Taking on one of the top teams in the nation on Wednesday, the Tompkins Cortland Community College lacrosse team lost for the first time in two years, dropping an 8-3 final to Genesee Community College. The loss, the first for the Panthers since the 2019 season, snaps a four-game winning streak that spanned all of last year's pandemic-shortened season. Tompkins Cortland is now 2-1 this year; Genesee, the #3-ranked team in the latest NJCAA national poll, improves to 3-0.

The game featured the two highest scoring teams in the nation, with Genesee tops averaging 24.5 per game and Tompkins Cortland second at 21 per game, but it was the defense that stole the show. The fast-starting Cougars had averaged 10 first-quarter goals in their previous two games, but the Panthers were able to hold them to four. Unfortunately for the Panthers, their own offense was struggling to gain any traction. When Genesee added three more in the second quarter, the halftime score stood at 7-0.

The defense continued to play well in the second half, allowing just a goal in the second minute of play in the third quarter and then shutting out the Cougars the rest of the way. On the other end of the field, Tompkins Cortland's offense was finally able to generate some life in the fourth quarter.

Early in the final quarter, Alan Porter-Jackson (Buchanan/Hendrick Hudson H.S.) put the Panthers on the board with a goal off an assist from Julian Mangino (Ithaca/Ithaca H.S.). A few minutes later, Ethan Hicks (Dryden/Dryden H.S.) took a pass from Porter-Jackson and let it rip for the second goal for the Panthers. The final score came with 2:10 left on the clock, when Ryan Pritchard (Montrose/Hendrick Hudson H.S.) flipped in a shot off an assist from Colum Swan (Tully/Tully H.S.).

Declan Fullerton (Westchester/Walter Panas H.S.) anchored the defense in goal, posting 11 saves.

Looking ahead

The Panthers are scheduled to host Finger Lakes Community College on Wednesday, April 7.