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SOUTHBURY—With many of the state girls lacrosse giants finally where they belong in Class L, the window in Class M has opened wide open for a variety of programs.Pomperaug hopes to collect winners’ medals in a little more than a week. It’s breezed through the competition so far.The Panthers are one win away from their first state final appearance and two from a first title after routing Jonathan Law 18-5 in the Class M quarterfinals on Thursday. No. 2 Pomperaug will take on No. 3 Daniel Hand in the final four on Tuesday at a site to be determined.“We really appreciate where we are in states and we’ve been challenged throughout this season,” Pomperaug coach Danielle Tammaro said. “The girls have a lot invested in the games that we have; it was mostly heart and hustle that got us to those ground balls.”The junior tandem of Allison McCormick and Melanie Silverman combined to score seven goals in the first half (eight total) before taking turns sitting for the second with the clock running. Pomperaug (16-2) led 13-2 at the break.McCormick and Silverman have carried the Panthers’ offense all season and have cultivated a cohesive unit in that zone, Tammaro said.“What makes Al and Mel special is the connection they’re able to create with the rest of the offense,” Tammaro said. “They’ve had a lot of challenges defensively; other teams have face-guarded them and they’re still able to find their comfort spots and find each other.”Law (12-5) got on the board midway through the first half on a goal from Laura Dennigan. The Lawmen got two second-half goals from junior Colleen Goodwin.“Pomperaug is a great team and well coached,” Law coach Lynette Martinez said. “It’s good for my girls to see the level of competition out there and what to aspire to be like.”For the Panthers, the chance to claim a title remains a distinct possibility.“All of the teams left are excellent and we still have great competitors,” Tammaro said. “Everyone is hungry for that title just like us.”PANTHERS POUNCE EARLYPomperaug scored the game’s first five goals and fired eight in the first 13 minutes to comfortably settle in. The Panthers crushed SWC-rival Masuk 16-4 in the first round Tuesday.FAMILIAR FACESBoth Tammaro and Martinez played defense at Southern Connecticut State University; Tammaro — a Cheshire High grad — graduated in 2010 while Martinez — who went to Westhill — graduated in 2014.BUILDING BLOCKSLaw launched its program in 2014 and has increased its win total in each season. The Lawmen went 12-4 in the regular season to finish in first place in SCC Division II. With just three seniors on the roster this term, the future could be even brighter.“They know that everything I ask them to do is in their best interests,” Martinez said. “They’ve bought in this year and that was the difference … We only lose three seniors and bring back nine starters; the future looks bright for Jonathan Law girls lacrosse.”[email protected], twitter.com/ryanlacey11POMPERAUG 18, LAW 5LAW2 3 — 5POMPERAUG 13 5— 18Records: Law 13-5, Pomperaug 16-2. Scoring: L—Colleen Goodwin 2g; Laura Dennigan 1g; Bethany Edwards 1g; Natalie Gordon 1a; Olivia Keator 1g, 1a. P—Melanie Silverman 4g, 2a; Allison McCormick 4g, 2a; Camden Frissora 2g; Natalie Critelli 2g; Kathleen Schenk 1g; Mia Sullivan 2g; Hunter Onze 1g; Justine Troiano 1g. Goalies: P—Dana Jeanette Gridley (2 saves); L—Stella Patrick (11 saves) Records: Law 13-5; Pomperaug 16-2.

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