OSWEGO, NY – An outstanding second half of play couldn’t make up for the halftime deficit as the Oswego High School girls’ lacrosse team finished the season losing to Brighton 15-9.
Oswego, playing at SUNY Cortland, saw its season come to an end in the New York State Public High School Athletic Association Class B Championship semifinal.
The Bucs trailed 9-1 at halftime. Oswego gained a 1-0 lead in the opening moments on a free possession by Lacey Brown, but Brighton used an aggressive style and pinpoint shots for the eight goal lead.
The second half saw the Bucs rally back, but they could not overcome the opposition.
Kaitlyn Armstrong had three goals, Sam McCarrick two goals and three assists, Mikayla Place two goals and an assist and Libby Sherman one goal.
Tayler Bowman and Hayley Lukaczuk each saw action between the pipes for the Bucs.
The disappointed Oswego team arrived home shortly after 2 p.m. on Friday and was shocked with what they saw.
As the bus moved down Hillside Avenue they suddenly realized that the entire Oswego High School student body, faculty and staff members were lined up along the entire length of Buccaneer Boulevard.
“Buc Pride’ was evident as cheers, noise from party favors and arms waving welcomed the Lady Bucs.
The moment was etched in their minds as tears began to flow.
One Buc said, ”This is the nicest thing that anyone has ever done for me. This is very, very special.”
The members of this year’s team included seniors Lacey Brown, Hayley Lukaczyk, and Sam McCarrick along with juniors Kaitlyn Armstrong, Tayler Bowman, Cassie Collins, Danielle Faivus, Taylor Giglio, Abby Haessig, Paige Hart, Christie Hoefer, Brittany Kearns, Becca Martin, Mikayla Place, Mackenzie Robinson, Kelsey Ross and Libby Sherman; sophomores Kelly Chetney, Andrea Folgerhait, Sarah Stobener, Alexa Healy and Allison McPherson and frosh Erica Atkins and Kerrigan Cummins.
Laura Burger was the head coach and she was assisted by Ted Beers and Brad Sherman.
The season might have ended earlier than the girls’ had hoped, but being in the Final Four for the first time in the history of the Buccaneer lacrosse program will provide inspiration and the goal of being there once again at the conclusion of the 2012 season.
