BALLSTON SPA — A week after defeating Shenendehowa for the first time in program history, Ballston Spa Lacrosse is heading into sectionals having won 10 of its last 11 games.
With the Section II Class A seeding announced today, the Scotties have a first round bye and homefield advantage up until a possible championship game with a No. 2 seed.
During the final stretch, the Scotties (10-3 Suburban, 12-4 overall) lost only to Niskayuna, who is now ranked No. 1 in the state. That loss came just two days after Ballston Spa won its first ever game against Shenendehowa (then ranked No. 12) in program history, 10-9, on May 6.
“It was a rollercoaster of a game,” said Scotties head coach Joe Pollicino. “It was one of those games where the first half they were up big and we made that run the second half. We didn’t really change much in that game. I made one adjustment in the second half and the kids just kept fighting, kept clawing and we were fortunate enough to win the game at the end.”
Two years ago, when a majority of the team’s 15 upperclassmen were sophomores, the Scotties lost to Shen twice, 10-9.
“I think the kids were realizing that we were finally getting close to beating them,” Pollicino said. “A lot of it has to do with our leadership. Most of those boys in 11th or 12th grade have been on varsity the previous two, three or four years. I think that experience has helped us and a lot of it is attributed to them finally gaining confidence. The biggest hurdle in my time at Ballston is kids believing they can be successful and I think they’ve finally realized that. I think that win has catapulted us and the kids are extremely confident right now.”
Non-league success against difficult competition, such as a 9-4 win over Bullis, who have multiple Division I defensemen, on April 14 has also paid dividends.
After the Shen victory, Pollicino found himself watching film on Niskayuna the following morning at 4:30 a.m. Taking a 5-4 lead into halftime the following day, the Scotties eventually lost to the Silver Warriors 12-8. They then went on the road two days later and beat Burnt Hills to clinch at least a No. 3 seed in sectionals and a first round bye.
A key to the winning stretch has been senior goalie Jon Blake. Blake allowed 20 goals against Shenendehowa and 18 goals against Niskayuna in back-to-back games to start the season in early April. Since then, he has allowed double-digit goals only once (12 in the second loss to Niskayuna).
“[Jon]’s really been doing a great job in the back end for us and has helped us in a lot of tight games where he’s made some great saves, whether it’s right before half or in the second half. He’s done an exceptional job clearing the ball, which gets us going in our transition game as well.”
The scoring trio of Chris Stedry, Coltin Moseman and John McDonald have led the attack for an offense and a team that utilizes many players. Pollicino has been using anywhere from 17-20 guys a game.
As of May 11, Shen dropped to No. 25 in the New York State Sportswriters Association state rankings, while Ballston Spa was honorable mention and Niskayuna moved from No. 2 to No. 1.
Since the beginning of the season, Pollicino has said there will be Class A scores that surprise people. Heading into sectionals, the Scotties know it will be a difficult road to get another shot at the upper echelon of the Suburban.
“I think Niskayuna and Shen have sort of separated themselves even though we played Nisky close and defeated Shen,” Pollicino said. “I think the Bethlehem’s of the world, Saratoga, Colonie, Shaker—they’ve all got talent at different positions and you have to focus on different things with each of those teams. It will be a heck of a stretch if we’re lucky enough to get to the final and win the final, which is a goal we set at the beginning of the season.”
