CIAC GIRLS LACROSSE STATE CHAMPIONSHIP CAPSULES
All games at Sacred Heart University. Tickets: $10 / $5 students, senior citizens. Online purchase only.
CLASS L
WHO: No. 3 New Canaan (20-2) vs No. 1 Darien (20-1)
WHEN:
Saturday, 2 p.m.
ON THE AIR/WEB: (subscription)
NFHS Network
HOW THEY GOT HERE: New Canaan: Def. Staples 13-5; South Windsor 18-1; Ridgefield 19-11; Darien: Def. Ludlowe 21-3; Greenwich 15-2; Wilton 13-3.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: New Canaan: 10th appearance, 6-3 overall. 2019 lost to Darien; 2018 def. Ridgefield; 2016 def. Joel Barlow; 2015 def. Daniel Hand; 2014 lost to Wilton; 2013 def. Wilton; 2012 def. Wilton; 2010 def. Greenwich; 2009 lost to Darien. Darien: 14th appearance, 11-2 overall. 2021 def. Ludlowe; 2019 def. New Canaan; 2017 def. Wilton; 2016 def. Warde; 2015 def. Wilton; 2014 def. Glastonbury; 2013 def. Greenwich; 2011 def. Daniel Hand; 2011 def. Daniel Hand; 2009 def. New Canaan; 2008 def. Wilton; 2007 def. Wilton; 2006 lost to Wilton; 2004 lost to Wilton.
KEY PLAYERS: New Canaan: Dillyn Patten, Sr., A; Kaleigh Harden, Sr. MF; Claire Mahoney, Sr., G; Lexie Tully, So., MF; Caitlin Tully, Sr., A; Devon Russell, So., MF; Darien: Ceci Stein, Sr., MF; Shea Dolce, Sr., G; Chloe Humphrey, Jr., A; Kaci Benoit, Jr., D; Molly McGuckin, Sr., A; Sadie Stafford, So., MF.,
OUTLOOK: The two rivals have seemed destined to meet for a state championship and both rosters are loaded with talent. Both teams rolled through the semifinals. New Canaan did it with offense, as six players scored multiple goals in a 19-11 win over Ridgefield, and Darien did it with defense, as goalie Shea Dolce and the backfield held Wilton to just one second-half goal in a 13-3 win. New Canaan comes in with a 15-game winning streak and defeated Darien 10-8 for a second straight FCIAC championship two weeks ago. The Blue Wave defeated New Canaan 15-11 in April, and has won the last two Class L championships, beating the Rams in last year’s semis and Ludlowe in the final. Darien is 36-1 in its last 37 state tournament games and has won its last 11 trips to the final.
CLASS M
WHO: No. 15 St. Joseph (11-8) vs No. 1 Guilford (20-1)
WHEN: Saturday, Noon
ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (subscription)
HOW THEY GOT HERE: St. Joseph: Def. Bristol Eastern 20-7; Foran 20-4; Daniel Hand 14-6; Joel Barlow 8-7; Guilford: Def. Bethel 18-7; East Lyme 19-8; Masuk 16-9.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: St. Joseph: 2nd appearance, 0-1 overall. 2019 lost to East Lyme; Guilford: 2nd appearance, 1-0 overall. 2021 def. Joel Barlow.
KEY PLAYERS: St. Joseph: Isabelle Casucci, Sr., MF; Maddigan Leifer, Sr., D; Mia Geignetter, Sr., MF/D; Meghan Hoynes, So., A; Casey Mayglothling, So., MF; Guilford: Maddie Epke, Sr., MF; Kat Bassegio, Jr., D; Sydney Widlitz, Sr., G; Payton Root, So., A; MJ Santa Barbara, Jr., MF.
OUTLOOK: St. Joseph is the lowest remaining seed in the three girls lacrosse classes, checking in at No. 15. The Cadets are battletested,
with seven of their eight losses coming against teams ranked in the Coaches Top 10 Poll. They won their first three tournament games by eight or more goals, and just slipped past Joel Barlow 8-7 in the semifinals behind a six-point game from Maddigan Leifer. Guilford lost to Wilton in its season opener and hasn’t been touched since, winning 20 straight games, a stretch which includes a third consecutive SCC championship. The Grizzlies boast several big-game players, including two-time SCC player of the year Maddie Epke at midfield, and three-time SCC tournament MVP Sydney Widlitz in goal. Guilford broke through for its first-ever state title last year and is looking for a repeat performance.
CLASS S
WHO: No. 14 Lauralton Hall (12-8) vs No. 4 New Fairfield (18-3)
WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m.
ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (subscription)
HOW THEY GOT HERE: Lauralton Hall: Def. Somers 18-10; Valley Regional 14-7; Stonington 13-11; Old Saybrook 9-8; New Fairfield: Def. Sacred Heart Academy 13-3; Granby 17-5; Weston 11-10.
CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY: Lauralton Hall: 1st appearance; New Fairfield: 6th appearance, 5-0 overall. 2021 def. Weston; 2019 def. Stonington; 2018 def. East Catholic; 2017 def. Weston; 2005 def. Somers.
KEY PLAYERS: Lauralton Hall: Anna Garate, Sr., A; Morgan White, Sr., MF; New Fairfield: Ava Romanello, Sr., A; Heather Clark, Sr., MF; Colleen Rattigan, Sr., MF; Margaret Morgan, Sr., G; Kelly Ford, Sr., D..
OUTLOOK: Lauralton Hall is playing in its first state final, winning four straight from the No. 14 seed, with a couple of close calls, 13-11 over Stonington in the quarterfinals, and 9-8 over Old Saybrook in the semis. A newcomer to the finals, Lauralton Hall will square off against a Class S titan in New Fairfield. The Rebels have won four straight championships and 19 straight state tournament games. They won a dramatic semifinal game 11-10 over Weston as freshman Brenna Romanello scored on a free position with one second remaining. New Fairfield is deep with scoring threats in seniors Heather Clark, Ava Romanello, and Colleen Rattigan among others, and has a top goalie in senior Margaret Morgan.