It’s fair to argue that the Fayetteville-Manlius girls lacrosse team’s 23-20 epic with Oswego on May 1 expended a lot of energy from the Hornets. And just 48 hours later, the Hornets had to board a bus and go west to meet Section V power Brighton, who had just knocked off Baldwinsville. The Barons would get F-M, too, earning a 14-8 victory as it steadily pulled clear after establishing control in a 7-3 first half behind Hayley Milner, who finished with six goals. No one on the Hornets could approach Milner’s production, as Mollie Caputo and Marilyn Farrell each got two goals. Sarah Lux had a goal and two assists, with Taylor Robinson, Kelly Perry and Morgan Same also converting. Stephanie Rutkowski took a turn in goal and had a solid effort, earning 12 saves.
Then came back-to-back games on the weekend, starting Friday with a trip to Central Square that proved one-sided as the Hornets bashed the Red Hawks 19-4. Most of F-M’s offense came in the second half, as Lux led the way, picking up four goals to go with her four assists. Caputo had five goals and one assist, with Robinson also finding the net four times. Perry and Marri Ryu each had two goals, while Farrell and Alex Murphy had matching totals of one goal and one assist. Christina Kousmanidis, Cara Esposito and Riley Gerhardt earned assists. A much tougher game loomed Saturday, against long-time power Skaneateles — or at least that was the thought going in. The reality ended up with F-M rolling past the Lakers 17-10, earning most of its margin in the first half as the Hornets, undeterred by ferocious winds, grabbed a 10-4 lead. Murphy stepped up with three goals and three assists, the same point total as Perry, who had five goals and one assist. Robinson also found the net three times as Caputo and Farrell each had two goals and one assist. Lux and Ryu also scored as Esposito picked up two assists. Caroline Trpcevski finished with 12 saves. The Hornets (10-2), no. 10 in the latest state Class A rankings, would host Auburn on Tuesday, then take a Friday trip to Corcoran, its last regular-season road game.