LIVERPOOL – A new class, a new set of opponents to deal with the post-season, and an imposing top seed who had already beaten them – none of this, in the end, kept the Westhill boys lacrosse team from earning another Section III championship.
With a superb performance Friday night at Liverpool High School Stadium, the no. 2 seed Warriors knocked off no. 1 seed Christian Brothers Academy 12-7 to earn back-to-back sectional titles, having won it all in Class D in 2021.
Not only did this title amplify what Westhill accomplished a season ago, it also served as sweet payback.
The Warriors had won 12 in a row before facing CBA in the May 17 regular-season finale. The Brothers prevailed that night 11-9, further reinforcing its status as sectional favorite while moving up to no. 3 in the latest state Class C rankings.
However, Westhill left that game knowing that, unlike many of CBA’s foes this season, it had relatively contained the Brothers’ vaunted attack, and could so so again. A mere 10 days later, that opportunity presented itself.
The game stayed close throughout the first half, but while there was an exchange of goals, Westhill was getting just the tempo it wanted, challenging on one end while its defense made a series of important stops.
Ahead 6-5 at the break, the Warriors seized control in a third quarter where it only scored twice, but managed to shut out the Brothers, again strong on defense as Owen Mahar was on his way to 10 saves for the night.
Then the Warriors pulled clear, outscoring CBA 4-2 in the final period, led by Luke Gilmartin’s four goals and one assist. Four others – Kyle Rosenberger, Kyle MacCaull, Emmet Starowicz and Owen Etoll – earned two goals apiece, with Brian Allen getting a pair of assists.
Only Dan Anderson and Seamus Nicholson, with two goals apiece, had multiple tallies for the Brothers, who got single goals from Declan Landers, Andrew Kohlbrenner and Dan Ludington.
Next Wednesday at 5:30, Westhill meets Section IV champion Maine-Endwell in the first round of the Class C regional playoffs at Cicero-North Syracuse’s Bragman Stadium. The winner goes to next Saturday’s regional final against the Section VII/X champion at Postdam High School.
