At least until further notice, the Baldwinsville boys lacrosse team will lean on a high-powered attack in its pursuit of top honors in 2010.
Evidence of this path was offered Saturday afternoon, at Solvay’s Earl Hadley Stadium, where the Bees opened with a 19-13 victory over Christian Brothers Academy.
B’ville, under veteran head coach Peter Fiorini, went 10-9 a season ago, falling to Corcoran in the opening round of the Section III Class A playoffs.
Many stars return from that squad, including a trio of seniors – Billy Ward, Evan States and Dom Darcangelo – that would take turns taking CBA’s defense apart in the season opener.
At first, the Brothers kept up through a wild 6-6 first quarter where the Bees squandered 3-1 and 5-3 leads. But then the defenses took over as, for more than 10 minutes in the second period, neither side could convert.
All that changed when, with 1:51 left in the half, Ward earned his third goal off a feed from states. Just 25.7 seconds before the break, Ward returned and got his fourth goal, and it was 8-6.
Even though CBA tied it 8-8 early in the third quarter, B’ville responded with four unanswered goals to pull in front for good. Up 13-9 going into the final period, the Bees doubled the margin before the starters rested late.
States ended up with 10 points, coming from three goals and seven assists. Ward, who is going to Syracuse University next year, finished with five goals and three assists. And Darcangelo stepped up with five goals and one assists.
Elsewhere, Kyle Styer put up two goals and two assists, while Bill Rumble, Dave Middlemore, Niko Manning and Nick Ciampi each found the net, too. Combined, goalies Parker Ferrigan and Tom Lefancheck had 19 saves. Jared DePalma led CBA with five goals and two assists.
B’ville seeks its second win in a row next Thursday night, at Onondaga.