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Interesting boys' and girls' state tournaments
The CIAC has released its boys and girls lacrosse tournament matchups and some New Haven area teams should fare quite well.
In the boys' tournament, Branford seems destined to meet FCIAC powerhouse Darien in the CIAC Class M final on June 9. The No. 2 seeded Hornets (14-2) won't have an easy path to the final but they have the kind of potent offense needed to advance led by scoring phenoms Joe O'Keefe and Billy Alessi. They can combine for 10-12 goals or more in any game they play.
If they do face the No. 1 seeded Blue Wave, a team that excels at every position, Hornets coach Brian Adkins knows it won't be easy. Darien finished the regular season 14-2 but it was 14-0 against state competition. The losses came against Georgetown Prep of Maryland and Manhassett of New York.
SCC rivals Amity and Shelton have a 50-50 chance to advance to the Class L quarterfinals since the Spartans host the Gaels on Saturday in the first round. Amity won the regular season matchup 5-2 but Shelton has the kind of defense that can keep them in the game.
In the girls' Division I tournament, the scheduling gods certainly haven't been kind to Branford. The Hornets, coming off a 7-3 loss to Hand-Madison in the SCC tournament championship on Tuesday, travel to Avon for a qualifying round game on Thursday. If the Hornets win, their reward is a trip to No. 2 seeded Wilton on Saturday in a first round game. For those keeping score that would be three games in a five-day span.
Despite the scheduling and stiff competition to be faced in the qualifying and first rounds, based on what I saw in the SCC tournament, I think with its coaching and excellent defense the Hornets will find a way to get to the semifinal round.
The most interesting matchup locally in the first round of Division I will be SCC fierce rivals Cheshire, seeded No. 11, and No. 6 Hand facing each other in Madison on Saturday. Hand has been dominating New Haven area foes this season. But if it comes out flat like it did in the SCC tournament final against Branford, an upset could be possible.
Another area matchup to note is in Division II with No. 4 North Branford hosting No. 13 Amity in the first round on Monday. Despite its 10-8 record and seeding, Amity has more tournament experience having advanced to the championship game last season. The Spartans should advance to the quarterfinals.
Good luck to all the teams in the post season.
In the boys' tournament, Branford seems destined to meet FCIAC powerhouse Darien in the CIAC Class M final on June 9. The No. 2 seeded Hornets (14-2) won't have an easy path to the final but they have the kind of potent offense needed to advance led by scoring phenoms Joe O'Keefe and Billy Alessi. They can combine for 10-12 goals or more in any game they play.
If they do face the No. 1 seeded Blue Wave, a team that excels at every position, Hornets coach Brian Adkins knows it won't be easy. Darien finished the regular season 14-2 but it was 14-0 against state competition. The losses came against Georgetown Prep of Maryland and Manhassett of New York.
SCC rivals Amity and Shelton have a 50-50 chance to advance to the Class L quarterfinals since the Spartans host the Gaels on Saturday in the first round. Amity won the regular season matchup 5-2 but Shelton has the kind of defense that can keep them in the game.
In the girls' Division I tournament, the scheduling gods certainly haven't been kind to Branford. The Hornets, coming off a 7-3 loss to Hand-Madison in the SCC tournament championship on Tuesday, travel to Avon for a qualifying round game on Thursday. If the Hornets win, their reward is a trip to No. 2 seeded Wilton on Saturday in a first round game. For those keeping score that would be three games in a five-day span.
Despite the scheduling and stiff competition to be faced in the qualifying and first rounds, based on what I saw in the SCC tournament, I think with its coaching and excellent defense the Hornets will find a way to get to the semifinal round.
The most interesting matchup locally in the first round of Division I will be SCC fierce rivals Cheshire, seeded No. 11, and No. 6 Hand facing each other in Madison on Saturday. Hand has been dominating New Haven area foes this season. But if it comes out flat like it did in the SCC tournament final against Branford, an upset could be possible.
Another area matchup to note is in Division II with No. 4 North Branford hosting No. 13 Amity in the first round on Monday. Despite its 10-8 record and seeding, Amity has more tournament experience having advanced to the championship game last season. The Spartans should advance to the quarterfinals.
Good luck to all the teams in the post season.
posted by Dan Nowak at
10:49 AM
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