CENTRAL NEW YORK – Led by a superb defense anchored by goalie Owen Salanger, the Liverpool boys lacrosse team dethroned two-time state champion Baldwinsville to win the 2024 Section III Class A title.
Repeating that title was a quest the Warriors began last week with two games against foes from outside the section, starting Wednesday with a 12-8 victory over Section IV’s Vestal.
Though Salanger and several other top seniors graduated, plenty of talent remains, and Liverpool wasted little time gaining control against Vestal, sprinting to a 5-1 lead through one period.
For the rest of the game the Warriors answered every Golden Bears run, the offense led by junior Brendan Caraher, who converted four goals, and Brady Michaud, who scored three times.
Chris Mattot and Aidan Tornabene both netted two goals, Mattot adding an assist. Danny Dunn got a goal and two assists and Jake Berthoff also got two assists as Andrew Gabor, tasked with replacing Salanger in goal, recorded 10 saves.
Back in action Saturday against Section II’s Saratoga Springs at Herkimer Community College, Liverpool endured wet, cold conditions and, with Michaud carrying the attack, defeated the Blue Streaks 11-4.
Whatever Saratoga tried from a defensive perspective did not work against Michaud, who poured in six goals, two more than the opposition, and added three assists.
And the Blue Streaks couldn’t concentrate on Michaud because Mattot was putting up three goals and two assists, while Dunn scored twice and added an assist. Gabor paired with Trevor Smith in goal and they made 10 saves between them.
Cicero-North Syracuse sought a 2-0 start in last Thursday’s game against General Brown, and thanks to a consistent and productive attack it pulled away from the Lions, prevailing 21-9.
Three different Northstars had hat tricks, with Quinn Empey getting six goals as Adrian Sweeney scored five times to go with two assists and Karsen Pritchard added four goals.
Just behind them, Donovan Chaney earned two goals and two assists. Emmit Porter and Blake Fefee both finished with a goal and three assists as Joe Malecki, Jacob Malecki and Jack Putman earned single goals.
Then, facing Indian River on Saturday afternoon, C-NS made it three in a row, handling the Wolves 12-3 with Empey’s four goals giving him 10 for the week. Fefee scored three times, with Luke Deinhart notching two goals. Chaney had four assists and Sweeney three assists as they both notched single goals, joining Emmit Porter in that column.
All this for C-NS came in advance of a single game this week against East Syracuse Minoa before facing Liverpool on April 15. The Warriors go to Christian Brothers Academy Tuesday before hosting Section II’s Bethlehem on Saturday afternoon.
