Years in the Making: Point Boro Downs Shore to Keep Historic Season Alive
POINT PLEASANT — When head coach Liz Kolb arrived at Point Boro, she set out to transform the Panthers into a championship-caliber program. On Thursday, the Panthers took another step toward that goal. Led by a dominant defensive performance and a senior class that has helped transform the program, Point Boro defeated Shore 7-4 for the third time this season, securing a pivotal state playoff victory and earning a trip to face top-seeded Haddonfield next week with a chance to continue its historic postseason run.
The victory was far from easy. Shore struck first when junior midfielder Marielle Montenegro beat Point Boro senior goalie Sloane Schwertheim to give the Blue Devils an early lead. However, after that opening goal, the Panthers seized control.
With 10:42 remaining in the second quarter, senior midfielder Francesca Skowronski drove inside and scored to tie the game at 1-1.
Moments later came the turning point of the contest.
Senior attacker Lily Scalabrini made one of the most impactful plays of Point Boro’s season when she tipped a clearing attempt by Shore sophomore goalie Olivia Merten, collected the loose ball, and immediately scored to give the Panthers the lead.
“ I went to go get the goalie and hoped for the best,” said Scalabrini. “When I got a piece of it I went straight for the net”.
Point Boro’s Lily Scalabrini (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
The Panthers continued to build momentum from there. Junior midfielder Sienna Guerrieri added another goal, and with just 14 seconds remaining in the half, Lily Scalabrini found her cousin, sophomore attacker Juliana Scalabrini, for a score that extended Point Boro’s lead to 4-1.
The Panthers never looked back.
While Point Boro’s offense generated timely goals, the defensive performance may have been even more impressive. The Panthers held one of the Shore Conference’s most dangerous attacks to just four goals in what was arguably their best defensive effort of the season.
Point Boro’s Juliana Scalabrini (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
A key contributor was Guerrieri, who made an impact on both ends of the field.
“ We just had to make sure we locked down the middle today” said Guerrieri. “ We did a great job of working together and getting that done”.
Point Boro’s Sienna Guerrieri (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Guerrieri’s leadership is part of a culture that has been built by players such as Skowronski and Scalabrini, two captains who have been instrumental in the program’s rise.
“Frankie [Skowronski] and Lily are very special,” said Kolb. “ I took over when they were freshmen, they built the culture of this team, and they have gotten everyone around them better”.
Scalabrini has quietly put together one of the finest seasons in the conference. Entering the game with 48 goals and 63 points, the senior once again delivered in a critical postseason moment with the game-changing turnover and goal.
Her contributions extend beyond the stat sheet. Scalabrini has witnessed the program’s growth firsthand and takes great pride in what this senior class has helped create.
“Point Boro lacrosse means so much to me,” said Scalabrini. “As the years go on, so many more girls are being inspired to play lacrosse here, and we love the community we have built”.
She also credited the coaching staff for helping elevate the program.
“ Coach Liz completely changed this program” , said Scalabrini.
Skowronski was equally influential throughout the victory. The senior was everywhere on the field, scoring the tying goal and collecting four draw controls while providing the leadership that has defined her career.
Point Boro’s Francesca Skowronski (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
“I kept saying to myself,” ‘Shore is not going to end my lacrosse season on my home field’, said Skowronski.
As it turns out, no one will. The Panthers’ finished with a perfect 9-0 record on Al Saner Field, named after the legendary former Point Boro football coach. For a group that helped transform the program into a contender, finishing undefeated at home was another fitting accomplishment. With Thursday’s victory, Point Boro played its final home game of the season. As the lowest remaining seed in the bracket, the Panthers will be on the road for the remainder of their postseason journey, beginning with next week’s matchup against top-seeded Haddonfield.
“Knowing we helped make Point Boro a lacrosse town is really inspiring to me,” said Skowronski. “Lacrosse is not going to die in Point Pleasant, it’s going to keep getting better and better”.
This season has been the culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and belief. The 2026 Panthers have already secured their place in program history, but their story is far from finished.
