Boys Varsity Lacrosse | 4/15/2023 8:56:00 AM

John Roder scored late in the fourth quarter and Alejandro Ruiz made several game-saving stops in goal, including the 100th save of his career, to spark the Union Catholic boys lacrosse team to a thrilling 7-6 comeback victory over Hawthorne in the home opener for the Vikings on Thursday in Scotch Plains.

Roder, a junior, took a pass from first-year player AJ Altobelli and fired a rocket ino the net from about 15 yards out with 2:26 left in the game to snap a 6-6 as the Vikings improved to 3-1 on the season under first-year head coach Kevin Kerby.  

Roder and Altobelli, a sophomore who helped lead the UC basketball team to the State Non-Public A title last month, each finished with two goals. Aidan Dursee and Mateusz Worosz also scored the Vikings.

UC, trailing 4-2 at halftime, scored three unanswered goals in the third quarter to take a 5-4 lead into the final period. 

Hawthorne scored two quick goals in the fourth to retake the lead at 6-5. But UC tied the score on an own goal, and a couple minutes later Roder completed the come from behind victory.

Ruiz, a senior, was outstanding in goal as he finished with 14 saves to surpass the century mark for his career, many of which were point-blank shots right in front of the goal.