Before it could turn its attention to all of its long-time rivals in the local ranks, the Baldwinsville girls lacrosse team first had to endure back-to-back games against Section V opponents, ultimately splitting those games to move to 2-1 on the season.
The first of them was at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium last Tuesday night, a wet, cold struggle with Penfield that bled into overtime before the Bees were able to edge the Patriots 7-6.
An easy win over Saratoga Springs in the March 31 opener did not get repeated here as Penfield fought its way to a 4-3 lead by halftime.
With a consistent defense and timely scoring plays, B’ville was able to catch up, at 6-6, and then win it in the extra period as six different players would find the net.
Only Emma States scored twice, adding an assist. Peyton Fleming, Katie Pascale and Hannah Johnson each had one goal and one assist, while Monica Lannier and Maria Henwood also had goals. Each of Molly Merryweather’s eight saves proved important.
On the road Friday night, B’ville visited Rush-Henrietta, and for the first time its defense faced some real struggles, which proved a little too much to overcome in a 9-8 defeat to the Royal Comets.
Rush-Henrietta did most of its damage in the first half, inching out to a 7-5 advantage. Even though B’ville mostly contained things from there, it couldn’t keep the Royal Comets from clinging to its slim advantage.
Johnson did produce four goals, half the Bees’ total. Pascale tacked on a pair of goals, plus an assist, as Fleming had one goal and one assist. Henwood earned the other goal. Assists also went to Sara Goodwin and Jenna Pastore.
Now B’ville would start its round-robin play in the Salt City Athletic Conference Metro division, hosting Fayetteville-Manlius on Thursday after the Hornets netted 41 goals in its first two games, wins over South Jefferson and Victor. The Bees also host Corning (Section IV) on Saturday afternoon.
