After winning six state championships in a row, it is hard to believe the Darien High School boys lacrosse team could get any better. Start believing. The 2011 squad could be the best to put on the Blue Wave uniform after dismantling Wilton, 14-7, on Thursday.
All the reasons why Darien is one of the best lacrosse teams in the country were on display at home against Wilton on Thursday. The Blue Wave took on a hard-hitting, defensive-minded Warriors team that allowed only five goals in their first two games.
Darien held a slim 4-2 lead after one quarter, thanks to a first quarter hat trick by junior All-American Case Matheis. Darien's relentless attack slowly wore down the Wilton defense, building a 7-3 halftime lead. While the Wilton sideline was trying desperately to catch its collective breath, Darien was clearly content to bide their time.
"We have six guys on this team who can take it to the cage and that's what makes us so dangerous on offense right now," Matheis said. "It's to be determined where this team ranks compared to the last six [championship teams], but I'm not going to hide it. We might be the best ever and we don't take that lightly."
After sizing up and wearing down their opponent in the first half, the Blue Wave were ready to pick Wilton apart in the second half. Attacker Ben Preston exploded for a hat trick in just over one minute, capping a six-goal third quarter surge for the Blue Wave.
Darien pulled away thanks in large part to Clay Barker's dominance in faceoffs and Wilton's inability to pick up the ground balls. Darien dictated possession on the day thanks to 29 ground balls to Wilton's 17.
"We just have a variety of talent and when one guy doesn't step up, another one will," Preston said. "We know with this team that one goal can turn around a game, so we push hard towards that."
Is Darien the best in the country? We will find out Saturday when the Blue Wave travel to Havertown, Pa., to take on the top-ranked high school lacrosse team in the country, Haverford High School. That game starts at noon.
Is the 2011 squad the best Darien High School lacrosse team ever? Start the discussion below!
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