CORTLAND - The Skaneateles girls lacrosse team hasn't lost a sectional game since 2002. Basically, the Lakers know something about domination.
Jason Rearick Meyers / The Citizen
Karen Vitkus, far right, greets Kaitlin Clark, far left, and Libby Johnson after Skaneateles' win against Christian Brothers Academy in the Section III, Class C girls lacrosse championship at SUNY Cortland Wednesday afternoon.
Karen Vitkus, far right, greets Kaitlin Clark, far left, and Libby Johnson after Skaneateles' win against Christian Brothers Academy in the Section III, Class C girls lacrosse championship at SUNY Cortland Wednesday afternoon.
So when Skaneateles was struggling to keep Christian Brothers Academy off the scoreboard in Wednesday's Section III, Class C final, it seemed like the two-time defending state champs were indeed mortal.
The Lakers failed to dominate possession against the Brothers, but when they needed to win a draw, they did. Senior Stephanie Rice came away with the final draw of the game and Skaneateles maintained possession for the final 4:22 to hold off a charging CBA squad, 19-15, at SUNY Cortland.
The winning margin was the closest in a sectional final for the Lakers since a 15-14 overtime victory over CBA in 2003.
“It was a closer game than we've played in the past, but we didn't play our best defense,” senior midfielder Libby Johnson said. “To win the way we did, holding it for the last five minutes, you can't win it in a better way.”
The Lakers will now face Corning East at 2 p.m. Saturday at SUNY Cortland in a state quarterfinal game. It will be their fifth straight trip to the state tournament.
But this year, a sectional title didn't come as easily.
Skaneateles struggled defensively against CBA. The Lakers had no problem piling up goals of their own, but the Brothers kept pace.
Winning the draws became increasingly essential.
“Today it was about possession,” Skaneateles coach Bridget Marquardt said. “If you won the draw you were going to score, it was just one of those kinds of days. Fortunately for us, we had six or seven people on the draws and they rotated two or three girls. I think it gave us a bit of an edge.”
And the Lakers took advantage of that little bit. They led in draws by only one, 18-17, but were able to capitalize more often than the Brothers.
Skaneateles couldn't control the draw early, losing seven of the first 10. But after a timeout, the Lakers took control, winning seven consecutive draws and scoring eight unanswered goals, capped by Rice's 100th goal of the season.
“It's exciting, but it really doesn't matter all that much,” Rice said of her milestone. “It's more important that we get this win and go on and play well in the state championship. That's what I've been looking forward to.”
The Brothers chipped away at the lead again, winning five straight draws to cut their halftime deficit to 14-8. Skaneateles' lead could have shrunk even more if it wasn't for Gigi Vaughn's save off a free position shot with six seconds left before intermission.
After CBA found the net 23 seconds into the second half, junior midi Shannon Tierney scored a free position goal to put the Lakers back on the board.
Tierney picked up four goals and distributed two assists in the game and jump-started Skaneateles at the beginning of each half.
“She had a big game,” Marquardt said of Tierney. “She's been struggling with her shot, but I think she found it today. She had a couple great goals.”
Rice scored three of the Lakers' five second-half goals and Johnson found the net on an assist from Tierney, giving Skaneateles a 19-13 edge with 8:02 left to play.
Skaneateles took the ensuing draw but couldn't maintain possession. After back-to-back CBA goals in just 11 seconds, Marquardt burned another timeout.
“She wasn't too happy,” Johnson said. “We were making a lot of mistakes that we don't usually make. She told us, pretty much, if we kept playing (defense) like that we weren't going to beat anybody.”
Fortunately for the Lakers, Johnson was able to get the ball to Rice on the ensuing draw and Skaneateles didn't relinquish possession.
“That's what we've been practicing - that exact possession,” Marquardt said. “We were actually trying to do that for the final eight minutes but we started forcing it. It was definitely part of our game plan.”
Rice led Skaneateles with eight goals, Jenna Lotkowictz had three goals and one assist, Libby Johnson scored twice and each Kelsey Nangle and Laura Trenti had one goal. Vaughn finished with seven saves in goal.
The Lakers couldn't stop CBA's M.E. Latham, who had six goals and an assist while Brittany Brigandi found the net three times.
Although this victory is just a steppingstone on the path to the ultimate prize - another state title - the Lakers didn't brush off the win.
“This is something you never get tired of,” Johnson said. “We know we're not done yet but it was a big win, especially for us seniors. We're going to enjoy it.”
And the bullseye on their back is even bigger this year. Back-to-back state titles won't be overlooked by any opponent as teams always want to knock off those at the top.
“It's more pressure,” Rice said. “Some of us have been here for a while and it gets harder each year. But we know, the team that steps up is going to win. We know what it takes and I think we're ready.”
Lakers 19
Brothers 15
Been there, done that
The Skaneateles girls lacrosse team won its fifth straight Section III title against a familiar foe: Christian Brothers Academy.
Year Score Opponent
2007 W, 19-15 CBA
2006 W, 13-5 CBA
2005 W, 19-3 Westhill
2004 W, 13-8 CBA
2003 W, 15-14, OT CBA
The Lakers failed to dominate possession against the Brothers, but when they needed to win a draw, they did. Senior Stephanie Rice came away with the final draw of the game and Skaneateles maintained possession for the final 4:22 to hold off a charging CBA squad, 19-15, at SUNY Cortland.
The winning margin was the closest in a sectional final for the Lakers since a 15-14 overtime victory over CBA in 2003.
“It was a closer game than we've played in the past, but we didn't play our best defense,” senior midfielder Libby Johnson said. “To win the way we did, holding it for the last five minutes, you can't win it in a better way.”
The Lakers will now face Corning East at 2 p.m. Saturday at SUNY Cortland in a state quarterfinal game. It will be their fifth straight trip to the state tournament.
But this year, a sectional title didn't come as easily.
Skaneateles struggled defensively against CBA. The Lakers had no problem piling up goals of their own, but the Brothers kept pace.
Winning the draws became increasingly essential.
“Today it was about possession,” Skaneateles coach Bridget Marquardt said. “If you won the draw you were going to score, it was just one of those kinds of days. Fortunately for us, we had six or seven people on the draws and they rotated two or three girls. I think it gave us a bit of an edge.”
And the Lakers took advantage of that little bit. They led in draws by only one, 18-17, but were able to capitalize more often than the Brothers.
Skaneateles couldn't control the draw early, losing seven of the first 10. But after a timeout, the Lakers took control, winning seven consecutive draws and scoring eight unanswered goals, capped by Rice's 100th goal of the season.
“It's exciting, but it really doesn't matter all that much,” Rice said of her milestone. “It's more important that we get this win and go on and play well in the state championship. That's what I've been looking forward to.”
The Brothers chipped away at the lead again, winning five straight draws to cut their halftime deficit to 14-8. Skaneateles' lead could have shrunk even more if it wasn't for Gigi Vaughn's save off a free position shot with six seconds left before intermission.
After CBA found the net 23 seconds into the second half, junior midi Shannon Tierney scored a free position goal to put the Lakers back on the board.
Tierney picked up four goals and distributed two assists in the game and jump-started Skaneateles at the beginning of each half.
“She had a big game,” Marquardt said of Tierney. “She's been struggling with her shot, but I think she found it today. She had a couple great goals.”
Rice scored three of the Lakers' five second-half goals and Johnson found the net on an assist from Tierney, giving Skaneateles a 19-13 edge with 8:02 left to play.
Skaneateles took the ensuing draw but couldn't maintain possession. After back-to-back CBA goals in just 11 seconds, Marquardt burned another timeout.
“She wasn't too happy,” Johnson said. “We were making a lot of mistakes that we don't usually make. She told us, pretty much, if we kept playing (defense) like that we weren't going to beat anybody.”
Fortunately for the Lakers, Johnson was able to get the ball to Rice on the ensuing draw and Skaneateles didn't relinquish possession.
“That's what we've been practicing - that exact possession,” Marquardt said. “We were actually trying to do that for the final eight minutes but we started forcing it. It was definitely part of our game plan.”
Rice led Skaneateles with eight goals, Jenna Lotkowictz had three goals and one assist, Libby Johnson scored twice and each Kelsey Nangle and Laura Trenti had one goal. Vaughn finished with seven saves in goal.
The Lakers couldn't stop CBA's M.E. Latham, who had six goals and an assist while Brittany Brigandi found the net three times.
Although this victory is just a steppingstone on the path to the ultimate prize - another state title - the Lakers didn't brush off the win.
“This is something you never get tired of,” Johnson said. “We know we're not done yet but it was a big win, especially for us seniors. We're going to enjoy it.”
And the bullseye on their back is even bigger this year. Back-to-back state titles won't be overlooked by any opponent as teams always want to knock off those at the top.
“It's more pressure,” Rice said. “Some of us have been here for a while and it gets harder each year. But we know, the team that steps up is going to win. We know what it takes and I think we're ready.”
Lakers 19
Brothers 15
Been there, done that
The Skaneateles girls lacrosse team won its fifth straight Section III title against a familiar foe: Christian Brothers Academy.
Year Score Opponent
2007 W, 19-15 CBA
2006 W, 13-5 CBA
2005 W, 19-3 Westhill
2004 W, 13-8 CBA
2003 W, 15-14, OT CBA
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