Forget about this area, or even this state. The West Genesee girls lacrosse team might be better than anyone in the United States.
Such thoughts, even with a team of this caliber, would have been absurd prior to the Wildcats’ weekend venture to Maryland.
But after WG ripped Mount Hebron, 14-6, ending that school’s incredible six-year win streak right in their backyard, the high praise might become too modest.
Going in, the Wildcats knew about Mount Hebron’s legend. It had last lost to St. Stephen/St. Agnes — in May 2001. Since that time, the Vikings had reeled off 103 consecutive victories, as no one in Maryland, or anywhere else, could touch them.
Mount Hebron would also start quickly here, too, but as Bekah Elmer began to dominate the draws and WG would camp out in the Vikings’ end, the fortunes would drastically change.
By halftime, the Wildcats had a comfortable lead, but did not act like it was comfortable. It kept on attacking, adding to its margin, and with stars like Nicole Perkins, Amanda Corso and Maggie Yackel excelling on defense and Kelly Fucillo earning 14 saves, WG would make some history.
On the offensive side, Colleen Bubnack led the way with four goals and one assist. Sarah Kuonen would produce her own three-goal hat trick, while Elmer and Lauren Burgoon got two goals apiece. Maria DiFato, Ariel Kramer and Chrissie Hanley earned single goals, with Kiersten Tupper contributing two assists.
A day earlier, WG fought past St. Mary’s, 10-3, overcoming a sluggish first half (due in no small part to the long bus ride to get there) to take charge in the late going.
Kuonen and Kramer each scored twice, with Tupper backing up her single tally with two assists. Bubnack, Burgoon, Elmer, Hanley and Lauren Welch took turns finding the net to help out.
This remarkable trip culminated a great week for the Wildcats that included a 13-4 pasting of Fayetteville-Manlius in its first encounter with the Hornets since last year’s Section III Class A final.
It served as a stark reminder to all future foes that, even without a key part of its lethal formula, WG could still dominate. Kuonen, wishing to save herself for the high-profile games in Maryland, sat out with a minor injury. It didn’t matter one bit.
These two rivals will meet again May 8, in Camillus. In the meantime, WG went to Maryland, conquered the legend of Mount Hebron — and then returned home for games against Oswego and Henninger/Nottingham.
