In order for the Skaneateles girls lacrosse to get full value out of next Monday night’s big game at Marcellus, it first needed to pass two other tests against key league rivals and fellow Class C title contenders.
The first of those tests came last Monday, at Westhill, in a game that was even at halftime before the Lakers took full command in the second half to fly past the Warriors 14-6.
They were tied, 4-4, at halftime, Westhill able to slow down the game’s tempo and find modest success against the Laker defense.
However, when Skaneateles began to dominate in the draw circle in the second half, that led to more possessions and more attacks, something Westhill could not resist as the Lakers put on a 10-2 closing spurt.
Kyla Sears and Casey VanSlyke both finished with three goals. Nicole Beatson and Hannah Powers had matching totals of two goals and one assist.
Molly Wood had a goal and two assists, just ahead of Emma Ford and Alana Navaroli, who each managed one goal and one assist. Sophie Gorman notched the other goal. Malorie Olin stopped eight of the 12 shots she faced.
Two nights later, Skaneateles was scheduled to visit Cazenovia, but the same rainstorm that postponed the boys game against Manlius-Pebble Hill moved this latest Lakers clash back home to Hyatt Stadium.
Ignoring the later start time, the wind, the fog and the rain that drenched them throughout the night, Skaneateles put together its best all-around performance so far, smashing Cazenovia 14-3.
Unlike with Westhill, Skaneateles wasted little time taking control. Within five minutes, Skaneateles had a 4-0 lead, all the production it would need, as Navaroli got it started with back-to-back goals, followed by tallies from Wood and Kyla Sears.
Just as important was the way the half ended. Up 6-2, and with the wind and rain at its peak, Skaneateles put together another sustained run, Wood and Ford converting before Powers scored on a free-position goal three seconds before the horn.
With that 9-2 cushion, Skaneateles did not sit back too much in the second half, but it dictated the tempo and continued playing terrific defense. Rachel Hurley, Tate Green, Elizabeth Lane and the rest of the back line continually harassed Cazenovia attackers, so that Olin only had to make two saves.
Offensively, the depth and balance continued to show. Navaroli and Powers both scored three times, with Wood managing two goals and three assists. Ford and VanSlyke both had two goals and one assist, while Beatson and Natalie Roche also earned goals.
Friday’s game against Chittenango was part of a doubleheader with the boys lacrosse team (who faced Tully) and also served as a fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society’s Coaches vs. Cancer project.
It also proved to be a one-sided rout for the Lakers, who smashed past the Bears 21-2 by getting 13 goals in the first half and then proceeding to blank Chittenango in the second half, even after it was long settled.
In all, 12 different players would score by game’s end as Sears, with three goals and three assists, and Wood, with four goals and one assist, led the way.
Beatson had two goals and two assists, with Ford, Hannah Logan and Sophie Gorman each finding the net twice. VanSlyke managed a goal and three assists, while Navaroli had a goal and two assists. Powers and Green both finished with one goal and one assist as Catie Woodruff and Isabella Falconoe notched goals, too.
