It’s already a big thing for anyone to defeat West Genesee in boys lacrosse, a rare occurrence in Mike Messere’s 41-year career full of Section III and state championships, plus multiple Hall of Fame accolades. But it’s quite another thing to beat the Wildcats in a convincing manner.
Yet that’s what Cazenovia did last Tuesday night at Morrisville State College Stadium when, with a big second-half surge, the state Class C no. 3-ranked Lakers took down West Genesee 14-7, and that margin only was made possible because the Wildcats scored twice in the latter stages when the game was out of its reach.
Early-season scares from Tully and LaFayette (which went to overtime on April 7 before Cole Willard won it) had cast some doubt about the Lakers’ capabilities, and if any opponent was to exploit an opponent’s weakness, West Genesee would do so.
Those concerns didn’t go away when, early in the second quarter, Cazenovia, up 3-1, saw that advantage disappear as WG put together a spurt of its own, scoring three times in the first four minutes to seize a 4-3 lead.
But that was the Wildcats’ last surge of the game. The Lakers’ defense adjusted in a hurry and, over much of the next two periods, gave up just one goal, with Brenden Whalen recording nine saves.
Not surprisingly, Willard offered the offensive spark with his one-handed shot in the net with 3:51 left in the half that tied it again, 4-4. A minute later, Jake Lewis, fed by Jake Stowell, scored to put Cazenovia ahead for good, and Derek White converted just before the break.
Now with a 6-4 advantage, the Lakers proceeded to put WG away with an 8-1 spurt that covered most of the second half. Willard, who finished with five goals and two assists, and Lewis, with four goals and one assist, led the charge, but they didn’t work alone.
Will Shephard and Tom Bragg both scored twice as Stowell set a career mark with five assists. Even Whalen got credit for an assists, joining Shephard in that column. Just two WG players, Tyler Shoults and Jack Howe, managed multiple goals, each scoring twice.
In a far less intense setting on Friday afternoon, Cazenovia defeated Jordan-Elbridge 14-4, though the game was 2-2 through one period before the Lakers erupted for eight unanswered goals in the second quarter.
Lewis took the reins, scoring five times and adding an assist. Bragg had three goals and two assists, with Willard and Cooper Coleman both notching a pair of goals. John Williams added a goal and two assists as Alex Nowak also found the net. Stowell and Shephard had two assists apiece.
In stark contrast to this excellence, Chittenango was still in search of a victory, and it never got close against state Class C no. 10-ranked Tully last Tuesday night, falling to the Black Knights 17-3.
By the time the Bears got on the board in the second quarter, Tully was in command, having gone out in front 5-0 during the first quarter and not letting up until it had a 12-1 halftime edge.
David Demand did score twice for Chittenango, while Jon Karbowniczak had the other goal. Tyrell Downer added an assist as Carson Maciag and Dolan Rockwood combined for 10 saves. Jake Edinger and T.J. Gibbons paced Tully, each netting four goals.
On the road at East Syracuse Minoa Thursday night, the Bears moved a lot closer to that elusive victory, making a spirited late comeback, though it fell short as it lost, 16-12, to the Spartans.
Nearly half of Chittenango’s production came in the fourth quarter, but only after ESM had built a 14-7 lead. Still, Duncan Smith earned five assists to go with his lone goal as Demand scored three times and Downer, Karbowniczak, Ben Haarman and Conner Frederick added goals. For the Spartans, Jeremy Perry got five goals and four assists.
Finally, the Bears got to the brink of the win column Saturday against Oswego, making a furious late comeback, but falling to the Buccaneers 16-15.
Steadily, Oswego built a 14-9 lead through three periods, much like ESM did. But here, the Bears roared late, seeing smith pile up seven goals and three assists and Demand get five goals, plus two assists. Downer, Karowniczak and Trevor Butler also found the net.
All of that, plus a combined 16 saves from Rockwood and Maciag, didn’t quite match what Oswego ultimately produced. Trey Clark, with seven goals and one assist, and Mark Schuffenecker, with five goals and one assist, paced the Bucs.
