A simple dilemma — namely, how to follow a perfect season – confronts the West Genesee girls lacrosse team in 2008. It’s a problem every other team wishes it could face.
All the Wildcats did in 2007 was (1) go undefeated, (2) break the long win streak of national powerhouse Mount Hebron in Maryland, (3) win the fourth state Class A championship in the program’s history and (4) finish as the nation’s top-ranked team.
Such feats cannot be topped, only matched. And the task is more difficult when starters like Lauren Burgoon, Maggie Yackel, Chrissie Hanley, Colleen Bubnack, Sarah Kuonen, Bekah Elmer and Rachel Lasda depart.
Still, head coach Bob Elmer has a lot to work with, from veteran Kelly Fucillo in goal to Kiersten Tupper serving as the new anchor of WG’s attack. And the expectations remain the same — anything less than a championship would be a disappointment.
To that end, WG began the ’08 campaign last Tuesday night, in Camillus, by taking apart Penfield (Section V) in a 19-3 romp.
Penfield made it to the state Class semifinals in 2007, falling in the semifinals to Farmingdale, but that meant little on this night.
Avoiding most of the early-season jitters, WG raced out to a 12-0 lead by halftime, allowing most of the roster to see some game action.
Tupper set a new career mark with seven assists, helping to set up a variety of teammates. Maria DiFato, Lauren Welch and Kellyn Savage each rendered three-goal hat tricks, with DiFato and Welch gaining two assists apiece.
Elsewhere, Amanda Cizenski, Karen Bianchi and Bre Hudgins each scored twice, while Sarah Brown, Ariel Kramer, Karlyn Tupper and Carly Montondo rendered single goals. Motondo also had two assists.
WG takes on Jamesville-DeWitt Thursday night, also in Camillus.
