Splits in their first two games gave the West Genesee boys and girls lacrosse teams plenty of material on which to feel good and yet a whole lot more to work on.
In the case of the girls Wildcats, an April 6 defeat to Westhill was followed, two days later, by a trip to Jamesville-DeWitt where each facet of the game was in top form during a 13-5 win over the Red Rams.
Gradually pulling away after it took a 7-3 halftime advantage, WG was led again by the Blanding sisters, Ashleigh getting four goals and one assist and Olivia earning a goal and four assists.
Mia Gialto’s strong start continued as she netted a three-goal hat trick. Sophia Lawrence converted twice, with Caraline Major earning one goal and one assist. Goals also went to Maria Snyder and Claire Petty.
This was quite a contrast to what happened to WG’s boys against J-D, a close game that turned into a second-half romp for the Red Rams, who prevailed 16-7 in its season opener.
Simply put, the Wildcats could not contain a sharp J-D attack that outscored them early, grabbing an 8-5 edge by halftime, and got away with a 5-1 third-quarter surge.
On one end, Rams goalie Ian McIntyre stopped 21 of the Wildcats’ 28 shots. On the other end, Gannon Kessler, with five goals and four assists, led an attack where Sam Brazell had a big night, too, with four goals and three assists. Graham Kesselring finished with three goals.
No one on WG’s roster matched these numbers, Liam Burns and Ryan Considine each netting two goals. Jack Mellen had a goal and assist as the other goals went to Jack Giannuzzi and Nolan Bellotti.
The girls Wildcats faced its own immense challenge Thursday night as Baldwinsville, the reigning state Class A champions, made its way to Mike Messere Field.
Try as it could, WG could not topple the Bees, taking a 12-6 defeat in a game where, at least in the first half, the Wildcats controlled the tempo and didn’t let B’ville get too comfortable.
Only down by a goal, 5-4, at the break, the Wildcats were contained from that point forward, Molly Dolan able to match Olivia Blanding’s pair of goals, but only Major and Sophia Lawerence otherwise finding the net.
Allie Hanlon had a strong game in the net, recording 16 saves, yet could not keep everything out, B’ville led by Carlie Desimone’s four goals and three-goal hat tricks from Brianna Peters and Sierra Natoli.
Perhaps learning something from this game, WG returned to action and, against Christian Brothers Academy Saturday at Alibrandi Stadium, rallied for a 10-9 victory over the Brothers.
Down 7-4 at halftime, the Wildcats dominated the second half, utilizing its depth in the warm conditions as Doran scored three times, with Gialto and Olivia Blanding earning two goals apiece. Major, Lawrence and Snyder had the other goals and Ashleigh Blanding had two assists.
When WG’s boys returned to action on Saturday against Section V’s Penfield, it built a 9-7 advantage by halftime and, by making just enough stops in the late going, held on to beat the Patriots 13-12.
Considine piled up three goals and five assists as Nolan Belotti scored four times. Mellen and Burns had two goals apiece, Burns adding three assists as Giannuzi had a goal and two assists. Nash Oudemool had one goal and one assist.
