Conard girls lacrosse dominates Trumbull 17–1 to advance in State Tournament.

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Conard vs. Trumbull girls lacrosse. CIAC Class LL tournament round 2. Photo credit: Jrod_Photography

By Jack Fitzgerald. Photos by Cole Schweiger and Jrod_Photography

The Conard High School girls lacrosse team sent a clear message in the second round of the CIAC Class LL tournament Tuesday afternoon, dismantling Trumbull 17–1 to advance to the quarterfinals and remain undefeated at home.

Senior captain Nicole Gorman led the charge with five goals and one assist, including her 200th career goal. Fellow senior captain Olivia Hole recorded four goals and dished out seven assists, including her 300th career assist. The Red Wolves’ offense was relentless from the first possession, and their defense held Trumbull to a single goal early in the first quarter.

Conard vs. Trumbull girls lacrosse. CIAC Class LL tournament round 2. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

“It was an amazing all-around game on both sides of the ball for us,” said Gorman. “The defense absolutely shut them down, Maya [Nanayakkara] made some great saves, and the attack capitalized when we needed to.”

Conard opened the scoring just 50 seconds in with a Gorman goal and never let up. Although Trumbull briefly tied the game, the Red Wolves responded with a flurry – CC Cersosimo, Gorman, and Hole all scored in quick succession. Gorman netted her 200th career goal on a penalty shot. Olivia Hole found Gorman cutting to the goal again to give Hole her 300th career assist. The first quarter ended 6–1, and Conard never looked back.

Conard vs. Trumbull girls lacrosse. CIAC Class LL tournament round 2. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

“Our offense was so effective today because everyone’s working together,” said head coach Megan Cersosimo. “We’ve worked all season to create space, draw slides, and find the open cutter. And the girls have bought into that – every player out there contributed to today’s win.”

The second quarter showed off the Gorman-to-Gorman connection. Sophomore midfielder Ashley Gorman opened the quarter with a goal assisted by her older sister, Nicole. Ashley Gorman scored two more times in the second, and Nicole Gorman scored once. Hole, who continued to quarterback the offense for Conard, tallied two more assists, one each to Ashley and Nicole, pushing the halftime lead to 10–1.

Conard’s defense was stifling from the second quarter on. Goalie Maya Nanayakkara finished with three saves, and defender Paige Sweeney and midfielder Courtney McPhee helped keep Trumbull’s attack scoreless for the final three quarters.

Conard vs. Trumbull girls lacrosse. CIAC Class LL tournament round 2. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

CC Cersosimo scored once and Hole scored twice to wrap up the 3rd quarter at 13-1. CC Cersosimo added another two goals in the fourth, Jaqueline Capone scored once, and Hole wrapped up her team’s dominant showing with the seventeenth goal of the day for Conard.

“Our senior leaders have been outstanding,” Coach Cersosimo said. “Nicole, Olivia, Courtney, and Kiara [Morales] have never taken a day off. They set the tone every day in practice, and it showed today.”

The Red Wolves will next travel to face Ridgefield in Friday’s quarterfinal matchup, a game they’ve had circled for weeks.

Conard vs. Trumbull girls lacrosse. CIAC Class LL tournament round 2. Photo credit: Cole Schweiger

“Our mentality since we finished the CCC tournament has been to practice like we’re already playing Ridgefield,” said Coach Cersosimo. “That kind of preparation showed today.” According to both the coaches’ poll and Laxnumbers, Ridgefield ranks as the 4th-best team in Class LL, with Conard in 5th place.

Gorman added, “Today was a very special game for not just me, but my fellow seniors and the entire team. Staying undefeated at home means everything – and we’re not done yet.”

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