Sunday Sports: South Jeff Girls’ Lacrosse looking for Class D Championship

ADAMS, New York (WWNY) – The South Jeff Girls’ Lacrosse Team will be looking to snap a 2-game losing streak in the Section 3 Class D Championship Game on Tuesday night when they meet Westhill for the title.

It’s a game that holds added meaning and importance for the players and coaches.

The Spartans are back in the Class D Championship game for a 3rd straight year after beating Marcellus 20-5 in the semifinals on Thursday at Chittenango High School.

South Jeff is on a mission this postseason. In their 2 playoff games, the Spartans have outscored their opponents 41-5.

Coach Jen Williams feels her team is peaking at the right time but still has some things to work on.

”I think we’re in a great place right now. We’re at a place where we feel the kids need to be at this point in the season but we’re still working on things every day in practice and even in some of our late games here. We’ve been able to take some coaching opportunities into placing those game plays and being able to fix things as well,” said Williams.

Next up for South Jeff is Westhill, who upset 2nd seed Skaneateles 10-9 in the other Class D Semifinal, marking the first time in 3 years that South Jeff and Skaneateles won’t meet in the title game.

The players understand that the Warriors will provide just as big, if not a bigger, challenge than Skaneateles and they’ll have to be firing on all cylinders to come away with a win.

”We’re gonna obviously have to play our hardest and we really need to connect everywhere on the field. I think the middies have a big job this game and our low attack really need to show out,” said Chloe Elmer.

”I think definitely work as a team, push together as a team, don’t get hard on ourselves, and just work as one,” said Lily Morrison.

This will also mark the first championship game without longtime Assistant Coach Nancy Vecchio, who passed away during the season after a battle with cancer.

For the players, winning a Sectional Title would be a perfect way to honor someone who meant so much to the program over the past 16 years.

”Yeah, she was always our biggest supporter. We want to play our best for her and just do it for Nancy,” said Savannah Hodges.

”Yeah, you know that’s been our guardian this whole time. It’s been a tough road without her after 16 years with someone like her on the sideline. These kids do have a little bit of motivation on their shoulders,” said Williams.

It’s South Jeff versus Westhill for the Section 3 Class D Girls’ Lacrosse Championship on Tuesday at 5 p.m. at SUNY Cortland.

It’s championship week for 5 other Frontier League teams as well.

On Tuesday, Lyme meets Oriskany for the Section 3 Class D Baseball title at OCC in a 10 a.m. start.

Also on Tuesday at OCC, Lowville squares off against Little Falls for the Section 3 Class B Baseball title. That game is set for 1 p.m.

On Tuesday, it’s girls’ lacrosse as Indian River faces Fulton in the Girls’ Section 3 Class C Championship at SUNY Cortland. That game is scheduled for 7 p.m.

On Wednesday, Watertown faces West Genesee in the Boys’ Section 3 Class B Lacrosse Championship at Fayetteville-Manlius at 5 p.m.

On the softball diamond, Sackets Harbor meets Cincinnatus in the Section 3 Class D Softball Championship. The first pitch is set for 5 p.m. at Carrier Park in Syracuse.

The Thousand Islands Spirits open their 2024 North American Box Lacrosse League season Saturday at home, hosting the Paper City Oaks with doors opening at 7 p.m. and game time set for 7:30 p.m.

Tickets are $10 for adults with children 12 and under free.

The Spirits are excited for their 2nd season of existence and looking to build on a 2023 season that saw them make it to the NABLL national championship game.

Troy Lyons is the new head coach and says he likes what he sees from his team heading into the first game.

”Yeah, I’m really impressed. They’re picking it up really well. Anything I ask out of the guys, they do it. It’s a really good group of guys. If anybody can come out to see them, they’re gonna be pretty impressed with them. It’s gonna be a good show,” said Lyons.

Senior Associate Vice President for Athletics at St. Lawrence, Bob Durocher, announced his retirement on Wednesday.

Durocher spent the last 9 years at the helm of the Athletics Department for the Saints.

Before that, Durocher was the head coach of the men’s soccer team, winning 323 games during his tenure.

In 1999, he led the team to an undefeated season and the NCAA Division 3 Men’s Soccer Championship. He was named the National Coach of the Year as well.

A search is underway for his replacement.

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