After tough loss to No. 10 New Fairfield, Canton rebounds with win over Simsbury

Ashley Potter, shown earlier this season against Suffield, had three goals Monday in a 15-7 win over Simsbury. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

CANTON, May 13 – After clinching a fourth straight North Central Connecticut Conference championship, the Canton High girls lacrosse team has been testing themselves.

The Warriors outlasted Hall last Thursday, 7-5 for their eleventh win of the season before getting beaten by No. 10 New Fairfield on Saturday, 17-6. The Rebels improved to 14-0 on the season and remain the only undefeated team left in the state.

“We were overmatched by a much more seasoned team,” Canton coach Sean Cole admitted.

How would Canton respond after the loss? The Warriors raced out to an early four-goal lead and outscored Simsbury, 8-2 in the second half as Canton beat the Trojans for the first time in team history, 15-7 in a steady, cold rain Monday on the turf field.

“They had the attitude that they would play hard. If hard was good enough, they would be successful,” he said. “If not, we would be proud of playing hard.”

Junior All-State attack Abby Charron had five goals and two assists for Canton (12-2) and had 15 draw controls – which is another word for faceoff. Winning faceoffs gives control of the ball to your team and it’s hard to cause turnovers in girls lacrosse.

Canton’s Madi Bahre and the Warrior defense gave up just two goals in the second half. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

Ashley Potter had three goals while Ashley Huff, Allie DelSanto and Fiona McNally had two goals each. Maeve Balavender had one goal while goalie Courtney LeFave made eight saves in net. Canton had an early 4-0 lead and led 7-5 at the half, giving up just two goals in the second half.

“Today, we imposed our will kind of like New Fairfield did against us,” Cole said. “There were stretches when we were on defense and they couldn’t get off a shot on the cage. It was really clicking.”

Abby Interrante scored for goals for Simsbury (9-3), which lost for the third time in four games. The Trojans began the season with an eight-game winning streak.

Canton scored a season-low six goals against New Fairfield with Charron, Huff and DelSanto each scoring two goals. “It’s fun lacrosse to watch but not when you’re on the other side of the field,” Cole said of the Rebels.

Against Hall, Charron and Huff had three goals each while McNally added one score as Canton beat Hall for the third straight year.

Canton’s Abby Charron had five goals and two assists in Monday’s win over Simsbury. (Photo courtesy Bill Brewster)

The Warriors (12-2, 9-0 NCCC) close out the NCCC regular season at Ellington on Tuesday before ending the regular season by hosting E.O. Smith-Storrs on Monday, May 20.

Canton has earned the top seed in the NCCC Tournament on Wednesday, May 22. The Warriors will play in the NCCC finals at 5 p.m. at Suffield High against the winner of the semifinal game between Granby and Ellington on May 20.