Even before it got into the heart of its Onondaga High School League National Division slate, girls lacrosse teams at Cazenovia and Chittenango each had to deal with top-flight opposition in the first full week of April.
In the Lakers’ case, that meant traveling to Liverpool last Tuesday night and seeing its defense overwhelmed throughout the first half on the way to an 18-6 defeat to the Warriors.
Liverpool jumped out 12-3 before they reached intermission, led by Kendra Hall, who finished with five goals, and Emily Salanger and Colleen Tifft, who each scored three times.
Cazenovia did get a three-goal hat trick of its own from Molly Brown, helped by Grace Rajkowski’s one goal and one assist as Molly Schwartz and Kaitlyn Puffer also found the net. Emmie Dolbear added an assist as Mackenzie Halliday recorded six saves.
Back at Cazenovia College’s Christakos Field on Saturday, Cazenovia found itself facing its Laker namesakes from Skaneateles, and never getting close to them in an 18-3 defeat.
It was a landmark for Skaneateles as it long-time head coach, Bridget Marquardt, earned her 300th career victory, her side racing to a 12-1 halftime lead.
Rajkowski, Molly Schwartz and Laura Connor earned one goal apiece on Cazenovia’s side, with assists going to Brown and Dolbear. Four different Skaneateles players – Grace Dower, Maggie Newton, Olivia Navaroli and Paige Brogan – had three-goal hat tricks.
As for Chittenango, last week’s action started with a Tuesday home date against LaFayette, who steadily gained control in the early stages and went on to top the Bears 18-8.
Rhonee Shea Pal’s trio of goals helped Chittenango, with Alyssa Frantz scoring twice. Ally Shoemaker earned a goal and two assists, with Juila Pynn and Julia Graham both producing one goal and one assist.
But the Lancers gained a 10-4 edge by halftime and kept adding to that margin, Carha Williams earning four goals and three assists to lead LaFayette as Charlotte Ryan had five goals and one assist. Gabby Oswald got four goals and Mya DeJoseph earned three goals and one assist.
Chittenango then lost 19-5 to Tully on Saturday afternoon, Shoemaker scoring three of the Bears’ goals as Shea Pal had a goal and two assists. Graham got the other goal, the Black Knights led by Jade Dillenbeck (five goals, one assist) and Gemma Guy, who had four goals and three assists.
On Tuesday, Chittenango plays at reigning state Class A champion CBA before going to Westhill Thursday and hosting New Hartford on Saturday. Cazenovia has road games at Marcellus and Whitesboro.
