Last-Second Field Goal Lifts New Canaan Into State Finals

After another thrilling finish, the New Canaan football team finds itself in the state finals for the sixth consecutive year.

Collin Shapiro booted a 33-yard field goal with four seconds remaining Saturday as the Rams defeated top-seeded Windsor 27-24 in the Class L semifinals at East Haven.

Shapiro said he tried to not worry about the kick, which certainly will be remembered in the annals of New Canaan football history.

"If you get nervous you're going to miss [the kick]," he said. "Your whole form just goes to crap once you start freaking out. You just have to remain calm... I pretended I was just with my dad in practice over the summer, and it worked."

The Rams (11-1) have been living on the edge as they have won their two playoff games by a combined four points. On Tuesday, New Canaan held off New London 27-26 when it stopped a two-point conversion attempt in the final two minutes.

The Rams will face Hand (12-0) in the championship game next weekend at UConn's Rentschler Field in East Hartford. The Tigers dethroned defending state champion Masuk with a 35-14 victory in Saturday's other semifinal.

The loss snapped a 24-game winning streak for Masuk, which defeated New Canaan 50-20 in last year's final, ending the Rams' four-year reign as state champions.

In a repeat of Tuesday, the Rams had to rally from a fourth-quarter deficit on Saturday as Windsor (11-1) had built a 24-7 lead in the second quarter.

"They defended us so well," New Canaan coach Lou Marinelli said. "This is not the first time New Canaan has faced a Rob Fleeting-coached team, and every time we face him, he gives us fits. He is one of the best coaches in the state."

But the Rams pulled within 24-13 at the intermission on Matt Milano's 1-yard keeper, then blanked the Warriors in the second half.

New Canaan climbed within 21-13 in the third quarter on Bobby Distler's 2-yard TD run and Milano's conversion pass to Connor Kilbane. The Rams then tied it on Shapiro's 34-yard field goal, which came just minutes before his game-winner.

New Canaan survived another sub-par performance by Milano, who  completed 17 of 33 passes for 176 yards and was intercepted four times, one of which was returned for a touchdown.

After Kevin McDonough's 1-yard TD run gave New Canaan a 7-0 lead, Chris Traore's 24-yard field goal got Windsor on the board. Aaron Beradino then returned a fumble 18 yards to put the Warriors ahead.

Quinn Fleeting's 83-yard TD pass to Ryheime Moore extended the lead before Brendan Gale returned an interception 40 yards for a score to give Windsor a 24-7 advantage.

The loss ended Windsor's dream of reaching the CIAC championship game for the second time in school history. The Warriors Windsor lost to Ridgefield in the Class L title game in 2002.

"I'm really proud of my kids," Fleeting said. "We're going to work hard in the off season and we'll be back."

New Canaan will be seeking its ninth state championship under Marinelli, who is in his 31st season.

"I must be one of the luckiest guys in the world," he said. "It's hard to do."