All of the close calls the Skaneateles boys lacrosse team escaped from on its way to a 6-0 start this spring finally caught up to them.
The Lakers, meeting long-time rival LaFayette last Tuesday in a game moved to the turf at Onondaga Community College, never got going on the offensive end, and the Lancers took full advantage, pulling away to beat them 11-4.
LaFayette had accustomed itself to artificial surfaces during a 1-3 start that included narrow defeats to the likes of Cazenovia and Marcellus, and had played at OCC in its previous game, an April 13 come-from-behind win over Westhill.
Skaneateles, more used to the turf thanks to home games at Hyatt Stadium, played the Lancers on even terms during a 2-2 first quarter. But that changed in the second period as the Lakers could not get on the board.
LaFayette used that stretch to grab a 5-2 halftime lead, and though the Lakers did score twice in the third quarter, it got shut out the rest of the way by a much-improved Lancer defense, anchored by goalie Elliott Lyons, who made 12 saves.
Tyler Strods, in defeat, had two goals and one assist. Ryan Higman and Jack Dawley also scored, with Connor Hill adding an assist. For the most part, it was the duo of Nate Beresovoy and Brian Phillips leading LaFayette to victory, as Beresovoy managed five goals and two assists and Phillips adding four goals and one assist.
Back in action two nights later, Skaneateles also quickly returned to the win column, easily taking care of Onondaga in a 15-4 romp over the Tigers.
With a steady, relentless attack, the Lakers built a 6-2 halftime edge, and then got away from OCS with a 5-1 third-quarter outburst. Better than the production, was the variety Skaneateles showed.
Connor Gustafson stepped up with his best game yet, scoring three times and adding a pair of assists, while Owen Kuhns also had three goals. Strods had two goals and three assists, with Higman getting two goals and two assists. Hill and Dawley also had two-goal outings as Jack Fabrizio picked up one goal and one assist.
At the halfway mark of the season with its 7-1 record, Skaneateles hosts Jordan-Elbridge on Tuesday and goes to Bishop Ludden Friday before a big non-league test next Saturday at Hyatt Stadium against visiting Class A power Fayetteville-Manlius.
