For a minute, Penfield had the upper-hand. Then one of New York state’s most historic programs began to exert its dominance.
The Patriots’ season came to an end on Wednesday in the NYSPHSAA Class A semifinals, in a 16-6 loss to powerhouse West Genesee.
Penfield is now winless in four trips to the state semifinals in its program’s history.
For a brief moment, the Patriots had West Genny on its heels. Sophomore Harrison Easton opened the scoring only a minute into the contest.
The undefeated Wildcats (21-0) answered with 10 straight goals to close out the first half, including seven in the second quarter alone.
Penfield went over 25 minutes of game time before scoring its second goal, when junior defender Ronan Boyle converted a shot from in tight midway through the third quarter. Jake Maurer, Griffin Banister and Brodie Joyce all added second-half goals.
This spring was oddly similar to the 2013 team, Penfield’s last to reach the state semifinals. The 2013 team started the season winless through five games, but clawed back to win Section V’s Class A title. A regional win over Orchard Park-VI preceded a loss to West Genny in the state semifinals.
The current team also started off 0-5 before winning the section title, beat Orchard Park in regionals and then lost to West Genny in the semis.
It took Penfield five years to win another section title after 2013. The Patriots surely hope that bit of history doesn’t repeat itself.
By the numbers
13 — Penfield’s final win total for 2025. That’s the team’s most wins since 2018, when the Patriots bowed out to Lancaster-VI in regional play.
8 — Returning all-league selections for Penfield next year. That includes attack Brodie Joyce, defenders AJ Theodorakakos and Ronan Boyle, and goalie Mason Schembri. All were first-team choices in Monroe County-Division I this season.
15 — New York state titles for West Genesee. That is the most in state history by a handful, and the Wildcats can add to that total — and cap a perfect season — this Saturday.
Penfield vs West Genesee: Game start
Penfield controls the opening draw after about 25 seconds of battling for the loose ball.
West Genesee 3, Penfield 1: End of the 1st quarter
Patriots opened the scoring in the first minute on Harrison Easton’s goal. West Genny answered with three straight, including one with 6 seconds left in the quarter.
West Genesee 10, Penfield 1: Halftime
Wildcats have scored 10 straight goals
West Genesee 14, Penfield 5: End of the 3rd quarter
Patriots put an end to the Wildcats’ goal streak on defender Ronan Boyle’s score. The teams tied that quarter 4-4.
West Genesee 16, Penfield 6: Final
Penfield falls short of the NYS final. West Genny pulled away with seven goals in the second quarter. Penfield finishes 13-8.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Penfield falls to powerhouse West Genesee in boys lacrosse state semifinal
Reporting by Justin Ritzel, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / MPNnow
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
