Medina stickmen post key win over Gowanda

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Medina’s Chaise Prest scores a goal during the Mustangs key D Division victory over Gowanda this afternoon at Vets Park.

It was a big double win day for the Medina High lacrosse team as the Mustangs not only avenged an earlier season loss (12-8) but also earned home field advantage for the upcoming sectional semifinals by blitzing past Gowanda 18-4 this afternoon in the Class D Division season finale at Vets Park.

With both teams finishing the division campaign with identical 5-3 records Medina needed to defeat Gowanda by at least five goals to earn the home field playoff advantage and by doing so the Mustangs will host the Panthers in the Class D semifinals on May 24.

Ian Joseph brings the ball up field for Medina.

Mason Lewis scored 5 goals and Christian Silversmith 4 to lead a parade of 8 Medina scorers. Zach Blount added 3 goals and Brendan Luthart 2 as Chaise Prest, Ethan Leonard, Jacob Bensley and Colby Petrie each chipped in with one.

Setting the tone at the outset, Medina jumped out to a lightning quick 2-0 lead in the first 44 seconds on goals by Silversmith and Lewis and the Mustangs were never headed.

“We got off to a strong start and we didn’t let up,” said Medina Coach Gordy Luthart.

Silversmith had 3 goals, Lewis and Blount 2 each and Prest 1 in the opening period which finished with Medina in command by a score of 8-2.

The Mustangs held a 10 goal, 12-2, advantage at the half as Lewis found the net twice and Luthart and Leonard once each in the second period.

Medina extended it’s advantage to 13, 16-3, at the three-quarter mark after third period tallies by Lewis, Blount, Silversmith and Luthart.

Bensley and Petrie rounded out the Mustangs scoring parade with goals in the fourth period.

Now at 7-5 overall, Medina next hosts Eden in an interdivisional contest at noon on Saturday.

Ethan Leonard takes a shot on goal for Medina.