Delbarton lacrosse writes new chapter in rivalry with Mountain Lakes

MORRIS TOWNSHIP — Something wasn't quite right with the Delbarton lacrosse team, and Chase Houser knew it. At halftime of their home game with Mountain Lakes on April 23, the Green Wave gathered in the fieldhouse and exchanged some tough love.

Delbarton responded with a flourish, and ran off to a 14-4 victory. After confounding the hosts with their quirky zone, the Lakers didn't score again after halftime.

Apr 23, 2026; Morristown, NJ, USA; Mountain Lakes lacrosse at Delbarton. D #9 Chase Houser.

Senior Pierce Bolger scored four goals, three within a four minute, 11 second stretch of the third quarter. Houser and junior Brandon Fodor each had hat tricks.

"We started slow, and that wasn't us," Houser said of the first half. "We had to bounce back."

The Green Wave extended their winning streak against the Lakers to five in a row on April 23.

The Green Wave holds a 45-39 all-time lead in the series, including the 2023 Morris County Tournament final. The rivalry is as old as Lakers lacrosse.

Delbarton launched its lacrosse program in 1976. About the same time, John Walters – Mountain Lakes assistant coach Mark Walters' father – founded a recreation program when the family moved into town. It grew into a high school varsity team in 1980, with Walters a sophomore on the field and Tim Flynn at the helm.

Flynn is the only New Jersey lacrosse coach with more than 700 wins, No. 2 all-time nationwide. Mountain Lakes turfed a practice facility and named it Flynn Field in his family's honor. The is scheduled for April 24, with a fundraiser to follow the next day.