As freshmen, these six seniors played on a Canton team that won just four games. On Tuesday, the Warriors won the league title. From left, Emma Charron (23), Carly Atkinson (18), Amanda Gottlieb (35), Devon Daubert (22), Kaelyn Oliver (1) and Sarah First (11).
ELLINGTON, May 10 – There are six seniors on the Canton High girls lacrosse team. They all played together in Canton’s youth lacrosse program and went undefeated in eighth grade.
Four years ago, they played on a Canton team that won four games. As sophomores, they celebrated when Canton clinched their first-ever state tournament berth on this same field with a win over Ellington. A year ago, the Warriors had a winning record for the first time and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Class S tournament.
On Tuesday, the Warriors won their first championship.
Canton captured the NCCC title with an 11-7 win over Ellington to finish 7-1 in the league. Leading scorer Grace Giancola had three goals and an assist while Emma Charron had two goals and three assists. Kaelyn Oliver had two goals and two assists while Devon Daubert had two goals for the Warriors.
“We felt there was something special this season and we all knew what we were capable of,” Oliver said. “Now that it has happened, it’s so real.”
“Every year, we have gotten progressively better,” goalie Amanda Gottlieb said. “Last year, we made it to the quarterfinals and beat Avon and Granby for the first time. Every year, it is a step up. And this is clearly a step up because we won the conference title.”
Emma Charron celebrates with teammate Kaelyn Oliver after scoring a goal in Tuesday’s win over Ellington.
The Warriors (11-2, 7-1 NCCC) won their first eight games of the season before falling to Fairfield Warde, 10-6 on April 30. Somers handed Canton their only defeat in the league last Friday with a 12-11 defeat in double overtime. On Monday, Canton got right back on the winning track with a 14-8 win over Avon with five goals from Oliver and four from Giancola.
“It’s terrific,” Canton’s second-year coach Sean Cole said. “It is really something I thought we were capable of last year if some things broke our way. This year, with the skill and talent we have, it’s our time. That’s been the message. That’s been the motivation. All of these kids played winter lacrosse together. They conditioned together. They worked hard in the offseason.”
Giancola, a junior forward, has scored a team-high 61 goals. Charron has 39 goals with Oliver scoring 30. Gottlieb has played every game in net.
“This year, we’re all connected,” Charron said. “We have such fun together. We know the end is coming. It is bittersweet.” The six seniors are Charron, Gottlieb, Daubert, Oliver, Sarah First and Carly Atkinson.
Ellington (7-6, 2-4 NCCC) came out strong, scoring the first three goals of the game before Canton took command with seven unanswered goals for a 7-3 lead at halftime. Slow starts are something that the Warriors will work on in the closing weeks of the season. Somers had an early lead on Canton Friday and Avon had an early 4-1 lead on Monday.
“We can’t come out and assume people will lay down and let us roll over them,” Cole said.
Canton’s Grace Giancola (9) moves up field despite the pressure.
Anticipating that Canton could contend for the state championship this year, the Warriors beefed up the schedule for additional challenges.
The Warriors host Bethel (4-8), which plays in the tough Southwest Conference. Next Monday night, Canton hits the road to play under the lights against Simsbury (5-6) at 7 p.m. The Warriors close out the regular season hosting Watertown (7-5). Bethel and Watertown are Class M schools while Simsbury will compete in the Class L tournament.
By winning the title, Canton gets a bye in the NCCC Tournament and will play the semifinal winner on Thursday, May 26. It’s Canton’s second NCCC Tournament appearance – they lost to Somers, 10-9 a year ago in the semifinals . Canton will likely begin play in the Class S tournament on Tuesday, May 31.
NOTES: Oliver had five goals against Avon while Giancola scored four goals and had four assists. Charron had two goals and four assists while Daubert had two goals. The Warriors have won two of their last three games against the Falcons (1-8). Emma Coran had five goals to lead Avon while Emily Foley, Rachel Spivak and Molly Morrison each had goals for AHS. … This is Canton’s first-ever title in lacrosse. The girls program began varsity play in 2010. The boys program began play in 2012. … This is Cole’s fourth league title. He led Avon to three straight NCCC championships from 2012 through 2014.
Canton 11, Ellington 7
At Ellington
Canton (11-2) 7 4 — 11
Ellington (7-6) 3 4 — 7
Goals: Grace Giancola (C) 3, Devon Daubert (C) 2, Emma Charron (C) 2, Kaelyn Oliver (C) 2, Ali Bahre (C), Jess Rogowski (C); Alyssa Powers (E) 4, Abby Wiley (E), Halie Glowacki (E) 2; Assists: Charron 3, Oliver, Giancola; Aby Magnuson (E) 2; Saves: Amanda Gottlieb (C) 9, Gina Carroll (E) 9
Recent NCCC girls lacrosse champions
2016: Canton
2015: Granby
2014: Avon
2013: Avon
2012: Avon
2011: Suffield
2010: Granby
2009: Avon
2008: Avon
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