Garden City routs Warwick, rolls into state Class B final

MIDDLETOWN — This was old turf for Garden City, a nine-time state champ in boys lacrosse back in the state final four after a year’s absence. This was new turf for Warwick and Section IX boys lacrosse, having never before seen one of its teams make the state final four.

The team with the track record added to it.

The Trojans came out and dominated from the start.

They scored the first 11 goals and went on to win 14-3 in this state Class B semifinal Wednesday night at Middletown High.

So they’re bound for the title round.

“It’s really hard to get to the last game, and we’re really excited to have that opportunity,” coach Steve Finnell said.

Anthony Asaro and Charlie Koester scored three goals apiece. James DeBusschere and Julian Galli each scored twice. And Ben Smith had four assists.

So Garden City (20-2) will try to make it three championships in four years when it faces Section V champ Canandaigua Academy at 5:30 p.m. Saturday at Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva.

“Last year, we went out early, (county) semifinals against Manhasset,” Koester said. “We play hard. We have a high standard and we take pride in what we do. Every day in practice, we come out and play hard.

“Obviously, this is the main goal to make it to the last game. And here we are.”

It didn’t appear like Koester was going to be here as an active player after having to leave Saturday’s Southeast Regional final against Horace Greeley with a painful left forearm injury.

“I was not in the greatest state of mind, thought my season was over,” the standout junior midfielder said. “I looked at my arm. Did not look great. And then I went to the hospital a couple of hours later and took an X-ray.

“They said I have a bone contusion and possible fracture. But I’ve just got to dog it out. It’s two more games, now one more. It’s awesome. Exciting.”

Asaro got Garden City going, making a run and scoring just 53 seconds in. Then Koester took a pass from Dan Medjid and scored nearly two minutes later. Luke Cascadden won the ensuing faceoff and scored — 3-0, 3:01 in.

Smith followed with his first assist, setting up DeBusschere.

Asaro made it 5-0.

Smith to Medjid. Galli to Koester. Smith to Galli. And Smith to DeBusschere again.

It was 9-0 after one quarter.

Cascadden was a large factor in that, winning eight of nine times at the faceoff X.

It took 46 seconds for the Trojans to find the cage in the second quarter, with Asaro converting. Then Koester hit the net with a man-up goal — 11-0.

Finally, Ryan Sullivan broke up the run for the Wildcats (16-2).

“Garden City, they’re lights out,” coach Tom Kelly said. “As far as blue blood publics in New York State, they’re the crown jewel. Just getting an opportunity to play against them is good for us to see.”