By Jordan J. Michael

GUILDERLAND –– The Dutchmen lacrosse team is going for a sectional title, one piece at a time.

“A handful of my seniors have been denied a sectional title in the past,” Head Coach Sean McConaghy said of his 11 seniors. “For example, Kip Stillman has been to the finals twice and never won. The seniors are making the younger guys see how important this is.”

Guilderland, the top seed in Class A, moved to 17-2 with a 16-to-4 manhandling of Saratoga on Wednesday afternoon at home. The team jumped out to a 10-to-1 lead at halftime.

“We wanted to make sure that another sectional flop wouldn’t happen again,” Jake Burns said of last year’s early exit in the first round. “We came into this game super hyped up. Saratoga was ready, but they realized we were here to take it to them. They folded pretty quick.”

Paul Jones ripped a shot past Gill Conners during a two-man advantage to give the Dutch a 14-to-3 lead late in the third quarter. Bobby Davis found Anthony Powers in the fourth to put the score at 15 to 3.

“We need to forget about last year and just play our game,” said Powers, who had two goals. “We’re practicing harder than ever and it’s translating well.”

Travis Moore finished the day with five goals and three assists and Bryan Dyer, Jones, and Rory Nunamacher each had two goals and two assists. Christian DePersis needed only three saves in net.

“We’re definitely trying to prove something this year and we’re not going to let ourselves down this time,” Stillman said. “The sky is the limit because everyone is a workhorse. All we have to do is push each other and it will propel the team.”

Guilderland plays Shenendehowa at home on Saturday at noon for a spot in the finals. The team doesn’t have to worry about Suburban Council nemesis Niskayuna this year because it moved down to Class B.

Coach McConaghy could care less about Niskayuna, or any team for that matter.

“Honestly, I don’t really care who we play. I know that Niskayuna isn’t in our way, but that’s not the real issue,” said McConaghy. “We were a top seed last year and never got to play them because we exited early. We need to worry about our end, not someone else’s.”