Staples Knocks Off Top-Seeded Darien In Boys Lacrosse Class L Finals

FAIRFIELD, CT — When the boys lacrosse teams from Staples and Darien high schools met on April 28 in the middle of the regular season, Darien emerged with a 15-10 victory. On Sunday, the two teams clashed again, this time with the CIAC Class L championship on the line at Sacred Heart University, and the outcome couldn't have been any different.

Staples tallied the first eight goals of the match en route to a 12-3 victory, earning the Wreckers the first boys lacrosse state title in school history. Darien had been seeking its 15th state crown.

A major factor in the dominant first half for Staples was the play of senior Henry Dodge, who controlled all but one faceoff in the opening 24 minutes. Up 8-1, a crushing blow was delivered with just one second left before intermission, when Gavin Rothenberg netted his third goal of the day.

Rothenberg wound up with four goals, Charlie Howard had three and Derek Sale added two for the Wreckers. Single goals were registered by Leo Sequenzia and Aidan Best.

Joe Cesare, Matthew Minicus and Christian Alliegro scored goals for Darien.