By Mike Kelly
(June 2, 2022)—The Shoreline Conference Champion Haddam Killingworth High School Boys Varsity Lacrosse team won their first game of the Class S 2022 state tournament Wednesday night, beating the Tolland Eagles 7-1. As has been the case for many contests this year, the Cougars defense was relentless, nearly pitching a shutout and baffling Tolland at every turn. Braden Civiello was a brick wall in goal, LSM Jack Insalaco vacuumed up anything that touched the ground, and D-poles Matteo Piacenti, Sam Young and Aidan Griswold smothered any semblance of an Eagle attack.
Senior attackman Corey Phipps got the scoring started for HK with 2:46 left in the first quarter, bouncing one in from above the right post, 1-0 HK. Early in the second C. Phipps struck again, this time with the assist from brother Alex dead center above the crease, 2-0 HK. Middie Nolan Braren then got free 10 yards out with a smooth spin and strike, 3-0 HK. At the 7:25 mark in the second, C. Phipps went back to work, dodging and juking above the right post, falling to his knees, then popping up and banging home a winner, 4-0 HK. With two minutes left in the half and the hat trick already in hand, C. Phipps danced some more, spinning and losing a d-pole for yet another score, his fourth of what would be five on the night, 5-0 HK. Tolland answered with their only goal of the game with ten seconds left in the first half, 5-1 HK.
With 9:33 left in the third quarter the Tolland defense lost track of Braren, giving him time to wind up and fire a one-hop bullet from about 18 yards out, 6-1 HK. C. Phipps then finished things off, splitting two defenders with a spin and shake above the right side of the crease, then burying the shot, 7-1 HK. Waterford awaits.
Photos by Liz Griswold
