Darien Wins State Championship In Class L Girls Lacrosse

STRATFORD, CT — Darien took home the girls lacrosse 2021 CIAC Class L state championship Saturday, posting a 14-6 victory over Fairfield Ludlowe in the title game at Bunnell High School, solidifying its status as a longtime powerhouse in the sport.

“I’m obviously proud of the girls and their effort,” coach Lisa Lindley said, noting that while the Blue Wave’s performance was a bit sloppier than usual, the team was still able to feed its open players. “We played as well as we needed to to win.”

The Blue Wave took the lead early on, and the Falcons struggled to catch up, with the score 7-3 going into halftime. Lindley specifically praised the performances of Molly McGuckin, Chloe Humphrey and Nelle Kniffin.

Saturday’s win sees Darien hold onto the title the team claimed in 2019, before the spring 2020 season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

“It’s a good way to go out, after they were on lockdown for so long,” Lindley said of the Blue Wave, which ended its regular season 12-2, and defeated Staples, Chesire and New Canaan on the road to the final.

Fairfield Ludlowe, which ended its regular season 13-3, last won a state championship in 2010, and beat Southington, Greenwich and Simsbury along the way to the 2021 title game.

“We were just one step short,” Coach Jay Fellows said, adding the defensive unit played a strong game, led by Kennedy Carr and Ellen Kelly. “I feel very proud of them.”