Boys lacrosse: Non-Public A final preview - No. 6 Bergen Catholic vs. No. 1 Delbarton

NON-PUBLIC A FINAL

3-Bergen Catholic (16-5) vs. 1-Delbarton (20-1)

7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Livingston High School

HOW THEY GOT HERE

Bergen Catholic
Defeated 14-St. John Vianney in First Round
Defeated 6-St. Peter's Prep in Quarterfinals
Defeated 2-Seton Hall Prep in Semifinals

Delbarton
Defeated 16-Paramus Catholic in First Round
Defeated 8-Notre Dame in Quarterfinals
Defeated 4-St. Augustine in Semifinals

NJSIAA HISTORY

Bergen Catholic
Fifth appearance in a Group final
Seeking first title

Delbarton
16th appearance in a Group final
Seeking 14th title

KEY PLAYERS

Bergen Catholic: Matthew Haemmerle, Brendan Mackie, Michael Reilly, Doug Pula, Harry Caufield, Brian Ayers, Dale Weingarten, Jevon Dunmore, Matt DiScola (G)

Delbarton: Emmet Cordrey, Ryan Onderdonk, Michael Rutter, Connor Kirst, TJ Comizio, Andrew Ford, MJ Melillo, Jared Ahsler, John Cree (G)

2014 REMATCH

For the second straight season, Bergen Catholic and Delbarton will meet in the Non-Public A final, and the two teams will have a lot to live up to in order to matchup the thrilling nature of last year's game.

Bergen Catholic entered that game undefeated, but Delbarton ultimately walked away with a dramatic 6-5 double-overtime win, capped off by a goal by J.J. McBride. The Green Wave went on to capture the Tournament of Champions title.

MATCHUP

Bergen Catholic is coming off a road win against Seton Hall Prep in the semifinals, and despite having five losses on its resume this season, the Crusaders have been playing like one of the hottest teams in the state since the middle of April. Since a 1-3 start, Bergen Catholic has won 15 of 17 games, with its only losses coming to Hun and Iona Prep of New York. Bergen Catholic also captured the Bergen County title.

The Crusader offense has been strong all season long, scoring a staggering 15.7 goals per game. A balanced and deep attack led by Michael Reilly, Matthew Haemmerle and Brendan Mackie has been difficult to slow down all season.

But that attack has not seen many defenses like the one Delbarton will run out on the Livingston field Wednesday night. MJ Melillo, Jared Ahsler, and John Cree. The group has allowed a hair over six goals per game this season where it hasn't lost a game to a New Jersey opponent.

The Morris County Tournament champions also have plenty of weapons on the offensive end, using Emmet Cordrey, Michael Rutter and Connor Kirst to headline an all-around offensive effort.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING

"It should be a lot of fun. Last year's final was an awesome event, and I would think this will be an awesome ball game," Bergen Catholic coach Joe Haemmerle said after the Seton Hall Prep victory.

"They're a great team, and it's going to take a full 48 minutes for us to win," Delbarton midfielder Connor Kirst said after the St. Augustine win. "We're going to get a good game plan going, have a great practice Monday, Tuesday, and we're going to be ready for them."

PREDICTION

Delbarton 9-8

Chris Ryan may be reached at cryan@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @ChrisRyanHS. Like NJ.com boys lacrosse on Facebook.