Even though the struggles are not new, to see the Skaneateles boys lacrosse team have major trouble with long-time rivals it used to dominate on an annual basis is quite jarring.
First, it was Marcellus handling the Lakers 14-5 on April 20. Then, four nights later, state Class C no. 10-ranked Westhill came to Hyatt Stadium and, helped by a big second-quarter surge, pulled away to beat Skaneateles 17-4.
There was no hint of the deluge in the first quarter as the Lakers mostly kept up and only trailed 4-3. But for the rest of the half, Westhill dominated in the face-off circle and tore through the Skaneateles defenses for nine unanswered goals.
Down 13-3 at halftime, the Lakers had no chance of recovery. Only Nick Wamp scored twice, with John Danforth and Will McGlynn getting the other goals and Pat Hackler held to a single assist.
After the first quarter, Warriors goalie Liam Felter nearly got a shutout and finished with 12 saves overall. Offensively, Westhill’s Jack Grooms had four goals and four assists as Luke McAnaney was close behind, scoring four times and adding three assists. Charlie Bolesh had his own four-goal outing, with Will Delano getting three goals and two assists.
Having fallen below the .500 mark (4-5), Skaneateles was glad to see Chittenango on Thursday, and despite the Bears’ own 4-2 record, the Lakers took them apart, especially in the second quarter, to gain a much-needed 18-4 victory.
Things were still relatively close when, in the second period, Skaneateles turned a 2-1 lead into a big margin by scoring 10 times in those 12 minutes, most of it from Wamp and Danforth.
By the time the game was over, Wamp had netted six goals, plus an assist. Danforth had scored four times to go with an assist as Hackler notched three assists to go with his pair of goals.
Ryan Gick also found the net twice, with Ben Spinelli getting a goal and two assists. Jeremy Castle had one goal and one assist, with McGlynn and Areh Boni also converting.
This respite proved brief, for the Lakers lost, 9-6, to Hilton (Section V) on Saturday, unable to hold a 5-4 halftime lead, though Hackler and Castle had two goals apiece, with Wamp adding a goal and two assists. Danforth had the other goal as Scott Oschner recorded 12 saves.
Skaneateles meets LaFayette (whom it beat 12-11 on April 12) Tuesday and then takes on Bishop Ludden/Onondaga Friday night.
