Somers, Granby Engage in Classic Lacrosse Battle

SUFFIELD, CT - A pair of conference rivals meeting for the fourth time this season engaged in a back-and-forth boys lacrosse semifinal matchup Wednesday that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

When the smoke cleared, Somers had emerged with a 12-10 victory over Granby Memorial and a berth in Saturday's Class S state championship game.

The top-seeded Spartans will face No. 18 St. Joseph, which eliminated third-seeded East Catholic, 9-2. The title match will begin at 10:30 a.m. at Brien McMahon High School in Norwalk.

Granby dominated the first quarter, scoring just 36 seconds into the contest and finishing the opening 12 minutes with a 4-2 lead. The Bears led 6-4 before the Somers offense suddenly awoke.

Dom Giachello scored with 3:49 left in the first half, embarking on a seven-goal Spartan outburst over the next eight and a half minutes that put them in front, 11-6. Somers held Granby scoreless for a 12:23 stretch until Dom Pagano netted his fifth goal of the game for the Bears with 4:17 remaining in the third quarter.

Neither team scored in the first half of the fourth quarter until Logan Strain cut the Granby deficit to 11-8 with 5:52 left. Giachello immediately hammered the final nail into the Bear coffin, however, scoring his fourth of the night just nine seconds later.

Granby refused to fold, tallying two more goals in the final four minutes, but time ran out on the Bears and propelled Somers into the title contest.

Collin Whitford, Christian Paley and Stephen Astone each had two goals for thet Spartans, while Dante Giachello and Spencer Beebe had one apiece. Mike Munson recorded two assists, with Dom Giachello and Riley Burgmyer adding one apiece.

For Granby, Zac Parker and Connor Field each had two goals, with Parker adding two assists. Field, Pagano, Strain and Andrew Kirby also had assists.

Photo credits: Tim Jensen