Holding the top spot in the state Class B rankings was a nice treat for the Skaneateles boys soccer team. A better treat would be to stay unbeaten and build upon its imposing mark.
And that’s exactly what the Lakers did Tuesday night on its home turf, putting together a three-goal flurry in the first half to pull away from Westhill and cruise toward a 5-1 victory over the Warriors.
Skaneateles had not played for a week, since taking out Jordan-Elbridge on Sept. 28. Yet the presence of Westhill offered some motivation, since the Warriors had put a scare into the Lakers on Sept. 14 in a 4-3 decision.
But a key defender for the Lakers, Tim Lewis, did not play in that first meeting due to injury. Lewis was out there now, combining with Zach Brownlee, Mike Richards and midfielders Ryan Farrell and Jeff Higman to fully contain the Warriors most of the night.
Though it took a bit of time for the Skaneateles attack to warm up in the wet, cold and windy conditions, in the 19th minute it seized a 1-0 lead when Spencer Parker, from 25 yards out, hit a towering shot into the top left corner of the net.
Then, in a span of 3:25 later in the half, the Lakers put together a trio of memorable goals.
Parker initiated it in the 27th minute, his free kick sliding off the hands of Westhill goalie Ryan Boyle as Alex Brownlee pounded home the rebound. Just 2:08 later, A.J. Richcihi hit a long shot into the net to make it 3-0.
To cap it off, a minute after Richichi scored, Richards struck a free kick from 35 yards out that bent inside the crossbar, out of Boyle’s reach.
With that spurt, Skaneateles effectively decided the outcome, though Sean Sobotka would put Westhill on the board with 8:52 left and Kevin Rice would answer with a goal less than two minutes later.
The scheduled Friday game between Skaneateles and Marcellus has been pushed back to later this season, possibly to Oct. 23, just before the start of the playoffs.
This means the Lakers (10-0) will play six times in the last two weeks of the regular season, including next Saturday’s visit from long-time power CBA, which follows a home game with Solvay and a trip to Bishop Grimes.
