The top-seeded New Canaan Rams are heading back to the FCIAC boys lacrosse championship game for the first time since 2019 after defeating rival Darien, 7-6, in a double-overtime thriller on Tuesday night at Wilton High School.
The winning goal came from an unlikely source—freshman attackman Grey Wildman, whose game-winner 45 seconds into the second overtime frame sealed the win and sent the Rams into Thursday’s final against Ridgefield. His decisive performance on the field made a statement well beyond his years.
The semifinal matchup between New Canaan and Darien—two perennial FCIAC powerhouses—was tightly contested from start to finish. Darien jumped out to an early 3-0 lead, but New Canaan showed the resilience and tactical discipline that have defined its 17-1 season. The Rams clawed back to even the score before halftime and exchanged one-goal leads with the Blue Wave throughout the second half.
Tied 6-6 at the end of regulation, both teams entered overtime with urgency and composure. It wasn’t until the second four-minute extra period that Wildman found space, worked methodically around the perimeter, and fired a low-angle shot past the Darien keeper to end the contest.
The win marked New Canaan’s 11th straight victory and came on the heels of a dominant quarterfinal showing against St. Joseph, where the Rams cruised to a 16-4 victory. Tuesday’s semifinal, however, was a different test entirely—defined by defensive pressure, elite goalkeeping, and playoff-caliber intensity. Junior goalie Cameron Lyden and sophomore Jack Crowell combined for a string of clutch saves that held Darien scoreless in both overtime periods.
New Canaan’s defensive unit remained disciplined in the face of Darien’s persistent attempts to control tempo. The Rams’ ability to win key ground balls and limit second-chance opportunities proved essential down the stretch. Faceoff specialist J.T. O’Neil was tested throughout the game but helped give the Rams the edge they needed in possession and momentum.
With the win, New Canaan sets up a rematch with Ridgefield, who defeated defending champion Staples 11-9 in the night’s earlier semifinal. The Rams had beaten the Tigers just last week at home, 15-9, in a physical contest that featured surges from both offenses and showcased New Canaan’s depth across midfield and attack.
Ridgefield enters Thursday’s final with a 15-3 record and momentum of its own, having won a triple-overtime battle over Wilton in the quarterfinals and showing poise in closing out the Wreckers. The Tigers will appear in their first FCIAC championship game since 2017 and are seeking their first title since 2009.
New Canaan, meanwhile, is chasing its first conference title since 2019 and enters the championship with the most wins in the league this season. The Rams’ only loss came in early April, and they’ve responded with consistency on both ends of the field, including during late-season tests against playoff-caliber opponents.
As the postseason narrative continues, Wildman’s emergence adds another layer to an already dynamic New Canaan roster—one led by seniors but strengthened by underclassmen who have stepped into high-pressure moments without hesitation.
The FCIAC final is scheduled for Thursday, May 29, 6:30 PM at Wilton High School, where the Rams and Tigers will meet with a conference championship on the line. With their semifinal victory over longtime rival Darien now in the rearview, New Canaan’s focus shifts forward—toward a title that has eluded them for the past five seasons, but now sits just one game away.
