Greenwich High’s boys lacrosse team’s successful season ended with a loss to New Canaan in Class LL tourney quarterfinals

By David Fierro on June 5, 2024 • ( Leave a comment )

**Photo by David Fierro:** Greenwich High School senior Jimmy Flinn, left, looks to make a move on offense during the quarterfinal-round of the CIAC Class LL Tournament against host New Canaan High School. The Rams won, 13-3.

There were positive moments for Greenwich High School’s boys lacrosse team during the first half of its CIAC Class LL Tournament quarterfinal-round game against New Canaan on June 1st. Yet the second half belonged to the Rams, who turned up their level of play and turned back the Cardinals in a big way.

Sixth-seeded Greenwich’s 2024 season came to an end with a 13-3 loss to third-seeded host New Canaan in the Class LL quarterfinals. The Cardinals trailed the Rams, 3-1, after the opening quarter, were down, 4-2, midway through the second quarter and were behind, 6-2 at halftime.

Once the second half commenced, New Canaan steadily added on to its lead.

Photo by David Fierro: Greenwich High School’s Conrad Burki, left, looks to pass the ball while being defended by New Canaan during the ClAC Class LL Tournament quarterfinals at New Canaan High School. The Rams won the game, 13-3.

“It was a great first half and we came up with a decent game plan,” Greenwich coach Bobby Lutz said. “But we made a couple of costly mistakes and when you give a good team like this get in the lead, it changes momentum.”

Senior Doster Crowell recorded four goals and four assists to help power the Rams past the Cardinals in this quarterfinal-round matchup. The Rams also received a hat trick from senior Max Lowe, a pair of goals from senior Colin Finnigan and goals from juniors Henry Hladick and William Hayes.

Brayden Robie of New Canaan, a defender, on the move against Greenwich in a recent state playoff varsity lacrosse game.

“We talked about ball possession so much after last week (FCIAC Tournament loss) and I thought we did a good job of that tonight,” New Canaan coach Chip Buzzeo said. “We possessed the ball and moved the ball on offense and it was a great team effort. We played a lot of guys today with the amount of guys we have we can wear people down.”

Greenwich received one goal apiece from senior Jimmy Flinn, sophomore Boden Farmer and sophomore Dean Kim. Doster Crowell scored the game’s first goal with 10:12 remaining in the opening quarter. A pair of goals from Lowe late in the first quarter, made it 3-0, then Flinn tallied for Greenwich, making it a two-goal game at the two-minute mark of the opening quarter.

George Weiksner of the Cardinals boys lacrosse team looks to clear the ball during a postseason matchup vs. New Canaan.

Finnigan went top shelf with his perimeter shot and capitalizing on a Cardinals’ turnover, Crowell tallied in transition putting the Rams ahead, 6-2, with only 3.9 seconds left in the second quarter.

“That play happens, it erased a mistake – you make a play like that it puts a dagger in the other team,” Buzzeo said. “Guys were making plays and that’s what you want in the playoffs.”

In the second half, Greenwich was shut out, as New Canaan clamped down on defense and received solid saves from freshman goalie Jackson Crowell.

Greenwich High School’s varsity boys lacrosse team huddles up during a timeout in its playoff game vs. host New Canaan.

“There are so many good teams and there is only one winner, so everyone is going to go through heartbreak at the end of the season, but these guys battled,” Lutz said of his GHS squad. “What we lacked in depth, we made up in heart.”

New Canaan outscored Greenwich, 5-0, in the third quarter to open an 11-2 advantage. Buzzeo discussed his squad’s stellar defensive play.

Greenwich’s Conrad Burki, front, on the run while being pursued during a CIAC Class LL tourney game vs. New Canaan.

“It’s something we’ve done for the majority of the year,” Buzzeo said of the defensive effort. “Overall, our defense is the strength of our team. They give our offense a lot of opportunities and our offense capitalized on those opportunities today. I was happy on both ends of the field. That third quarter separated us and gave us that big lead.”

In the CIAC Class LL semifinals, New Canaan (16-5) was defeated by second-seeded rival Darien, 9-7, at Greenwich High School.

New Canaan defeated Greenwich, 13-3, in the CIAC Class LL quarterfinals.

Captained by seniors Lane Critchell, Cole Critchell and Adam Kim and juniors Mikey Brescia and Colin Zeller, Greenwich finished its 2024 season with a record of 10-9.

“I’m really proud of them for playing the entire season hard,” Lutz said. “It was a good season and we showed a lot of improvement. There just wasn’t enough at the end. We are doing a lot in the offseason, so these guys are starting next season tomorrow. We’ll see what happens in 2025.”