‘A Win’s a Win’: NC Boys Lax Pulls Out Close Contest, 8-7, vs. Fairfield Prep

Coming off a terrific, 9-8, win over Loyola Blakefield down in Towson, Md. on Saturday, many wondered how New Canaan Boys Lacrosse would follow such a feat when they stepped onto the turf of Dunning Stadium for the first time in 2016.

And while it started off great, with five first-quarter goals from five different contributors, 10 penalties and both forced and unforced turnovers pinned New Canaan (2-0) into a nail-biter versus Fairfield Prep (1-1).

Ultimately, the Rams were able to thwart the Jesuits’ comeback attempt and leave with an 8-7 victory—thanks in large part to some outstanding goaltending from junior Drew Morris and stellar defense from those in front of him.

“Last year we lost a game like that, where we had too many turnovers and penalties, and we were upset with ourselves,” head coach Chip Buzzeo told NewCanaanite.com. “Today the same thing happens and we pull out a win. It’s a good sign that we pulled out the win—especially against another great team like Fairfield Prep. But you’re a hundred percent right. We got to clear up our game, fix our clears, we got to ride better—between the lines we had way too many penalties. But a win’s a win, so we’ll take it and learn from this. It’s the second game of the year; it’s a win; and I’m happy.”

New Canaan got on the board early when 2:21 into the game, junior midfielder Ryan O’Connell charged down the slot and took a feed from teammate and tri-captain Peter Swindell from behind the net, and put it past Fairfield Prep goalie Jack O’Connor for the 1-0 lead.

Less than a minute later, junior Jack Hoelzer netted a second Rams goal when he bounced one past O’Connor from ten yards out. Clayton Burt then followed that score with one of his own, two-and-a-half minutes later, to put New Canaan up three.

After Prep put their first on the board shortly thereafter with a tally from Christopher Brown, New Canaan tri-captain Kyle Smith put the Rams back up three, 4-1. The two teams traded goals in the final minute of the quarter, including a stellar, cross-body effort from Swindell three seconds before the horn sounded, giving the Rams a 5-2 lead to start the second.

But while the brisk, cold weather had many in the stands sitting on their hands to keep them warm, Prep did not sit on theirs.

Less than a minute into the quarter, Colin Smalkais ripped a shot past Morris to bring Prep within two, causing Buzzeo to call a timeout and talk to his squad. It did not stop the Jesuits’ momentum, however, as Prep dominated possession for the next several minutes, resulting in three shots on net that Morris deflected away. However, the fourth one Prep sent on goal, an over-the-shoulder shot from Mitchell Savoca, got past Morris’ stick and shrunk the Rams’ lead to one, 5-4.

Prep won the ensuing face-off to stay on the attack. After firing a shot wide, with just over four minutes to go in the half, Thomas Walton had the ball behind Morris’ net. Walton saw teammate Ethan Grandolfo streaking down the slot and connected with him on a feed which Grandolfo, from point-blank range, sent toward Morris — and the junior stonewalled him.

One minute later, with the Rams finally back on offense, O’Connell took a feed and slung it on goal and in from ten yards out, his second of the contest, to reclaim the two-goal lead, 6-4, which New Canaan took into halftime.

Morris’ stellar ability was on display again early in the second half as the junior was asked to make two saves in the half’s first two minutes, including one from just outside the crease. One of those saves, however, he couldn’t corral; so when Brown picked up the rebound, he put the Jesuits back within one, 6-5.

Some back-and-forth action followed, with both Morris and O’Connor protecting their nets and preserving the one-goal game. Then with just under five minutes to play in the third, Smith put his second of the afternoon past O’Connor off a feed from Hoelzer to put the Rams back up two.

New Canaan fed off that energy and stayed on the attack for the next minute-and-a-half, and after a couple attempts went wide of the net, O’Connell got the hat-trick when after possessing one of those wide shots behind the net, he charged forward, maneuvered around a couple Prep defenders, and bounced a shot in for an 8-5 New Canaan lead, which would hold up entering the fourth.

Again, though, Prep would just not lay down. One minute into the final quarter, Walton beat Morris up high to pull the Jesuits within two. 27 seconds later, it was a one-goal game again after Savoca netted his second to make it 8-7, and put the Rams fans on edge, wondering if the team could bend so many times without breaking.

But break they did not. Despite Prep having a couple quality chances the rest of the way, Morris thwarted both and the Rams held their own, pulling out the victory, 8-7.

“People were worried after Saturday’s game that we would have some sort of letdown,” said Buzzeo. “I don’t think that was the case today. I thought Monday’s practice was the best practice we had in the last three weeks, and we came out today and were up 5-2. When we got up 5-2, though, we kind of shut it down a little bit emotionally.”

But Morris and the defense stood tall in a game where New Canaan, admittedly, did not play at its best — making a game like Wednesday’s one they can call upon during contests played later in the season.

“We love playing close games [like today’s] because it’s going to help us down the stretch in the playoffs,” goaltender Drew Morris told NewCanaanite.com. “Today’s game shows what type of team we are [as does] being able to get two, one-goal, wins for our first two games. So this is great for us. It’s awesome playing in one-goal games.”

Added Buzzeo, “We’re 2-0. I’m happy we’re 2-0 against two great teams. But hats off to Prep, they played a great game today – especially their goalkeeper Jack O’Connor.”

The Rams next take the field on Tuesday, April 12, at Wilton for a 7 p.m. contest.