Doug Reilly
Sports Editor
In a game that shaped up into another classic New Canaan vs. Darien battle, the girls’ lacrosse team came out on the short end of a tight game, falling 13-11 to the Darien Blue Wave. Despite taking the lead twice in the second half and a six goal performance from sophomore Olivia Hompe, the Rams could not hold on and a strong Darien took advantage, sealing the win with two goals in the final minutes of the game.
The Rams came out strong in the first half, taking a 4-2 lead. However, the Blue Wave came back and finished the half on a 5-1 run and headed into half time with a 7-5 lead. Olivia led the way with three goals and junior Sarah Mannelly and sophomore Lily Citrin each added goals for the Rams.
The second half was full of ties, momentum shifts, and lead changes. Just seconds into the second half, junior Kristine Ryan scored to cut the deficit to one. Seconds later, Olivia added her fourth goal, tying the game at 7. Darien bounced right back and took an 8-7 lead, but on the next possession, Olivia scored once again off a pass from senior Erin Markey. With 18 minutes left, the game was tied at 8.
Looking to take their first lead since early in the first half, the Rams got a lift from who else, but Olivia Hompe. With 15 minutes left in the second half, she scored her sixth and final goal of the game, and the Rams went up 9-8. Two minutes later, however, the Blue Wave tied the game at 9.
The game would be tied for just seconds, though, as Kristine Ryan gave the Rams a 10-9 advantage with her second goal of the game. Not to sound like a broken record, but Darien tied it again, only to have senior Liz DeTour score and give New Canaan another lead, 11-10.
With seven minutes remaining, the momentum shifted to Darien once again, this time for good. After tying the game at 11, goals with five and two minutes left in the game put the Blue Wave on top for good, as they escaped with a 13-11 victory.
With the loss, the Rams fell to 2-2 for the season. Up next for the Rams are three out of conference road games. The first on Saturday the 16th at Yorktown, the 19th at Newtown, and the 21st at Glastonbury. The Rams resume their FCIAC schedule on Friday April 26th at home against Westhill.
