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Avon girls shake off Canton in second half to win season opener

Avon's Hannah Davey (7) had seven of Avon's 11 goals in the season-opening win over Canton Wednesday.

Avon’s Hannah Davey (7) had seven of Avon’s 11 goals in the season-opening win over Canton Wednesday.

CANTON – The Canton High girls lacrosse served notice Wednesday that they have no intention of giving away victories. The Warriors may lose but you’ll have to work to get past them. On a frigid early evening, Avon used a strong second half performance to beat the Warriors, 11-9 behind seven goals from senior Hannah Davey in the season opening match for both squads. She had two other goals called back due to penalties. 

Even though Canton made the CIAC Class S tournament for the first time a year ago, the Warriors are still waiting to compile their first winning season. Avon, on the other hand, is coming off three straight NCCC championships and has advanced to the Class M semifinals for the past two seasons. Expectations are high with the Falcons. 

“We want to win the NCCC and get to the state championship game,” Avon’s first-year head coach Cat Hanks said. “They’re very talented. They work hard every day and they want it badly.” 

With three goals each from Grace Giancola and Emma Charron, the game was tied 7-7 at halftime. But in the second half, Avon increased the pressure and Canton made several unforced turnovers in the second half to stymie its attack. 

“It’s a work in progress for us,” Canton coach Sean Cole said. “We have some skilled kids and some others who need to get up to speed with the higher skilled kids. Once that happens, we’ll be a formidable team in our conference.” 

This was the first game for Cole against his former team. He coached at Avon for three years, leading them to three NCCC titles and two berths in the Class M semifinals. But he stepped down last spring to take the job in Canton, where he is the director of Security for the school system. 

Canton's Grace Giancola (9) moves through traffic in Wednesday's game against Avon. She scored three goals for the Warriors.

Canton’s Grace Giancola (9) moves through traffic in Wednesday’s game against Avon. She scored three goals for the Warriors.

Avon, which is ranked No. 12 in the preseason state coaches poll, took a one goal lead early in the second half on Abbey Hagan’s goalie from sophomore Emma Coran (two assists). Hagan extended the lead to two, 9-7 on a nice low shot past Canton junior goalie Amanda Gottlieb. A nice shot from Davey, who came around from the back of the net made it 10-7 with 12:51 remaining. A goal from Davey less than a minute later was disallowed on a goal circle violation. 

Canton climbed back in it with two goals in less than a minute. Olivia Sullivan scored her first goal of the season off a nice feed inside from Giancola. With 8:11 left, Giancola’s hard shot deflected off the stick of Avon goalie Angela Marinello (7 saves) to pull Canton with one goal, 10-9. 

Davey added another goal with 6:04 left in the game and then Avon was able to run out the clock with their ball control offense. 

“They realized they had to step up and work together,” Hanks said. The halftime tie didn’t bother Hanks. “I knew they wanted it and would come out hard.” 

Canton had several leads in the first half. The Warriors led 5-4 when Davey scored two goals in 20 seconds to give the Falcons a 6-5 lead. Giancola scored off a nice feed from Devon Daubert to tie the match at 6-6. A goal from Hannah Deppe gave Avon a one-goal lead but Daubert tied the game with a goal with 1:13 left in the first half. 

The game was played in Canton due to the wet fields in Avon. It began at 5:45 p.m. and ended in virtual darkness around 7:15 p.m. thanks to the overcast conditions. It was about 36 degrees, a bit windy and rainy. 

Avon 11, Canton 9
At Canton
Avon (1-0)           7  4 – 11
Canton (0-1)       7  2  — 9
Goals: Hannah Davey (A) 7, Sammy Maniatty (A) 2, Abbey Hagan (A); Grace Giancoloa (C) 4, Emma Charron (C) 3, Oliva Sullivan (C), Devon Daubert (C); Assists: Giancola (C), Emma Coran (A) 2, Hannah Deppe (A) 2; Saves: Amanda Gottlieb (C) 5, Angela Marinello (A) 7 

GIRLS LACROSSE
Top 10 state coaches poll. First-place votes in parentheses; compiled by Phillip Schneider

PRESEASON

TEAM PTS
1. Darien (15) 158
2. Glastonbury 130
3. Wilton (1) 128
4. New Canaan 126
5. Simsbury 63
6. Greenwich 56
7. Cheshire 50
8. Daniel Hand 36
9. Fairfield Warde 29
10. Staples 25

Others receiving votes: Hall, 24; Newtown, 20; Avon, 19; New Fairfield, 5; Granby, 3; Stonington, 2

BOYS LACROSSE
Avon 11, Canton 2
CANTON – Chase Gordon had three goals while Jake Corrigan and Dan Magrini had two goals each to lead Avon to an 11-2 season opening victory over Canton. Matt Bangs had two goals for the Warriors. 

“We want to grow as a team every day. Today was a marked improvement to what we’ve done in the past. If we keep going that, we’ll be ok,” Canton’s second-year coach Chris Weller said. Avon beat the Warriors twice a year ago by scores of 21-4 and 17-3.

Avon 11, Canton 2
At Canton
Avon (1-0)           5-6 – 11
Canton (0-1)       0  2  — 2
Goals: Chase Gordon (A) 3, Jake Corrigan (A) 2, Dan Magrini (A) 2, Andy St. Jean (A), Jack Duxin (A), Alex Casner (A), Brendan Brown (A); Matt Bangs (C) 2; Assists: Matt Guarino (A) 2, Casner 2, Corrigan, Bill Lenard (A), Eddie Melton (C)

Gerry deSimas, Jr., is the editor and founder of The Collinsville Press. He is an award-winning writer and has been covering sports in Connecticut and New England for more than 30 years.

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