Handcuffed with a depleted roster all season, the Panthers lacrosse team has made its mark by battling to the final whistle, despite the odds. Saturday saw a perfect example of that attitude and spirit as Tompkins Cortland hosted the defending national champion, and current #3-ranked team in the nation, Onondaga Community College. Though significantly outmanned, the Panthers gave it everything they had, falling by a final score of 22-1. The loss drops the Panthers to 1-4 overall and in Region III and 1-2 in the Mid-State Athletic Conference. Onondaga is 5-2 overall, 3-0 in Region III, and 2-0 in the MSAC.

Onondaga controlled the game from the opening faceoff. The Lazers scored in the first minute en route to a 6-0 lead after the first quarter and 13-0 at the half. The lead stood at 18-0 after three quarters and grew to 21-0 before he Panthers got on the board with a goal by Tyler Ponticello (Homer/Homer H.S.).

Goalie Ben Pallone (Cortland/Cortland H.S.) had 19 saves.

 Looking ahead

The Panthers hope to snap their current four-game losing streak Wednesday when they travel to play Mohawk Valley Community College. The game will be played at 6 p.m. at Utica Proctor Stadium