While there are many different aspects of the high school sports rivalry between Skaneateles and Marcellus, one of the most intense is in girls soccer, and it hasn’t gone in the Lakers’ favor too much.
On its way to a record 20 Section III titles, the Mustangs have often broken Skaneateles hearts, doing so again in last fall’s sectional Class B semifinals. All of this accumulated history has only made the Lakers more determined to turn it around.
Things got closer in last Tuesday night’s edition at Hyatt Stadium, with Skaneateles spearheading a spirited comeback attempt late in regulation, only to fall just short in a 2-1 loss to the Mustangs.
The key to the outcome was that the Mustangs blanked Skaneateles in the first half. Then it built a 2-0 advantage thanks to goals by Liz White and Michaela Tangredi, with Taylor Gould adding an assist.
Battling to the end, Skaneateles pulled within one on Shay McCarthy’s late goal assisted by Grace Buchholz, but could not pull even. The Lakers took more shots, but saw Grace Coon and Mary Colella combine for nine saves, five more than Grace Kush had in 80 minutes of work.
Having fallen to 2-2-1 on the season, the Lakers looked to rise above .500 again when it hosted the combined Syracuse City team two nights after the Marcellus defeat.
It didn’t prove too difficult, Skaneateles stopping Syracuse 7-1, though it was a 1-1 game at halftime thanks to Lauren Ashby’s goal for the visitors. Ultimately, the Lakers wore down Syracuse on the defensive side and scored six times in those last 40 minutes.
Raenah Campbell roared to form with a three-goal hat trick and got ample help. Four others – Olivia Dobrovosky, Mikaela Terhune, Tess Peterson and Riley Brogan – earned single tallies, with Sierra Sander getting two assists. Grace Dower and Maddie Peterson had one assist apiece.
Another major test looms next Tuesday when Westhill, who beat Marcellus 5-2 in overtime last Thursday in their lone regular-season clash, visits Hyatt Stadium. Then it’s a Laker duel between Skaneateles and Cazenovia at the Sean Googin Sports Complex Thursday before a Sept. 24 visit from Auburn.
