When the first state Class C girls lacrosse rankings came out early last week, Bishop Ludden’s fast start put them all the way up at no. 3, its highest-ever ranking, with its neighbors from Marcellus right behind the Gaelic Knights at the no. 4 position.
But while the Mustangs had little trouble backing up that lofty standing in the days that followed, Ludden had to deal with the team on top – Skaneateles – and was dealt its first blemish, unable to keep up with the Lakers last Tuesday afternoon in a 15-3 defeat.
One hope that the Gaelic Knights carried was that conditions – grass, possibly mixed in with wind and rain – would slow up the Lakers, and that Skaneateles might have a letdown after its dramatic 6-5 overtime win over West Genesee on April 19.
It all proved wishful thinking, though. Skaneateles was steady and relentless as it worked its way to an 8-2 halftime advantage, and it never let the Gaelic Knights into the argument thanks to winning draws and playing tight, physical defense.
Seanna Laneve managed two of Ludden’s three goals, with Teresa Shattuck earning the other. Gemma O’Kane added an assist. Meg Farrell, in goal, recorded 11 saves, but the Lakers still rolled as Hannah Powers (who had the winning goal in OT against West Genesee) and Nicole Beatson led the visitors with four goals apiece.
Two days later, Ludden looked to bounce back when it played Cazenovia on the Christakos Field turf at Cazenovia College, but instead it took an 11-6 defeat to those other Lakers.
Both teams were quiet at the start, and the Gaelic Knights led, 2-1, deep into the first half. Then Audrey Burbidge put home the tying goal and Grace Milmoe’s conversion at the 20:04 mark gave the Lakers the lead for keeps.
By halftime, the Gaelic Knights trailed 5-3. After Ludden cut the gap to 5-4 early in the second half, Matt struck twice more, giving her the hat trick and Cazenovia a 7-4 cushion.
Once more, the Lakers traded one goal for two, as the Gaelic Knights pulled within 7-5, only to have Keeley Race score before Jessie Matt found the net a fourth time, doubling the margin to 9-5.
No matter what Ludden tried, Cazenovia always pushed further away, capping things with late goals from Burbidge (her third of the game) and Madison Gabor. Matt, in addition to her four goals, got a pair of assists, as did Race.
Shattuck carried Ludden’s attack for most of the game, scoring twice and adding three assists. Jenn Vazqueaz also had two goals, with Laneve and Kellie Byrne earning the others. Farrell finished with 11 saves.
Needing to break its sudden skid, Ludden did so on Saturday, holding off Cortland 10-7 as it gained its margin through a 7-4 first half and then slowed the game down, not letting the Purple Tigers have enough possession time to make up the difference.
Shattuck scored three times, adding a pair of assists. Vazquez got two goals, while Gemma O’Kane returned to form with a goal and two assists. Laneve, Byrne, Molly McNerny and Nicole Granteed earned single goals as Laneve and Byrne added assists.
