It was a helpless and unfamiliar feeling. So often this spring, Canandaigua towered over its opponents. Yet there were few answers on Saturday, as Garden City poured in one goal after another.
“Obviously this wasn’t what I envisioned. I didn’t practice a concession speech this morning,” Canandaigua coach Deven York said. “You watch teams on film and then see them live and the speed they bring, and I’m impressed.”
The nationally-ranked Trojans lived up to their reputation, and for the second time in four years, Canandaigua was left wondering how to further close the gap following a 14-5 defeat in Saturday’s NYSPHSAA Class B championship game.
Twelve of Garden City’s goals came in the first half, including eight in the second quarter alone.
Meanwhile, Canandaigua — which enjoyed its finest offensive season in a decade this spring — seemed on the verge of some unfortunate history. In almost a half-century of NYSPHSAA boys lacrosse tournaments, no team has ever been shut out in the final, but that was Canandaigua’s trajectory through 24 minutes.
That changed in the second half as Canandaigua ruined Garden City’s shutout bid with four straight goals. The dam broke on AJ Sterman’s shot three minutes into the third quarter, and tallies from Drew Williamee, Patrick Olvany and Jack Stanney followed.
“We always preach a 0-0 mentality, whether we’re up or we’re down. I felt we lost that during their run,” York said. “There was a moment for all of us where we were like, ‘Wow, these guys are really tough.'”
When the teams met in the 2022 final, the then-Braves effectively stalled for much of the first half, in hopes that shortening the game would cancel out the talent gap.
That strategy worked, to a degree, but is not so easily replicable (especially with the addition of the 60-second shot clock this year). Canandaigua’s 2025 team, in comparison, prefers a more explosive style, willing to trade scoring chances.
As the saying goes, you dance with the partner that brought you. Canandaigua’s offensive-minded approach was a major reason why the team was playing in a state final, and it made little sense to change now.
“Against a team like that, you can’t turn the ball over, you have to be a little more patient on offense,” York said. “But we had gotten here by playing fast and loose. That wasn’t working against these guys today. I knew possessions were going to be an issue, but we wanted to play fast and see what happens.”
Canandaigua confident that future remains bright
Rare is the instance in interscholastic sports that a success team returns all key components. Like most, Canandaigua will lose a significant chunk of talent to graduation this year.
Among the team’s five first-team all-league selections in Monroe County, four are outgoing seniors. That includes defenseman Will Rheude, the Monroe County-III co-Player of the Year, and the team’s leader in goals (Bremer) and points (Mike Belles).
“What an incredible senior class,” York said.
Following Canandaigua’s last trip to the state final, ultimately an 8-1 loss to the Trojans, York sought avenues for improvement. What did Garden City do so well, and how can it be replicated?
As he wraps up his eighth season as head coach, he’ll have another chance to evaluate what separates the very good from the best. On Saturday, the difference was sizable. Next time, it might not be.
“Steel sharpens steel, and you get a little better every time you go a little further. I certainly feel like I got better as a coach after getting there in 2022, with what I wanted to do with the program and what we wanted from our kids,” York said. “Our process was to get better every day and grow every day. It wasn’t about scores, it was about growth. We want to keep moving that forward and get to the top of the mountain.”
By the numbers
3 — Saves for goalie Evan Scibelli. After receiving the bulk of the regular season minutes, Scibelli ceded the cage midway through the Section V tournament. Seeing his first action in a couple weeks, Scibelli entered after halftime and performed solidly.
19 — Wins for Canandaigua this spring. It’s the most since 2009, when Canandaigua won the state title.
8 — Total players that reached double-digit goals this season for Canandaigua. Senior Ryan Bremer led the way with 57.
Here’s how the game unfolded:
Canandaigua vs Garden City: Game start
Trojans win the opening faceoff. The Class B state title game is underway.
Garden City 2, Canandaigua 0: 6 minutes left in the 1st quarter
Trojans’ goals scored by Ben Smith and Anthony Asaro. Canandaigua has not registered a shot on the cage through its first two possessions.
Garden City 4, Canandaigua 0: End of the 1st quarter
Ben Smith has three goals already for Garden City. Canandaigua’s Jack Stanney and Drew Williamee both put shots on the cage late in the quarter, but both tries were swallowed up by goalie Jack Schlipf. CA also winless at the faceoff X so far in six tries.
Garden City 12, Canandaigua 0: Halftime
Garden City showing why its a nationally-ranked team. Canandaigua will start the second half a man up, following a late hit at the end of the first half.
Garden City 12, Canandaigua 2: 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter
Gray Wolves are on the board, with goals from Alan Sterman and Drew Williamee.
Garden City 12, Canandaigua 2: End of the 3rd quarter
CA called for a foul with a few seconds left in the quarter, which will carry over into the fourth.
Garden City 14, Canandaigua 5: Final
Gray Wolves finish the 2025 season with 19 wins and three losses, while Garden City claims its 10th NYSPHSAA title.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Canandaigua falls to powerful Garden City in boys lacrosse state final
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Canandaigua Daily Messenger / MPNnow
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
