WINNING SMILES FOR STONINGTON
Stonington High School’s Valerie Muller celebrates after she scored the go-ahead goal Saturday, putting Stonington up 11-10 over Granby with 7:04 remaining in the state Class S girls lacrosse championship at Bunnell High School in Stratford. Stonington defeated Granby 13-10 to take the title. Also on Saturday, Fitch High School beat Sacred Heart 3-1 to win the Class L state softball title.
Stratford — Eighteen minutes and 53 seconds. It’s an eternity in lacrosse time. Teams can score in seven seconds off the draw. Or twice in 60 seconds.
Eighteen minutes and 53 seconds. That’s how l ong Stonington High School shut out Granby to end Saturday’s CIAC Class S girls’ lacrosse final at Bunnell High School.
Eighteen minutes and 53 seconds. Shutting Granby out that long allowed Stonington to do something for the very first time — win a state title. Stonington 13, Granby 10. Hey, Stonington — you’re a girls’ lacrosse school.
“How long did we shut them down?” Stonington senior Emily Cassata asked. “Oh, that’s awesome.
“Our defense has always been the strongest point on our team. We’ve got Libby (Elizabeth Morrison). We’ve got Margot (Calmar). We’ve got Celeste (Courtney), who has grown so much as a player this season. They’ve really been our anchor for most of the season.”
Top-seeded Stonington finished 21-1.
“( That long) without a goal?,” Stonington coach Jeff Medeiros said. “Awesome.
“We hang our hats on our defense. We have all year.”
Stonington’s defense allowed just 5.9 goals per game this season.
It was Stonington’s second state championship this school year. Its field hockey