The third annual Kirst Cup is underway and the two semifinal showdowns on Tuesday proved to be spectacular games. Westfield wins a double overtime battle against rival Summit while Seton Hall Prep edged past Manasquan in another down-to-the-wire clash. Stay tuned as the highlights come in!

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Westfield 8 Summit 7 (2OT) | Kirst Cup Semifinal

The Blue Devils went the distance – and then some – to take out their biggest rival in a rematch of last year’s Kirst Cup championship game. Garrett Ferguson’s 82nd goal of the season was the difference in double overtime, lifting third-seeded Westfield to their second-straight finals appearance. Corey Gilford was outstanding in the cage and delivered 18 saves to keep the Blue Devils alive time and time again. Second-seeded Summit scored three unanswered goals in a two-minute span to force overtime before their season came to an end. Westfield will face Seton Hall Prep in the final on Thursday.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights + reaction from Kean University:

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Seton Hall Prep 8 Manasquan 6 | Kirst Cup Semifinal

Charlie Killen broke a 6-6 tie with 1:51 left in the fourth and Jack Merklinger sealed the victory in the final minute for the Pirates who held off an upset bid by Group 2 state champion Manasquan in a fabulous game.  The top seed scored three goals in 50 seconds in the first quarter to jump out to a 3-1 lead and led 4-1 in the second quarter before Manasquan mounted its comeback with two straight goals before halftime.  Trailing 6-4 at the end of three, Jack O’Reilly and Brandon Kunz rallied to tie the game 6-6.  Both goalies were tremendous with Manasquan’s Pat Loxley registering 17 saves and the Pirates Conor Keenan making 14 stops.  Seton Hall Prep will face Westfield in the championship game on Thursday at 4:30 pm at Kean University.

JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from Kean University:

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