Well-rested, and sporting a no. 6 state Class C ranking, the Skaneateles girls lacrosse team set out Thursday to turn back the challenge of Tully, who was right behind them in that state poll at no. 7.
Needless to say, it didn’t prove easy, the Lakers nearly squandering a five-goal lead in the second half before stellar defense in the waning minutes helped preserve a 10-8 victory over the Black Knights.
Skaneateles had not played since April 12 (a loss to Section V power Canandaigua), and perhaps that rust showed in the early stages as the Lakers’ shots veered off target enough times to cause some worry.
Still, the Lakers took a 5-3 lead to the break, and threatened to pull away early in the second half as Carly Davis scored twice in a 34-second span, sparking a run where Skaneateles extended to a 9-4 advantage.
When Davis wasn’t converting (she finished with three goals), Nicole Beatson was causing lots of damage, working her way to a team-high four goals. Shelby McNeilly chimed in, scoring twice, while Emma Ford managed a goal and two assists.
All of this didn’t scare Tully, who started chipping away at that 9-4 margin, led by Ally McNerney and Allison Bolt, each of whom finished with three goals.
Just in time, though, the Lakers’ defense clamped down in the latter stages, and goalie Shannon Byrne made two point-blank stops, part of an 11-save effort, allowing Skaneateles to run out the remaining clock.
