This has become way too familiar — and way too painful — for the Marcellus lacrosse team, in regards to its ongoing rivalry with Skaneateles. Just when it looks like the Mustangs are on the brink of earning a big win over the Lakers, something negative happens — and in the last three years, Skaneateles star Maddy Morrissey has been in the midst of it. Morrissey used late-game goals to beat Marcellus in both the 2008 Section III Class C finals and 2009 playoff semifinals — both games where the Mustangs led by three in the second half. On a gorgeous Tuesday afternoon, the same thing happened again, only this time the battle stretched to overtime before Marcellus fell in a 14-13 thriller. Despite a lethargic first half, the Mustangs only trailed 6-4 at the half. Then, at the start of the second half, Nora Barry won five straight draws, which led to constant possession — and five straight goals, two from Leea Sinay and one each from Barry, Andrea Burrows and Erin Walter. Naturally, the Lakers came back to tie it 9-9, setting up a frantic final 10 minutes of regulation. Twice, the Mustangs took one-goal leads, at 10-9 and 12-11. Both times, Skaneateles came back and tied it, with Morrissey converting her fifth goal (fourth of the second half) with 48.9 seconds to play, making it 12-12. Still, Marcellus had a chance to win at the end of regulation, Catherine Nolan earning a free-possession shot — but seeing it turned away by Skaneateles goalie Shannon Byrne, leading to a pair of three-minute overtime periods. Morrissey got her sixth goal 21 seconds into the first OT, then set up Aly Davis for another tally as the Mustangs fell behind 14-12. Barry countered with her fourth goal just before that period ended. Marcellus came within an inch of tying it with a minute left in the second OT, but Megan Welch’s hard shot crashed off the left post. An offsides call gave the Mustangs one more chance, but Byrne turned away Molly McGuane’s shot as time expired. Aside from Barry, Sinay led with three goals, all in the second half. Walter had two goals and one assist as McGuane, Welch and Ellen Brooks joined Burrows with one goal apiece. Renee Poullott finished with 11 saves. Meanwhile, the Marcellus boys lacrosse team had its own encounter with Skaneateles last Tuesday, falling 13-5 to the state Class C no. 7-ranked Lakers. For a while, it was close, as the Mustangs played solid defense and only trailed 5-4 at halftime. But the Lakers’ defense thwarted whatever Marcellus tried to do in the second half as, gradually, the hosts pulled away. Greg Ramsden had three of the Mustangs’ goals, with Matt McCaffer adding a goal and two assists. Carmen Brienza also converted as Luke McNaney and R.J. Linder also scored. Paul O’Donnell paced Skaneateles with five goals and three assists.