Leszek Gronowski scored three goals and had two assists Wednesday as the fifth-seeded Jackson Liberty High School hockey team defeated visiting Freehold Township, 6-4, in the first round of the Handchen Cup bracket of the Shore Conference Tournament. It was the first playoff victory in the history of the Lions hockey program.
Joe Low had a goal and three assists and Nick Labianca had a goal and two assists for Jackson Liberty. Joe D’Andrea had two assists and goalie Chris Stefanowicz made 23 saves for the Lions.
Julian Kislin scored all three goals for the 12th-seeded Patriots. Max Halvorsen and Erik Borshchevsky had one assist each and Nick Raiola made 30 saves for Freehold Township.
Jackson Liberty will face fourth-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven on Tuesday in the semifinal round of the Handchen Cup.