Due to its dramatic 9-8 victory over Skaneateles in the Section III Class C final, the Christian Brothers Academy girls lacrosse team advanced into the state playoffs, needing to win twice more to earn a trip back to SUNY-Cortland for this weekend’s state final four.
And both of those victories were easily attained, a stark contrast to the tension felt when the Brothers squeaked past the Lakers.
In the first regional round on Thursday night at SUNY-Canton CBA took out Section X champion Massena 21-6, scoring the game’s first 10 goals and roaring to a 15-3 halftime lead, using everyone on the roster by the time it was done.
Taylor Poplawski had three goals and three assists, with Sophie Racciatti getting two goals and four assists. Webster, who had two assists, and Perla also managed three-goal hat tricks as Marisa Romeo picked up two goals and three assists.
It didn’t stop there, as Michelle Wiese and Kara Dell’uomo both picked up two goals and one assist and Meg Hannan also found the net twice. Alyssa Pitonzo and Maddie Cook had single goals as Alexa Radziewicz, Alyssa Pitonzo and Emily Ehle earned one assist apiece.
Now CBA had to travel to Corning’s Memorial Stadium for Saturday’s regional final against Section IV champion Owego. And this proved another one-sided affair as the Brothers did whatever it wanted in the first half and cruised to a 21-4 victory.
Owego simply could not get the ball in the first half. Led by Romeo, CBA dominated in the draw circle, earning possession time that translated into constant attacks and constant conversions.
It was 14-0 by the time they reached the break, and once again production got spread around. Maddie Cook, in extended minutes, set a career mark with four goals and one assist. Romeo had three goals and three assists (just as she did against Sknaeateles), while Perla had her second straight three-goal outing.
Webster and Poplawski also managed three goals as Racciatti picked up two goals and one assist. Dell’uomo, Maddy Calkins and Rachel Vercillo nabbed the other tallies, with Ehle adding two assists. Hannan and Alyssa Pitonzo picked up assists.
This Friday morning at 9:30 a.m., the Brothers go to SUNY-Cortland to play in the state semifinal, looking to advance to the title game 24 hours later and get a chance for back-to-back state crowns.
