Morristown outlasts Chatham in Morris County Tournament lacrosse final

MADISON — The Morristown girls lacrosse team earned more than a plaque after defeating Chatham, 7-6, in the Morris County Tournament final. The Colonials were also rewarded with an oversized gold bag of Haribo gummy bears.

And just like the plaque, the players lifted it skyward in celebration.

Simone Claps #2 of Chatham girls lacrosse plays against Eloise Downes #2 of Morristown in a Stars & Stripes Red game, Chatham, Tuesday, Apr. 8, 2025.

It is Morristown's fourth MCT title, and all of them required getting past Chatham. The Colonials beat the Cougars in the 2023 and 2024 finals, as well as a 2018 semi.

"It's unreal," Morristown senior goalie Eloise Downes said. "We didn't get what we wanted (last year), but now all our hard work has been rewarded. ... We were really well-prepared. We've been in a lot of close games. We really pulled the momentum."

The Colonials (11-4) looked back at their overtime semifinal win against Mendham on May 6. The girls were also able to refer back to a 12-8 regular-season loss to Chatham, when they allowed seven second-half goals.

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Morristown had a two-goal lead after the first quarter, which they held at halftime.

Senior midfielder Peyton Furst got the Cougars within one goal with 20.4 seconds left in the third quarter. But Morristown senior Caroline Condon was able to extend the lead again 1:06 into the fourth, completing her hat trick.

Furst had two goals in the final for top-seeded Chatham (9-6). Cougars senior Annie Irish added a goal and an assist, two draw controls, and two ground balls. Senior Leah Tapper had a goal and an assist and three ground balls.

"It's so exciting, so rewarding," said Condon, the MCT MVP, between rounds of TikTok dances with the MCT plaques. "We had the standard set, and we always expected to find ourselves in this game. This year, it's even more special. We're finally clicking, and hitting a part in our season when we're feeling good and things are working for us."