GIRLS LACROSSE: Comets, Cyclones pound Section 10 opponents

POTSDAM — The journey to the state final four in the girls lacrosse has been an exhausting one for Carthage and Watertown.

But the Comets and Cyclones clinched their berths with relative ease Saturday.

Carthage overpowered Section 10 champion Potsdam, 21-2, in a state Class C quarterfinal matchup at Potsdam High School. The Comets (20-3), who are currently the top-ranked team in their class, advanced to the state semifinals for a third consecutive season.

A tougher test awaits Carthage in the final four. The Comets will face Section 11's Shoreham-Wading River in the semifinals at 9:30 a.m. Friday at SUNY Cortland. The Wildcats captured the state Class C championship last year.

Watertown moved on to its first final four in the program's history with a convincing 20-2 victory over Section 10 representative Massena in the state Class B quarterfinals at Potsdam. The Cyclones (17-4) will play either Section 8's Garden City or Sayville of Section 11 in the semifinals at 2:30 p.m. Friday at SUNY Cortland.

CARTHAGE 21, POTSDAM 2

By halftime, Katherine DeRonda could finally catch her breath.

The Comets' junior midfielder wasn't alone, though. Several starters rested in the second half after Carthage raced out to an insurmountable 14-1 lead at halftime. DeRonda registered her two goals and four assists in the opening half.

Sitting on the sideline was a luxury for the Comets' regulars. It was a deserving gift since they tallied six straight wins in 11 days just to make the final four.

"That was our goal," DeRonda said. "We wanted to get up quick and give everybody some playing time and give our (midfielders) a break."

Five players contributed at least three points for Carthage. Standout junior attacker Katie Ferris scored four goals in the Comets' 13-0 run to open the game. She finished with a game-high five goals and three assists.

Senior captain Gabrielle Kamide contributed a goal and four assists for Carthage, and Kailah Kempney scored three times. The balanced effort pleased head coach Sue Gallagher, who said determination has catapulted the Comets.

"We're really excited this time," Gallagher said. "We're going with more of an intensity because we are very clear about what our expectations are."

Potsdam head coach Sarah Rosintoski wants to erect a program similar to that of her mentor. She played for Gallagher at Carthage and played collegiately at SUNY Potsdam. While the teacher got the win, the pupil learned a valuable lesson.

"It doesn't happen overnight," Rosintoski said. "This is a good stepping stone. I hope the girls take a lot from this year. This is where we need to start next year. We want to stay on top and make this a tradition just like Carthage has."

But the Comets would like to add one more line to the program's illustrious résumé: the school's first state championship.

"We've just got to come ready to play together as a team," DeRonda said. "If we do that, there is no one that can beat us."

Carthage goalies Ellyse Richardson and Valerie McGuire combined for seven saves. Potsdam (13-3) received goals from Keeley Rice and Monique Cornett.

WATERTOWN 20, MASSENA 2

Seniors Rachel Schneeberger and Taylor Nims supplied five points apiece as the Cyclones scored the game's first seven goals and cruised past the Red Raiders (9-8).

Before the season began, Watertown head coach Nunzio Fazio believed a Section 3 Class B championship was attainable. He never envisioned a trip to the final four.

"I can't believe this stuff," Fazio said. "We're all excited about going down. We worked very hard to get there, too. I'm just happy for them."

Schneeberger sparked the Cyclones by controlling draws and finishing with three goals and two assists. Nims followed with two goals and a game-best three assists. Massena couldn't handle Watertown's depth.

"We're a very young team, and they played very well," Red Raiders coach Jeff Slack said. "Watertown did some things to us that we haven't seen this year."

Kiley Buckshot and Emma Dupree buried goals to pull Massena to within 9-2 late in the first half. But the Cyclones' ball possession and five saves from goalie Maggie McAuliffe kept the Red Raiders from scoring again.

Kathleen Bacsik collected two goals and two assists for Watertown. Sophia Capone and Taylor Hughes each provided three goals.