CORTLAND - Once upon a time, not too long ago, it was the Skaneateles girls lacrosse team that was beginning its dynasty. Perennially the Section III, Class C champion, the Lakers are still in the midst of it, but as far as reigning over the state - Shoreham-Wading River has taken the throne the Lakers held just two seasons ago.
Chet Susslin / The Citizen
Skaneateles midfielder Kelsey Nangle runs down the field against Shoreham-Wading River defender Julie Hudecek during the Class C state title game at SUNY Cortland, Saturday.
Skaneateles midfielder Kelsey Nangle runs down the field against Shoreham-Wading River defender Julie Hudecek during the Class C state title game at SUNY Cortland, Saturday.
The Wildcats took a lightning fast lead in the NYSPHSAA Class C title game at SUNY Cortland on Saturday and did to the Lakers what Skaneateles has done to opposing teams for years - sent them into the locker room wondering what just hit them. The Wildcats earned their second consecutive state title over the Lakers, only this time it was by a lopsided 21-5 outcome.
“We just wanted to run, run, run and take them apart,” Wildcats coach Bob Vlahakis said. “We wanted to go at them.”
That they did as Shoreham-Wading River scored three goals in the final two minutes of the game - when they had the title sewn up and the game was being played on running time. Despite what could be looked upon as disrespectful, especially when Jen Devito scored her fourth goal as the final buzzer sounded, Lakers coach Bridget Marquardt wasn't upset about it.
“We've been on the other side of that, so I don't blame them,” she said. “I understand that intensity, we had it yesterday. We just didn't have it today.”
As Skaneateles took an early lead over Honeoye Falls-Lima in the previous day's semifinals contest, the Wildcats took it a step further in the title game. Six different players scored in the first half, as Shoreham built a 9-0 lead before the Lakers made it an 11-2 contest at intermission. The Wildcats scored three times in the first 1:23 alone.
“We never overcame that,” Marquardt said. “That was our game plan - to go out and get a couple of quick goals - the run-and-gun, which we did yesterday, they did to us today. We never got out of that. Any little chance we had, something happened. They executed great. It hurt us really bad because we had to fight back the whole game.”
Erica Devito put up a hat trick for the Wildcats in the first half alone, adding another goal and assist in the second frame to help earn the tournament MVP award.
“We have so many great players on our team,” she said. “Anyone could have gotten the award.”
Stephanie Anderson also scored three times and added an assist, while Megan Gersbeck also scored twice. Marie Cordaro (two goals, two assists), Kaitlin Rochler (two assists) and goalie Michelle Verbeeck were named to the all-tournament team.
“We didn't think it was over until the last buzzer,” Erica Devito said. “Even when it was 9-0, we still thought they could come back. We never ever let up and that's what makes us such a good team.”
Verbeeck led a stifling Wildcats defense that has not allowed more than 11 goals in any win this season. As a sophomore in last season's close title win, Verbeeck stopped 11 shots. Even though the Lakers hurled nearly as many shots as the Wildcats did, Verbeeck's nine saves stole any momentum Skaneateles might have built.
“I think we just had to prove to ourselves that we could do it again, no matter what team we played,” she said of her team's effort. “We just work together on everything we do - that's just how we play.”
Senior Jenna Lotkowictz had a hand in all three second half goals for Skaneateles, with two scores and an assist on a Shannon Tierney goal. Tierney's score was the final one for the Lakers as the Wildcats accumulated seven more.
“They were getting mad and I think they were just frustrated,” Marquardt said of her team's early second half performance. “They didn't want to end their season like that. I think the whole team fought at the end, they didn't give up.”
Maddy Morrissey and Lindsay Angelillo scored both goals in the first half for Skaneateles. Tierney, Lotkowictz and Laura Trenti were also selected to the all-tournament team.
Now, as the Lakers try and understand how such a good season ended so unfortunately, the Wildcats of Section XI will enjoy bringing their second straight state title back to Long Island.
“I didn't think we had a lot of respect before as a defending state champion,” Vlahakis said. “It put a sense of urgency for us out there.”
And now?
“We'll see what people say about us, we've got a pretty good group, I think,” he said. “We've got 19 back, so we're in pretty good shape for a couple of years as far as the program goes.”
Wildcats 21
Lakers 5
“We just wanted to run, run, run and take them apart,” Wildcats coach Bob Vlahakis said. “We wanted to go at them.”
That they did as Shoreham-Wading River scored three goals in the final two minutes of the game - when they had the title sewn up and the game was being played on running time. Despite what could be looked upon as disrespectful, especially when Jen Devito scored her fourth goal as the final buzzer sounded, Lakers coach Bridget Marquardt wasn't upset about it.
“We've been on the other side of that, so I don't blame them,” she said. “I understand that intensity, we had it yesterday. We just didn't have it today.”
As Skaneateles took an early lead over Honeoye Falls-Lima in the previous day's semifinals contest, the Wildcats took it a step further in the title game. Six different players scored in the first half, as Shoreham built a 9-0 lead before the Lakers made it an 11-2 contest at intermission. The Wildcats scored three times in the first 1:23 alone.
“We never overcame that,” Marquardt said. “That was our game plan - to go out and get a couple of quick goals - the run-and-gun, which we did yesterday, they did to us today. We never got out of that. Any little chance we had, something happened. They executed great. It hurt us really bad because we had to fight back the whole game.”
Erica Devito put up a hat trick for the Wildcats in the first half alone, adding another goal and assist in the second frame to help earn the tournament MVP award.
“We have so many great players on our team,” she said. “Anyone could have gotten the award.”
Stephanie Anderson also scored three times and added an assist, while Megan Gersbeck also scored twice. Marie Cordaro (two goals, two assists), Kaitlin Rochler (two assists) and goalie Michelle Verbeeck were named to the all-tournament team.
“We didn't think it was over until the last buzzer,” Erica Devito said. “Even when it was 9-0, we still thought they could come back. We never ever let up and that's what makes us such a good team.”
Verbeeck led a stifling Wildcats defense that has not allowed more than 11 goals in any win this season. As a sophomore in last season's close title win, Verbeeck stopped 11 shots. Even though the Lakers hurled nearly as many shots as the Wildcats did, Verbeeck's nine saves stole any momentum Skaneateles might have built.
“I think we just had to prove to ourselves that we could do it again, no matter what team we played,” she said of her team's effort. “We just work together on everything we do - that's just how we play.”
Senior Jenna Lotkowictz had a hand in all three second half goals for Skaneateles, with two scores and an assist on a Shannon Tierney goal. Tierney's score was the final one for the Lakers as the Wildcats accumulated seven more.
“They were getting mad and I think they were just frustrated,” Marquardt said of her team's early second half performance. “They didn't want to end their season like that. I think the whole team fought at the end, they didn't give up.”
Maddy Morrissey and Lindsay Angelillo scored both goals in the first half for Skaneateles. Tierney, Lotkowictz and Laura Trenti were also selected to the all-tournament team.
Now, as the Lakers try and understand how such a good season ended so unfortunately, the Wildcats of Section XI will enjoy bringing their second straight state title back to Long Island.
“I didn't think we had a lot of respect before as a defending state champion,” Vlahakis said. “It put a sense of urgency for us out there.”
And now?
“We'll see what people say about us, we've got a pretty good group, I think,” he said. “We've got 19 back, so we're in pretty good shape for a couple of years as far as the program goes.”
Wildcats 21
Lakers 5
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