This is, arguably, the strongest period in the history of Christian Brothers Academy lacrosse, with a girls team offereing a strong defense of its state Class C championship and a boys side determined to make its own championship push.
Both inside and outside of league play, the CBA girls make an impression, as it showed again Saturday by going to Fayetteville-Manlius and romping past the Hornets 18-7.
Even though the Hornets’ defense had impressed by beating Baldwinsville 10-9 earlier in the week, CBA’s attack easily solved them in a fast-paced first half, racing out to a 14-4 lead before things cooled down in the late going.
Just five players were responsible, too. Taylor Poplawski had five goals and three assists, with Marisa Romeo also finding the net five times. Kara Dell’uomo got three goals and two assists, while Caroline Webster chimed with three goals and one assist. Sophie Racciatti had the other two goals.
The CBA girls, who sat at no. 2 in the last state Class C poll, began its week by going to Jordan-Elbridge and ripping past the Eagles 19-4.
Blazing through the first half, the Brothers built an 11-3 lead and kept adding to it later, led by Romeo, who had five goals and two assists, and Webster, who managed three goals and five assists.
Racciatti chimed in with three goals and one assist. Olivia Pitonzo stepped up, scoring twice and adding an assist as Poplawski, Dell’uomo, Emily Ehle and Rachel Perla each got one goal and one assist. Maddie Cook and Rachel Vercillo earned goals, too.
That offensive charge continued back home on Thursday night, against LaFayette, as the Brothers pushed past the Lancers 21-10.
LaFayette features its own strong attack, and it didn’t disappoint as teammates Cassley Jackowski and Emly Peebles both finished with four goals.
CBA still had too much, though, tearing to a 13-5 halftime lead. Webster scored five times, while Poplawski and Romeo both managed four goals and combined for five assists. Dell’uomo earned two goals and two assists, Cook found the net twice and Pitonzo got a goal and two assists. Racciatti and Meg Hannan added single goals.
As for the CBA boys, after splitting two games in an April 13-14 trip to the Philadelphia area, it returned to league action last Tuesday and handled Westhill 16-11 at Alibrandi Stadium.
Off to a 4-0 start, Westhill was confident early, outscoring the Brothers 6-4 in the first quarter. Just as quickly, though, the Warriors cooled off, only getting one goal in the next two periods as CBA steadily gained a 14-7 lead.
Again, Cody Radziewicz could not be stopped, scoring six times and adding three assists, while Nick Papayanakos managed four goals. Braedon Gait set a new career mark with three goals as Joe Dalfo got two goals and two assists. Shane Murphy also contributed a pair of assists as John-Michael Duby picked up the other goal.
Now the Brothers got some much-needed rest before three games this week against Manlius-Pebble Hill, Bishop Ludden and Tully. CBAs’ girls met the combined Bishop Ludden/Bishop Grimes squad Tuesday and rested before Saturday’s visit from Tully.
