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After three straight years of frustration for the Wilton High School boys lacrosse team against the seemingly unassailable Blue Wave, the tables had finally turned. Everything worked in Wilton's favor from the opening draw to the final horn on Wednesday afternoon, as the Warriors upended the six-time defending state champions, 11-3. But as the final seconds ticked off the clock, the celebration was tempered. The Warriors know there is still a championship to be won.
"We wanted this one badly. Every single player on this team was giving their all and hustling on every play," Wilton golie Sam Somers said. "Every game I just go out there and try to play my best. Everything just came together, but we've still got work to do. We want a championship."
Somers played arguably his best game of the season, coming up with an incredible 19 saves, stonewalling an offense that has averaged 14 goals a game. Darien had scored at least 10 goals in 13 games against Connecticut opponents.
Darien lost its leading scorer, Case Matheis, to a knee injury during the state quarterfinals. While that suggested the game would be close, few thought the result would be so one-sided. For the first quarter, the game followed the same pattern as in previous Wilton-Darien showdowns. Wilton came out strong, taking a 1-0 lead on a Michael Serpa goal with 1:15 left in the quarter.
Everyone waited for the Darien comeback, but it never came. Instead, Wilton kept piling on the goals. The Warriors scored twice in the first two minutes of the second quarter. When Francia made it 4-0 with 2:43 left in the first half, a sense of disbelief started to wash over spectators and players alike.
"I'm at a loss of words. The feeling is incredible," Wilton's Mike Francia said. "We prepared for this game like never before, and I feel like we just did what we needed to do today."
Wilton blew the game wide open in the third quarter, shutting the Blue Wave out in the frame, 5-0. Francia led the assault with four goals and two assists. Six Warriors scored, including Francia, Serpa (two goals), Matt Reyes-Guerra-Dunn (two goals, one assist), Connor Melillo (one goal, two assists), Chris Nugent (one goal) and Matt Kobyra (one goal).
Wilton will play New Canaan on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Brien McMahon High School for the Class M state championship. The title game will be a rematch of the last time Wilton won a state title, back in 2004.
What do you think of Wilton knocking off six-time champion Darien? Do you think they will win it all? Start the discussion below!
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