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Sports

Rams Push Blue Wave into Double OT

But in the battle of rivals, Darien wins the trip to the boys lacrosse state title game.

The Rams trailed the Blue Wave 3-0 late in the third quarter on Tuesday afternoon at Fairfield Ludlowe High School when they finally got on the board. That goal started a comeback—a three-consecutive-goal burst in which the Rams took the lead for the first time with just over four minutes left in regulation time.

In a first quarter in which patience seemed to be the mantra for both squads, Darien struck first. Case Matheis who was arguably the quickest player on the field scored first, just three minutes in. With both teams moving but not forcing the ball, the Wave maintained the 1-0 lead after one. Defense was key for both teams.

"We tried to maintain long possessions because our defense was so good," said Matheis.

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There wasn't much space for an attacker and the few times an attack man closed in he got bumped off the ball. Then, with under one-minute left until the break, Matheis scored again. The Wave took a 2-0 lead into the intermission.

In lacrosse that usually isn't enough to send a coach or his players into a comfort zone, but when Darien's Henry West scored a third goal one minute and half into the third quarter, they had a pretty decent cushion, or so it seemed.

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With the Wave leading and coming up with almost all of the 50-50's and just over one minute remaining in the third, Cody Newton got the Rams' first goal. It proved to be an awakening for New Canaan. Rams goalie Tom Carey was making some outstanding saves to keep the score close, and it got closer with Newton's ice-breaker.

The horn sounded with the Wave leading the Rams, 3-1 after three.

New Canaan went on a run to open the fourth quarter, scoring three unanswered goals. Henry Eschricht started it off just over two minutes in. One minute later Todd Bratches goal tied the game at 3-3 and midway through the quarter, Newton scored his second goal to put New Canaan ahead 4-3.

But Matheis tied the game at 4-4 with his third with 4:10 left goal. Neither team could break the knot before the end of regulation.

The play continued into four-minute sudden death overtimes. Neither team scored in the first OT.

With the second overtime winding down, Bobby Nolan got the gamer.

"West cleared and passed to Brian Gleason who drew some defenders. Gleason fed me and I just aimed for the net, no particular spot," said Nolan. 

The Blue Wave had a 5-4 win, its second consecutive one-goal win in the tournament (they beat Wilton 10-9 in a quarterfinal game last Saturday). They head into the championship game with an 18-3 rercord. 

Darien Coach Jeff Brameier said,"It's always special to beat New Canaan. It's a testament to them that they were able to come back today after trailing 3-0."

Rams Coach Alex Whitten said,"We stressed patience against their zone which they changed often to man-to-man but we didn't move the ball very well today. This one was tough to swallow."

New Canaan's season ends with a 16-4 record.

The Wave will play top seed New Fairfield, the winner of Tuesday night's other semifinal game over fourth seed Conard, at Brian McMahon High in Norwalk on Saturday at a time to be determined.

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