More than a week elapsed between the Baldwinsville boys lacrosse team’s impressive season-opening win over Marcellus on March 28 and its return to the same Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium turf for two more home games.
That respite did nothing to erase the Bees’ level of confidence. Instead, it only felt more enhanced, especially in the wake of Saturday’s effort against Cazenovia, where a lot of defense and well-balanced, timely scoring produced a 10-5 victory over the Lakers.
Cazenovia has proved a dominant team throughout the decade, winning a string of Section III Class C crowns and a pair of state championships. However, heavy graduation losses from 2016, combined with a tough early schedule (losses to Westhill and West Genesee), had humbled the Lakers, and B’ville took full advantage of this, too.
All through the first quarter, every Cazenovia attack got thwarted, while at the same time B’ville seized control with a quartet of goals. With that 4-0 advantage, the Bees could afford to match goals the rest of the half.
Ben Dwyer, Matt Becker, Kyle Pelcher and the rest of B’ville’s back line made sure the Lakers didn’t put up a scare, earning a third-quarter shutout as Frank Delia would work his total to nine saves.
Those 10 B’ville goals came from seven different players, including Pete Fiorini, who anchored the attack with four assists. Ryan Gebhardt, Cole Peters and Austin Bolton each scored twice, with Brandon Mimas getting a goal and two assists. Matt Dickman had one goal and one assist as Spencer Wertheim produced two assists. Mike Tangredi earned the other goal.
Two nights earlier, B’ville welcome Rochester Aquinas to Pelcher-Arcaro, and ignoring the wind, rain and cold temperatures, the Bees gave the Little Irish a game-long clinic, on both ends, not letting up until it had recorded a 17-2 victory.
Much of the first half was spent in the Aquinas end, with B’ville patiently working the ball around, avoiding turnovers and earning a steady stream of goals that didn’t ease up until it was 12-0 at the break.
Gebhardt, in particular, was impossible to contain, getting to double digits in points thanks to seven goals and three assists. Fiorini got four assists to go with his pair of goals.
Dickman scored three times, while Tangredi and Peters matched Fiorini’s two-goal output. Wertheim got three assists and Bolton earned a goal as B’ville’s defense held the Irish to just eight shots all game.
Having moved to 3-0 following the win over Cazenovia, B’ville would face neighbor and rival Liverpool Wednesday night and then host Irondequoit (Section V) on Saturday in advance of the April 18 rematch of last year’s sectional final against Fayetteville-Manlius.
