In a thrilling showcase of resilience and determination, the Lowville Red Raiders lacrosse team delivered yet another unforgettable performance on Thursday night, proving that their breakthrough season is no fluke.
Trailing 6-3 at halftime, Lowville stormed back with a dominant second-half display, ultimately edging out Watertown 9-8 in a Frontier League showdown at Case Middle School. The victory marked the Red Raiders' second win over the reigning league champions this season—a feat that signals a major shift in the program's fortunes.
Will Vokey was unstoppable on offense, racking up four goals and an assist, while Carson Kempney added three goals and an assist, including the game-winner. But it wasn't just the scorers who shined. Goalkeeper Caleb Nortz stood tall with 13 saves, anchoring a defense that held Watertown to just two goals in the second half.
"We were down at halftime, but we found a way to put it together," Vokey said. "We switched it up, locking off their key player. Coach made a great call, and we just played our normal defense from practice. I think we have the best, most athletic, aggressive defense in the section. Great job by them and a great call by the coaches—it was a game-changer."
The comeback began immediately after the break. Lowville ripped off five unanswered goals to seize a two-goal lead, fueled by relentless hustle and defensive pressure. Head coach Kyle Scordo credited the team's grit: "I told the guys we had to hustle—all-out pressure, giving everything we've got. That first faceoff, we got a turnover, went right down and scored, and that got us rolling."
The win improves Lowville to 9-3 overall and a perfect 4-0 in league play, continuing a historic run for a program that had previously struggled to compete with Watertown. The Red Raiders first beat the Cyclones 9-5 on April 23—their first win over them in recent memory—making Thursday's victory even sweeter.
"We knew the first game was big, but the second one is always bigger because it counts for the league," Vokey added. "We've been really dialed in during practice, really confident. They wanted to beat us bad, but we were ready for the moment."