10-Point Quarter Lifts GHS Lacrosse over Farmington

GHS senior lacrosse captain (l-r) Ryan Bell, Cole Cummings, and Kayden Hinchey following a 20-2 win over Farmington on April 25.

Glastonbury High School boys lacrosse was clearly the more aggressive and talented team during last Monday’s bout with Farmington, yet led only 3-1 after the first quarter.
           
That’s when the gong went off. 
           
The Guardians exploded for 10 points in the second quarter and held the visiting River Hawks scoreless in the frame, taking a commanding double digit lead into the break before coasting to a 20-2 victory.
           
“We were getting a lot of looks, but we weren’t really burying our shots and we knew that,” said senior attacker Kayden Hinchey, who scored three goals. “Coming into the second quarter we were fired up. We knew we could pump in some goals.”
           
Warren Channing was particularly active in the quarter, netting all of his game-high four goals in the 12 minute session. 
           
GHS head coach Scott Hinchey has been impressed with Channing, whose intimidating 6’1”, 235 pound frame has earned the nickname “Big Country” from his teammates.
           
“[Warren] has had a great year. We’ve thrown a lot at him and he’s really stepped up his game,” said coach Hinchey. “He shoots it hard and we saw today when he steps in and gets his hands free there aren’t too many goalies that are saving those shots.”
           
Hinchey, Channing, and Brady Stone are the team’s primary attackers. Stone led the team with six points—three goals and three assists. 
           
Coach Hinchey said the trio of attackers did a great job at setting the tone in the second quarter. 
           
Leading by a dozen points at the half, the Guardians added four more goals in the third, highlighted by face-off specialist Zachary Caporale, who won a draw and sprinted directly towards the goal before scoring with a powerful finish.    
           
All told, ten Guardians scored goals and 11 players contributed points. 
           
It was an impressive effort on both ends of the field. 
           
Outside of a goal late in the first quarter, the team’s starting defense completely stifled the Farmington offense. For a majority of the first three quarters, the ball was primarily in Glastonbury’s possession. 
           
Senior goalie Ryan Bell is back protecting the goal and is the undisputed leader after splitting time in net last spring.
           
“Our chemistry as a defense is a lot better than last year. Everybody likes each other and everybody is communicating with each other,” said Bell. “If we can clear the ball better, that is one of our weaknesses right now, we’ll be perfectly fine.”
           
The Guardians dominated possession, particularly in the decisive second quarter. Long stick midfielder Cole Cummings is captaining the middle and helping make life easier on Bell in the backend. 
           
After playing as a traditional midfielder a season ago, Cumming’s has settled into his new role and is the ignition behind allowing the team to do what they do best, which is use their speed in transition. 
           
“We really key off fast breaks. We try and push those to get us goals, to get us wins. We try to create a turnover on defense and push it right down field,” said Cummings. 
           
It’s a special senior class for coach Hinchey, who has been coaching the group since youth lacrosse.
 
The veteran coach is blending his experienced seniors with the next generation of underclassmen, who he was able to play in the blowout win over Farmington.
           
Freshman Dylan Larabee came off the bench and was aggressive, scoring from straight away early in the fourth. Sophomore Cayden Infantino got some time at goalie in the fourth quarter, saving a shot.   
           
“All of our guys are working hard,” said coach Hinchey. “It’s a good bunch of kids. They come out with good energy and I like how they compete every day. They enjoy being out here.”
           
For the seniors, they have their eyes set on finishing strong in May with an eye on a potential tournament run.
           
[Kayden] Hinchey called the senior his “brothers for life”, while both Cummings and Bell believe the team’s concrete chemistry is the key to a postseason push. 
           
Glastonbury finished the perfect week with wins over East Catholic (9-6) and Avon (15-7). Entering the week, the Guardians are riding a four-game winning streak and next play at home on Thurs., May 12 when they welcome rival Southington to GHS for a 5:00 p.m. start. 

​GHS senior Aidan Januario looks to pass as he defended by Farmington's Lucas Ditson during the Guardians 20-2 win on April 25.