From the time it ascended to the top of the state rankings in mid-April, the Baldwinsville girls lacrosse team knew that such a lofty status meant little until the end.
And when that conclusion arrived on Saturday afternoon at SUNY-Cortland, and the Bees were tough and resilient – but Northport, the champions of Long Island, proved a bit better, prevailing 10-8.
So the 2000 state championship won by B’ville remains the lone time that its season ended with the ultimate prize, even though this season was a special one from start to finish.
“These kids have come such a long way,” said Bees head coach Megan Collins. “My girls never gave up until the final seconds.”
Here was the moment where B’ville’s combination of vast skill, tough defense and roster versatility would get put to the ultimate test, but nothing was more important than demonstrating stamina.
A day earlier, the Bees had gone to overtime to battle past Bethlehem 15-14, while Northport had a far easier time defeating Pittsford 13-3, and B’ville knew that it would need an all-out effort to tame another group of Tigers, who were also seeking a second state title, having won it before in 2011.
“The (Bethlehem) game took a bit of a toll on us,” said Collins. “I could tell that (the players) were tired, and I knew that this was going to be tough.”
Still, B’ville got the start it wanted, Jenna Pastore scoring on a free position in the game’s opening minute. But that was the only lead the Bees would enjoy.
Northport used three goals in 58 seconds, two of them by Duke-bound Olivia Carner, to move out in front, only to have Hannah Johnson and Emma Gebhardt answer with two goals in eight seconds that made it 3-3.
They traded goals twice before the late stages of the half. when Northport struck for goals by Ella Cabrera and Kaylie Mackiewicz, grabbing a 7-5 edge at the break. As it turned out, the Tigers never trailed again.
Twice in the second half, Pastore would put in goals that moved the Bees within one, but each time the Tigers answered, including Carner’s fifth goal with 11:57 left.
Protecting that slim lead, Northport slowed the pace down, especially in the last 10 minutes. “It’s hard (to come back) when a team is stalling,” said Collins.
Even with the Tigers’ slowdown tactics, B’ville three times forced turnovers, but each time gave the ball back to the Tigers, who were able to finish it from there.
In the aftermath, the sadness felt by Bees players and fans was tempered a bit by the youth in its lineup. Star defenders Emme Foote, Maddie Czyz and Ciara Curtis graduate, as does midfielder Sarah Klein and attacker Emma States, but many stars, including Johnson, Gebhardt, Pastore, Katie Pascale, Olivia Muscolino and goalie Jordan Roy, come back for 2020.
