When Skaneateles and Westhill, the last two Section III Class B boys soccer champions, gathered last Saturday at Hyatt Stadium, the heat and humidity was a clear winner, but neither human side would prevail.
In fact, it would end in a 0-0 draw, an indication that, while the Lakers still had to like its chances of repeating its sectional title, the Warriors were bent on getting the crown back.
During its first three games (easy wins over Carthage, General Brown and Jordan-Elbridge), Westhill had outscored its opponents by a combined 18-0, mirroring the kind of aggression Skaneateles showed when it beat CBA 4-2 in its Sept. 1 opener.
Through 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime, the defenses ruled. Westhill focused on containing Skaneateles forward Sam Clymer, who netted three goals in a 4-2 win over CBA earlier that week.
It worked, as Clymer could not convert and no one else on the Lakers did, too. Westhill goalie Antonio Scrimale stopped all nine shots he faced.
But none of the Warriors’ six attempts got past Sam Smith, either, and the two sides would have to wait until an Oct. 1 rematch at Westhill to see if someone would prevail.
Skaneateles had its first road test last Tuesday night, at Solvay, and it was stressful for a while, but the Lakers kept the Bearcats off the board and claimed a 2-0 victory.
Patience was important to Skaneateles, who saw Solvay goalie Joe Reale stop them nine times. But Sam Duggan and Matt Oliver were able to put shots past Reale, while Clymer earned an assist. Smith recorded four saves for his latest shutout.
This leads to next week’s league action where the Lakers host Jordan-Elbridge on Tuesday before visiting rival Marcellus on Sept. 17.