By BOB CHAVEZ
GENEVA, N.Y. — It’s hardly any consolation, but there comes a time in sports when your opponent is flat-out better. That doesn’t mean you stop trying but at the very least, you can walk off the field with some dignity.
That’s how the Canandaigua Academy boys lacrosse team left Boswell Field on Saturday night even though they were on the wrong side of a 14-5 score in the Class B state championship game at Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
“You just have to tip your hat,” Canandaigua coach Deven York said of the Garden City Trojans, who led 12-0 at the half. “They’re so fast, so physical and they create. Their defense is extraordinary with the way they slide and snap back.”
In 2022, these teams played for the Class B title at Hofstra University, Garden City’s backyard. Garden City won that game 8-1 and on Saturday, the Gray Wolves were hoping that having the state final in their backyard might help.
But the Trojans were relentless from the start, taking a 4-0 into the second quarter before pouring it on in the second. That made the second half a running clock for the entire half no matter how many goals CA scored due to the rule in boys lacrosse that keeps the running clock running once it starts.
CA (19-3) scored the only two goals of the third quarter, one from AJ Sterman and another from Drew Williamee. Patrick Olvany and Jack Stanney opened the fourth with goals for CA to make it a 12-4 game but it was hardly enough.
Helping Garden City was the work of Luke Cascadden, who won 16 of 21 faceoffs. All those possessions allowed the Trojans plenty of work on offense, which was led by four goals from Anthony Asaro and three from Ben Smith.
“We had the ball a lot,” Garden City coach Steve Finnell said. “The kids were locked in.”
As for York and CA, playing in two state finals since 2022 is something upon which to build. But still, getting so close without cashing in hurts.
“I told them I’d love them if they win and I’d love them if they didn’t win,” York said of his message to his team. “I’m so proud. They’ve been incredibly coachable and incredibly classy. They’ve inspired the next generation of kids.”
No disrespect but this CA team was not high level at all. They in all honesty had no business being on the same field as the Trojans. GC playing an entirely different game than this team. A glance at the schedule you’d think from the lap sided scores they’d be solid. I can’t imagine how bad the teams they played must be cause the GC middle school team would for real beat this team by 7. At least.