It turned out that the struggles the Skaneateles boys lacrosse team faced in its April 6 home loss to Cazenovia were not temporary, and required a few games to iron out before the winning form returned.
When the Lakers traveled to Alibrandi Stadium to face Christian Brothers Academy last Tuesday night, it was fine for a half, but then saw things fall apart in a 13-5 loss to the Brothers.
CBA was the reigning state Class D champions, but was hit hard by graduation and had started its season 0-2. And Skaneateles threatened to make it worse, taking an early lead and remaining tied, 4-4, going into intermission.
But then the young Brothers attack gelled and, after winning some face-offs, it tore into the Lakers for five unanswered goals. In fact, Skaneateles only scored once after the break.
Nick Wamp and Jeremy Castle had two goals apiece, with John Danforth adding a goal and assist. But Pat Hackler was held to just two assists as George Kuhns had one assist.
For CBA, Wyatt Auer and Preston Taylor stepping up with three goals apiece as Ryan Mackenzie got two goals and two assists. Sam Bonacci also scored twice as Patrick O’Brien earned a goal and three assists. Will Fallon, establishing himself as the goalie successor to Matt Vavonese, stopped 10 of the 15 shots he faced.
Back home at Hyatt Stadium Thursday night, the Lakers looked to turn things around against another perennial rival, LaFayette, and it proved close – but Skaneateles managed to pull it out, edging the Lancers 12-11.
Things were back and forth throughout the first two periods, but where it differed was that, this time around, Skaneateles had the big third quarter, erasing LaFayette’s 5-4 lead by outscoring them 5-2 in that frame.
And the Lakers held on late because Hackler proved impossible to contain, netting five goals and three assists as, in back of him, Scott Oschner made sure each of his 11 saves proved important.
Wamp, Castle and Will McGlynn supported Hackler, each scoring twice. Danforth had one goal and one assist as Brendan Powers also had an assist. Ian Evans (three goals, four assists) and Reid Jackowski (three goals, three assists) led the Lancers.
Skaneateles then made it back-to-back home wins on Saturday, though Rome Free Academy did not make things too easy before the Lakers claimed a 16-11 decision over the Black Knights.
In both the first and third quarters, Skaneateles outscored RFA by equal 5-2 margins, essentially establishing the margin it would need against a three-pronged Black Knights attack where Justin Hoke got five goals, with Noah Hammon and Tyler Baker getting three goals apiece.
Danforth and Hackler led the Lakers with seven points apiece, Danforth getting six goals and one assist as Hackler earned three goals and four assists. McGlynn also notched a three-goal hat trick as Ryan Gick added two goals, Castle and Wamp adding single goals as Colin Weeks joined Wamp in the assist column.
Having improved to 4-2, Skaneateles would have a tough test Tuesday at Homer and then play at Marcellus Friday night.
