Summit Boys Lacrosse Reclaims Union County Crown

CLARK, NJ — One year after its Union County reign was interrupted, Summit High School Boys Lacrosse made sure the trophy returned home Sunday night.After falling behind early against first-time finalist Scotch Plains-Fanwood High School Boys Lacrosse, Summit surged back for a 10-5 victory in the Union County Tournament championship game at Johnson High School, capturing the program’s 17th county title.The Hilltoppers improved to 13-1 with the win.SPF, which reached the county final for the first time in school history after an overtime win over Westfield, came out firing early. Goals from Ryan Scarpa, Colin Kochanowicz, and Nick Homer helped the Raiders build a 3-1 lead after the opening quarter.But Summit responded with the poise and depth of a championship-tested program.A momentum-shifting defensive play by Jake Reimold helped ignite the comeback before Jack Freeman scored his 21st goal of the season to cut the deficit to one. Moments later, James Grainger ripped home his 32nd goal of the year — and 127th career goal — to tie the game 3-3.Quinn Hynes followed with the go-ahead score before Cole Sabol capped a four-goal Summit run that turned a two-goal deficit into a 5-3 halftime lead.SPF answered again in the third quarter as Vance Slack tied the game 5-5, but Summit quickly seized control for good.Freeman restored the lead before University of Vermont commit Luke Fowler extended the advantage to 7-5. On the ensuing faceoff, Andrew Smallwood won possession and raced coast-to-coast for a momentum-swinging goal that ignited the Summit sideline.Two goals in 12 seconds suddenly gave the Hilltoppers full control.Summit added another dagger before the third quarter ended when goalie Robbie Kievit launched a long outlet pass that found Chris Davies for a transition score and a 9-5 lead entering the fourth.Hynes added the final goal as Summit’s defense shut down SPF over the closing quarter.With another county championship secured, Summit now turns its attention toward the state postseason and the larger goals that remain ahead.