After splitting their two matchups during the regular season, Haddam-Killingworth and Valley Regional squared off in the Shoreline Conference Boys’ Lacrosse Tournament final at the Indian River Complex in Clinton on May 25, marking the Cougars’ first appearance in the title game. Valley prevailed by a 10-6 final in the third meeting between the teams to claim the conference title.

“It was a tough loss for us. But Valley Regional played really well,” said H-K Head Coach Mark Richard. “They had a good momentum shift around the second quarter. They played a great game all around.”

Following Shorelines, the Cougars took a 10-7 loss against Rocky Hill in the Class S State Tournament. Despite these defeats, the Cougars still have plenty to feel proud about when looking at the big picture this season. H-K is only in its fifth year as a varsity program, and it endured back-to-back winless campaigns during its first two varsity seasons in 2013 and 2014. This spring, however, the Cougars had their best year yet to the tune of a 13-3 regular season record, their first berth in the Shoreline Conference championship game, and an overall mark of 14-5.

“Our seniors obviously really dedicated themselves. They are a special group of guys that are really dedicated,” said Richard. “They remembered how difficult those first couple of years were. To have a year like this, they and the whole team should be really proud.”

The Cougars struck with a pair of goals in the first quarter, but the Warriors countered with three scores and led by one after the opening stanza. Valley Regional held a 7-4 halftime advantage after outscoring H-K 4-2 in the second quarter. The Warriors won the third quarter by a 3-1 margin to lead 10-5 entering the final frame before the Cougars scored the last goal in the fourth.

Previously, in the conference semifinals, H-K defeated Morgan 12-9 on May 23. Seniors Eli Griswold and Markus Trahan were named to the All-Shoreline Conference First Team, alongside juniors Sam Purdy and Finn Miller. Sophomore Nick Burger and junior Jared Gibbons were named to the Second Team. Griswold was also selected as the Shoreline Conference Player of the Year.

The Cougars entered the Class S State Tournament as the No. 3 seed and hosted No. 14 Rocky Hill in the first round on May 31. H-K lost by a 10-7 final to finish at 14-5.