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).

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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.

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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.

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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.

Quakers take down undefeated Pittsford

John Januszkiewicz (right) battles for possession against a Pittsford opponent Friday night. Photo / James Goller

Orchard Park pulled off an impressive victory in boys lacrosse with an 11-6 win over undefeated Pittsford of Section V Friday night at Orchard Park High School.

Pittsford scored the opening goal of the contest, but Tim Wagner’s back-to-back goals followed by another from Austin Goltz gave the Quakers a 3-1 edge after one quarter.

Orchard Park’s defense would not let Pittsford settle into long possessions by keeping constant pressure on the ball which led to turnovers.

“For me, I was just trying to get back to the basics and focus on what I was taught,” said junior long-stick defender John Wellington, who played impressively with the absence of injured Joe Dragonette. “You’re not going to fill Joe Dragonette’s shoes right away, so you slowly work up and do whatever you can do to help the team win. I was trying to work on my poke-check, getting my stick on their hands right away. Aside from that; just running and staying with my guy.”

Goltz scored twice more in the second quarter, and Wagner scored his third of the game to give the home team a 6-2 lead at halftime.

Orchard Park held its advantage through the second half, despite a brief scare when the Panthers scored back-to-back goals within a minute midway through the third quarter. The Quakers responded with three goals from John Januszkiewicz, Spencer Cromwell, and Goltz to close the quarter at 9-4.

The Quakers pulled away in the fourth quarter with another goal from Januszkiewicz and a score from Ralphy Pagliei. Pittsford scored twice late, but eventually suffered its first loss of the season.

Orchard Park controlled the game at both ends of the field. Senior Taylor Ferrino played a strong game in net making several key saves. Defensive midfielder Ben Holmes was integral in using his speed to clear OP’s defensive zone.

In Pittsford’s previous seven games, the Panthers averaged almost 12 goals per contest and allowed just 3.7 goals per game to its opponents.

It was a big victory for Orchard Park, who previously lost to another Section V opponent, Penfield, on April 11.

“This is amazing,” said Wagner. “Everybody in Section V was doubting us after the Penfield game, but to come out on top here, we sent a message to the whole Section V community that we’re still around, and watch out.”

Orchard Park scoring: Goltz 4, Wagner 3, Januszkiewicz 2, Cromwell, Pagliei

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Gene Tundo has 500 career lacrosse wins.

Gene Tundo, Orchard Park’s long-tenured boys lacrosse coach, reached 500 career wins with a 15-5 victory over his alma mater Frontier, Wednesday, April 17.

“It’s a good feeling coaching this long, doing the little things that you need to do to get a team to this level,” Tundo said. “There’s a lot of great memories.”

Among the great memories are coaching alongside assistant Larry Catalano and coaching his three sons – Gene, Matt, and Jeff.

“Larry Catalano is just an outstanding coach,” said Tundo. “To achieve this with him here, and share time with my boys; all of that comes together.”

Tundo and the Quakers have won the Section VI Class A championship in 20 of the last 22 seasons and reached three state championship games, most recently in 2009.

“I think we’ve stayed a step ahead of other programs,” Tundo added.  ”Our kids want to be good and do the extra things to be successful. I try to do research on every aspect of the game and keep trying to stay a couple steps ahead of everybody, and we’ve been able to do that.

“I’m proud of the kids. They’re the ones that go out there and play, and practice two hours a day. It’d be easy for the coaches to say it’s about us, but that’s not it at all. I’m proud of the kids who put the time in, put in the effort, and put it out on the line every day. It’s the kids and the community who have embraced what we do.”

Mitch Wilson kept the Quaker offense on the field by dominating on faceoffs during Orchard Park’s 18-10 win over Clarence Monday. Photo / James Goller

Quakers dominate rival Clarence

Coming off a loss to Penfield of Section V (10-3 on April 11), the Quakers responded with a dominating 18-10 victory over rival Clarence Monday evening at Orchard Park.

“It was really important,” senior Brian Moran said of the win over Clarence. “Last game, we didn’t do very well offensively. We come out today and had a lot more off-the-ball movement. That was key to winning the game.”

Orchard Park jumped out to  a 6-2 lead after the opening period thanks to a hat trick from John Januszkiewicz, who finished with six goals.

Mitch Wilson controlled the X on face-offs (22 of 27, according to ClarenceLax) leaving the Red Devils with the difficult task of creating momentum without possession.

Orchard Park’s ball control and movement were sharp, which differed from the loss to Penfield.

“They really pressured on adjacent passes,” senior attack Ralphy Pagliei said of Penfield. “We didn’t really set up any of our offense. We didn’t work the ball around at all.”

Orchard Park scoring versus Clarence: John Januszkiewicz (6), Austin Goltz (5), Brian Moran (3), Ralphy Pagliei (2), Tim Wagner (1), Mitch Wilson (1)

Clarence did not play for 19 days since downing Frontier, 7-3, in their season opener on March 27.

Orchard Park’s win over Clarence was the beginning of a four-game stretch over five days. The Quakers are scheduled to play at Frontier Wednesday, then host Eden on Thursday (5 pm), and Pittsford-Mendon Friday (7:30 pm).

View photos from OP-Clarence

Senior John Januszkiewicz will help lead Orchard Park’s highly-talented attackers. Photo / James Goller

For over two decades, Orchard Park has dominated Section VI in boys lacrosse. The Quakers have captured 20 of the last 22 Class A championships, and bring back an incredibly talented and deep roster this season that is confident it will defend the section title and challenge for a state title.

“We have a lot of guys that have played with each other for a long time,” said senior Austin Goltz, who will help lead the team’s talented attackers. “We’re very committed.”

Orchard Park’s multi-faceted roster draws comparisons to the Quakers of 2009 who advanced to the state championship.

“We all work for a common goal, and that’s what the state championship team did in 08-09,” said Goltz, now in his fourth season on varsity. “They were extremely committed, not only to the game, but to each other. That’s going to be the biggest factor.”

Standing in Orchard Park’s way of a state title is neighboring Section V, who almost regularly ends Orchard Park’s state title hopes in the Far West Regionals every season.

Last season, the Quakers were shut out by Fairport.

“Rochester teams are always great,” said Goltz. “They have a lot of talent. They’re deep. They’re big. Our team is going to match up well with them this year. We have a lot of guys returning from last year, a lot of starters. We have a great face-off guy. We have a great defense and we have a great goalie.”

Regular season contests scheduled versus Penfield (OP lost to Penfield, 10-3, on April 11) and Pittsford (April 19) should provide a good indication of how the Quakers stake up against a historically strong section in boys lacrosse.

“We play those teams this year early in the season, so we’re going to get a test of what they’re like,” Goltz added.

Joining Goltz and Januszkiewicz on the attack are senior Ralphy Pagliei and junior Adam Belica.

The mid-field is strong led by premiere face-off specialist Mitch Wilson. Seniors Tim Wagner and Spencer Cromwell bring talent and experience to the midfield along with senior Brian Moran, junior Chris Murphy and sophomore Kevin Goltz.

Senior Taylor Ferrino was strong in net for the Quakers last season and will factor heavily in OP’s success.

“Last year he progressed from the beginning of the season until the Fairport game where he was unbelievable,” Goltz said of Ferrino. “In practice, he works really hard, and when we come out to the games it shows.”

The defense has a slightly different look but a lot of familiar faces. Senior Connor Eddy is back along with senior Nick Bammel, who played defensive midfield last season. They will be joined by sophomore Matt Perla. Senior Joe Dragonette will be the team’s top long-pole defender. He will be spelled by seniors Caylor Mangino and John Wellington.

A.J. Pismarov is a senior defensive midfielder, who brings experience and physical play, while newcomer Ben Holmes will bring quickness and tenacity to the defensive midfield. Holmes played baseball last season.

“We have six guys on offense that can all put it in the net with ease and a good defense behind us,” said Wagner. “Everyone is a threat. We’ve all been playing up on varsity for years and now it’s our last year together being captains and the leaders. It could be the best OP team I have been on.”

Senior Chelsea Lepore (pictured) and Madelyn Sheehan are the captains of the 2103 OP girls lacrosse team. Photo / James Goller

Impressive team chemistry and a willingness to learn should help push the Orchard Park girls lacrosse team over the hump this season.

In four seasons since posting an impressive 16-4 mark in 2008, the Lady Quakers have compiled a 32-41 – an average 8-10 record.

“We just need to continue to work hard and come to practice every day ready to go,” said senior co-captain Chelsea Lepore.

The Lady Quakers, coached by Bridget Callahan, have just five seniors, but a wealth of talent among their inexperienced roster.

“They are extremely coachable,” Callahan said of the team. “They listen and they want to get better. We will have things to work on. They listen and will fix them. They are always trying to make it better. A lot of them are very inexperienced, but they are super coachable and they are getting better.”

Senior Madelyn Sheehan (12 goals in 2012) is a co-captain while Tori Lucci (25 goals in 2012), Meg Smith and Melissa Stoj among the team’s other seniors.

The team’s ten juniors will factor heavily into the team’s success, according to Lepore.

“We have a lot of juniors, who are very good and will add to our talent,” she said.

Emily Markarian (16 goals in 2012) will play a big role on the offense end. A host of juniors will provide much-needed depth and scoring capabilities, including Ellie Markarian, Maddy Potenza, Karly Cerrone, Margaux Ruh, Emily Balisteri, Abby Narbe and Katie Dragonette.

Junior goalkeepers Sian Eisenhut and Janelle Gefaller have battled for time in net.

Sophomore Casey Ellis returns for her second season on varsity.

The inexperienced roster clicked immediately from the first day of practice and figures to rely on fundamentals more than ever.

“We need to have a settled offense and defense that is able to communicate and know what it’s doing,” said Smith.

In the end, the Lady Quakers will bring a competitive and positive attitude to every game.

“I think we come out and do our best ever time, that’s all you can ask for,” Lepore added. “Obviously, we want to win, but as long as we do our best, we’ll be very successful this season.

Emily Balisteri and the Orchard Park girls lacrosse team wore old school jerseys Tuesday. Photo / James Goller

Orchard Park picked up a 14-3 win in girls lacrosse Tuesday evening on what Coach Bridget Callahan declared as ‘Retro Night’ for the team.

“I thought we would switch it up a little bit,” said Callahan, whose team wore old uniforms the coach dates back to the late eighties-early nineties. “I thought this would be fun. I was cleaning out the uniforms and I thought ‘Yes!’”

The team played songs from the eighties during warm-ups and went on to earn a decisive win.

Junior Emily Markarian led all scorers with six goals while senior Meg Smith tallied four scores.

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Quakers earn shutout in home opener versus Lancaster

OP junior Chris Murphy (left) battles for position versus Sean Gorenflo of Lancaster during the Quakers’ 26-0 victory over the Redskins Thursday. Photo / James Goller

Orchard Park came out of the gates firing in its boys lacrosse home opener versus Lancaster Wednesday. The Quakers scored 12 times in the opening quarter en route to a 26-0 victory over the visiting Redskins.

“The first game is one of the biggest of the season,” said senior attack Austin Goltz, who scored four goals and earned nine assists. “The first game is always the key to getting a team rolling. We made a statement.”

Orchard Park scoring: Januszkiewicz (6), Belica (4), A. Goltz (4), Wagner (3), Wilson (2), K. Goltz (2), Cromwell, Murphy, Holmes, Pismarov, Moran

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