Ridgefield Scores and Standings: May 25

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The Ridgefield boys lacrosse team was tired of losing to Greenwich so the Tigers decided to do something about it.

Andrew Buckanavage scored four goals Tuesday as Ridgefield advanced to the FCIAC championship game with a convincing 10-5 victory over the Cardinals at McMahon.

In Friday's title game (7 p.m. at McMahon),  the Tigers (14-40 will face Darien, a 9-6 winner over Wilton in Tuesday's  second semifinal. It is a rematch of the 2009 final, won by Ridgefield.

On Tuesday, the Tigers snapped a three-game losing streak against Greenwich, which beat Ridgefield last year in the first round of the FCIAC playoffs and the first round of the state tournament.

Eric Scala had two goals for Ridgefield on Tuesday and Sean Wilkinson, Will Bonaparte, Matt Hrvatin and Aidan Scott each added one.

"It was good to finally beat them once," Buckanavage said. "We had a big lead at halftime last game like this, so we made sure we didn't slip."

On May 3, Greenwich (11-7) rallied from a 6-2 halftime deficit to hand the Tigers an 8-7 setback. On Tuesday, Ridgefield  also had a four-goal lead at the break (5-1).

Mindful of what happened three weeks ago, the Tigers didn't let up after the intermission, opening an 8-1 cushion on Scala's goal with 6:43 left in the third quarter.

Ridgefield senior defenseman Travis Tiger was asked his thoughts about finally beating Greenwich.

"Awesome, fantastic," he said. "We always play with a chip on our shoulder (against Greenwich). They seem to play like they think they are better than us and we're not letting anyone be better than us and we're not letting anyone think they're better than us."

Of course, Ridgefield coach Roy Colsey is not a big believer in revenge, Instead, he talked about redemption.

"I told the kids I don't believe in revenge," Colsey said. "It's not about revenge, it's about redemption. It's not about being them. It's showing ourselves what we're capable of."

Greenwich had a significant territorial edge in the first quarter but the Cardinals had only one goal to show for it, grabbing a 1-0 lead on Andrew Feeney's tally 4 1/2 minutes into the contest.

Wilkinson scored with 2:57 left in the first to tie it for Ridgefield, which grabbed control during a 2 1/2-minute stretch early in the second quarter when Buckanavage took over. He assisted on Bonaparte's goal, then scored two of his own to give the Tigers a 4-1 lead.

Hrvatin tallied with 33 seconds remaining in the period to make it 5-1 at the half.

In the third quarter, Scala's two goals, sandwiched around Buckanavage's third, pushed Ridgefield's cushion to 8-1.

Buckanavage registered his final goal early in the fourth and Scott scored with under three minutes left to close out the victory.

After Greenwich took the early 1-0 lead, the Tigers went 26 1/2 minutes without allowing another goal. Adam Winnie was strong in goal for the Tigers with 12 saves.

"I think that's (the scoreless stretch) is a testament to our goalie," Buckanavage said. "He's been playing great lately and our defense has been clicking. Everyone's talking, everyone's moving around. Everyone is playing well."

"Our goalie, Winnie, is just playing fantastic and as long as we play our good defense, they're not going to score," Tiger added.

For the second time in Colsey's three seasons at Ridgefield, the Tigers will be playing in an FCIAC final. He has five players who played in the title game two years ago as sophomores.

"These kids are in for a real treat," Colsey said. "It's just real nice thing for us to
have this opportunity to be in the championship."

But the Tigers know they need a better effort this time against Darien. Last week against the Blue Wave, the Tigers suffered a 17-10 loss after falling behind 13-2 at the half.

"We just need to come out for four quarters and play hard like tonight," Buckanavage said. "Don't let up. We can't afford to fall behind one of the best teams in the country."

TUESDAY'S RESULTS

Boys lacrosse (at McMahon)

Ridgefield 10, Greenwich 5 -- Tigers will face Darien, a 9-6 winner over Wilton, in Friday's championship game at McMahon (7 p.m).

WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE

Boys tennis

Ridgefield at Greenwich, 4 p.m. (FCIAC semifinals)

Boys volleyball (at Fairfield Ludlowe)

Ridgefield vs. Staples, 5 p.m. (FCIAC semifinals)

STANDINGS

• Baseball

Bassick

*- clinched playoff spot

• Softball

• Boys Lacrosse

Fairfield Warde

*-clinched playoff spot

• Girls Lacrosse