Expectations for the Skaneateles boys lacrosse team for the 2012 edition of the Section III Class C playoffs are the same as in years past, even if the Lakers are in a far different position than normal.
But when the sectional tournament began on Saturday night, the Lakers were ready for it, as it proved by controlling things from start to finish in a 16-7 victory over Jordan-Elbridge in the opening round.
Accustomed to a top-three seed in seasons past, Skaneateles started the 2012 sectional tournament with a no. 7 seed and an intriguing first-round game with a J-E side that pushed them in a 14-10 decision on May 1.
No such worries would surface in the playoff encounter, though. The Lakers blanked the Eagles 4-0 in the first quarter and had a 7-0 edge by the time J-E got on the board late in the second period, cutting the margin to 7-2 at the break.
Mad that the shutout was gone, Skaneateles went out in the third quarter and doubled J-E’s output, 6-3, preventing any talk of a further comeback.
Zach Ross led the charge, putting up five goals. Brendan Major scored three times, adding an assist as Nate Scuderi and Connor O’Hara each added two goals. Tyler Strods, Jack Fabrizio and Jack Dawley got one goal apiece, with Steve Bright adding two assists.
This sets up a chance at payback when the Lakers face no. 2 seed Homer in Thursday’s Class C quarterfinal, Skaneateles having lost to the Trojans twice in the regular season by scores of 13-5 and 9-5.
The winner here gets CBA or Marcellus in Saturday’s semifinal at Cicero-North Syracuse’s Bragman Stadium, where the May 30 title game also takes place.
