DANBURY, Conn. — Down a goal in the final minute, Masuk High’s girls lacrosse team, the No. 2 seed, rallied to force overtime and stunned top seed New Fairfield 10-9 in the SWC Championship game at Western Connecticut State University Tuesday.
It was déjà vu as the Panthers won the game by the same score as in the regular season, in the same fashion, with the same player netting the decisive goal. Just as she did in the Masuk’s regular season 10-9 OT win in Monroe on April 14, Charlotte Pinto again drew a foul and covered an eight meter free position shot in the pinnacle game, dethroning the Rebels.
“It felt surreal for that to happen again,” said Pinto, who was mobbed by teammates celebrating the program’s first title since 2002.
Masuk, which lost to New Fairfield in the SWC Championship two years ago, was thrilled to defeat the defending champs earlier in the season — and ecstatic to win the title game against its familiar foe.
Pinto added that it was a terrific team effort that made this win possible. A great setup made the tying goal possible. Masuk trailed 9-8 on a New Fairfield goal with just 43 seconds left in regulation. Bailey Bajda had a crucial draw win, which led to the equalizer with just 18 seconds remaining. Eve Fernandez was assisted by Victoria Grychak to knot the score at 9-9.
The Rebels got the ball and went deep into Masuk territory, but the Panthers held to force extra time. Bajda won the OT opening draw and Pinto did the rest, capping off her MVP performance, which included six goals and an assist.
Bajda had three goals and an assist. Masuk trailed 4-1 after one quarter, then evened the score at 5-5 in the second with Pinto, assisted by Bajda hitting the net. New Fairfield went ahead 6-5 going into the break.
It was a defensive battle in the second half with the Rebels never relinquishing the lead. Masuk’s first lead of the game certainly came at the right time.
Troesser noted there were former players and future players in the stands supporting the team. “That’s really special,” Masuk Coach Rob Troesser said.
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