At least for now, there’s no time for sentiment or emotions – and Doug Rowe would prefer it that way.
In mid-January, more than three months before the Baldwinsville girls lacrosse team started practices, Rowe announced that the 2016 would be his last with the Bees after a quarter-century on the sidelines.
Having absorbed the news that Rowe, whose 355 career wins going into the season included a 2000 state Class A title, was stepping away, the Bees’ players could then focus on the immediate task, which was trying to reclaim the Section III title from West Genesee and fight off other top contenders, too.
B’ville’s season opened last Saturday with a trip south to face defending Section IV champion Corning-Painted Post. It was a hard-fought game, but the Bees went ahead in the late going and, getting a strong defensive effort, topped the Hawks 9-7.
All through the first half, B’ville and Corning traded runs and momentum, neither side getting away and, at the break, forging a 5-5 tie. But it was the Bees settling down on the defensive end and only surrendering two goals in those last 25 minutes.
Glory Johnson, with four goals, paced a modest B’ville attack. Maria Henwood scored twice as Peyton Fleming, Anna Mazurkiewicz and Emma States notched one goal apiece. Splitting time in the net, goalies Julia George and Madeline Curtis made six total saves.
If the Baker High School field could get cleared (the Bees are using it while the artificial turf is installed at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium), B’ville would host West Genesee Wednesday afternoon and then meet Section I power Suffern on Friday.
