Entering the last full week of the regular season, the Jordan-Elbridge boys lacrosse team carried a 3-9 record, but would get wins on back-to-back days.
The Eagles first broke out last Wednesday night, outscoring Tully 16-13. It was a wild affair, the Eagles leading 5-2 before the Black Knights went on an 8-2 tear through the second quarter to seize a 10-7 halftime lead.
Somehow, the Eagles fought back, erasing most of the deficit in the third period and closing on a 5-1 run behind a three-pronged attack. Zach Wagner led with four goals, while Cody Lewis had three goals and two assists and Gale Thorpe also found the net three times.
Leland Holmes helped out, too, scoring twice as Aurie Schwarting and Matt Somes each picked up two assists. Logan Smart, Mike McDonald and Sean Ryan had the other goals as Noland Michaels recorded 13 saves. In defeat, Tully’s Syrrus Nash had six goals and four assists.
A day later, the Eagles made it back-to-back wins, bashing Manlius-Pebble Hill 17-8. J-E, already with a 6-3 lead after a productive first quarter, pulled away in the middle two periods, outscoring the Trojans 8-2.
Thorpe stepped up the most, earning seven goals and one assist, while Lewis poured in five goals and earned an assist, too. Austin Clifford chimed in, scoring twice, while Wagner had two assists. Somes, Schwarting and Holmes earned the other goals.
Meanwhile, Westhill started its week with a 16-6 loss to Homer, unable to recover from the state Class C no. 9-ranked Trojans’ 7-1 surge through the second quarter.
It was 15-3 by the fourth quarter as Brandon Maxson, Sean Ferrito and Conner Johnston each had three goals for Homer. Austin Webb was the only Warrior player to score twice, while Ryan Suddaby, Mark Purcell, Owen Nicola and Richie Easterly had one goal apiece.
When the Warriors faced state no. 7-ranked Christian Brothers Academy Friday night at Alibrandi Stadium, much the same was expected – but instead, the Warriors jumped all over the Brothers and did not stop until it had earned a surprisingly easy 13-6 victory.
Catching CBA just after a draining loss to Cazenovia two nights earlier, Westhill stayed on close terms throughout the first half, inching into a 6-5 lead at the break.
But the Warriors saved the real magic for the third quarter, dominating face-offs and possession time and burning the brothers for five unanswered goals to pull away.
Webb had four goals, with Nicola managing three goals and two assists and Luke Longo also getting a three-goal hat trick. Easterly helped out with four assists as Suddaby put in two goals and Jack Centore earned a single tally.
