Lacrosse games are 48 minutes. Kent Denver turned the tide in a close game in a four- minute period Wednesday night to return to the boys state lacrosse title game.
The Sun Devils scored four straight goals in the fourth quarter in an 11-8 semifinal victory over Regis at All-City Stadium.
It was the fourth year in a row Kent Denver (13-3) ended Regis’ season. Two-time defending state champion Kent Denver was led by two goals each from Tim White and Josh Reichert. Nine players scored for the Sun Devils.
“I guess that means that the team wins and individuals can take a backseat sometimes,” Kent Denver coach Tom Graesser said.
The Sun Devils meet Cherry Creek in Friday’s final.
Regis (16-2) opened the scoring when Billy Deline swiped an ill-advised pass from Kent Denver goalkeeper Max Pluss and charged the open goal.
Deline, Ryan Carr and Hunter Carlson scored two goals each, and senior goalkeeper Austin Konkel stopped 17 shots.
“He’s really been the heart of our team the whole year. But I really think we let him down on the offensive end,” Regis coach Charlie Saulino said about Konkel. “It’s disappointing that the last half of your season isn’t one of your best.”
Neither team led by more than a goal until the final two minutes of the first half. Shortly after Reichert gave Kent Denver the lead for the first time at 5-4, Matt Kelsic upped the lead to two.
“We had to start putting great shots on goal to get the momentum shifted in our favor,” Reichert said.
Regis 2 2 1 3 – 8
Kent Denver 1 2 3 5 – 11
Goals – R: Carlson 2, Carr 2, Deline 2, Greenberg, Murray; KD: Reichert 2, White 2, Ferrell, Kelsic, Lockwood, Morton, Price, Pride, Reilly. Assists – R: Carlson, Carr, Duncan, Wurtzbacher; KD: White. Shots on goal – Regis 12; Kent Denver 28. Saves – Regis (Konkel) 17; Kent Denver (Pluss) 4.
