SOLVAY - It was uncharacteristic for them, not seeing the lead for most of the game. Over the years, the Skaneateles girls lacrosse team has almost become synonymous with pounding other teams on its way to another win, another title.

So when Marcellus had the upper hand for most of the Section III, Class C title game on Sunday, the Lakers were in the unfamiliar position of playing catch-up. That was, until sophomore Madelaine Morrissey scored the tying goal with 2:55 left and then, on a Jenna Lotkowictz interception, Morrissey put the Lakers ahead on a breakaway shot with 1:41 left in the game.

Then, the Lakers did what they do best - run out the time when they're ahead in a big game. With the 12-11 sectional win at Solvay High School, Skaneateles regained its comfort level - earning a sixth straight title.

“They've all been hard,” Lakers coach Bridget Marquardt said. “This one though, we had to fight for every step of the way. We've taken nothing for granted, since day one. It's been a lot of learning, a lot of teaching, a lot of fighting and a lot of humility - and it really pays off because they've really learned a valuable lesson tonight.”

One that Skaneateles hopes not to repeat in the state tournament, which will be at a time and date to be determined against the Section IV.

The Lakers fell behind 4-0 in the first few minutes, but it was the biggest lead that the Mustangs were able to muster.

“It was really unlike us,” Skaneateles senior Jenna Lotkowictz said. “We didn't come out strong, I think we had nerves and anxiety. But what I think is important about our team is that we had perseverance throughout the entire game.”

With under four minutes left in the first half, the Lakers battled back to keep within one of their league foes. Shannon Tierney scored three of her six goals in the first frame, which led the team. She also had two assists, both in the second half.

Skaneateles was not only unable to score much in the first half, it wasn't able to get many draws or have the ball bounce its way. That didn't change until Lotkowictz stole a Marcellus pass and quickly found Morrissey, who in turned found a space in the net, just outside of Mustang goalie Natalie Scheibel's reach to earn the win.

“I was just thinking that we had just a few minutes left and we had to get the ball,” Lotkowictz said. “Possession is the key and if we wanted to win the game, we had to get it. That was one of our problems in the beginning - we weren't winning the draws, we didn't have the ball on offense and that's why we couldn't get the score up. We got the ball at the end and Maddy ran it down very smart and we score, we just kept going throughout the whole time.”

“Jenna was struggling, she was face-guarded and she was a little down on herself,” Marquardt said. “When she came out, I just told her to keep her head up. Jenna does so many things on the field, but that one shot turned it all around.”

Marcellus scored three goals in the first six minutes of the second half, but with Morrissey's second goal at 21:10, the Mustangs held just a 9-6 lead. The rival clubs traded goals in the next six minutes, stalling the Mustangs lead at two. When Tierney scored on a Nangle pass at the 9:39, the Mustangs didn't come close to scoring again. Kate Gosson's penalty shot with 11:46 left in the game was the last score the Mustangs earned. Skaneateles outshot Marcellus 29-22 and in the final few minutes, it paid off.

Scheibel made nine impressive saves overall, but was unable to stop the Lakers' sophomore, who Marcellus didn't quite prepare for.

Morrissey came up with four goals overall as the Mustangs held Lotkowictz to one and Kelsey Nangle to two goals and two more assists. Having defeated the Mustangs twice this season already, Marquardt knew they would be keying in on Nangle, Tierney and Lotkowictz.

“We specifically pulled her aside yesterday and told her - today is going to be your day.” Marquardt said.

For the Mustangs, Nora Barry and Sarah Holden each earned a hat trick, while Barry also tossed an assist. Meghan Connors scored once and passed for another, while Gosson, Chelsey Dean, Bridget Dooley and Erin Walter each notched a score. Denise Johns piled on three assists.

Now the Lakers, who have not lost a game since May 3, turn their attention to a bigger stage, again.

“I think that Marcellus is a great team and a great program,” Marquardt said. “But I don't think we've played our best game yet. If we can win by not playing our best game, it really says something about us.”