More than two decades since it last had claimed a Section III Class A title, the Liverpool boys lacrosse team came within inches of seeing that drought it ended.
The fact that it didn’t happen – West Genesee beating the Warriors in a 6-5 overtime battle in the sectional final – has given the Warriors all the motivation it needs for the 2012 season.
Gone from head coach Mike Felice’s 17-2 squad from 2011 is several key players, including Joe Corapi, Chris Specner, Matt Savlov, Devin Clegg and Luigi Barletta. But a solid group is back, ranging from goalie Dominick Madonna to defenders Bryan Capone and Mike Czachowski, plus midfielders Austin Hope and Kyle DeAngelis.
It was the Warriors’ defense that took the feature role in last Tuesday night’s opener at East Syracuse-Minoa, shutting down the Spartans most of the night in an 11-2 victory.
Except for allowing a pair of second-quarter goals, Capone, Czachowski and the rest of the back line kept ESM from getting comfortable at any time. Madonna was sharp, too, stopping 14 of the 16 shots he faced.
Liverpool’s attack was more steady than spectacular, with three goals in each of the first three periods. Logan Thomas led the charge, with four goals, while Scott Kershner managed two goals and two assists. DeAngelis and Hope also had two-goal outings as Jamie Kuppel added one goal and one assist.
For its home opener on Saturday, Liverpool took on Essex, from Vermont, and smoothly worked its way to a 15-6 victory, steadily building a 13-4 lead through the first three periods as its attack showed some improvement.
Better yet, there was balance on the front line, with Hope (four goals, one assist), DeAngelis (three goals, two assists) and Thomas (two goals, three assists) each nabbing five points. Matt Glowacki scored twice and Kershner added a goal and two assists. Peter Flood had one goal and one assist.
Liverpool playsTuesday at rival Cicero-North Syracuse, before it hosts Auburn Thursday and goes to Marcellus for a non-league game on Saturday.
