CHERRY HILLS VILLAGE — What else would you expect out of a Cherry Creek-Kent Denver lacrosse game?
The two most storied programs in the state — which combined have accounted for nine state titles since 1999 — put on a show for a huge crowd Thursday at Justin DeSorrento Memorial Field.
In the end, Cherry Creek senior Kendall Williams fired home the winner in sudden-death overtime to push the Bruins past No. 1 Kent Denver 6-5.
“That was a great high school lacrosse game between two real good teams that worked hard the whole game,” said Creek coach Bryan Perry, whose No. 4 Bruins improved to 11-2 and have yet to lose in state. “That’s everything you want in a game, that’s for sure.”
Top-ranked Kent Denver (8-2) never led but finally drew even with the Bruins in the waning seconds. After a chaotic possession, the ball made its way to Bailey Tills at the side of Sam Arthur’s cage, and the senior buried the equalizer with 7.6 seconds left.
“Bailey is hungry for all the right reasons,” Kent coach Tom Graesser said. “Him and Matt Florence both.”
After trading overtime possessions, the Bruins worked the ball around and eventually caught the Sun Devils’ defense sagging to one side. Williams struck for the game-winner with an assist from Austin Smith.
“I saw the defense starting to rotate around in their package,” Williams said, “and started to move the ball quicker and quicker. Eventually called for it and shot it.”
Williams and Walter Dehaven each scored twice for the fourth-ranked Bruins. Arthur was impressive in goal, stopping 15 of the 20 shots he faced.
Florence and Tills each scored twice for the Sun Devils.
Jon E. Yunt: 303-954-1354, jyunt@denverpost.com or
Cherry Creek: 3 0 2 0 1 — 6
Kent Denver: 1 1 1 2 0 — 5
Cherry Creek (goals-assists): Dehaven 2-0, Keller 1-0, Lemon 0-1, Skudneski 1-0, Smith 0-1, Williams 2-1, Wurzer 0-1.
Kent Denver (goals-assists): Ja. Rassenfoss 0-1, Florence 2-0, Tills 2-1, Franklin 1-0. Saves — Cherry Creek (S. Arthur) 15; Kent Denver (Stears) 5.
