Of all the milestones the Baldwinsville girls lacrosse team would run across in Doug Rowe’s last season as head coach, the final encounter with West Genesee would carry a particular meaning.
After all, it was the Wildcats who, 15 years ago, began its long reign atop the Section III and state Class A ranks by dethroning the Bees, who in 1999 and 2000 had gone to the state final, winning it all in 2000.
Now, one more times, WG visited B’ville, and for a while the hosts kept up the fight, only to get overwhelmed as the state Class A no. 2-ranked Wildcats started to pull away late in the first half and didn’t let up until it had prevailed by a 17-5 margin.
Through the game’s first 12 minutes, the fired-up Bees gave WG all kinds of trouble and, with a trio of goals, grabbed a 3-2 lead. But that would be the high point.
Kyra Bednarski’s goal tied it midway through the first half, igniting a 6-1 run that mostly featured the work of Mackenzie Baker and Madisyn Kittell. Trailing 8-4 at halftime, the Bees would only find the net once more in the second half as the Wildcats pulled clear.
Sara Goodwin had two goals and two assists, with Glory Johnson also scoring twice. Lindsay Guild earned the other goal as Anna Mazurkiewicz and Hannah Johnson picked up assists. Kittell and Lexie Meager paced WG with four goals apiece, though it was Baker mostly sparking the attack with her five assists to go with three goals.
With West Genesee looming, the Bees were quite happy to have a manageable game as a tune-up last Monday afternoon as Auburn paid a visit and B’ville had no trouble with them, stopping the Maroons 15-4.
B’ville roared to an 8-1 halftime lead and didn’t let up until it had a running clock. Goodwin led the charge, scoring five times and adding an assist, while Glory Johnson had four goals and one assist. Mazurkiewicz contributed, too, with two goals and two assists, while Guild and Manny Czyz also earned goals. Julia Pelcher and Maria Henwood had one assist apiece as Madeline Curtis recorded six saves.
When the Bees (6-9) host Section V power Brighton on Wednesday, the regular season ends.
