When it earned back-to-back victories over Cazenovia an d Skaneateles, the Westhill boys soccer team found itself in the same position as it was during its 2018 state title run – in front, and everyone’s biggest target.
The Warriors’ climb to the top of the state Class B rankings only added to that pressure, and it didn’t help that another main rival, Marcellus, would arrive to challenge them last Monday night, sporting its own 4-0 record.
As it turned out, it was the Mustangs that would solve the Warriors, claiming a tense 1-0 decision to stake its own claim as the area’s Class B team to beat.
Despite its own 4-0 start, Marcellus was unranked going into the game, and perhaps that fact motivated the visitors because, in the first half, it took full advantage of a rare opportunity as Brett Beal put a shot past Westhill goalie Ian Prebish.
From there, it belonged to the defenses. The Mustangs rarely got another scoring chance, but its back line did such a good job of protection that Cory Cangemi only had to make two saves for the shutout.
Not having a letdown, Marcellus ripped Oneida 6-0 two days later, and it was a showcase for Ryan Lundrigan, who took the Indians’ defense apart as he poured in a career-best four goals. Dakota Baker and Quinten Weaver also scored, with assists going to Beal, Tristan Jarvi and Ryan Moses.
In Friday’s game against 5-1 Chittenango, the Mustangs made it seven wins in a row, beating the Bears 4-1 as it was Matt Kershaw twice finding the net, helped by single goals from Jarvi and Josh Wilkinson. Baker and Lundrigan had one assist apiece.
Skaneateles had little trouble rebounding from its defeat to Westhill, the Lakers racing out to a comfortable lead on Mexico last Tuesday night and going on to blank the Tigers 2-0.
Mexico could not contain Tylar Moss, who notched three goals for the hat trick. Jack Donovan had the other goal, with assists credited to Noah O’Connor, Landon Hellwig and Colin Gaglione.
While Marcellus was beating Westhill, West Genesee was at home, trying to upend Baldwinsville, who won the sectional and regional Class AA titles a year ago.
And it almost worked, the Wildcats keeping the Bees off the scoreboard for most of the night despite only having five shots to the opponents’ 2-0. Only a goal in the final minutes of regulation by Gavin O’Connor allowed B’ville to prevail 1-0.
In an overtime thriller, Bishop Ludden beat Tully 2-1, having surrendered a 1-0 lead in the second half but still getting the overtime game-winner, set up by Michael Gaughan, who assisted on both of the Gaelic Knights’ goals, one by Roberto Scutari, the other by Charlie Colella. Each of Jim McGarvey’s five saves proved important.
Ludden had an easier time of it in Thursday’s 5-0 shutout of Cato-Meridian, getting four of those goals in the first half as Gaughan finished with two goals and one assist. Colella, Luke Infanti and Liam Mahar also found the net.
Jordan-Elbridge was shut down by Chittenango last Tuesday in a 7-0 defeat, with Keegan Ferris and Jon Salmonsen having to make 16 saves between them as Sean Larsson, Owen Bailey and Arthur Paul each scored twice for the Bears.
Solvay broke open a scoreless battle with Phoenix last Tuesday by getting a big second half to defeat the Firebirds 3-0.
David O’Toole led the Bearcats’ late push, not only getting a goal, but assisting on both of Solvay’s other scoring plays as Ed Matysuk and Jacob Barndollar found the net. Goalie Jonathan Gonzalez Perez stopped all five Phoenix shots he faced.
Against Homer on Friday, an early goal proved enough for Solvay to edge the Trojans 1-0. Matysuk’s first-half tally held up as, once more, Gonzalez Perez made five saves to gain the shutout.
J-E, Meanwhile, was at Cazenovia, giving up five goals in the first half of a 5-1 defeat to the Eagles as Max Michael led those other Lakers by scoring twice.
