Settling an old score was definitely on the agenda for the Joel Barlow High boys lacrosse team in the South-West Conference championship.
Not only had the Falcons lost to New Milford in the semifinals in each of the past two seasons (in overtime in 2023), they also fell in overtime to the same opponent earlier in this year for their only conference loss. They were not about to let another opportunity escape them.
In what turned out to be their best defensive performance of the season, the second-seeded Falcons clamped down on the first-seeded Green Wave’s attack, particularly in the second half for a 15-6 upset win on Wednesday, May 22, at Masuk High in Monroe.
It was Barlow’s first championship since 2015. For New Milford, the loss was its third straight loss in the title game.
“We felt we were the better team,” said Barlow head coach Taylor Leahy, whose team defeated New Fairfield 7-4 in the semifinals two days earlier. “We wanted another chance to prove it. We got another opportunity tonight and left no doubt.”
Both sides battled to get the upper hand early in the night. The Falcons’ first lead came with just over a minute left in the first quarter when Joey Bonanno plowed through the defense to put his team up 3-2.
It did not last long, as New Milford’s Matt Alfano netted the equalizer just nine seconds later. With ten seconds left the Falcons were back on top with Spencer Skiddell scoring off a feed from Joey Bonanno as the first quarter ended.
Although the Green Wave won most of the face-offs in the game (14-8) the Falcons scooped up most of the ground balls. A number of them were turned into scoring opportunities.
“The key to victory is always winning the ground ball battle” said Leahy. “I think we did a good job with that especially after the beginning of the game.”
Consecutive goals by Ian Lent and Luke Bonanno put Barlow up 6-3 midway through the second quarter. New Milford’s Graham Mitchell later bounced a shot into Barlow’s net but would but with Lent adding one for Barlow with a minute and a half to go the Falcons were up 7-4 at halftime.
The closest the Green Wave came to catching the Falcons was early in the second half when another goal by Alfano made it 7-5. It would not score again until later in the fourth quarter, thanks in part to Barlow’s defense of Andrew Watson, Tyler Young, Jack Hall, Quinn Pranzo and goalie Cole Bonanno, who was named the game’s Most Valuable Player.
“We have the best goalie behind us in the state,” said Leahy. “I haven’t seen a better goalie this year. He’s been a brick wall for us all year.”
In the meantime, Barlow’s attack stepped up, with Cole Peterson, Skiddell, Luke Bonanno, Lent and Frankie Branca all finding the net as the Falcons put eight straight points on the board in a scoring run that lasted until the fourth quarter.
Mitchell’s goal with 2:35 left in the game stopped the streak but it was all the Green Wave would get the rest of the way.
“This time we knew we just had to flip the script,” said Cole Bonanno, who had 13 saves. “We just came with energy and really wanted to win.”
Lent led Barlow with four goals. Luke Bonanno and Skiddell, scored three apiece, each with an assist. Joey Bonanno (one assist) and Cole Peterson each netted two. Branca scored one goal and Watson had one assist.
“Fortunately for us it was just our night and we put it all together,” said Leahy. “I’m just really proud of the guys for their effort tonight and everything they’ve done this season.”
The number two seed in Class M state tournament, Barlow defeated Lyman Hall 16-4 in their quarter-final matchup on June 1. The Falcons will face off against East Lyme on Wednesday, June 5 for a chance to play for the state championship at Sacred Heart University on June 9.
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