ONONDAGA COUNTY – About the only thing that could halt the momentum of the Liverpool boys lacrosse team had nothing to do with its play on the field.
A raging winter snowstorm postponed the first of two regular-season showdowns between the Warriors and Northstars at LHS Stadium, which won’t get made up until May 16, making it the regular-season finale.
Two nights later, the weather had cleared, and Liverpool made its way to Mike Messere Field, where West Genesee awaited – and managed to, by an 11-10 margin, hand the Warriors its first loss of the season.
Ultimately, the first half proved decisive. With a 3-3 record and lacking a marquee win under first-year head coach Eric Burns, WG played a strong first half, steadily earning an 8-4 advantage.
As the second half wore on, Liverpool battled back, with Owen Michaud and Aaron Clouthier leading the charge as both would record three-goal hat tricks.
Still, the Wildcats were able to hang on at the wire, overcoming Owen Salanger’s 16 saves as four different WG players – Liam Burns, Ryan Mahoney, Scout Oudemool and Ben Chamberlain – scored twice, Burns adding three assists.
Jackson Furr got two goals for Liverpool as Dom Osbeck earned a goal and two assists. Jake Socker had the other goal and Joe Sacco earned an assist.
C-NS, denied its own opportunity to topple Liverpool, instead turned its attention to a non-league game Friday against Marcellus, where Ian Leahey and Mason Blakeman starred in a 12-5 victory over the Mustangs.
Leahey, with his five goals, was often fed by Blakeman, who notched five assists to go with his pair of tallies. John Carter had three goals and two assists, with Mason Ciciarelli adding two goals and two assists. Nick Bisesi also had an assist.
Liverpool played Saturday against Essex (Vermont) and prevailed 13-3, as Michaud led the way with three goals and four assists. Furr scored twice, adding two assists, while Clouthier, Sacco and Jaylen Graham each got a goal and three assists. Osbeck picked up four assists, while Evan Breed contributed a goal and two assists.
This leads the Northstars to a pair of big home games this week against West Genesee and Baldwinsville, while Liverpool takes its shot at B’ville Tuesday before going to Fayetteville-Manlius Thursday and Watertown on Saturday afternoon.
