EAST SYRACUSE – True, it took three different opportunities for the Cazenovia boys lacrosse team to get the best of Marcellus.
But the third one counted the most as the no. 3 seed Lakers rode a quick start to a 12-7 victory over the Mustangs in last Tuesday’s Section III Class D semifinal at East Syracuse Minoa Stadium.
The Mustangs had beaten Cazenovia twice by narrow 7-6 and 8-7 margins in a four-day span earlier this spring, and the Lakers had needed a late comeback and overtime just to get past General Brown in the opening round May 21.
But here Cazenovia played strong defense, with Charlie Aronson, Tanner Ackermann, Ethan Isbell, Tim Eaton and Forrest Ives all working hard to break up Marcellus scoring opportunities before they got to goalie Tucker Ives.
This kept the Mustangs until the second quarter, while Cazenovia, showing far more depth and balance in its attack, kept on adding to its margin until it had built a 9-2 halftime advantage.
Making up some ground, Marcellus moved within 11-6 by the fourth quarter, but drew no closer, and what made it more satisfying for the Lakers was the way so many contributed on offense.
Marcellus was intent on containing Brody Coleman, who entered the game with 77 goals and 36 assists. And Coleman only scored twice, adding an assist, but it allowed his teammates to flourish.
D.B. Falge took the most advantage, scoring four times, while Jack Wright and Chris Vecchiarelli matched Coleman with two goals apiece. Aronson and Forrest Ives both had one goal and one assist as James LaFever also got an assist and Ives won seven of 13 face-offs.
With the win, Cazenovia earned a trip to Friday’s sectional final against no. 4 seed LaFayette, who knocked off top seed Skaneateles 17-15 in the other semifinal.