On a cold, wet Tuesday night, the Jamesville-DeWitt boys lacrosse stoked within its followers warm thoughts of what might take place down the road.
The Red Rams went to Camillus and, riding a high-powered attack, took apart West Genesee, pulling away in the second half to beat the Wildcats 16-9.
Rarely, if ever, does West Genesee gets beat at home, much less by this kind of margin. Partly, that had to do with the Wildcats integrating eight new starters into its lineup after winning its eighth consecutive Section III Class A title in 2009.
Mostly, though, it was J-D’s doing. Having advanced to the state semifinals a season ago before falling to eventual champion Canandaigua, the Rams have carried the memory of that 12-6 defeat ever since.
And from what it showed Tuesday, head coach Jamie Archer’s team will not be satisfied with anything short of a title won at Stony Brook University on Long Island come June 12.
All through the first half, WG kept up with the Rams, and even led 5-4 after Corey Herrington converted a goal late in the second quarter.
But Jake Bratek answered 24 seconds later, and less than a minute before halftime, Bratek converted again, his third goal of the night. J-D now was up 6-5 at the break – and Bratek was far from done.
After WG tied it again 6-6 early in the third quarter, Eric DeJohn converted and less that two minutes later, Bratek’s fourth goal made it 8-6. DeJohn, Tim Edwards and Cam Stone made it a 5-0 run, and J-D would not be caught.
By the time he was done, Bratek had produced six goals and one assist, DeJohn had four goals and Stone earned three goals. Rob Elbers and Joe Shepard joined Edwards with single tallies. In goal, Dan DiStefano recorded 11 saves. In defeat, WG’s John Glesener picked up three goals.
After a week of more practice, J-D has its home opener next Tuesday against Fulton before an April 8 trip to Whitesboro.
