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Wilton Girls Fall In Fciac Hockey Semis

Wilton's girls hockey team pushed Darien right to the edge in Wednesday's Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference semifinal game at Darien Ice Rink. Unfortunately for the Warriors, their gas tank reached empty when they needed to kick it into high gear.

The Blue Wave won, 3-2, to earn a spot opposite New Canaan in Saturday's FCIAC championship game. Wilton (14-5), which was making its first playoff appearance, withered in the third period against a stifling Darien defense. The Warriors played with a shorthanded roster due to injuries and an ill-timed vacation. The short roster left Wilton gasping in the final frame.

"We played nine players at the end,'' Wilton coach Kerry Leonard said. "To have it end the way it did says a lot about their character. It was good to see the way they kept fighting to the end. It says a lot about how far they've come this year and in the past three years."

Sara Shaker scored two goals in the first period to stake the third-seeded Blue Wave to a 2-0 lead. Goalie Emily Tucker (36 saves) kept the Warriors in it with several outstanding saves, and Wilton came out charged up in the second period. Emilie Arrix's goal reduced the deficit to 2-1, and it seemed Wilton had the momentum.

Darien's Lily Christensen scored with 10:13 left in the game to rebuild the Blue Wave's two-goal cushion. Darien dominated the third period, outshooting Wilton 14-5. Perri Blicht poked home a rebound with 50.2 seconds left to bring the Warriors within a goal. The Warriors couldn't get the equalizer in the final seconds.

"I think we were just tired at the end,'' Leonard said. "We didn't have too much left in the gas tank. Maybe we could've been a little smarter in conserving our energy at the start of the game. We let them come out and take control, and I think we were a little nervous."

Wilton and Darien have played four times this season, with each team winning twice. Three of the games have been decided by 3-2 scores. "Maybe we'll get to see them again,'' Leonard said.

How do you think Wilton's girls will fare in the state hockey tournament? Start the discussion below!

 

 

 

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