TOMS RIVER — For the first 90 minutes or so, things looked good for Brick Memorial lacrosse.
With a 1-0 lead, the Mustangs (1-4) appeared to be in a position to play alongside Toms River East in their divisional match-up, Thursday afternoon.
Still, the Raiders (3-2) would score five unanswered goals to finish the first quarter en route to a 14-7 win over the Mustangs at Toms River High School East.
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"I can't complain," Mustangs head coach Brent Middlemiss said. "They played their hearts out and left everything out there."
After trailing by five goals to start the second quarter, Memorial made comeback bids, drawing within three goals on three separate occasions, but it simply wasn't enough.
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"We're playing short with our two top defensemen out," Middlemiss said. "Right now, with the program where it's at, I don't have the talent to simply replace them."
Ryan Porter and Ben Pivetz led the way for Brick Memorial, with each notching two goals.
Captain Alex Zytko also had a strong game for the 'Stangs. His lone goal came as time expired to finalize the score at 14-7.
Drew Lamela had a solid game in net, being under pressure for virtually the entire night.
Niki Moran also added a goal in the second quarter for Brick Memorial.
"We told them to come out and play hard," Middlemiss said of his halftime speech. "I can never be mad at you if you hustle."
The 'Stangs next game will be on Tuesday, April 19 at Southern Regional high school. That start time is slated for 11 a.m.
