Boys’ Lacrosse Rolls to Victory Over Wilbur Cross

When you think of powerhouse boys’ lacrosse teams in the Southern Connecticut Conference, schools like Fairfield Prep, Daniel Hand and Cheshire come to mind. Wilbur Cross does not. Basketball and track maybe, but not lacrosse.

The Wilbur Cross Governors have struggled since they started a lacrosse program a dozen years ago and have only won 10 games in the last five years. Last week, they ran into the upstart Branford Hornets, who cruised to a lopsided 18 – 0 victory at the James L. MacVeigh Alumni Athletic Complex. Here Robbie Lionetti gets past a Cross defender en route to one of his two goals. He also had an assist.

“The Cross players played just as hard as our guys, said Branford coach Jim May. ​“They have a good number of players on their roster and that’s a good sign; they just don’t have the history like other schools do. It’s a relatively young sport in the city.”

The Hornets looked like they could score at will. Fourteen different players had goals in the game. They outshot the Governors 29 – 2. They led 12 – 0 at the half and slowed the scoring pace down late in the half with a variety of passing drills and other maneuvers. Here sophomore Mike Parker scores one of his two goals in the game. He also had an assist.

Four Hornets had two goals each. Sophomores Mike Parker and Robbie Lionetti, along with freshman Jack Manwear, and senior Jay Dering led the scoring barrage.Here the ball hits the back of the net on a shot by freshman Max Manware who had a goal and assist.

Others Hornets with one goal apiece included Webb Templeton, Matt Potter, Brian Nichols, Harry Smith, Mike White, Spencer Engstrom, Noah Pantani, Will Riggs, Marc Funaro and Max Manwear. Here Junior Webb Templeton gets ready to unload on the Cross goalie for a score.

The win was the first of the season for the Hornets. They fell to Fairfield Prep 19 – 5 in their opener followed by a tough 10 – 9 loss in overtime to Stamford.Here Co-captain Brennan Beauton brings the ball up field. 

Here Senior goalkeeper Kordele Brown gets ready to pick up a loose ball in front of the net.

Their next two games are against North Branford on Saturday at home beginning at 6 p.m. and on Monday at West Haven. Here Junior Marc Funaro checks a Cross player coming up field. He had a goal and assist in the game.

It was a good win for us after two losses,” said May. ​“I was happy with our team effort on defense as well as on offense.”

There’s a tradition with this team. Assistant coach Frank Barron holds the ​“Expect to Win” sign that each player touches before the game begins. Here sophomore Robert Lionetti takes his turn. It worked!

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