85°
For the second straight year, Fairfield Prep's boys lacrosse team fell one goal short in the state championship game. This one may have hurt coach Chris Smalkais even more than in 2010.
Prep fell to Ridgefield, 11-10, in the Class L championship game at Brien McMahon High School on Saturday. Sean Wilkinson scored the game-winning goal for the sixth-seeded Tigers (18-5). Fourth-seeded Prep (18-5) lost to Cheshire in last year's championship game.
"This was a great high school lacrosse game,'' Smalkais said. "It's a shame somebody had to lose."
Connor Kelly scored five goals for Fairfield Prep, which built a 6-1 lead at the end of the first quarter. Prep had a 10-8 lead with 7:57 after Kelly's goal with 1:21 left in the third quarter. Ridgefield pitched a shutout in the last quarter.
Prep goalie Mike Seelye left in the second quarter. He was replaced by Ryan Orvis, who made six saves. Seelye was transported to Norwalk Hospital late in the game, with Smalkais giving him a goodbye hug as he departed. "We're going to get one for you right now,'' he told Seelye.
The Jesuits almost did, running a play out of a timeout in which they had a good scoring opportunity. The shot whistled wide, however, and Wilkinson delivered his late game-winner. "We had a good look,'' Smalkais said. "We just didn't score."
Kevin Brown added two goals for Prep, while Matt Brophy, Tyler Cox and David White had one each. Tim Edmonds had two assists.
Prep won four straight titles from 2006 to 2009 but has come up short the past two years.
"I'm proud of this team,'' Smalkais said. "We lost a lot of players from last year's team. We didn't have the one outstanding player. This was a Prep team that was truly a team."
What do you think about Fairfield Prep's boys lacrosse season? Start the discussion below!
Click here to follow Daily Voice Norwalk and receive free news updates.
