 seconds later, extending the advantage to 4-2. Achille responded with a free-position goal before halftime to trim the deficit to 4-3 entering the break.
The momentum quickly shifted again in the third quarter.
Brick appeared to take control after sophomore Olivia Hoagland tied the game before senior Riley O’Brien scored less than 90 seconds later to give the Dragons the lead. Rather than unravel, however, the Raiders regrouped defensively and settled back into the physical style that kept the game within reach.
Toms River East’s Ciley Francis (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Sophomore Charlotte Standfast scored with 3:31 remaining in the third quarter to tie the game at five, and both defenses continued to dominate throughout the fourth. Brick regained the lead midway through the final quarter when Lacerda scored in transition, but Toms River East responded once again when Briles netted her second goal of the game with 5:11 remaining in regulation.
The game remained tied entering overtime, but not before the Raiders delivered one of the night’s biggest defensive stands.
With 39 seconds remaining in regulation, Brick called timeout with possession deep in Raider territory. Toms River East defended the sequence flawlessly, preventing the Dragons from even attempting a shot. Senior defender Gianna Pascale played a major role in that effort while anchoring the defense throughout the game.
The Raiders carried that defensive intensity into overtime.
After Brick won the opening draw, Toms River East once again forced a turnover before quickly transitioning the other direction. Moments later, Dickman finished the opportunity down low for the game-winning goal, sparking a celebration on the Raider sideline.
“Someone needed to step up and it could be me,” said Dickman. “Once I got that pass I knew I needed to finish”.
Her teammate Allison Momm believed the opportunity was there as soon as the Raiders created transition.
“ I knew with our transition and how fast Libby is that she was going to make it happen,” said Momm.
Toms River East’s Allison Momm (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Head coach Jamie Blondina praised Dickman’s composure in the biggest moment of the game.
“Once I saw Libby had I just hoped she would listen to me and shoot low, she did and it made me really happy”.
While Dickman delivered the game-winning heroics, Blondina emphasized the leadership provided by seniors Allison Momm and Gianna Pascale throughout the emotional swings of the contest.
“ They’re phenomenal” said Blondina “It’s going to be hard to fill their shoes not only as players but as people”.
Pascale’s defensive effort against Achille proved critical despite not showing prominently on the stat sheet.
“ We know how good she is “ said Pascale “We needed to play with our heads in it and our sticks up”.
Toms River East’s Gianna Pascale (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
Momm also contributed heavily on both ends of the field while helping keep the Raiders composed in critical moments.
“ I had to be calm” said Momm “ There was a lot going on”.
The Raiders now advance to face seventh-seeded Barnegat, another opponent they feel motivated to face again following a regular-season defeat earlier this year.
“ We have a lot of motivation to get our get back,” said Momm.
“They got us on our home turf” said Blondina “ We are hoping we can get them on theirs”.
For Toms River East, Tuesday’s overtime victory represented more than simply advancing in the Shore Conference Tournament.
It showcased a team capable of responding to adversity, relying on veteran leadership, and embracing the pressure that defines postseason lacrosse.
