Photo by Jim Stout/MaxPreps.com
Duke University-bound junior attackman Case Matheis and top-seeded Darien will meet Ridgefield in the FCIAC title game tonight for the second time in the last three years.
From start to finish, the Darien Blue Wave have dominated the FCIAC this season.
Darien is 12-0 in conference games, outscoring its opponents by an average score of 17.3-4.7.
That’s pretty one-sided.
So too was the Blue Wave’s regular-season meeting against Ridgefield. Darien jumped ahead early and coasted to a 17-10 win.
Tonight, the two teams meet for the FCIAC championship for the second time in the last three years.
Can Ridgefield turn what was a one-sided game into a down-to-the-wire one?
We shall see.
But yesterday, Lakeland/Panas, which fell to Mahopac 16-7 in the regular season, played the Indians to a 7-5 game in the Section 1 Class A final at Suffern Middle School.
More on that, and the other sectional finals — and the CHSAA title game — in a moment.
But before we close on tonight’s FCIAC final, we have a quick programming note.
You can catch the Ridgefield-Darien game today on MSG Varsity’s “Lax Live” on (Channel 14, Optimum) at 7 p.m.
Also in Connecticut, the SWC and SCC championship games will be played at Pomperaug and Branford, respectively. New Fairfield meets Newtown for the SWC crown at 5 p.m. at Pomperaug. Fairfield Prep and Cheshire meet for the SCC crown at 3 p.m. at Branford.
In New York, Fordham Prep hopes to complete a three-game sweep of Iona Prep when the teams meet for the Bronx/Manhattan/Westchester CHSAA title.
The Suffolk semifinals are also today. West Islip, which has won four state titles the last five years, has remarkably remained unbeaten, surviving three overtime affairs, including an 8-7 OT win over Connetquot on April 5.
The top-seeded Lions host Connetquot today. Also in Class A, No. 3 Smithtown West visits Ward Melville in a rematch of another overtime game, won by Ward Melville 10-9 on April 13.
Today’s winner advance to the Suffolk finals Wednesday, June 1 at Stony Brook University.
Don’t forget, you can check out the entire downstate New York sectional schedule by clicking here. For the brackets for the state tournament, click here.
In the CHSAA title game last night at Hofstra’s Shuart Stadium, St. Anthony’s, which fell to Chaminade twice during the regular season, won what’s become the teams’ annual third meeting of the year. The Friars beat the Flyers 12-10 in the CHSAA title game. For more, check out Bob Herzog’s story at msgvarsity.com by clicking here.
Now, to Section 1.
Mahopac won its first sectional title since 2004 by pulling out the previously mentioned win against the Rebels for the Class A crown.
In Class B, Yorktown pulled away in the second half for a 14-5 win over John Jay as Ty Schuldt had four goals and Justin Mabus’ six assist. It was Yorktown’s 34th sectional title.
Bronxville won its first-ever sectional title by winning 15-6 over Byram Hills.
For in-depth stories as well as photos and video highlights from msgvarsity.com, click here.
The respective class champions in sections 1 and 9 meet next Wednesday, June 1 in the state regionals at Middletown High School.
Yesterday’s Section 9 title-game action was highlighted by Saugerties beating Wallkill 10-5 for its ninth straight sectional crown. Pine Bush (Class A) and Red Hook (Class C) also took titles.
Before we close out, a note on college lax. Men’s and women’s champions will be crowned this Memorial Day Weekend. For the brackets and schedule of games, click here.
Today’s FCIAC final
at Brien McMahon High School, Norwalk
No. 3 Ridgefield vs. No. 1 Darien, 7 p.m.
Today’s SCC championship
at Branford High School
Fairfield Prep and Cheshire, 3 p.m.
Today’s SWC championship
at Pomperaug High School
New Fairfield vs. Newtown, 5 p.m.
Today’s Section 11 semfinals
Class A
No. 5 Connetquot at No. 1 West Islip, 4 p.m.
No. 3 Smithtown West at No. 2 Ward Melville, 4 p.m.
Today’s New York CHSAA final
Iona Prep vs. Fordham Prep, 4:30 p.m.
Recent FCIAC champions
The FCIAC has had different champions every year since 2007. Here’s a look at the result of each year’s title game:
2007 New Canaan (5-4 over Darien)
2008 Darien (13-9 over Ridgefield)
2009 Ridgefield (7-6 OT over Darien)
2010 Greenwich (5-4 over New Canaan)
Finally, be sure to weigh in by voting in our latest poll, which will be rotating questions on the upcoming playoff matchups.
To vote, go to the right panel of this page. Then, just scroll past the “New Comments” and “Popular” tabs and click on “Poll,” and then cast your vote from the choices available, or write in your choice if it’s not listed.
You can reach us by email at info@laxlessons.com.
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NCAA tournament schedule
For a rundown of scores and schedules for the NCAA men’s and women’s tournaments, click here.
Put those cell phones to good use
Be sure, as always, to weigh in with info/thoughts/scores on games you attend. And don’t forget to put those mobile phones to good use in providing in-game updates, gang. If it’s easier, you may also send your updates to info@laxlessons.com.
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Posted In: Fairfield lacrosse, fciac, Gameday, SCC lacrosse, Section 1, Section 11, Section 8, Section 9, SWC lacrosse
I would argue today’s fciac title is essentially the defacto state title. Pulling for ridgefield but seems like a tall order. Hopefully roy has the boys ready.
Hey Joe, what about Suffolk A semis…
I like West Islip over Connetquot. Ward Melville-Smithtown West should be a one-goal game. If it’s a lower scoring game, I like WM. If either team reaches double digits in goals, I’ll go with Smithtown West. A true tossup.
What are your picks, LI Lax?
WI 8, Connetquot 6
WM 11, SW 10 (OT)
Should be great games.
As noted above, both are rematches of overtime games in the regular season.
Winners advance to next Wednesday’s county finals at Stony Brook.
Hey Joe,
When does the All Leauge and All Section voting happen?
Tuesday nite for Section 1.
As always, we’ll have the AA selections the night they are selected.
All-section and all-league should be released about a week later. Same drill as the last few years.
WI 12 Connetquot 7
WM 11 SW 9
Note on yesterdays game ST Anthony’s vs. Chaminade. Great talent on both sides of the field. I recommend a 2nd look on MSG 614. Oh yeah Quick 60 at half was great to set up tonights game.
Darien 12 Ridgefield 7
College predictions:
Denver and Maryland
Maryland NCAA Champions
UVA’s Top goal scorer by alot, 2nd in points and Bocklett only gets Honorable Mention for AA?? Disagree.
remember, stanwick is passing to him…but a great player, so much fun to watch, usually has at least amazing goal per game
They do not give first team or second team AA to finishers or crease guys. Bocklet is very good at finishing but cant go to the goal on a short stick!
I predict smithtown west wins it all. will definitely beat ward melville today.
Smith West leads WM 7-2 at the half. Kyle Kenan scored just before the end of the game to cap a 2-0 run that included two goals by James Pannel.
4-0 run by WM, including two goals by Mazzone. It’s 7-6 SW with five minutes left in the third.
Back comes SW. Bulls now lead 11-7 early in the fourth.
SW leads 13-7 with five minutes left.
West Islip leads Connetquot 2-1 at the half
Joe, any update on the WI- Con game?
Hey Joe,
Any score on the West Islip – Connetquot game.
Panel makes it 15-7 SW
Wilton beats Darien 15-12 to win the FCIAC girls title at Brien McMahon HS. Up next at 7: Darien vs. Ridgefield for the FCIAC boys title, also at McMahon
Final: SW 15, WM 7
The Bulls will play the WI-Connetquot winner on Wednesay, June 1 in the Section 11 Clas A title game at Stony Brook at 3:30 p.m.
no mention or coverage/updates of the Fordham/Iona match up tonight?
WI wins 6-2
This just in: Fordham Prep defeated Iona Prep today. Working on the score. That’s a three-game sweep for Fordham.
9-7 Fordham Prep over Iona.
NYCHSAA AA Champs!
Final: West Islip 6, Connetquot 2
West Islip won 6 – 2
West Islip will take on Smithtown West for the Section 11 Class A title on Wednesday, June 1.
Darien takes 2-0 lead over Ridgefield in FCIAC title game on goals by Case Matheis 2:33 into the 1st …
Ridgefield running a zone defense coach Roy Colsey picked up after playing Summit, N.J. The Tigers used it in their semifinal win over Greenwich …
Matheis 3, Ridgefield 0 with 8:25 left in the 1st …
Preston makes it 4-0 Darien with 3:07 left in 1st …
Did I miss the announcement that Mike Daniello has been picked to play in the Under Armour All American game for the North Squad or am I announcing something. If I missed a previous announcement-sorry for the wasted space if I’m breaking news yah Mike D!!!!!
Long pole Parnon makes it 5-0 Darien heading into the 2nd quarter …
Bobby Weaver makes it 6-0 Darien early in the 2nd …
Matheis from Gregory on the break … Matheis has 4 and it’s 7-0 Darien over Ridgefield early in the 2nd quarter …
Matt Hvratin finally breaks the drought for Ridgefield. It’s 7-1 Darien with 9:22 to go in the 2nd. …
Matheis now has 5 goals. Darien leads Ridgefield 8-1 with 7:22 to go in the 2nd … Timeout Colsey
Hrvation gets his second off a scramble from close range. Darien leads 8-2.
Darien leads Ridgefield 8-2 at the half
Fordham Prep beat Iona Prep 9-7. Fordham Prep’s goalie scored a goal while man down.
Sean Riley scores for Ridgefield, cutting Darien’s lead to 8-3 with 8 minutes to go in the 3rd. Ridgefield starting to win faceoffs.
Gregory answers for Darien. It’s 9-3 midway through the 3rd
Darien faceoff middie Clay Batker helped off the field after suffering injury to his knee. Darien leads 9-3 with 2 minutes left in the 3rd …
Graham Maybell makes it 10-3 Darien with 1 minute to go in the 3rd …
Andrew Buckanavage scores in final second of the 3rd for Ridgefield. Darien leads 10-4 heading into the 4th …
Bucky scores again. It’s 10-5 Darien with 10 minutes left.
Matt Dighton scores cutting the deficit to 10-6. Ridgefield wins ensuing faceoff and goes man-up with 9:08 left.
Ridgefield’s Sean Wilkinson nets EMO goal, making it 10-7 with 8:40 left. Timeout Darien.
Final: Fairfield Prep 11, Cheshire 1. This was SCC title game. Cheshire beat FP three times last year, including in Class L state final.
Ridgefield kills off slashing penalty, still trails Darien 10-7 with 4:10 left in the 4th …
Darien leads 10-7 with 1:39 left
Darien wins first FCIAC title since 2008, 10-7 over Ridgefield.
While an exciting game to watch, it, frankly was sloppy..ball on the ground way too much…Ridgefield completely asleep in the first quarter..I can see why Darien, with it’s agressive style, will give a lot of teams trouble, but better ball handling by Ridgefield could have easily led to them winning
It’s not like Darien was playing their best. I could just as easily say that better ball handling by Darien (and maybe converting on one of the dozen wide open shots they had in the fourth quarter) would have led to a bigger rout.
no doubt, was trying to say the overall quality of the game wasn’t what I was expecting from these two fine teams…
Congrats to the Blue Wave for winning the most prestigious tournament in Connecticut
Case Matheis named FCIAC title game MVP. He scored 5 goals in Darien’s 10-7 win over Ridgefield
Eric Parnon was MVP
what do you think the chances are for Zav to get all section this year? he had about half a dozen goals, and a few assists and about a zillion caused turnovers and ground balls, all of this on top of a great junior season with a very memorable game against john jay. I know that Ossining played in a pretty weak league and did not perform as well as they should have as far as wins and losses go, but do you think he could still snag a spot there?
Congrats to Darien on their FCIAC win and for Ridgefield for battling back to make it a 3 goal win.
Great job Field!!! Take away a couple of flukey Darien goals early and a couple of bad calls that gave Darien possessions that resulted in goals and this is a Ridgefield win and another Darien FCIAC championship loss! Haha to Darien for picking a 10 goal win or more from what I hear.
Come on. The “woulda, coulda, shoulda” stuff never works!
But for the “flukey Darien goals, “bad calls”….–please! Ridgefield is a very good team. Just “handle” the loss. Sounds alot better
u sound bitter slacrosse? It is all good enjoy the weekend 🙂
Darien has now beaten Ridgefield twice in the last week and a half. Neither game was closer than 3 goals after the first quarter. Darien led this game 10-3 w/ 5 seconds left in the third quarter. No doubt, Ridgefield did well to make a run at the end, and deserve credit for making the final score respectable, but there is no doub that the better team won.
Ridgefield showed it should be the favorite to win the state title. Too bad Ridgefield and Darien are in different classes because I think it’s clear after today the teams are very even and you gotta feel a rematch would have gone to Ridgefield.
Thanks for removing all doubt
How so? Ridgefield played well in the second half of the first game, so people figured they could beat Darien today. The result was no different; Darien torched them early, and Ridgefield made a run at the end that came up well short. Darien was incredibly sloppy in the second half, and let’s not forget that most of Ridgefield’s goals were on man up; if Darien can stay out of the penalty box, their settled six-on-six D can shut down anyone, so I like Darien again in a rematch.
Abe Lincoln allusion
Easy now. Lot’s of things went either way. The better team usually wins. Give Ridgefield credit for great 6 v 6 defense and having a ton of heart. But you can’t spot the best team in CT a 5 goal lead after a quarter and expect to win. Well played…hats off to Darien.
I don’t mean to discredit Ridgefield; they are a lot better than I thought they would be coming into the year, and Buckanavage is one of the best shooters I have ever seen in high school (does he ever miss?). I think that the way they have fought back in both games vs. Darien shows they have a lot of character. Colsey is obviously a terrific coach, as the Tigers have improved in their second showing against every team they have played twice. However, I think it’s a bit unfair to say they are even with Darien, considering the Blue Wave never trailed once in either game, and led by many goals for the majority of both. It’s ok to be confident in your team, but to state that the two teams are even as if it were fact, moments after Darien won the FCIAC title, seems to me to be an attempt to diminish Darien’s victory, as if they were lucky to win because they aren’t any better than Ridgefield.
I think what set off the Ridgefield fans is that they heard Darien was expecting to win another blowout game. It did look that way early on. But after the shaky start it was an even game.
You can’t cut out a section of a game (particularly a half), and say afterwards it was an even game…too many variables. When you are up 8-2 at the half, and 10-3 w/ 5 seconds left in the 3rd quarter, it’s kind of beside the point to say that the two teams were even in the third quarter. As for predictions, let people predict what they want; if Darien thinks they will win a blowout, then let them. I personally don’t think that’s unreasonable considering how the first game went, and if I’m Ridgefield I’m happy that they are underestimating my team. If I’m being honest I thought both teams played below their normal level of play. Ridgefield was too inconsistent, and looked sloppy and outhustled outside of the 3 minute stretch where Bucknavage beat the slide and the Tigers executed on the EMO. Darien, much like against Wilton, looked very sloppy on offense the entire game…dropped passes, TONS of missed shots from players who were wide open. Matheis was the only player who played up to his usual standards, but he too was sloppy in the second half, forcing way too many passes inside.
Some of that sloppiness came directly/indirectly from Ridgefield pressure, it wasn’t like they forgot to catch/pass all of sudden. Can give Ridgefield’s D a little credit
Ditto for Ridgefield’s sloppiness. Obviously both defenses were very good, but I think it is undeniable that both teams had many unforced turnovers as well.
They weren’t “flukey” goals, they were opportunistic goals or aptly “hussle” goals. TT and CH you do a disservice to the efforts of your team when you post this stuff. Fellas lets show some class huh?
Great year by Fordham Prep this year. Beating Iona three times. Wow!
OK – time to watch the NCAAs on TV