While it would be difficult enough to topple the likes of Westhill from the top of the Section III Class B ranks, the Skaneateles boys soccer team has never been afraid of tough competition, in or out of its league.
To that end, the Lakers have two tournaments in store for 2018. Aside from its own Finger Lakes Cup late in September, Skaneateles would play in Baldwinsville’s Kickoff Classic.
Early last Tuesday morning, the Lakers faced Rome Free Academy in the opening round, and it proved exciting, back and forth until, in penalty kicks, the Black Knights prevailed.
They were 2-2 at halftime, and each added goals in the second half. George Ross, Tylar Moss and Will Pinckney found the net for the Lakers as RFA countered with two goals from Oliver Dragojevic and a goal from Ben Miller.
With the game still unsettled at the end of regulation and overtime, it went to a shoot-out. Skaneateles lost it, 4-2, and would find itself in the consolation game Thursday against Fulton, who fell 4-0 to host Baldwinsville.
The Red Raiders kept the Lakers off the board in a 2-0 defeat, both goals coming in the first half as Cameron Stuart and Connor Wilde scored for Fulton. Torvin Solis played in goal for Skaneateles and had five saves.
Meanwhile, the Skaneateles girls soccer team opened play on Wednesday against Carthage in Oswego’s Mr. B Tournament, pulling away in the second half to blank the Comets 5-0.
Only up 1-0 at halftime, the Lakers wore Carthage’s defense down and Riley Brogan took full advantage, finishing with two goals and one assist. Maggie Newton, Ryley Pas’cal and Tess Peterson also found the net. Grace Kush stopped all four shots she faced.
In the tournament final a day later, Skaneateles faced Fulton, who had topped host Oswego 2-1, but would run into a determined Lakers side that, unlike its male counterparts, did beat the Red Raiders in a 3-1 decision.
Building a 2-0 advantage by halftime, the Lakers featured goals from Peterson, Pascal and Grace Dower as Peterson also got an assist. Holly Bourgeois managed Fulton’s lone goal in the second half.
