GUILDERLAND — Guilderland lacrosse coach Sean McConaghy was at a loss for words on Tuesday afternoon.

His team had just been manhandled, 14-2, by Suburban Council rival Niskayuna at John Fallon Field on the campus of the University at Albany. McConaghy didn’t know what to say about the debacle, but knew things have to change soon if the Dutchmen want to be one of the top teams in May and the sectional playoffs.

The Dutchmen got off to a slow start in Tuesday’s game, something McConaghy couldn’t explain.
"This is the second time in a row," the coach said, referring to a 9-8 season-opening loss to Bethlehem. "I have no explanation of why we were not ready for the game. In practice, we looked ready. We put the game jerseys on and we’re a different team."

Niskayuna came out ready to play and it showed as the Silver Warriors dominated the first quarter.

Led by face-off man Chris Hall, the Warriors went on a tear that sucked the life out of the Dutchmen and handed Niskayuna a big lead.

Niskayuna scored five goals before Guilderland even got possession of the ball.

Steve Lefebvre scored the first goal for the Silver Warriors and that was followed by back-to-back tallies by Jack Leary and a goal each from Ben Romer and Nick DiSarro.

Hall kept getting the ball for Niskayuna and the Silver Warriors took advantage.
"They won every face-off," McConaghy said. "The two face-offs we got on the draw, they got the loose ball. They are good, and we were not today."

Niskayuna led, 7-0, at the end of the first quarter. DiSarro and Hall scored for the Silver Warriors in the stanza.

Niskayuna had an 18-0 edge in shots after the first frame.

Scored at last

Guilderland finally got on the scoreboard with 10:07 left in the second quarter. Junior attackman Aaron Cahill scored on an extra-man opportunity after a Niskayuna penalty.

But Niskayuna got three goals from Dan McKinney and one from Steve D’Amario to take an 11-2 lead at halftime.

Guilderland got a goal from Jordan Dubose with 6:25 left in the second quarter. Sophomore Rory Nunamacher, as he did on the Dutch’s first goal, assisted on Dubose’s goal.

Niskayuna got two goals in the third quarter — both by DiSarro — and one in the fourth quarter — by McKinney — to round out the scoring.

Guilderland goalies were busy all day as Nick Koss made nine saves and Nick Stefani made three. Niskayuna netminders James Manchester and Gary Chrys combined for five saves.

Niskayuna won the face-off battle, 14-4.

"Time to get better"
"It’s going to be a long season if we don’t change things," McConaghy said. "But it is a long season, so we have a lot of time to get better. Sectional time is when we want to be playing our best lacrosse. Not what we did out there today."

The Dutch lost their composure after falling behind quickly in the contest.
"They dominated us," McConaghy said. "After three goals, we had our tails between our legs. They were way better than us today, that’s for sure."

McConaghy said that his players have to mesh together and work better on team defense and team offense.
"On offense, we haven’t done anything," McConaghy said. "Defense we put together a few series. We’ve got to come along, but it’s going to be a long season.
"I thought defense was one of our strong points," McConaghy added. "We lost a lot on offense, but I thought we improved on defense. So far, we haven’t."

McConaghy really isn’t sure what his team has after the first two games.
"We need to find some kind of identity," he said. "We have no team identity right now. I don’t know who they are and they don’t know who they are."

The Dutch will have a short time to find themselves as they return to the field today (Thursday) to take on Rome Free Academy. The Dutchmen will be traveling to Central New York and then return to league play on Monday at Colonie. McConaghy hopes his players get it together on the field for that contest. He feels they have the tools to be a good team.
"I think they’re pretty good," McConaghy said. "They haven’t showed it to us yet. They know how to play lacrosse. But I don’t know what they are doing out there."