The Rye Boys Lacrosse team just did something they have never done before: win a New York State semifinal game.
The Garnets shocked Wantagh 10-8 on Thursday, June 11, to advance to the doorstep of their program’s first ever state championship. The Garnets never trailed against their Long Island foe to earn the right to play for ultimate glory on Sunday.
Rye jumped out to a 3-0 lead after much of the first quarter before Wantagh cut it to 3-1. However, the resilient Garnets scored again before the frame ended to reclaim a three-goal lead and take some wind out of the Warriors’ sails.
Wantagh responded with a strong second quarter, but the Garnets dominated the third to stretch their lead to 9-4 at its peak. A ferocious comeback attempt fell short, as Sam Lamonte and the Garnet defense allowed zero goals across the final 7:42 of gameplay. The defense was critical, since Rye did not score during that time frame either.
Lamonte ended the day with nine saves. Henry Shoemaker led all players with three goals. Carson Miller, Charlie Brady, and Will Niejadlik all scored twice, and Wilson Redd won 13 of 21 faceoffs. It took everything Rye had to win this game.
The Garnets (16-5, 5-0 postseason) will look to parlay their first ever state championship game berth with their first ever state title when they face off against Jamesville-DeWitt at 12:30pm on Sunday, June 14. The final contest of the year, win or lose, takes place at Hobart. The boys lacrosse team is looking to become the fourth Rye athletic team to win a state championship this academic year (girls soccer, hockey, football).
