For 12 long months, the Christian Brothers Academy girls lacrosse team had waited for the chance it will have Tuesday night at Liverpool High School Stadium when it takes on Skaneateles for the Section III Class C championship.
It was one year ago when, in a similar post-season situation, the Brothers met the Lakers and took a 12-6 beating that wasn’t even that close, given the way Skaneateles dominated.
Now, following two regular-season meetings that were split and a whole slew of twists and turns, CBA and Skaneateles are together again, the result of Thursday’s Class C semifinals played at West Genesee.
For its part, the no. 1 seed Brothers showed patience and discipline in holding off the challenge of no. 5 seed South Jefferson 11-7.
CBA could not afford to tread too lightly against South Jefferson, who knew how to handle a potent attack like the Brothers possessed. Two nights earlier, the Spartans had shut down Chittenango star Jenna Barber (just two goals and two assists) in its 11-6 quarterfinal win over the Bears.
Again, South Jefferson would try to slow things down here. By the time it did, though, CBA already the lead, one that would grow to 6-3 by halftime. For the rest of the game, the Brothers nursed that margin without a serious scare.
Caroline Webster led the way with three goals and one assist. Sophie Racciatti and Meg Hannan both had two goals and one assist, while Kara Dell’uomo also found the net twice. Marisa Romeo and Rachel Perla both had one goal and one assist as Taylor Poplawski contributed two assists and Michelle Wiese also got an assist.
When that was done, CBA watched as Skaneateles, the no. 3 seed, again put an end to the title hopes of no. 3 seed Marcellus in a 12-9 decision, setting up the final – and a chance at the Brothers’ redemption.
Two nights earlier, the Brothers mostly relied on its attack to get through the Class C quarterfinal against no. 8 seed LaFayette, beating the Lancers 21-11 at Alibrandi Stadium.
A huge first half saw CBA claim a 13-6 lead, and it would nurse that margin the rest of the way, offering timely scoring bursts whenever LaFayette tried to enter the argument.
Romeo and Racciatti each had five goals, with Romeo adding two assists. In support, Wiese and Dell’uomo put up two goals and three assists apiece, while Hannan, Webster, Corey Hucko and Maddy Calkins each had one goal and one assist. Perla also scored.
