In a match-up between two of the top men's lacrosse programs in the NJCAA, Onondaga Community College proved why they are the number one team in the country on Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 3 Genesee Community College, 23-9.
A rematch of last year's NJCAA national semifinals, the Lazers wasted little time and scored only 23 seconds into the first quarter to grab a 1-0 lead. They upped their lead to 2-0 just two minutes later before Chris Rabung got Genesee on the board at the 3:55 mark. Onondaga then scored four straight goals before Christian Reiller scored his first of two goals in the game at the 12:16 mark to draw GCC to within four at 6-2. The Lazers responded and scored the final three goals of the quarter to take a 9-2 lead into the second.
Four more OCC goals to start the second quarter had Genesee trailing by 11 until Nick Gray scored a man-up goal to make it 13-3. Seth Oakes and Tim Barber scored for Onondaga at the 9:35 and 10:34 marks, respectively, but the Cougars scored the final two goals of the half when Pete DiLaura scored an unassisted goal and Blake Hurt took advantage of a two-man-up situation with a goal of his own. GCC trailed 15-5 at the half.
In the second half, Tyler Skowronski answered an early OCC goal with his first of two goals on the afternoon, but the Lazers offense was too much and never allowed Genesee to cut their lead into single digits. Skowronski scored his second goal following a Charlie Evans goal and Reiller added his second goal late in quarter, but OCC led 19-9 going into the fourth.
The Lazers scored the only four goals of the final period and with the win improve to 7-0 on the season.
Brady Lawrence made 15 saves in net for Genesee. DiLaura ended with a goal, an assist and five takeaways. Evans was 14 of 23 on face-offs and led the team with 14 ground balls.
Genesee is now 7-1 on the season and will travel to Niagara County Community College on Tuesday for a 4 p.m. start.
PHOTOS by Howard Owens. Top, Mike Chambers takes a shot late in the second quarter. Below, Nick Susko, Wayne Hill and Chambers.
