New London – They spent all day in school talking about playing in the first Shoreline Conference boys' lacrosse tournament championship game.

The Old Lyme Wildcats were determined to make it a special night.

Mission accomplished.

They shook off a stubborn Morgan School, pulling away late to secure a 17-14 victory at Connecticut College.

"We wanted to make history," senior Jacob Fenton said. "We were the first team ever to touch that trophy. We're going to be the first ones ever to bring it home."

It wasn't easy.

Second-seeded Morgan dominated possession for long stretches but Old Lyme survived behind its tough defense and goalie George Doll.

The dangerous duo of Fenton and junior Henry Hunt, the Shoreline Conference Player of the year, fueled the attack. Fenton finished with three goals and four assists while Hunt had seven goals and two assists.

Neither team led by more than two goals until the fourth quarter. The Wildcats and Huskies split a pair of regular-season meetings.

"It was great competition," Fenton said. "It was tight throughout the game. .. Best team win of the season."

The hard-hitting game was deadlocked at nine heading into the final quarter.

Top-seeded Old Lyme struck for three straight goals in a three and a half minute span to take a 12-9 lead.

But Morgan quickly responded and eventually the game at 13-13 with 4:29 remaining. Chris Waterbury led the Huskies with six goals.

The rest of the game belonged to the Wildcats (15-3).

Hunt charged toward the goal and scored from a difficult angle, absorbing a body check after releasing the shot. It was the first of three goals by Old Lyme over 53 seconds.

Sophomore Ian Humphreys' third goal and junior Ashton Bohan's second goal increased the lead to 16-13.

Old Lyme weathered one last charge from Morgan and ran out the clock. Junior Ryan Powers closed out the scoring.

The Wildcats saluted coach Mike Murphy with the traditional water bucket bath.

"I've been coaching for awhile and it's nice to have a championship," Murphy said. "These guys have been resilient all year. ... When they needed to keep the lead, they made the play."

g.keefe@theday.com

Twitter: @GavinKeefe