Horseheads Advances in State Tournament as Other Section 4 Teams Exit

Horseheads has emerged as the sole survivor from Section 4 in the boys lacrosse state tournament, showcasing an impressive performance on June 3. The Blue Raiders triumphed over Ballston Spa, the Section 2 runner-up, with a decisive 13-4 victory in the Class B subregional held at Ithaca High School. This marks a significant milestone for Horseheads, as it is their first win in the state tournament after previous losses in 1987, 1988, 1998, and 2016.

Senior player Zack Bennett expressed his excitement after the game, stating, “This team just keeps doing it. We ended our regular season with a five-game win streak. To win the first state playoff game is just fantastic. I wouldn't want to do it with anyone else.” The Blue Raiders, who recently claimed the Section 4 title with a 13-3 victory over Binghamton, are set to face Victor from Section 5 in the regional final on Saturday, June 6, at Hobart & William Smith Colleges in Geneva.

Despite their success, the day was challenging for other Section 4 teams. Ithaca suffered a heavy defeat against West Genesee, losing 15-5, while Maine-Endwell faced a tough 21-4 loss to Jamesville-DeWitt. Additionally, Whitney Point’s season concluded with a 20-4 loss to Marcellus.

Horseheads dominated early in the match, quickly gaining a 7-0 lead before heading into halftime at 9-2. Bennett led the scoring for Horseheads with four goals and an assist, while Seamus Lynch added two goals and an assist. Contributions also came from Brogan Sullivan, Owen Johanson, Boe Briggs, Keenan McCarthy, Liam Kelly, Colin Philips, and Andrew Fedele.

Goalie Ben Potter made nine saves, and Briggs excelled in faceoffs, winning 11 of 21 and securing 13 ground balls. Coach Jason Neubauer praised his team’s hard work and confidence, saying, “If they come in with that attitude, with that work ethic, with that belief in each other, it makes coaching a lot easier and I'm proud of them.” He noted the team's exceptional shooting accuracy, scoring 13 goals on just 21 attempts, and commended their defense for its outstanding performance throughout the game.