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Sports

Blue Wave Washes Over Rams Field Hockey

Darien wins third straight FCIAC Championship with an impressive win over New Canaan.

The Blue Wave field hockey team left no doubt as to why they were the top seed in the FCIAC Tournament and why they were 17-0 heading into the FCIAC Championship game on Thursday night. They beat second seed New Canaan 3-0 for the second time in two weeks and for the second time by a three goal margin—Darien won their regular season match-up 4-1. 

The Wave scored 3:41 into the first half when Ellie Riegal, off an assist from Sam Johnston, scored from in front of the goal for a 1-0 start. Darien forced New Canaan into a defensive mode for most of the half with ball control and a successful triangle offense mixed with crisp passing and a keen awareness of where their teammates were at all times.

New Canaan coach Erin Gildea called a time out and when the team came out of the huddle they played more agressively, pushing the ball up better and defending better. But Darien kept the pressure on.With just over nine minutes remaining in the half, they struck again. Sophie Waters, assisted by Leslie Gill, wasted no time in making it a 2-0 game. The half ended 2-0 Darien.

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Darien had 11 shots in the half to New Canaan's 1. The Wave had 8 penalty corners to none for the Rams.

It was more of the same in the second half, with Darien controlling the ball with precision passing and "small ball." They scored their third goal seven minutes in when Riegel, who was voted game MVP, had some space in the middle and fired a bullet that beat Amanda Milunovich for a 3-0 lead.

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Midway through the half, the Rams had their best moments when they had two good scoring chances in a matter of minutes. On the first, Caroline Falcone just missed a goal when her shot went just wide and a short time later they closed in with another quality chance that was knocked away near the goal by a host of Wave defenders.

"The defense was outstanding all night-all of them," Darien Coach Mo Minicus said afterwards.

Rams coach Gildea said what most spectators must have been thinking: "Darien is a terrific team and you have to tip your cap to them."

The Rams Bailey Wright said, "the Wave defense was really tough but we could have done a better job."

Minicus echoed that thought, saying her team did very well in the 50-50's winning most of the even chances at gaining control of the ball.

The win was Darien's 38th in a row and 18th this year including 15 shutouts. It was the team's third consecutive FCIAC Championship. Only once this season has a team (Trumbull) scored more than one goal against them.

New Canaan won't have to put their uniforms away just yet. They are headed for the states championship along with  Darien starting next week. The Rams head into the tournament with a 15-3-1 record in Gildea's first year as head coach.

 

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