Though the years passed and the personnel on both sides changed, some things remained true when it came to the girls lacrosse rivalry between neighbors Skaneateles and Marcellus.
Each time they met, it would be fierce and competitive, and while on occasion the Mustangs would get the best of the Lakers, it never happened when it counted most in the post-season, and was never lopsided in favor of the side in green.
Or at least that was the case until last Tuesday night’s clash on the Mustangs’ turf. Confidence all belonged to Marcellus, who controlled the game most of the way and handled Skaneateles 15-7.
With a potent front line, Marcellus worked the ball around and constantly converted, Grace Coon scoring four times as Anna Vetsch and Sarah Hutchings each got three goals, Vetsch adding an assist.
Lily Powell found the net twice, while Katy Wangsness and Madison Green had one goal apiece. Marcellus goalie Rebecca Nutting recorded six saves.
Just three different Skaneateles players would score – Olivia Navaroli with three goals, Grace Dower and Maggie Newton with two goals apiece. Dower added two assists and Abbey Logan got one assists as goalie Ryley Pas’cal recorded nine saves.
After all this, the Lakers needed a strong all-around performance, and got it during last Friday’s 15-3 romp over the Mexico Tigers at Hyatt Stadium.
Properly motivated, Skaneateles had six goals before the game was six minutes old, stretched out that led to 10-1 by halftime, seeing Riley Brogan return to form with four goals as Dower also scored four times and added four assists.
Newton had two goals and one assist, with Navaroli getting a goal and three assists. Logan and Hope Allyn each had one goal and one assist, with goals also earned by Jessica Patalino and Campbell Torrey.
Christina Ciaccio was credited with an assist, but the biggest news of the week for her was signing a college letter of intent to attend Elon University in North Carolina.
At 3-1 on the season, the Lakers would get a severe test Monday at unbeaten Fayetteville-Manlius, and then have to face Chittenango 24 hours later before another big game on Thursday at Westhill.
