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WILTON, Conn. Case Matheis returned to exact revenge on the Wilton High boys lacrosse team Thursday evening. The Darien attacker, who sat out last years state semifinal with a knee injury, provided the eventual game-winning goal with 3:26 to play to sink Wilton, 10-8.
The rematch of last years semifinal was as close as expected from arguably the two best lacrosse teams in the state. Wilton fought back to tie the game at 8-8 with under five minutes to play on a goal by Cole Rance, but the Warriors could not net the go-ahead score. The Warriors' only lead of the game lasted for just 18 seconds in the first quarter when Sean Carroll put Wilton up, 1-0.
I made the mistake though," said Wilton head coach John Wiseman. "This ones on me. We tried to get a little too tricky tonight. We just have to play our game just straight-up Wilton lacrosse. Im proud of the kids, though. They came out and fought back.
Matheis provided the final shot, but Dariens phenom sophomore goalie, Phil Huffard, was a huge reason why Wilton was kept at bay. The Warriors peppered Huffard all night with 26 shots on net. He stopped 18 of them, with seven saves coming in a second-quarter assault that led to just one Wilton goal.
Wilton had several chances to tie the game again after Matheis go-ahead score, but two crucial passes deep in Darien territory went astray late in the game. Matheis netted an insurance goal, his fourth of the evening, with 27 seconds left.
This was just two really good teams that battled, Wiseman said. It was a great lacrosse game.
The Warriors got a third period hat trick from Chris Nugent to start the comeback. Sean Carroll scored twice, and Matt Kobyra and Mike Slaughter also netted goals.
Wilton (3-1) hosts winless Trinity Catholic on Monday at 4:30 p.m.
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