Though these contests did not rise to the sort of “event” status that beating West Genesee in a game and Garden City in a scrimmage provided, the Skaneateles girls lacrosse team was not about to take anything lightly as it moved into May sitting atop the state Class C rankings.
The Lakers played amid wild weather in last Tuesday’s game against LaFayette at Hyatt Stadium, but withstood the conditions – and a shaky start – to easily beat the Lancers 16-5.
Tested by rain that flew sideways and winds that gusted to 30 miles per hour, Skaneateles didn’t put together a smooth, consistent attack in the first half, allowing LaFayette to stay within close range and only trail 6-2 at the break.
But as the second half wore on, the Lakers managed the conditions better and pulled away, led again by Kyla Sears and Hannah Powers, who managed four goals apiece as Sears added two assists and Powers one assist.
Just behind them, Molly Wood managed her own three-goal hat trick, while Alana Navaroli got two goals and three assists. Molly Newton stepped up with one goal and one assist. Nicole Beatson also had an assist.
Still at home Thursday night, Skaneateles pounded Onondaga 21-2, getting a 10-0 lead in the game’s first 10 minutes against the overwhelmed Tigers.
It was 12-0 before OCS got on the board and 15-2 by halftime, with the rest of the game a chance for the reserves to see extended action. Before that, Beatson had four goals and one assist, with Sears getting three goals and three assists. Powers and Wood also earned three-goal hat tricks, with Powers contributing a pair of assists.
Mae McGlynn scored twice as Casey VanSlyke had four assists to go with her lone tally. Makena Gorman contributed a goal and two assists. Newton, Hannah Logan and Isabella Falcone gained the other goals, with Catie Woodruff adding an assist.
This led to the toughest game a week, a Saturday-afternoon visit to Westhill, who sat at no. 18 in the state Class C rankings, but had lost 13-2 to these same Lakers at Hyatt Stadium on April 3.
Exactly one month later, Skaneateles had a few nervous moments, but more than made up for it with its potent attack as it put away the Warriors by a more lopsided 19-4 margin.
Shelby Stack put in the game’s first goal, but the 1-0 deficit lasted just 33 seconds before Powers scored to ignite a 6-0 run. After that, the Lakers slowed down a bit, and Westhill made sure it didn’t turn too lopsided, only trailing 8-3 at the half.
But that just sent Skaneateles to a higher gear. Sears, Beatson, Navaroli and VanSlyke all scored within a 5-0 flurry in the first six minutes of the second half to create a running clock, and it kept going from there.
Sears finished with five goals and two assists, while Powers scored four times, adding one assist. Navaroli earned four assists and joined Beatson, VanSlyke and Makena Gorman as they earned two goals apiece. Wood had one goal and one assist, with Logan also finding the net. In goal, Malorie Olin recorded five saves.
A couple of interesting tests awaits Skaneateles this week, including Wednesday night’s visit from main rival Marcellus (who lost to the Lakers 18-8 at home on April 1) and Friday’s trip to Cazenovia.
