Conard High School hosted Avon Wednesday afternoon in West Hartford in girls lacrosse.

Shea McCann works around Avon’s Missy Blaha during Conard’s 13-3 win on Wednesday. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

By Paul Palmer

Conard High School girl’s lacrosse coach Meg Cersosimo describes her team as “young, athletic, and talented.”

All three of those were on full display Wednesday as the Chieftains cruised to a 13-3 Central Connecticut Conference (CCC) win over Avon. Senior attack Coco Haverty scored seven of Conard’s goals in the lopsided affair.

Conard senior Coco Haverty steps up on defense against an Avon ball carrier in Wednesday’s game. Haverty scored seven goals in the 13-3 win. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

It took the home side just 1:12 to open the scoring when Haverty netted her first. That was followed about four minutes later with Bridie Drummey’s goal, and just two minutes 20 seconds later it was Shea McCann scoring the first of her two goals.

McCann’s second one came just 34 seconds later. Haverty would score the Chieftains next three goals in just under four minutes for the 7-0 lead halfway into the first half.

“Coco is very smart, sneaky in the crease,” said Cersosimo. “Her first step is very fast.”

Fast is a good way to describe how Conard played the entire game. They dominated time of possession, working play after play from behind the net for scoring chances and goals. On the rare occasions when Avon had possession, Conard players were sprinting to the ball en masse, choking off any attempts to build any momentum.

It was all just the way Cersosimo drew it up. “We executed our game plan. I was happy we stayed on plan,” she said.

Conard starting goalie Emma Alford is up to the task on an Avon 8-meter shot. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Conard built a 10-0 lead at the intermission, but Avon came out strong in the second half. The Falcons finally found the back of the net just under nine minutes into the half when Ashley Blackmore scored. That goal was followed 20 seconds later by Avon’s second tally when Kalista Fontanella beat Nora Reardon who had come into the Conard net after the first goal.

That second score woke up the home team, and Haverty scored her sixth of the game, first of the half 19 seconds later, and Drummey netted her second of the game less than two minutes later.

Haverty scored her final goal at 5:17 of the half, and Avon would close out the scoring with just 2:34 to go when Blackmore would score her second on the day.

Despite the one-sided score and domination by Conard, Cersosimo knows her team needs to get its motivation from inside. “Every day is a battle,” she said. “We have to be locked on every day, and in every CCC game.”

The Chieftains moved to 4-2 with the win and pushed their win streak to three games. They have little time to celebrate the victory, however, as they are scheduled to face East Catholic on Thursday.

Conard senior Coco Haverty moves the ball upfield. Haverty scored seven goals in the 13-3 win. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Conard’s Gracelyn Williams turns the corner on Avon’s Sabrina Robaczynski as the Chieftain’s Bridie Drummey looks on. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Freshman Gracelyn Williams squares up to Avon goalie Isabella Griffiths during Conard’s 13-3 win. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Junior attacker Sophia Lynch carries the ball. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Conard’s Coco Haverty watches one of her seven goals go in. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

Conard defender Lilliana Sardilli gains possession of the ball ahead of an Avon attacker. Conard vs. Avon girls lacrosse. April 28, 2021. Photo credit: Paul Palmer

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