No. 2 Canton beats Somers for fourth time to advance in Class S tournament

Canton’s Ashley Huff (10) scored a career-high seven goals in Tuesday’s Class S tournament win over Somers.

CANTON, May 29 – Ashley Huff had a career-high seven goals while Julianna Iovine had four goals and five assists as the Canton High girls lacrosse beat No. 15 Somers for the fourth time this season, 19-6 in the first round of the CIAC Class S tournament on Tuesday.

The Warriors (16-2) beat Somers just five days ago in the NCCC Tournament championship game, 18-8.

Defensively, No. 2 Canton looked good, holding the opposition under six goals or less for the tenth time this season.

“Goalie Courtney LeFave had a great start to this state tournament game, making several key early saves,” Canton coach Sean Cole said. “Senior captain Tady Whitney held one of Somers’ top offensive threats, Ashley Delskey, to two goals while junior Morgan Walzak had her best defensive game of the season holding Somers’ best offensive player Brie Bernier scoreless. (Bernier) had four goals against us on Thursday.”

LeFave finished with 11 saves to earn the victory in goal.

At the other end of the field, Canton had a balanced scoring attack led by Huff and Iovine. Abby Charron had three goals and five assists while Allie Delsanto scored three goals. Maeve Balevender and Ashley Potter also scored goals for Canton.

“It was a total team effort by Canton to accomplish the first step in the redemption season,” Cole said. The Warriors are looking to get back into the state championship game after falling one game short, losing in the semifinals a year ago to eventual Class S champion New Fairfield.

In the quarterfinals, Canton will host No. 7 Old Saybrook (12-7) on Thursday at 4 p.m. on the turf field at the high school. The Rams dropped a 19-17 game to Old Lyme in the Shoreline Conference semifinals last week, a decision that snapped a three-game winning streak.

Canton has won nine in a row and 24 straight games against NCCC opponents.

Canton 19, Somers 6
At Canton
Somers (9-10)                           6
Canton (16-2)                          19
Goals: Ashley Huff (Ca) 7, Julianna Iovine (Ca) 4, Abby Charron (Ca) 3, Allie Delsanto (Ca) 3, Ashley Potter (Ca), Maeve Balavender (Ca), Marianne Dalessio (S) 2, Ashley Delskey (S) 2, Hall Kruzel (S) 2; Assists: Charron (Ca) 5, Iovine (Ca) 5; Saves: Courtney LeFave (Ca) 11; Jasmine Yard (S) and Sarah Smithline (S) 16 combined