SECTION 4 BOYS' LACROSSE: CORNING GETS OUT TO 9-0 LEAD ON WAY TO WINNING 6TH STRAIGHT SECTIONAL TITLE (2025-05-30)

Southern Tier Sports Report
ITHACA — The Corning Hawks got off to a dominant start on their way to a sixth straight sectional title on Friday, beating Ithaca 11-2.

Corning started the game leading 9-0, with Ithaca not scoring until 1:30 left in the third quarter.

“Our kids played incredible,” Corning coach Chris Hogue said. “From our goalie and defense to our face-offs and offense. Everything and everyone clicked tonight.”

The players know how special this is.

“It feels amazing to be sectional champs again,” Brenden Jardin-Reed said. “Winning big games with your boys is a feeling that you can’t describe. We knew going into the game that we had to take the momentum early and keep the energy up for the whole game.

“Especially because lacrosse is such a momentum driven game, it can decide the game before it even starts. It was nice to see the team play up to our potential and if we play like we did tonight we can take anyone in the state. For our team the expectation is to win sectionals and go on to regionals like we have the last couple years. But, I think this year’s team has the most potential to make it past regionals and even beyond.”

Winning six straight titles means many of the guys on the team have won a few in their careers.

“It feels great to be a three time sectional champ,” Clayton Smith said. “It was such a momentum swing as soon as we started out hot because we were rolling the rest of the game.

“I see it as if we get rolling we can’t get stopped at all. All I’m focused on is regionals right now, but it would be amazing to make it to the chip.”

Tully Fratarcangelo started the scoring for Corning at 7:53 of the first off a Clayton Smith assist and Fratarcangelo scored again 2:14 later off a Smith assist.

Kohl Hogue scored in the second quarter off a James Freeman assist and he scored again 1:39 later to make it 4-0.

Joe Fucito scored two straight to end the half as the Hawks led 6-0 at the break.

Dom Dinardo scored off a Hogue assist and then off a Fucito assist, then DiNardo capped his hat trick with 2:41 left in the third to put Corning up 9-0.

Owen Simons scored with 1:30 left in the third to put Ithaca on the board.

Simons scored to start the second to cut the deficit to 9-2, but Hogue and Fratarcangelo finished the game with goals to cap the scoring.

“Just proud to get another one for the seniors and to keep the season continuing for the guys,” Fucito said. “The feeling was great. The boys were juiced from the beginning and we kept the energy the whole game.”

Ian Harpster had 13 saves in goal and Brenden Jardin-Reed and Gavin Glick combined to go 8-for-14 on face-offs.

“Being a sectional champ is truly a special feeling,” Harpster said. “The toughest moments that sports throw at your team pay off. But, we still have got work to do.

“Starting hot is huge when it comes to the game of lacrosse. The title of ‘the fastest game on two feet’ is no joke. Momentum is a huge factor in the game as a lead could change at any time. The hot start pushed us to take off and we never looked back.”

Now It’s onto regionals for Corning as they face the Section IX winer at 4 p.m. on June 7 at Unione-Endicott.

“We just want to continue to keep that energy and fire at practice as well as during games,” Fucito said. “We want to go as far as we can and know we are capable of doing that if we play our best game.”

“Our season has been a rollercoaster like any other team,” Harpster said. “Our coaches told us in the beginning at times of struggle that we need to play our best lacrosse in May and June. We have been clicking really well on our offensive end and working as a unit on the defensive side. It makes my job easier to see everyone playing out of their minds. Couldn’t be prouder of my guys and the way they are playing.

“We want to win everything that we can win. The accolades are nice, but we want to play another day with each other. We’ve had a special group together since we were kids and we aren’t ready to have that end. Playing for each other is what has gotten us this far and it will propel us to push to the end. It’s exciting and special to be a part of.”
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