Senior Ralphy Pagliei looks to fire a shot on net during OP’s win over Frontier Monday. Photo / James Goller

Orchard Park improved to a 12-1 record in boys lacrosse with a decisive 16-1 win over Frontier Monday.

The Quakers led 13-0 at halftime.

“We were just ready to go from the start,” said senior defenseman Connor Eddy. “Mitch (Wilson) got us going on face-offs, which he always does. Controlling the faceoffs is really a big key to winning.”

Orchard Park has won eleven straight games dating back to its only loss of the season to Penfield on April 11.

“We want no team to compare to us,” Eddy added. “With Clarence, we only won by six or seven goals, and we were kind of mad about that. Our goal was to hold Frontier to less than three and we did.”

The Quakers have three regular season games remaining: Lockport (5/15), Niagara Wheatfield (5/16) and St. Joe’s (5/17).

View photos from the game

Quakers take down previously undefeated Silver Creek

Adam Belica puts a hit on a Silver Creek opponent during OP’s 17-11 victory Wednesday. Photo / James Goller

Orchard Park handed Silver Creek its first loss of the season in boys lacrosse with an impressive 17-11 victory on the road Wednesday.

Silver Creek and Orchard Park have played each of the last three seasons. In 2011, Silver Creek ended OP’s streak of 95 consecutive wins versus Section VI opponents. Last year, the Quakers won, 22-14.

“We expected a real good game,” said OP midfielder Mitch Wilson. “Silver Creek is always a good team.”

The Quakers jumped out to an early 5-0 lead after one quarter despite the team’s struggles to procure ground balls on Silver Creek’s grass field, a significant change from OP’s home turf where players can scoop the ball and run.

“This isn’t the best field,” Wilson said of the Silver Creek grass. “It’s kind of bumpy, so when the ball squirts around, it’s hard to figure out where it’s going to go. You have to get real low to pick it up. On the turf, we just scoop the ball up with one hand and go. It takes a lot of effort out here (on the grass). I give this Silver Creek team props.”

Taylor Ferrino, who made 19 saves in the win, played a big role in squashing Silver Creek’s offense in the first half. The Quakers adjusted to the grass and extended their lead to 11-2 by halftime.

Orchard Park’s offensive output was impressive considering it will play the remainder of the season without one of its top players in Austin Goltz, who suffered torn ligaments in his right knee at practice last Thursday.

“He was a huge part of this team, so players have to step up,” said Wilson. “We have a lot of guys that can produce goals, but we need to do it more.”

The Quakers were impressive in creating turnovers on the defensive end, transitioning the ball to the offense, and scoring before it seemed the Silver Creek had a chance to set up its defense.

“I think that’s the way Orchard Park has always done it,” Wilson said of OP’s transition play. “We’re more of a run and gun team.”

Senior John Januszkiewicz led Orchard Park with five goals. Senior Ralphy Pagliei scored four times.

Orchard Park entered the game as Section VI’s top ranked team, according to laxpower.com rankings, just ahead of second-place Silver Creek. The Quakers improved to a mark of 9 wins and one loss (Penfield). Silver Creek fell to a 9-1 record.

Photos from the game:

View the entire photo gallery from Orchard Park – Silver Creek

Junior Maddy Potenza works to get by a Frontier opponent during Orchard Park’s 10-1 loss Tuesday. Photo / James Goller

The Orchard Park girls lacrosse team has played to a competitive 4-7 record this season. Despite their competitiveness, the Lady Quakers have not been able to get over the hump. On Tuesday, the girls suffered their second loss of the season to Frontier (8-1) with a 10-1 loss at home. OP fell on the road earlier in the season, 13-3.

“You could definitely feel that we wanted to beat them more,” senior co-captain Madelyn Sheehan said of the second meeting yesterday. “We settled our offense this time. When we didn’t have a chance to score, we pull (the ball) out, and talked a lot more.”

Trailing late in the contest, the Lady Quakers struggled to contact on passes, which is among the areas that needs improvement, according to Sheehan.

“Smart passes,” said Sheehan. “We have to watch that. We have hustle to ground balls and have to have more heart.”

Sheehan added that playing a team as good as Frontier helps get the team fired up to play their best lacrosse.

“The intensity definitely helps us play better and brings our spirits up, which leads to good things,” Sheehan added.

Orchard Park is scheduled to play at Lancaster (9-1) at Thursday at 4:45 p.m.

View photos from the Orchard Park girls lacrosse season

Grant Osadchey played midfielder at Orchard Park last season and is now a member of the Ithaca High School team. Photo / James Goller

Grant Osadchey, a former midfielder for the Orchard Park boys lacrosse team who helped the Quakers capture the Section VI Class A title last season, is looking to help his new team win a title in a different section.

Osadchey is now a senior on the Ithaca Little Red with hopes of capturing the Section IV title.

“I knew they were always good,” Osadchey said of Ithaca. “Recently, Ithaca has been great. So naturally I wanted to be a part of Ithaca, a good program.”

Osadchey and his family moved to Ithaca after his father accepted a job offer.

“The job was in Ithaca and we have family ties here,” said Osadchey. “My family has always loved the area and the deal was if we moved, there had to be good lax.”

Ithaca has earned a 10-0 mark so far this season, and the Little Red are the favorite to win the section title. If Ithaca captures the section and wins its regional contest versus the winner of Section III, there is potential for Osadchey to play Orchard Park in the state semis if Orchard Park wins Section VI and defeats the Section V title winner in the far west regionals.

“Ithaca and OP are traditionally good upstate lacrosse teams,” said Osadchey. “Practices and schedules are similar. Dominating the section is typical.”

Orchard Park last played Ithaca in 2009 when the Quakers defeated the Little Red, 8-7, to reach the state championship.

If Osadchey doesn’t get to see his former OP teammates on the lax field this season, he’ll definitely see one Quaker as he and John Januszkiewicz will both play for Ithaca College.

Osadchey and his Ithaca teammates are in Buffalo to play Bishop Timon St. Jude today at 3:00 p.m.

Orchard Park will miss Austin Goltz for the remainder of the season after the senior suffered a knee injury.

Quakers take down Trojans, Goltz lost for season

The Orchard Park boys lacrosse team (7-1) picked up a 12-4 win at West Seneca East (2-8) to earn its sixth consecutive victory Friday evening. However, the Quakers suffered a big blow losing attacker Austin Goltz for the season after the senior suffered torn knee ligaments during Thursday’s practice.

“I’ve played with him since eighth grade, so I know what he brings to the team,” senior John Januszkiewicz said of Goltz. “It’s a huge loss.”

Goltz, a three-sport athlete and All-Western New York First Team selection in football, was on pace to be a first teamer in lacrosse, and the Quakers will have a difficult time making up production in his absence.

“He was a huge part of our team,” Januszkiewicz added. “Everyone knows we can’t replace a player like him so we all have to work a little harder and put a few more goals in together to make up for the loss.”

Goltz has committed to play lacrosse at Providence College in Rhode Island.