NEW CANAAN, Conn. New Canaan already won the conference championship in boys lacrosse this spring. Now, the Rams are aiming for the big hardware from the state tournament as well.
The third-seeded Rams rolled past second-seeded Avon, 17-6, in the semifinals of the Class M tournament Wednesday at Fairfield Ludlowe. New Canaan will play in the state title game Saturday at Brien McMahon against Darien, a 13-4 winner over Wilton on Wednesday in the other semifinal. Darien defeated New Canaan, 13-3, during the regular season.
Michael Bossidy paced a balanced attack with five goals for New Canaan. Matt Blasco added three, while Peter Kraus had a goal and three assists.
Our goal every year is to compete for the league and the state championship, New Canaan coach Alex Whitten said. Now we have a chance to do that. If were able to play at the level we can, well be able to compete for a state title. Were playing a very good Darien team that has a great program.
Wednesdays win was the 16th straight for the Rams, who led 7-0 after the first quarter and dominated possession time.
We came out flying, Whitten said. Thats what we wanted to do.
Just as suddenly, Avon got within 7-4 late in the second quarter. The game was still tight at 9-6 with less than four minutes remaining in the third quarter before New Canaan put it away for good.
The Rams scored four goals in 2:25, including a pair 8 seconds apart by Blasco and Bossidy. That stretched the margin to 13-6 entering the fourth quarter, and the Rams were on their way to the championship game.
Thats been a theme of ours all year, Whitten said. If were able to handle the ball and make good passes, we can score in bunches.
Whitten relishes the opportunity to play for a state title. Sixteen in a row is nice, the coach said. Seventeen in a row would be even better.
New Canaan's last state title came in 2003. The Rams have lost their last three appearances in state championship games, including a 12-2 setback to Wilton last year.
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