Lenape Valley enjoyed a fine boys' lacrosse season, with 10 wins and a second-place league finish. The Patriots also earned a state tournament bid, but that meant a tough game against a strong Mahwah program.

While Lenape Valley took its lumps in a 15-3 first-round defeat to the Thunderbirds, the trend appears to be upward for the Patriots.

Mahwah, which is also a young program but zoomed into the upper echelon of New Jersey lacrosse, jumped out to a 6-0 lead after one quarter. The Patriots played better from the middle of the second period until the final quarter, but the Thunderbirds were simply too much to handle.

Bruce Engelhardt, Brian Melly and Kyle Shannon had the Lenape Valley goals, and Joe Cirone also provided a highlight with a check that sent a Mahwah player flying.

Mahwah moves on to the next round in the Group I states to face New Providence. Lenape Valley finishes the season at 10-8.

For sports video highlights of this boys' lacrosse state playoff game, click play in the box at left.