The contrast between the efforts that the West Genesee boys lacrosse brought forth in its first two games could not be greater.
Not even 48 hours after Jamesville-DeWitt stomped them 17-9, the Wildcats went to Carthage Thursday night and looked much more like its normal self, taking out the Comets 10-4.
To be sure, the turnaround began in the middle circle. Unable to get a majority of the face-offs against J-D, the Wildcats put its best player, John Glesener, in there full-time — and he won 17 of the 18 draws, assuring that the Wildcats would full-get far more possession time in this game.
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his was a long-term project, for WG only led 3-2 at halftime. The continual attack wore down Carthage’s defense, though, and in the third quarter the Wildcats put up five unanswered goals, putting the Comets away.
Glesener, aside from his face-off domination, also had three goals, while Bob Gasparini and Casey Schattner each had two goals. Corey Herrington had a goal and two assists, with Dylan Donahue adding one goal and one assist and Matt Schattner also converting.
Showing vast improvement from the J-D game, Joe Fletcher, Pat Brown and the rest of WG’s defense did an effective whenever Carthage attacked. And Tim Birchler was superb in the net, recording 13 saves.
That improvement would continue back home on Saturday, against Pennsylvania power Downingtown East, as the Wildcats blew a late lead, yet regrouped to pull out a 9-8 victory.
Glesener and Casey Schattner worked together on face-offs this time, claiming 14 of 21 to allow the Wildcats more possession time.
This helped WG steadily pull away from a 2-2 tie in the second and third periods and move in front 8-5. However, Downingtown East rose up and, in the fourth quarter, used three unanswered goals to force an 8-8 tie.
Determined not to have back-to-back home defeats, WG got the ball back and, with 1:23 left in regulation, went in front for good when Herrington converted the game-winner.
Having a hand in more than half of WG’s scoring plays, Glesener finished with three goals and two assists, while Herrington and Gasparini picked up two goals apiece. Tim McMahon and Chris Murphy scored, too, as Donahue and Adam King joined Herrington with single assists.
