CORTLAND – For the second time in five years, the Westhill boys lacrosse team has reached the brink of a state Class C championship.
Led by Luke Gilmartin and Kyle Rosenberger, the Warriors rolled past Lake Shore 11-3 in Wednesday night’s state semifinal at SUNY-Cortland, trailing briefly in the early minutes but then taking charge with a superb all-around effort.
So far in the state tournament, Westhill had endured three weather delays and a halftime deficit before beating Maine-Endwell, then had an easier time of it rolling past Ogdensburg in the regional final.
Now Lake Shore, a Section VI school located a half-hour south of Buffalo, traveled east to challenge the Warriors, and found some brief success with a pair of early goals.
However, Westhill got going on offense with early goals from Gilmartin and Kyle MacCaull, and took the lead for good late in the first quarter when Rosenberger converted for the first time.
During the second period, the Warriors’ defense, led by Jon Gratien, Bohdan Centore and Rodney Kirkby, shut down whatever the Eagles tried to establish, protecting sophomore goalie Owen Mahar.
Thus, Westhill could be patient on the other end, only getting goals from Gilmartin and Rosenberger as its margin grew to 5-2 by halftime.
Emmet Starowicz got the Warriors going in the third quarter, assisting twice to help Gilmartin and Rosenberger each complete their hat tricks. And after Lake Shore broke a long scoreless drought, Gilmartin converted for the fourth time just before the period ended.
Up 8-3 going to the fourth quarter, the Warriors made sure Lake Shore never climbed back in it. Gilmartin tacked on a fifth goal, Rosenberger found the net for the fourth time and MacCaull added his second goal.
The state final will take Westhill to Hofstra University on Long Island, where on Saturday at 5:30 it will face state no. 1-ranked Manhasset, who will be playing close to home and handled Burnt Hills 16-5 in the other state semifinal. Another Long Island team, Islip, beat the Warriors in its only other state title game appearance in 2018.
