Cats sink Lakers 8-5
Dabrowski and Bebee lead West Genny

The West Genesee boy’s varsity lacrosse teamd their 2002 campaign with 0-0(1-0) with an 8-5 win over Class B foe Skaneateles Wednesday night at Liverpool High School. On a night more suited for ice skating and snowball fights than lacrosse due to temperatures in the 20’s and a constant grating wind it took West Genny nearly five minutes to get on the board.

The Wildcats took advantage of a Laker interference play and gained possession near the goal to the left of Skaneateles senior goalie Ed Clark. After the restart Genny senior attackman Jake Bebee found himself alone in front of Clark and put the Cats up 1-0 with a goal at the 8:30 mark.

Skaneateles attempted to retaliate after the ensuing face-off when Laker sophomore Dan Didio fired a quality shot on the Wildcat goal only to have it turned aside by junior goalie Casey Rottella.

With only 2:00 left in the quarter junior attackman Drew Dabrowski extended the West Genesee lead to 2-0. Dabrowski cut in front of the Laker crease, took a feed from fellow attackman sophomore Andrew Hanover and stuck the shot over Clark’s right shoulder.

The Lakers wasted little time halving the Wildcat lead taking advantage of two penalties at 10:08 of the second quarter. Senior midfielder Pat Riehlman was left alone with Rotella dekeing the Wildcat goalie and sliding a shot low along the turf to cut the lead to 2-1.

West Genny returned the man down favor with Bebee notching his second goal of the night to increase the Wildcat lead to 3-1 at 8:39 The advantage developed after Clark was called for a delay of game penalty forcing him to the sideline to be replaced by junior goalie Todd Fesko. Bebee took advantange of the untested keeper and snuck a shot by Fesko in front to increase the Wildcat advantage.

Dabrowski added to the West Genny lead at 6:03 off a pretty feed from senior midfield captain Mark Conklin. Conklin found Dabrowski cutting from behind the left side of the Laker cage and needled a pass between several defenders sticks, Dabrowski took the feed spun and fired a shot past Clark and the Cats led 4-1.

Riehlman kept the Lakers close with a goal at 1:17 beating Genny senior midfielder Matt O’Connell who slipped on the slick carpet, then walked in alone and beat Rottella to cut the lead to 4-2.

A fine passing display highlighted the Cats final goal of the first half with only 49 seconds left to increase their lead to 5-2. Hanover began the play behind the goal to Clark’s left and found Dabrowski stationed opposite side, hit him with a perfect pass then Dabrowski wheeled in front and found senior midfielder Devin Burgoon who put the shot past a helpless Clark.

Dabrowski and senior captain, attackman Mike Conklin clicked for two goals in a 24 second span to increase the Genny lead to 7-2. Once again it was Riehlman to the rescue scoring his third goal of the evening for the Lakers to cut the lead to 7-3 with 5:17 left in the quarter. Skaneateles further cut into the Wildcat lead with and unassisted goal from senior attackman Eric Pittard to make it a three goal game 7-4 with 6:40 left in the contest.

Genny finally iced the game with 3:31 left when junior midfielder Matt Cassalia’s left handed shot deflected off the left goal post past Clark for an 8-4 lead. Laker sophomore midfielder Steve Babbles added one more for the Lakers with just 26 seconds left but it was to late to keep the Cats from capturing an 8-5 victory.

Final Statistics:

West Genesee: Drew Dabrowski 3-2, Jake Bebee 3-0, Devin Burgoon 1-0, Matt Cassalia 1-0, Mike Conklin 0-2, Mark Conklin 0-1, Andrew Hanover 0-1. Saves Casey Rotella 12
0-0(1-0)

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