The last time the Skaneateles boys soccer team won a Section III, Class B title, most of the current Lakers weren't even born yet.

That was in 1989.

But on Monday, Skaneateles shattered that drought with a 3-0 victory over South Jefferson to claim the sectional title. It was an improbable run for the Lakers, who started the tournament as the ninth seed and are one of the most inexperienced squads in the section, with just three seniors.

The young Lakers advance to play an NYSPHSAA first-round game against Section IV's Chenango Forks at 12:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Mike Tonzi and Austin Parker are team captains and had a key hand in helping lead this team to the title.

“It feels nice to know they can turn to me for advice or help,” Parker said of his younger teammates.

Parker was a member of the Lakers team that made a sectional title run two years ago before losing in the title game.

“He is a vital part on our team,” Lakers coach Kirk Atwater said of Parker. “The team feeds off of him and our other captains.”

Parker played another major role in the Section III, Class B championship win.

He scored the Lakers first goal on a penalty kick and assisted on the second goal to Ryan Farrell.

“Austin is a vocal leader,” Atwater said. “The team fed off of him.”

“It felt good to get things started,” Parker said. “I was a little nervous at first, but as soon as things got going I relaxed. I think it motivated us and set a fire in us.”

The third goal came from Eric Stucker with an assist by Farrell, while goalie Jacob Bird recorded his 11th shutout of the season.

“Jacob has done a fantastic job,” Atwater said. “He's stepped up in the second half (of the season). It takes 11 guys to get the ‘W,' but he is the last line of defense.”

And with another shutout, Atwater gave much of the praise to his defense.

“The defense has stepped up big this year,” Atwater said.

In sectional play, the Skaneateles defense allowed only two regulation goals in four games.

Their biggest game came against top-seeded Mount Markham in the quarterfinals. Spencer Parker scored the only goal, on a pass from A.J. Richichi.

“It was a hard- fought battle,” Atwater said. “We were really the underdog and (when) the first goal came we just carried the momentum.”

The Lakers' playoff opponents had a combined record of 47-17-7 during the regular season.

“They are playing their best soccer all year, the whole team in general,” Atwater said.

And playing in the OHSL Liberty League, one of the most competitive in the area, was good preparation for the playoffs.

“I think it's one of the toughest,” Atwater said of the league. “It has schools like Westhill, Marcellus and Manlius Pebble Hill.”

Skaneateles' turning point came in the middle of the season at the Hall of Fame tournament in Oneonta, where it will be playing their state playoff game.

Atwater made the decision to have the team stay overnight at Oneonta University. That turned out to be an important bonding moment for the Lakers and they caught fire from then on.

“After that we had a great second half,” Atwater said.

Atwater credits his team's youth as a key factor in the decision to stay overnight.

“With the young team, we had to gel,” Atwater said. “That allowed us to bond and get together. We set the tone for what we needed to accomplish.”

Atwater was able to use the experiences that he and his assistant coaches Aaron Moss and John Dower went through, as all three played on the title-winning squad in 1989.

“It felt special then,” Atwater said. “The tradition and passion is great for the team.”