8 New Jersey lacrosse players banned from state championship game

Eight Moorestown players have been suspended and will not be allowed to play in Saturday’s Group 3 state championship game. The disqualifications stem from an altercation at the end of play in Wednesday’s sectional final against Shawnee.

The New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association confirmed the suspensions on Friday.

With less than a minute left in the South Jersey Group 3 title game, a Moorestown player was hit by a Shawnee player after a shot on goal, causing his helmet to fall off. His jersey was then grabbed and a shoving match ensued. Three Moorestown players and two Shawnee players were given penalties. No one was ejected. Moorestown led 11-6 at the time of the altercation.

Moorestown players, who were not in the game at the time, entered the field from the sidelines. Under NJSIAA rules, any player who leaves the bench during an altercation is automatically disqualified.

The NJSIAA issued the disqualifications after viewing footage of the incident, spokesman Mike Cherenson said. According to its rules, the NJSIAA may use video to “identify and determine violations of its sport rules and to ensure that disqualifications are correctly determined.”

“The rules are clear – any player who leaves the bench area during an altercation will be disqualified, regardless of whether the player was involved in the altercation or not,” Cherenson said. “Eight Moorestown players were spotted leaving the bench area. Those eight players will not be allowed to play on Saturday. The situation is truly unfortunate.”

The two-game suspensions for those eight players begin with the Group 3 title game against Ridge on Saturday at Hunterdon Central. The suspended Moorestown students will also have to sit out next year’s season opener. According to NJSIAA rules, “upon the disqualification of a coach/player, NO appeals by the player, coach, official or any other party will be honored.”

Brandon Gould can be reached at [email protected]Follow him on X (formerly Twitter) @BrandonGouldHS.

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