Mona Shores boys lacrosse is heading for the Division 1 quarterfinals after dramatic win over West Ottawa

LocalSportsJournal.com

HOLLAND — The Mona Shores’ boys lacrosse team captured its first-ever regional title on Wednesday with a 13-12 victory over Holland West Ottawa.

Eric Cotner provided the heroics with the winning goal with 12 seconds in the contest. He took a pass from Brayton Conrad and buried it to send the Sailors into the next round.

West Ottawa jumped out to a 2-0 lead with early pressure. Shores faced a three-goal deficit at the half that grew to four goals in the third quarter.

“West Ottawa was all over us,” said Shores coach Murle Greer. “They were causing turnovers, winning ground balls and dominating the faceoff. We had to refocus on the little things.”

JJ Boos wins an important face-off late in the 4th quarter. Photo/Eric Sturr

The teams went back and forth in the fourth quarter until Cotner produced the game winner.

“We had nine different players contribute to our 13 goals and nine of those came off assists,” Greer said. “What we lacked in execution and decision making we made up for in heart and sheer will power.”

Senior goalie Parker Hayward stood tall in the Sailor net with 20 saves including six in the pivotal fourth quarter.

“Parker is a special player,” Gree said. “He is exciting to watch and can make those impossible saves look easy. He brings so much passion to the game and energy to his team.”

Senior attackers Jake Nanna and Luke Beilhartz led the way with three goals and one assist each. JJ Boos also had three goals. Cotner finished with two goals and two assists. Conrad had a goal and two assists.

Mona Shores (18-1) advance to Friday’s quarterfinal match against Hartland, a 21-1 winner over Ann Arbor Pioneer in their regional matchup.

Friday’s game begins at 7 p.m. at Howell-Parker Stadium in Howell.