By, Kyle Alves-Ferreira
CHESTER, NJ – The #16 West Morris Central Wolfpack (19-3) advanced to the NJSIAA North Jersey, Group 2 Tournament Final after defeating the Cranford Cougars (15-7), 16-9 on Thursday. Senior attackman Jake Garofalo powered the Wolfpack with an impressive five goal, two assist performance.
There was one goal in mind for these two teams and that was to advance to a sectional final. Considering the way both teams have flourished in recent outings, either team had a shot at advancing.
All things considered, Cranford entered Thursday’s contest on a tear. Riding an eight-game winning streak, the Cougars’ confidence and momentum were through the roof.
Since their loss to Union County power Westfield in the Union County Tournament, Cranford’s attack has been spectacular. Recording double-digit goals in seven of their previous eight games, the Cougars believed it was possible again on Thursday.
As for the Wolfpack, their quest to return to their first sectional final since 2024 has been relatively easy this postseason. With blowout victories over Ocean Township and Warren Hills in the first two rounds of the tournament, the Wolfpack have looked unstoppable. It helps that they gained valuable knowledge and experience against other top teams like Chatham and Randolph during the regular season to help them earn these excellent playoff results.
What also helps for one of Morris County’s and the state’s best programs is that they have a great player who’s heading to a historic college program soon. Maryland commit Luke Gouse has been phenomenal in his senior campaign for West Morris and the stats back it up. Entering Thursday with 53 goals, 36 assists and an amazing 84 percent on faceoffs won, Gouse has undoubtedly been one of the state’s best players this spring.
Gouse was once again one of the Wolfpack’s premier players on the field Thursday, finishing the contest with two goals and three assists. On faceoffs, he once again dominated, winning 24 of the 28 he took.
But, it was Garofalo who was above the rest of the competition on Thursday. Look no further than in the third quarter of Thursday’s contest where the Vassar commit was unstoppable. In a span of one minute and 22 seconds, Garofalo earned a hat trick.
Leading the squad with 57 goals, Garofalo’s continuous growth as a scorer has been an incredible sight to see. From seven goals as a freshman to now 141 on his career, his effort Thursday was one of his best all season. His trust in himself has also come a long way.
“My freshman season I was kind of timid, didn’t really go to the goal too often,” Garofalo said postgame. “As years went on, I just gained more and more confidence and got closer with my teammates and they allowed me to go to the goal more often so I really appreciated them.”
For the rest of Wolfpack, they withstanded a competitive Cougars side, who kept it close entering halftime. By the end of the contest, fueled by Garofalo, the Wolfpack rattled off eleven goals in the second half. Additionally, seven different scorers got it between the pipes.
This included sophomore Alex Svoboda, who finished the contest with a hat trick himself, scoring three goals.
It’s now sectional final time for West Morris Central as the second seeded Sparta Spartans await them on Tuesday. For the Wolfpack, they have waited for this opportunity.
“It would mean the world,” Garofalo said. “We’ve been trying to do this since my freshman year. We’ve gotten to the semis twice, finals once against Summit. I’m really just looking forward to it and I’m very blessed for the opportunity.”
