CORTLAND - Just less than two minutes into Friday's Class C state semifinal game against Shoreham-Wading River, the Skaneateles girls lacrosse team was in an unfamiliar position - behind.

The defending champion Lakers trailed 2-0 early but a scoring explosion, powered by the instant offense of Stephanie Rice and Libby Johnson, led to five unanswered goals. Skaneateles never allowed the Wildcats closer than two goals the rest of the contest and won 14-11 at SUNY Cortland. The Lakers play Penn Yan today with the state title on the line.

Skaneateles rolled through league play this season but looked mortal at times against S-WR. After leading by as many as five goals, the Lakers let the Wildcats back in the game early in the second half with poor passing around the net.

“(S-WR) is a team that scores a lot of goals and you can't afford to give a team like that extra opportunities,” Skaneateles coach Bridget Marquardt said. “Fortunately, our defense stepped it up and we regained control late in the game.”

The Lakers defeated Manhasset last season to capture their first-ever state crown. Skaneateles lost a lot of talent from 2005, but this year's bunch is confident; they play well as a cohesive unit and are battle-tested, especially after facing a team the quality of S-WR.