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New Canaan Boys Lacrosse Rolls Into State Title Game

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 we’re able to play at the level we can, we’ll be able to compete for a state title. We’re playing a very good Darien team that has a great program.”

Wednesday’s 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. “That’s 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.

“That’s been a theme of ours all year,’’ Whitten said. “If we’re 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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