The Tompkins Cortland Community College men's lacrosse season finally got underway on Friday with a 12-4 win over Finger Lakes Community College. After having the scheduled season-opener postponed last week the Panthers are now 1-0 on the season. Finger Lakes drops to 0-2.

The first quarter was scoreless for both teams, despite the Panthers unleashing 12 shots. The ice-breaker came in the first minute of the second quarter when Matt Salerno (Campbell Hill/Goshen H.S.) found the net to give the Panthers the 1-0 lead. Four minutes later the Lakers answered to tie the game at 1-1, but a pair of scores 43 seconds apart by Ben Miller (Owego/Owego Free Academy) and Tosh Marshall (Sylvan Lake, Alberta/H.J. Cody H.S.) put Tompkins Cortland back in front, taking the 3-1 lead into the half.

The lead opened up in the third quarter, with the Panthers scoring six unanswered to take command, 9-1. Each team scored three times over the final 15 minutes, keeping the final margin at eight goals, 12-4.

Miller finished as the high scorer, finding the net four times. Salerno and Logan Nordman (Onondaga/Onondaga H.S.) each had two goals, with Nordman adding an assist and a strong performance on faceoffs, winning 10 of 11. Tosh Marshall (Sylvan Lake, Alberta/H.J. Cody H.S.) finished with a goal and two assists and Brett Willcox (Ithaca/Ithaca H.S.) had one of each. Mike Wasyln (Owego/Owego Free Academy) and Tayvn Malchak (Homer/Homer H.S.) each had a single goal in the win.

Goalie Declan Fullerton (Westchester/Walter Panas H.S.) had a solid opener, recording 13 saves.

Looking ahead

The Panthers host Mohawk Valley Community College on March 29.