Over the last two seasons, Tompkins Cortland Community College and Hudson Valley Community College have developed a nice rivalry on the lacrosse field. The teams have played four times, including twice in the NJCAA Region III playoffs. Each game was hard fought and tight, with the Panthers pulling out the win each time. In fact, the Panthers had won seven straight against the Vikings entering Wednesday's game, dating all the way back to the 2014 season. While Wednesday's game was just one regular season contest, if the Vikings were looking for some revenge, they certainly found it. Hudson Valley dominated the game from the beginning, racing out to a big lead before cruising to a 17-4 win over the Panthers. The Panthers are now 1-3 overall and in Region III. Hudson Valley is now 3-3 overall and 1-1 in Region III.
Not much went right for the Panthers. Hudson Valley scored six times in the first quarter while racing to a 10-1 lead at the half. The lead grew to 16-1 before the Panthers scored three times in the fourth, including a score in the final second of the game, to make the final 17-4.
Lesley Hines (Jamaica/Wingate Campus H.S.) had two points on a goal and an assist. Dante Cuttino (Tully/Tully H.S.), Jacob Lewis (Dryden/Dryden H.S.) and Pat Hartnett (Cortland/Cortland H.S.) each had a goal. Goalie Ben Pallone (Cortland/Cortland H.S.) had 15 saves.
Looking ahead
The Panthers host #3-ranked Onondaga Community College Saturday at noon.