SKANEATELES - As the Skaneateles girls soccer team piled on top of each other in the middle of the field after the game against Marcellus on Friday, Grace Vanderven had just one thought as she joined the celebration.

“I hope no one gets hurt.”

The Lakers freshman scored the winning goal with 36:33 left in the game on a pass from fellow freshman Amanda Gray to beat the Mustangs 2-1 in an important Liberty division game. Ranked No. 1 in the state, Marcellus is the three-time defending Section III, Class B champions. They have also had the Lakers' number in each of those seasons. They defeated Skaneateles 3-1 on opening day, but none of that mattered in the end. With the win, the Lakers replace the Mustangs atop the division.

“This is really nice, we haven't beaten them in a number of years,” Skaneateles coach Dave Brown said. “They have all been very highly contested matches and always a good game. You could see it today, and I give a lot of credit to Marcellus, they played hard and an overall great game.”

Junior standout Jenna Lotkowictz scored an unassisted goal for Skaneateles just less than five minutes into the game. A minute later, Kayla Schmitt scored off of a Lyssa Fitch pass to tie the game. Lotkowictz leads the Lakers in scoring and has been consistent all season long, but after the game Brown was just as pleased with his youngest players as he was with his best.

“Jenna's presence on the field is incredible. She draws defenders everywhere she goes, but I have to take my hat off to my two freshmen who linked up for the winning goal,” Brown said. “Those two kids come out every day and they want to win as bad as anybody. Those two are fun to watch and the game ball goes to those two, who connected beautifully in the second half.”

The Lakers narrowly outshot the Mustangs, 12-10, but the Lakers defense played as big a part in the win as the two scores did. Backed up to their own goal numerous times, Skaneateles kicked themselves out of a hole every time. Libby Johnson was solid all game, even after moving to sweeper back in the second half. Natalie Ernyey, Laura Trenti and Stephanie Rice all played an incredible game, but goalie Kara Buehler led the pack, with five key saves. Her vocal support from inside the net was just as important.

“Kara is steady back there behind the defense,” Brown said. “You could hear her talking in there all day and the defense really builds their confidence on her talk. She has been having a marvelous season and had a great game today.”

Skaneateles (7-2) is one of two teams this season to score scored on Marcellus (7-2-1), who had allowed just three goals coming into the game. They travel to Westhill (6-3) on Tuesday.