Essentially, the Skaneateles boys soccer regular season consists of two condensed parts, and right now it’s at the end of that first portion.

Already, the Lakers, who grabbed the no. 9 spot in the first state Class B rankings of the fall, have played seven times, going 5-2. But it was clear that, at the end of this early stretch, the quality of the team’s play fell off.

During the Sept. 12-13 Finger Lakes Cup, Skaneateles, 4-0 going into the tournament, saw its defense take major hits in losses to Rochester Aquinas (3-0) and West Genesee (4-3), which followed a streak where it had not allowed a goal in any of its first four games.

By the time the Lakers visited Jordan-Elbridge Monday night, it was playing for the fourth time in six days. Desperate to break its skid, and knowing an extended break lay ahead, Skaneateles put together a steady, solid effort and shut out the Eagles 4-0.

Though sporting a 2-3 record, J-E had improved from recent struggles, and may have figured that the Lakers were a bit fatigued. But from the outset, the Eagles were in a defensive mode.

Skaneateles battled its way to a 2-0 halftime lead, and then doubled that margin in the last 40 minutes, seeing Andrew Weiss lead the way as he scored twice.

James Motyl and Max Messie put in the other goals from the Lakers, while Sam Clymer, Eli Goodell and Jack VanSlyke had one assist apiece. Mostly, the Lakers’ defense kept things quiet, Billy Patrick and Jacob Peterson only having to make one save apiece.

And now comes that rest period – 10 days in all. Skaneateles will mix in hard practices with some time off, and then get back on the field Sept. 25 at Phoenix, with its home schedule to resume Sept. 30 against Cortland.