The South Windsor boys’ lacrosse team dominated Tolland in a commanding 17–3 victory on Monday, April 21st, with standout performances from Jalen Canales, Carter Cornish, and Mason DeCiantis.
The team brought intensity from the first whistle to the last, even giving younger players a chance to shine in the fourth quarter.
Senior Jalen Canales capped off a memorable season by reaching a career milestone of 100 points in high school lacrosse, scoring his 100th goal against Tolland, just like Max Plunske did last year
“It felt like a long road,” Canales said. “It was tough not playing my freshman year and being very limited my sophomore year, but last year I really locked in with the sport and with the team, and I think it is one of my greatest accomplishments in high school.”
Canales faced a tough setback when he pulled his hamstring, sidelining him for a week. But that didn’t stop him from chasing what he wanted most. No matter the weather, rain or scorching heat, he showed up to every practice, stick in hand, constantly working on his shot and perfecting passes with both his left and right hand.
“There was a lot of pressure under me to get it because I wanted to score on a goal, but once I saw the opportunity, I took it, and it felt very good to finally achieve the goal I’ve been working so hard for,” Canales said.
When asked about Jalen’s performance and reaching his 100th point, teammate Mason DeCiantis said, “Jalen played really well. Even with his hamstring injury, he gave it his all. I’m proud to have been by his side throughout his career and to see him finally reach his goal.”
Canales was determined to leave it all on the field, scoring six goals and adding an assist. For his 100th point, he wanted it to be all his. No assist, no setup, just him and his stick. So, he did what any determined athlete would do: he took the ball at X, drove through three defenders, absorbing slashes and hits along the way. But his grit proved unstoppable. He powered through the defense, met the goalie at the crease, and sealed the moment with a crease crank that brought the crowd to its feet.
