After a challenging week that saw Ridgefield High School’s boys lacrosse team drop back-to-back games to FCIAC rival Staples and national prep-school powerhouse Brunswick, the Tigers responded with authority this past week, posting two impressive victories to get back on the winning track. With the wins, Ridgefield improved to 7-2 overall and 2-1 in the FCIAC, regaining momentum as they head into the second half of the regular season.
Sophomore Chris Colsey was the offensive story of the week, netting nine goals over the two games — including a five-goal performance in the win over Rye. Colsey’s elite scoring ability and poise under pressure set the tone for Ridgefield, and he’s showing the ability to put the team on his back as the Tigers get deeper into the 2025 campaign.
Dominant Win Over Greenwich
Ridgefield 17, Greenwich 7
On Thursday night at Tiger Hollow, Ridgefield delivered a statement win, overwhelming Greenwich High School 17-7 in a game that was decided by halftime.
The Tigers wasted no time setting the tone, with Des Couri, Andrew Fitzpatrick, and Levi Kessler each scoring in the first quarter to stake Ridgefield to an early 3-1 lead. From there, the offense exploded in the second quarter. Jake Carney, Kessler, Couri, Tommy Lunn, Colsey, and Andrew Lycoyannis all scored during a nine-goal barrage, helping Ridgefield build an insurmountable 12-2 halftime lead.
Colsey finished with four goals and two assists to lead all scorers, while Carney (three goals, one assist) and Kessler (two goals, one assist) also turned in big games. Ridgefield showed excellent ball movement, with nine different players finding the net and assists coming from all over the field.
Brandon Penn was outstanding at the faceoff X, winning 13 of 18 draws to keep Ridgefield on the attack. Goalie Dylan Penn made 10 saves before yielding late to Sebastian Miller, who added two stops.
Gritty Triumph at Rye
Ridgefield 10, Rye 8
If Thursday’s win was about offensive fireworks, Saturday night’s non-conference showdown at Rye High School was about heart, toughness, and resilience. Facing a Rye squad loaded with Division 1 commits and ranked No. 1 in New York’s Section 1 and No. 5 statewide by one well-known lacrosse website, Ridgefield stood tall in a hard-fought 10-8 victory that showcased the Tigers’ mental and physical toughness.
Rye — featuring players committed to Princeton, Notre Dame, Georgetown, Harvard, and Penn — pushed Ridgefield from the opening whistle. The Garnets’ aggressive defensive play and high-end athleticism kept the Tigers from ever feeling comfortable.
The teams traded blows all night; while Ridgefield led much of the way, they never led by more than two goals and the game was tied at three separate points. The nailbiting extended well into the fourth quarter as Rye’s athletic midfielder Tyler McDermott (committed to Princeton) scored twice to pull the Garnets within a goal at 9-8. But Ridgefield’s defense dug deep, and Dylan Penn came up huge between the pipes, making several clutch saves down the stretch.
Brandon Penn provided late insurance, dodging from X to his right followed by a beautiful inside roll to beat his defender and slipping a shot past Rye goalie Ty Ramachandran — finally allowing the Ridgefield faithful in attendance to exhale.
The Next Two Weeks for the Tigers
With a successful week under their belt, here’s a quick preview of the Tigers’ upcoming schedule:
- Tuesday, April 29, 4:30 pm, at Norwalk: The Tigers will look to continue their winning ways on the road back in the FCIAC against a Norwalk team that will be eager to prove themselves.
- Tuesday, May 6, 6:00 pm, at Yorktown: The Tigers head back across the state line to battle Yorktown, a longtime New York lacrosse power.
- Thursday, May 8, 6:30 pm, vs Darien: Ridgefield returns to Tiger Hollow for their most important matchup of the season to date. The outcome against the Blue Wave will help decide FCIAC supremacy in 2025.
Season Scoring Leaders
Jake Carney
- Points: 35 | Goals: 26 | Assists: 9
Chris Colsey
- Points: 26 | Goals: 20 | Assists: 6
Levi Kessler
- Points: 22 | Goals: 15 | Assists: 7
Des Couri
- Points: 16 | Goals: 10 | Assists: 6
Walker Fiore
Points: 13 | Goals: 6 | Assists: 7
Photo shows Chris Colsey on the ride vs Greenwich (photo credit: Kelly Kristan)