Rant, Sofield get 4 each in win over LB

Boys lacrosse is one of the fastest growing sports in the state. The Shore
Conference has 28 teams playing in three divisions this season. Class A North
has 10 of those teams, two of which happen to be the Spartans of Ocean Township
and the Green Wave of Long Branch.

Last week the two schools met in Ocean, where the host Spartans beat the Wave 11-1, and won their first game of
the 2012 season. The Spartans are coached by Warren Towns, who is in his fourth
season. Last year his squad finished 6-12 overall.
In Long Branch the Wave are coached by Kevin Kelly who is in his second year. During his rookie
season the Green Wave were held winless in 18 games. The preseason picks by the
lacrosse pundits had the Wave finishing last in the division with Ocean in
eighth out of the ten squads.

Last Wednesday the game between the Spartans and Wave started red hot for Ocean as they scored three goals in each
of the opening two quarters. Going into the halftime break the Spartans were up
6-0 over Long Branch. Starting the second half both teams were cold and
Ocean was only able to get a single goal in the third quarter. However, Ocean
finished strong adding four additional goals in the fourth quarter and only
allowed the Wave to score a single goal.

 
Leading the Spartans was Nick Sofield and Craig Rant with four goals each. Mike Thorne scored two goals for
the Spartans and Nathaniel Healy had one in the victory over Long Branch. In the
net for Ocean was Bobby Graziano, who had six saves.

Vinny Manfredd was the lone Green Wave player to score in the final quarter of action. Ocean had a
32-9 shot on goal advantage. Long Branch goalkeeper Jesse Kinlan had seven saves
for the Wave. Long Branch is still looking for its first win in six games.

Photo: Dave Thorne Photography

Mike Thorne (22) Ocean Township HS