In an exciting game Thursday afternoon, Hall defeated crosstown West Hartford rival Conard in girls lacrosse.

By David Heuschkel, West Hartford Press Sports Editor

To the victors go the cupcakes. Blue ones, of course.

Hall coach Meg Chaplin had some blue frosting smeared under her eyes following a 6-5 win over Conard in a thrilling contest between the crosstown rivals Thursday, May 16, at Hall’s Chalmers Stadium on Senior Day.

“It was magical. It was meant to be,” Chaplin said before senior goalie Maya Borden dumped the water bucket over her jubilant coach.

Hall (9-6) did it with defense, holding Conard to a season low five goals. The Chieftains (10-5) came in averaging 13.8 goals per game.

Avery Polk, one of 12 seniors in Hall’s starting lineup, scored with 2:04 left to beak the tie. The Warriors possessed the ball for nearly 4 minutes before Polk drove to the net for the game winner.

Hall controlled the ensuing draw and called timeout with 1:39 left on the clock. When play resumed, the Warriors ran out the clock and rushed onto the field to celebrate.

Hall junior Chloe Nordyke scored three goals and senior captain Anne Tulikangas had two. With the Warriors trailing 4-3, Tulikangas scored on a free position to tie it with 19:21 left and Nordyke scored just 18 seconds later to put Hall on top.

It remained a one-goal game as Conard freshman goalie Emma Alford made several terrific saves. Then with 6 minutes remaining, the Chieftains tied it when freshman Sophie Lynch scored her third goal. Sophomore Colette Haverty scored Conard’s other two goals.

“I thought that Hall did a really nice job at the 50-50 balls and the draw controls,” Conard coach Meg Cersosimo said.

It was the first time Hall beat Conard since 2014. The last game between the teams that was decided by one goal was a 13-12 victory by Conard in 2010.

“I think it was heart and desire,” Chaplin said. “Credit to them. They played very, very well. They’re an excellent team, which is why we had to take it up a notch.”

Hall has won six of its last seven games, with one goal the difference in three of those victories.  The Warriors finish the regular season May 20 at Danbury.

The loss ended a seven-game win streak for Conard. The Chieftains play their final regular season game May 21 at Northwest Catholic.

Against Hall, the Chieftains played without US Lacrosse All-American Kate Shaffer, who sustained a knee injury in the overtime win against South Windsor on May 6.

Both teams have already clinched a berth in the Class L state tournament, which starts a round of play-in games May 24-25. The first round is May 28.

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