The better team didn’t win. The prepared team won.
Those were the kind of things that Fayetteville-Manlius’ boys lacrosse players were saying after the 13-7 loss to Skaneateles that snapped their three-game winning streak.
After the loss, the Hornet coaching staff found a way to teach their team some lessons that will be important to the team’s success this season and will have a major role in each of the players’ lives.
Head coach Chris Kenneally emphasized the importance of taking responsibility for something that may not be your fault. He told his team that they can’t point fingers and said that individual players have to own up to their own mishaps, but, most importantly, they have to be a better team from now on.
Spectators alluded to the struggles that F-M (5-2, 2-1) experienced after the game. One of them stated that winning face-offs was a major problem and sometimes seemed impossible while passing, catching, and clearing the ball were adventures.
But F-M’s goalie, Ryan Boshart, found a way to keep his head in the game, even when the defense was stumbling. Boshart saved 16 shots and did his best to keep the Hornets from getting frustrated with themselves.
Despite that, Skaneateles used a balanced offense to navigate through the Hornet defense. The home team had three guys with at least three goals, including one with five.
F-M’s Donovan Welsh had three goals of his own. He also accounted for two other goals with his assists.
Mac Fish and Luke Burnam also scored goals and then Jason Coleman and Ryan Cicci cashed in a goal apiece.
The Hornets’ teamwork wasn’t enough to overcome the frustrating moments and beat Skaneateles.
