Howell Downs Colts Neck in Overtime

With the Howell High School boys lacrosse team in dire need of a win, there was no doubt as to who was getting the ball.

After winning the overtime face-off, senior Rob Hart lead a lengthy offensive drive that eventually ended when he scored the game-winning goal, giving Howell (7-4) an 8-7 overtime win over Colts Neck (7-3) on Friday evening at Howell High School.

"It's a tough stretch we've been in," Howell head coach Derek Reichenbecher said. "There were a couple things we talked about but the biggest thing was that we needed to stick together. I felt that like before today's game was over, we were working together really well."

After battling back from a one goal deficit three seperate times, the Rebels took the lead for the first time 24 seconds into the fourth quarter, when Hart scored his second of three goals for a 5-4 lead.

After the Cougars tied the game at 5, Howell took its biggest lead of the game -- 7-5 -- on goals from seniors Ryan Dambach and Kevin Scott with 6:29 left to play.

Still, Colts Neck was not yet finished.

The Cougars scored goals 28 seconds apart, with the tying goal coming on an open net after a mis-communication between Max Fontaine and goalie Nick Schwarz, to even the teams at 7.

Howell had a shot to win it in regulation, but Alec Dambach's shot was thwarted.

"The kids really battled when things got tough, and that's the most important thing about today," Reichenbecher said.

Hart finished with three goals for Howell, along with Scott, who added four.

"We need a lot of guys to contribute," Reichenbecher said, "That's what we need to be able to win games."

Colts Neck jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first quarter before goals from Hart and Scott brought Howell even. Both Howell goals came with under two and a half minutes remaining in the quarter.

Still, Hart proved to be the hero, netting his second overtime goal this season, and his third since the playoffs last year, when he scored the game-winner at Jackson Memorial in the first round of the Shore Conference Tournament.

"Some kids just have it," Reichenbecher said of Hart, "He's not the fastest kid, he doesn't have the best shot, but he does the little hustle things that count."

"Those things have made him the best player who has ever come through this program, and that's saying a lot."

The Rebels will be back in action on Monday at Long Branch.