Avon field hockey looks to top Lauralton Hall and earn spot in final

Avon’s leading scorer Emily Stross has six goals. Avon plays Lauralton Hall Tuesday night in the Class M semifinals.

AVON, Nov. 11 – The Avon High field hockey team will be seeking its first berth in the a CIAC state championship game since 1998 when they tangle with top-ranked and undefeated Lauralton Hall of Milford Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Watertown High in the Class M semifinals. 

The winner advances to the Class M championship game on Saturday at Wethersfield High against either No. 2 Wilton (17-1) or No. 3 Hand (16-1-1). The top four seeds in Class M each advanced to the semifinals. 

The Crusaders (18-0-2) are looking for their second-ever berth in the state finals. They lost to Granby in the Class S finals two years ago in 2011. Avon last played in the state finals in 1998 when they lost to Canton in the Class S final. The Falcons last won a state title in 1984. 

No. 4 Avon (13-3-2) beat New Fairfield, 2-1 in the quarterfinals behind goals from Abbey Hagan and regional All-American Caroline Schaefer. The Falcons won their first tournament game with a 1-0 win over No. 13 Brookfield as junior Emily Stross scored off a penalty corner, deflected a shot from Hannah Deppe into the goal. Schaefer had an assist on the play as well. 

Avon’s offense has been diverse this season. Stross has scored seven goals this season while Schaefer has scored six. Rachel Moore has put five goals into the net while Hagan and Shelly George have scored four each. 

“They are so skilled offensively,” Suffield High coach Dan Gatto said. “They are very good with the ball. They receive the ball well. And the big thing with them is that they don’t make mistakes (turn the ball over).” 

Avon has won seven of its last eight games with its only loss coming to Simsbury, 2-1 in the season finale on Oct. 30. Defensively, the Falcons have pitched 11 shutouts this season with goalie Natalie Sawicki in net. 

Lauralton Hall’s top scorer is Maureen Connelly, who scored 13 goals in the regular season.

NOTES: Avon won its third straight NCCC championship this season. The Crusaders battled to a 0-0 tie with Pomperaug in the Southwest Conference tournament championship game. The Crusaders won the Patriot Division of the SWC with a 9-0-1 record. Lauralton Hall shared the SWC title with New Milford in 2012, too. … Avon has played in the Class M semifinals in three of the last four seasons. The Falcons lost to Wilton, 2-1 last year. In 2010, Hand beat Avon, 1-0 and in 2009, it was New Canaan with a 1-0 decision.