Mountain Lakes outlasts Delbarton to defend Morris County Tournament lacrosse title

MOUNT OLIVE — Reid Tietjen was surprised when Mountain Lakes assistant coach Mark Walters drew up a play for him in the final minutes of the Morris County Tournament lacrosse final. Though Tietjen, a senior attack, is the Lakers' leading scorer this spring, he didn't really see himself as "the guy we went to."

But in this key moment, Tietjen proved up to the task.

Tietjen put home a goal, and lifted the Lakers past Delbarton, 8-7, in the MCT final. It is Mountain Lakes' second straight county title, but the first time defeating the archrival Green Wave to do it.

"It's awesome. It's a great feeling," said Tietjen, who scored with 1:37 to play. "It's something you dream about as a little kid, scoring the winning goal in the county against Delbarton."

This was the 24th time these teams have decided the MCT in its 34-year history. It is Mountain Lakes' 14th championship all time, including 2021 against Chatham. Delbarton has won 18 MCT titles, the most of any school.

"This is an unbelievable rivalry," said Marlo Carillo of Glen Rock, whose son Luke is a Delbarton sophomore midfielder.

"We've known about this rivalry. It's intense. The kids really get into it. This is what you play for: two great programs going at it. They're both very proud programs."

Flynn declined to describe the game-winning play, because "I think we're going to run it again." According to Tietjen, he came off a pick set by senior midfielder Cullen Fagan, and didn't see an open teammate – or a sliding Delbarton defender. So he ran from left to right, looking to the back pipe, "got my hands free, and shot."

Boys lacrosse: Morris County Tournament scores, schedule

Senior Caz Kotsen only knew the ball went in when he turned and saw Tietjen turn toward the Mountain Lakes fans with his arms raised. Kotsen, who had a hat trick and two assists in the final, was named the MCT MVP.

"I was feeling good tonight," Kotsen said. "I was feeling fast. I knew I had those other five guys I could dish to."

Delbarton senior attack David Link had two goals and two assists. Green Wave senior attack Joe Leone tied the game early in the tumultuous fourth quarter, with six goals scored in about eight minutes. Every time the Delbarton scored, Mountain Lakes rallied.

Junior long-stick Jake Melchionni pulled the Green Wave even for the final time with 2:11 to play, stripping and picking up the ground ball, then going end to end for a breakaway. Flynn called timeout, and Walters drew up the play to Tietjen.

Tietjen had a hat trick and four assists when Mountain Lakes defeated Delbarton, 14-9, on April 16, but he attracted plenty of attention from senior defender Jack Sharma on Tuesday night.

This is the Lakers' fourth straight victory versus the Green Wave. Delbarton still holds a 40-39 all-time lead in the rivalry series, which dates back to 1980 – when Mountain Lakes' high school lacrosse team launched, with Tim Flynn at the helm.

Betsy Flynn, Tim's wife, pinned an orange felt "22" to the MCT championship banner, which the Lakers proudly displayed in postgame photos. Tim Flynn insisted that only happened after Tietjen scored the winning goal – and she'd sew it on later.

"It's a completely different feeling being on the sideline, but the expectations are exactly the same," said Shane Nachshen, the goalie in the Lakers' victory last spring – back home after his freshman season at Haverford College.

"As long as Coach Flynn is the head coach, the expectation will be an undefeated season every year. Once the undefeated season is over, a county championship and a state championship. As a town, we know we can compete with anyone."

Jane Havsy is a storyteller for the Daily Record and DailyRecord.com, part of the USA TODAY Network. For full access to live scores, breaking news and analysis, subscribe today.

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This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: Mountain Lakes NJ beats Delbarton for Morris County lacrosse title