Top-ranked St. Augustine tops Moorestown

Nikko Pontrello's third goal of the game was a buzzer-beater at the end of the first half.

The St. Augustine senior plays for one of the most polished boys' lacrosse offenses in the state. But it was hard to tell on that final play.

The last "play" of the first half effectively came down to seven seconds of Pontrello juking, spinning, and fighting off defenders - willing his way toward the goal and netting a close shot just as the clock hit zero.

"When the clock's winding down, you just have to go to the net," Pontrello said. "And I always like having the ball in my hands in those situations."

Pontrello scored the final four goals for St. Augustine, ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, in Friday's 9-6 road win over No. 3 Moorestown.

He scored the Hermits' only goal of the second half, which came late in the fourth quarter and effectively ended any hope the Quakers (7-6) had of completing a late comeback.

For St. Augustine coach J.C. Valore, Pontrello's performance was yet another glaring example of the senior's growing maturity.

Now in his second year playing at St. Augustine, Pontrello has a growing desire to take that shot when the clock is winding down, and he's showing a growing ability to make it.

"Nikko has grown by leaps and bounds as far as what he means as a leader on this team," Valore said. "He's always had that athletic skill. But now, as a senior, he's really starting to be a leader."

Pontrello's brother and fellow midfielder, Steve, netted three goals against Moorestown.

There are plenty of brothers playing together in South Jersey lacrosse, four different family combos on St. Augustine (11-4) alone. But the Pontrellos continue to separate themselves as the most dangerous siblings in the area.

"It's been great that we've both been able to have so much success this season," said Steve Pontrello, a junior. "It's my brother, I love him, he helps me out, we always see each other on the field, and everybody else on the field motivates off of that."

Steve Pontrello scored three of St. Augustine's first four goals in a first quarter that ended with the Hermits ahead by 5-0. Nikko Pontrello assisted on his brother's second goal.

"We always try to work on getting open for each other," Nikko Pontrello said. "He's the first person I look for because I know what he's capable of and he knows what I'm capable of."

Though the two brothers are quick to point out that they are competitive in everything, even outside of lacrosse, they are just as quick to say how much they support each other.

Both will move on to play Division I lacrosse - Nikko Pontrello at Loyola and Steve Pontrello at North Carolina.

"Their I.Q. on the field and the way they score is pretty special," Valore said. "And what we see out of both of them is not just well-rounded lacrosse ability - their leadership is ramped up year after year. And that's great to see."

St. Augustine   5 3 0 1 – 9

Moorestown   0 3 3 0 – 6

Goals: SA-Nikko Pontrello 4, Steve Pontrello 3, Tommy O'Neill, Mike Sutton; M-Forrest Klawunn, Alex Martinelli, Michael Handlan, Kyle Engle, Phillip Gamble, Chad Gamble.

Saves: SA-Joe Gigantiello 7; M-Dan Willis 9.