Sarah Klearman, Sports Editor
@KlearmanCourant
The 2014 season saw the varsity boys lacrosse team lose to Darien twice; once by two points, and a second time by a single goal. Darien’s undefeated streak stretched all the way back to the 2013 season – they’d gone 34 games undefeated. That is, until, they met their match in their game against New Canaan.
Senior captain Michael Kraus had a hand in seven of the Rams’ nine goals and sophomore goaltender Drew Morris made 12 saves, including one on a shot late in the fourth quarter that would have tied the game. Senior Captain Justin Meichner said that the team expected a high level of intensity and competition coming into the game. “Games against Darien have always been the most intense games of the year,” he said. “It was awesome to finally win a close game against them, especially one that ended that 34 game streak.”
Five different Rams scored through the victory. Michael Kraus scored early twice in the first quarter to put the team up 2-0, and senior Owen Toland scored another goal to put the Rams up 3-0 at the end of the first. “Every time we play Darien, both teams show up to play their best,” Senior captain Teddy Dumbauld said. “It really just came down to who was most prepared and willing to play their hardest the whole game.”
At halftime the Rams lead Wave lacrosse 7-5. Sophomore Ryan O’Connell, junior Kyle Smith and senior captain Justin Meichner also scored to put the Rams up 7-6 at the end of the third quarter. Notable also was sophomore goaltender Drew Morris, who made 12 crucial saves to keep the Rams in the game. “The highlight of the game was seeing Drew Morris dive for the ball on the end line with about a minute to play,” Justin said. “Those are big plays that I love to see in order to win the game.”
The boys won the game 9-8, with Michael and Ryan scoring goals in the final quarter of the game. “For me, the best part of the game was when the final whistle blew,” Michael said. “Knowing we’d earned the win was a great feeling, because it’s always a heated and intense rivalry.”
