FIELD HOCKEY
CLASS L
NO. 11 WILTON (12-4-4) VS NO. 1 NEW CANAAN (21-0-0-1)
When: Saturday, noon Where: Wethersfield High
Tickets: Adults $10, Students $5, Senior citizens $5, Children 5 and under; military in uniform or with I.D., free. Digital tickets only (no cash sales at event) can be bought in advance at gofan.co/app/school/CIAC
ON THE AIR/WEB: NFHS Network (Subscription required)
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME APPEARANCES
Wilton: 10th appearance, 6-3. Class L finals - 2015 def. Cheshire 1-0 (OT); 1976 def. South Windsor 2-1; Class M finals - 2014 lost to Hand 2-1; 2013 def. Lauralton Hall 1-0 OT; 2012 def. Guilford 3-0; 2011 def. Branford 2-1; 2008 lost to Darien 2-1; 2006 def. Hand 2-0; 2003 lost to New Canaan 2-1.
New Canaan: 12th appearance, 5-6. Class L finals - 1983 def. Greenwich 1-0; 1975 lost to Simsbury 3-0; Class M finals - 2017 lost to Hand 2-1; 2016 def. Guilford 3-1; 2015 def. Barlow 1-0; 2009 lost to Darien 3-0; 2003 def. Wilton 2-1; 2000 lost to Pomperaug 3-2; 1997 def. Pomperaug 2-1; 1996 lost to Pomperaug 3-1; 1992 lost to Enfield 1-1.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
There was every indication heading into the Class L tournament that with so many talented teams it would be an exciting tournament. While New Canaan was one of the favorites to get this far, FCIAC rival Wilton pulled off a stunning 1-0 upset over No. 2 Darien by winning a 3-2
shootout in overtime ...Wilton came into the Class L tournament off a 5-4 loss to Staples in the FCIAC quarterfinals ... New Canaan has produced one of the strongest seasons in program history, with 14 shutouts and outscoring opponents 99-5. The Rams’ only loss was 1-0 in double overtime to Darien in the FCIAC final. Among the top players for New Canaan are goalie Grace Gilman, top scorers Shawna Ferraro, Molly Mitchell and Polly Parsons-Hills, defenders Keira Cooney, Rachel Gilio and midfielder Zoey Bennett ...Wilton coach Leon Kerr said his players have embraced the underdog role and use it as motivation. He said the late-season success has been the result of team chemistry and players believing in
themselves ... Top players include Charlotte Casiraghi, Elizabeth Kendra, Ashleigh Masterson, Nola Ryder, Samantha Slough, Megan Hanny, Riley Fitzgerald and Amelia Abud. Top scorers are Abigail Dolan, Riley Fitzgerald, Kendra Casiraghi and Slough. Defensively, Ashleigh Megan and Natasha Ring have been solid along with goalie Eva Filipponi.
YOU SHOULD KNOW
The FCIAC continues to dominate Class L championship appearances, including Darien-Staples matchups in three of the last four Class L finals. New Canaan faced Wilton in the regular season on Oct. 1 and the Rams came away with a 6-0 win.