Jalyss Lyan: The Marcellus Mustangs won its second straight Section Three Class D Boys Lacrosse Championship in dominating fashion. With this year’s title, the Mustangs made a statement.
NCC Sports reporter Anthony Leon explains how this group of players got a special win.
Anthony Leon: Back to where it all began. The Marcellus Boys Lacrosse team returned to Fayetteville-Manlius High School for the second time this season. Only this time, it was a different result.
Playing against the Westhill Warriors, the Mustangs got off to a hot start and never looked back.
Coach Colin Donahue believes his team’s determination was key in the victory.
Colin Donahue: They come every single day to practice, and they push each other. And, you know, that’s just something that you don’t see too often.
Leon: One player that brings the intensity is Jimmy Cox.
Donahue: Oh, he brings the juice.
Leon: Coach Donahue believes Cox’s infectious energy translates to the whole team’s success. However, that’s not the only thing that holds the Mustangs together.
Although Marcellus won here on this field tonight against Westhill, there was a bigger message to be had. Family… more or less a brotherhood.
In this game, the Rayfield brothers were in sync with each other all night long. Older brother Adam says winning a championship with his brother was super special.
Adam Rayfield: We’ve been playing since we were in the backyard with our little sticks, and he’s been one of my greatest teammates.
Leon: Younger brother Nick shares the same sentiment and believes their close connection translates on the field.
Nick Rayfield: A lot of moments, like a little head switch or a little eyesight, it’s just it really helps.
Leon: Marcellus will now look to win a state championship after losing in the championship last year. For NCC Sports, I’m Anthony Leon
Lyan: The Mustangs will look to win the state title this year after losing to Cold Spring Harbor in the final last season. Opening faceoff is set for noon.
MANLIUS, N.Y. (NCC News) – The Marcellus Boys Lacrosse team returned to where it all began. At Fayetteville-Manlius High School, the Mustangs dominated the Westhill Warriors 17-1 to repeat as Section III Class D champions.
With Marcellus’ only defeat coming to Fayetteville-Manlius at the start of the season, the Mustangs have not lost since. Marcellus head coach Collin Donahue said the team’s determination was crucial to winning the title.
“They come every single day to practice and they push each other,” Donahue said. “That’s just something that you don’t see too often.”
One player that brought the intensity was Jimmy Cox. Donahue said Cox’s “juice” helped spark the team’s success all season. However, the Mustangs familiarity with each other was crucial during the postseason.
Against the Warriors, the Rayfield brothers were in sync with each other all night long.
Throughout the course of the game, Marcellus got everyone involved in the offense and always looked to make the extra pass. Younger brother Nick Rayfield said the close connection he has with his brother translates to the field.
“A lot of moments, like a little head switch or a little eyesight,” Rayfield said. “It really helps.”
Older brother Adam Rayfield played a crucial role in facilitating the offense. Adam said that winning the championship with his brother was really special.
“We’ve been playing since we were in the backyard with our little sticks, and he’s been one of my greatest teammates,” Adam said.
Marcellus will now move onto the New York state boys lacrosse championships, where the team will face the Canton Golden Bears this Saturday back at Fayetteville-Manlius High School.
The Mustangs will look to win the state title this year after losing to Cold Spring Harbor in the final last season. Opening faceoff is set for 12 p.m.
