Just a few days after a heartbreaking loss in the final minute to rival Randolph in its season-opener, Morris Knolls-Hills bounced back in as big of a way as it could.
Behind a balanced offensive effort and a 22-save shutout from Aidan Marvin, Morris Knolls-Hills bounced back with a 5-0 win over Morristown-Beard at Mennen Arena.
The win was the first of the season for Knolls-Hills, evening up both its overall and Mennen Division record at 1-1.
Michael Simone scored twice with an assist, while Jack Martinez and Jake McCloud each registered a goal and an assist as Knolls-Hills built a commanding 4-0 lead through two periods. Ryan Manz also scored in the win.
Morristown-Beard, on the other hand, dropped to 0-2 both overall and in Mennen play, after suffering a 6-4 loss to Chatham on opening night. It will take on Portledge (N.Y.) on Thursday as it looks to secure its first win of the year, while Morris Knolls-Hills will face Kinnelon-Jefferson-Sparta on the road on Friday.
In the Gordon Conference, Delbarton picked up another big early-season win, as it shut out Bergen Catholic, 2-0 at SportsCare Arena.
Duncan Stewart’s second period goal gave the Green Wave (2-0) the lead, before Hayden Bright added a key insurance marker in the third period. It held Bergen Catholic to just 16 shots, and goaltender Jason Cai was able to stop them all to earn his first shutout of the year.
Delbarton improved to 2-0 overall and notched its first Gordon Conference win of the season. It will next travel out-of-state to face Austin Prep and Catholic Memorial, both Massachusetts schools, next week.
E-mail Mike Gurnis at michaelgurnis@gmail.com
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