The 2025 lacrosse season got off to a hot start on a bitterly cold day as Brayden Kitterle (Syracuse/Bishop Ludden H.S.) scored the game-winner with 2:43 left in overtime to edge the Panthers past Jefferson Community College 10-9.
The game featured two very evenly matched teams. With snow falling and winds blowing, the Panthers wasted little time getting the scoring started, as Kenyen Lovett (Rochester/West Irondequoit H.S.) notched the first goal of the season just 48 seconds into the game. Jefferson answered a minute later, producing the first of seven tied scores. The largest lead for each team was two goals, and each did it just once. The Panthers had their two-point advantage in the first quarter, but Jefferson responded to knot things up at 3-3 at the end of the first. The score was 5-5 at the half, and after Jefferson moved ahead by two scores in third, the Panthers rallied to tie the game at 8-8 on a goal by Dillon Farrell (Endicott/Union-Endicott H.S.) with eight seconds left in the third. The Cannoneers took a 9-8 lead with 6:$5 left in the fourth, but Farrell answered a minute later to tie the game. Neither team could change the score the rest of the way, with Panthers defense and goalie Declan Vail (Cortland/Cortland H.S.) coming up big in keeping the game locked at 9-9. Faceoff specialist Qymani Viera-Powell (Endicott/Union-Endicott H.S.) gave the Panthers possession to open overtime, and just over a minute later, Kitterle ended the game with his game-winner.
Viera-Powell had a good day in the circle, winning 18-of-22 of his faceoffs. Farrell had a good opening to his sophomore season, scoring seven points on five goals and two assists. Lovett had two points on two goals, and Odanell Gonzalez (Queens/Jamaica H.S.) and Kitterle each had two points on a goal and an assists. Skylar Running Rabbit (Siksika Nation, Alberta/Strathmore H.S.) also scored a goal for the Panthers.
Vail had a successful collegiate debut, posting 19 saves in the win.
Looking ahead
The Panthers are home on Wednesday, March 12, hosting #4-ranked Onondaga Community College.