The seventh-seeded Skaneateles girls lacrosse team will try for its seventh straight Section III championship today, looking to defend its Class C crown against last season's Class B champ Carthage. The game begins at 8 p.m. at SUNY Cortland. Carthage is the top seed in Class C.
The Citizen file photo
Skaneateles senior Lindsay Angelillo runs past a Jordan-Elbridge defender during a May 22 game at Skaneateles High School. The Lakers, who have won six straight sectional titles, play top-seeded Carthage today for the Section III, Class C title at SUNY Cortland.
Skaneateles senior Lindsay Angelillo runs past a Jordan-Elbridge defender during a May 22 game at Skaneateles High School. The Lakers, who have won six straight sectional titles, play top-seeded Carthage today for the Section III, Class C title at SUNY Cortland.
Despite it being a rebuilding season, Skaneateles coach Bridget Marquardt said the team's goal has always been to keep the sectional streak going. Although the Lakers may not have had as many regular-season victories as recent teams, the Lakers came up big in every game with the season on the line.
“We lost a lot of games that were really close, by like one or two points,” Marquardt said. “All season we were on track, it was the experience from those tough, close games that we took to the sectional games. In the end, we won the games that counted in sectionals and we made it.”
The Lakers defeated No. 2 Westhill 11-10 in the quarterfinals before nipping No. 3 Marcellus 11-10 in the semis.
Skaneateles will be facing the Comets for their first time this season, and the Lakers fully expect another close game.
“I have seen them play and I know they are very strong,” Marquardt said. “They have a tough offense, a lot of speed in the midfield and they are a fast break team. It will be a good game.”
And while their defense will have to slow the high-powered Comets, Marquardt is more concerned about winning the turnover battle.
“We need to go out and take care of the ball,” Marquardt said. “We have to be smart because they will take advantage of turnovers. We are a good team though and can't worry about Carthage so much but focus on ourselves. It makes no difference that they are also defending champions, everyone is good at this point, every team here is strong or they wouldn't be this far.”
Skaneateles has a host of strong players to put on the field, but they also have quite a few starting varsity players that were on junior varsity last season.
Rather than be surprised about where the season is headed, Marquardt never doubted that Skaneateles could return to the sectional championship. In fact, the team's motto all season has been “I believe.”
“I wouldn't be a good coach if I didn't believe that we always have a chance,” Marquardt said. “Win or lose, you always look at how you've done, how far you've come compared to the beginning of the season and no matter what happens I am proud of this team. They will play hard and give a good fight.”
If you go
What: Section III, Class C title game, Skaneateles vs. Carthage
Where: SUNY Cortland
When: 8 p.m.
“We lost a lot of games that were really close, by like one or two points,” Marquardt said. “All season we were on track, it was the experience from those tough, close games that we took to the sectional games. In the end, we won the games that counted in sectionals and we made it.”
The Lakers defeated No. 2 Westhill 11-10 in the quarterfinals before nipping No. 3 Marcellus 11-10 in the semis.
Skaneateles will be facing the Comets for their first time this season, and the Lakers fully expect another close game.
“I have seen them play and I know they are very strong,” Marquardt said. “They have a tough offense, a lot of speed in the midfield and they are a fast break team. It will be a good game.”
And while their defense will have to slow the high-powered Comets, Marquardt is more concerned about winning the turnover battle.
“We need to go out and take care of the ball,” Marquardt said. “We have to be smart because they will take advantage of turnovers. We are a good team though and can't worry about Carthage so much but focus on ourselves. It makes no difference that they are also defending champions, everyone is good at this point, every team here is strong or they wouldn't be this far.”
Skaneateles has a host of strong players to put on the field, but they also have quite a few starting varsity players that were on junior varsity last season.
Rather than be surprised about where the season is headed, Marquardt never doubted that Skaneateles could return to the sectional championship. In fact, the team's motto all season has been “I believe.”
“I wouldn't be a good coach if I didn't believe that we always have a chance,” Marquardt said. “Win or lose, you always look at how you've done, how far you've come compared to the beginning of the season and no matter what happens I am proud of this team. They will play hard and give a good fight.”
If you go
What: Section III, Class C title game, Skaneateles vs. Carthage
Where: SUNY Cortland
When: 8 p.m.
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