Lenape's chemistry shines in boys' lacrosse win over Freehold Twp.

After the game, Joey Mercado was hoarse.

"I'm a yeller out there," he said.

"Drill sergeant" might be a more apt description.

And something about the Lenape boys' lacrosse team came off almost like a military exercise in the second-seeded Indians' 18-4 trouncing of seventh-seeded Freehold Township Saturday morning in the second round of the South Jersey Group 4 tournament.

It was more like a ceremony than a game.

Everything was done in concert. Every movement was crisp. Every step was taken with purpose.

Harmony and chemistry were evident in each third of the field.

"We're a close team, on and off the field," said Mercado, a senior leader and the voice of the Indians defense. "I think we've reached the point where our chemistry is rare. It's what makes this team special. I've never been on a team where the players are this close."

The Indians (15-1) now enter the meaty part of the bracket. They will take on Central Jersey power Monroe on Wednesday. If they win, they will likely face Montgomery, one of the top-ranked teams in the state, in the title game.

They aren't intimidated.

"And we're not satisfied with where we are right now," said junior Tim Montgomery, who chipped in two goals and five assists. "We want to see this program continue to progress."

Lenape won South Jersey Group 4 last year. The Indians' core group has played together since the players were in third grade. Most have played varsity since they were freshmen or sophomores.

It shows. Their chemistry is off the charts.

The defense hasn't allowed more than nine goals in any game.

Their faceoff man, Conor Gaffney, is the best in New Jersey - an encyclopedia of faceoff knowledge and a maestro of the position.

And their offense is an exercise in patience, finding and executing perfect opportunities. Twelve players scored for Lenape on Saturday. No player had more than two goals.

"We put things together today," said Indians coach Bill Sutphin. "This team has always had good chemistry. Each year they've gotten better."

Lenape took a 1-0 lead just eight seconds into the game as Scott Fayan converted a shoestring pass from Gaffney.

With 46 seconds left in the first half, Montgomery was behind the net with the ball. He looked up and rifled it over the net, past several defenders and right on target to Matt Ingersol's stick, which was already raised high in the air. All Ingersol had to do was lower it like a slingshot and put the ball into the back of the net.

The play was borderline robotic, as if the players had been doing it their entire lives.

Which, of course, they have.

"You have to be able to work together," Montgomery said. "And when you know someone is going to be where they need to be - it just makes it so much easier."

Freehold Township 0 1 2 1 - 4

Lenape 4 5 5 4 - 18

Goals: F-Josh Nastarowicz 2, Mike Colicchia, Mike Ferdinandi; L-Matt Smith 2, Tim Montgomery 2, Zach Cole 2, Bryce Reece, Drew Bregman 2, Scott Fayan 2, Matt Ingersoll, Zach Yaffa, Kyle Treiber, Liam Baker 2, Collin Baker, Will Mercado.

Saves: F-Aidan Purcell 5; L-Manny D'Alessio 4, Rob Pensabene 1, Luke Peters 2.

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