Sure, this was meant to be closer, but that's OK by New Canaan.
The Rams boys’ lacrosse team—defending FCIAC champions—entered Thursday’s showdown against Greenwich High School atop the East Division, at 7-1 in the conference and 9-1 overall. The Cardinals entered behind only Ridgefield in the West, at 7-1 in the FCIAC and 8-2 overall.
Take all those numbers and here’s something that doesn’t add up: 12-0.
But factor in stifling defense, outstanding goaltending and a creative, opportunistic attack led by senior Puck Richardson and junior Harry Stanton, among others, and there's your final score.
“It always feels good to win, especially against a big FCIAC rival,” Rams Head Coach Chip Buzzeo said after the game at Dunning Field.
“This is probably the best we’ve played all year,” he added.
Hard to argue with that.
The Rams took a 1-0 lead just three minutes into the first quarter, when Richardson scored literally as he crashed to the ground (see video) in a sign of things to come for the tenacious New Canaan attack and a Greenwich defense that seemed powerless to stop them, one of four goals the standout scored against the Cardinals.
“It was a good game,” Richardson said after the game. “We came out with a lot of energy, moved the ball well and fortunately we were able to come out with a win.”
The Cardinals couldn’t get into a rhythm and Buzzeo said the game’s MVPs were his defensive midfielders—senior Jack Isherwood, juniors Jack Gilio and freshman Kyle Smith. They allowed just three shots the entire game, according to the official scorecard (which you can find here to review all stats: http://newcanaan.patch.com/groups/sports/p/boys-lacrosse-scorecard-greenwich-vs-new-canaan-may-2) and goalie Trent Nader stopped each one.
“Today was by far the most balanced game we won,” Buzzeo said.
The Rams are scheduled to take on Lewisboro, NY’s John Jay High School at home, at 7 p.m. on Saturday.
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