The Ballston Spa boys lacrosse team is starting to hit its stride.
After losing their first three Suburban Council games of the season, the Scotties (2-3 league, 3-4 overall) defeated Saratoga Springs 8-7 last Friday and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake 14-8 Tuesday.
Mike Minervini recorded a hat trick, while Troy Gargiulo and Greg Dunlavey each chipped in a goal and three assists to lead Ballston Spa to its one-goal win over Saratoga Springs. Mike Boisvert contributed two goals, and the combination of goaltenders Austin Rossi and Matt Piombino stopped 12 of the 19 shots they faced.
Matt Behan had two goals and two assists, and Cody Nizolek tallied twice for Saratoga Springs (2-4, 3-6), which had a 3-1 lead in the second quarter before Ballston Spa scored three straight times to close out the period with a 4-3 advantage.
The momentum Ballston Spa built against Saratoga Springs spilled over to Tuesday’s Suburban Council Gold Division game against BH-BL. The Scotties ripped six goals in the second quarter to build an 8-2 halftime lead, and they never looked back.
Boisvert had the hot hand for Ballston Spa with six goals and four assists. Dunlavey contributed four goals, and Gargiulo added two goals and an assist.
Kyle Jones tallied four times, while Frank Emmer and Alex Lewek each added a pair of goals for BH-BL (1-4, 3-4), which did most of its scoring in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, Saratoga Springs couldn’t get its offense going in a 9-2 loss to Suburban Council Blue Division rival Shaker Tuesday. The primary culprit was Blue Bison goaltender Kenny O’Connor, who stopped 10 shots before being relieved by Isaac Pacheco in the fourth quarter.
Luke Walsh tallied three times and added a pair of assists to lead Shaker’s offense. Nizolek and Tyler Weil scored Saratoga Springs’ two goals.
In other Suburban Council lacrosse action Tuesday, Shenendehowa fell to defending Section II, Class A champion Niskayuna 6-2. The Plainsmen (3-2, 4-2) scored both of their goals in the first quarter before the Silver Warriors (5-0, 6-0) rallied to pull out the victory.
Jared Franze led Niskayuna with five goals, and goaltender James Manchester stopped five shots. Brandon Connors and Brenden Dion scored Shen’s goals, and Bobby Wardwell made 13 saves.
Shen travels to Guilderland Thursday, while Ballston Spa visits Columbia. Saratoga Springs hosts Niskayuna, and BH-BL hosts Colonie.`