Once again, the West Genesee girls lacrosse team finds itself at no. 2 in the state Class A rankings, trailing only Christian Brothers Academy, but finding that the opponents it blazed through earlier this season might not be as docile the second time around.
That certainly was the case when the Wildcats ventured to Liverpool last Tuesday night in a game that got off to a horrible start for the visitors before it regrouped, dominated the game’s middle stages and went on to beat the Warriors 12-7.
This was the same Liverpool side WG had rolled past 12-1 on April 21, but the Warriors made sure the sequel was different by jumping out to a 3-0 lead early in the first half, one of the largest deficits the Wildcats had faced all season.
Soon enough, though, WG’s all-around game began to take form, and it finished the half on a 5-0 run of its own to go in front for good. Still, it didn’t take that lead lightly, eventually building its margin to 11-4 at one point in the second half before Liverpool made a belated charge.
Madisyn Kittell (four goals, one assist) and Mackenzie Baker (two goals, four assists) led the way, with Nicky Delany scoring three times. Kyra Bednaraski had two goals and one assist, while Emily Salanger got the other goal and Catherine Farrell contributed an assist.
For Liverpool, Kyrstyna Sterio had three goals, and Brittany Halpin, added two goals and one assist. Maggie Tassone got a goal and three assists. Veronica Brancato had the other goal and Marissa Madonna was sensational in the net, recording 13 saves, though WG counterpart Mackenzie Kittell had nine saves.
Now WG would pay a Thursday visit to Baldwinsville, perhaps the last time it would face off against the Bees’ long-time head coach, Doug Rowe, who is stepping down at season’s end.
Having only beaten the Bees 10-7 in their early-April meeting, the Wildcats wanted a more convincing result this time around – and got it, taking charge late in the first half and not letting up until it had prevailed by a 17-5 margin.
Through the game’s first 12 minutes, the fired-up Bees gave WG all kinds of trouble and, with a trio of goals, grabbed a 3-2 lead. But that would be the high point.
Bednarski’s goal tied it midway through the first half, igniting a 6-1 run that mostly featured the work of Mackenzie Baker and Madisyn Kittell, though it was Cecilia Procopio finding the net right before halftime to make it 8-4.
Fired up by that run, WG pulled clear in the second half as Baker piled up three goals and five assists, with Kittell and Meager each scoring four times. Procopio and Delany both had two goals as Julia Williams joined Bednarski in the one-goal column. Salanger, Abby Collins and Jane Howes had one assist apiece.
WG would take on Class C power South Jefferson in Tuesday night’s regular-season finale at Mike Messere Field. The Section III playoffs start later in the week, though the Wildcats are likely to rest until the following week.
