Section V Lacrosse

Livonia lacrosse advances to semis

LIVONIA — Entering the Section V quarterfinal, Livonia lacrosse completed a season sweep in games against Bath, racking up two huge wins.

Make that three.

The host and No. 3 seeded Bulldogs proved once again that they have no trouble taking down the Rams after a 15-3 shellacking to help Livonia survive another day in the Class C sectionals.

“After playing a team twice during the regular season sometimes you get a little weary of playing a third game against them in sectionals,” said Livonia coach Brett Wood. “We came out strong and put some goals on the board early in the first and second quarter to gain control of the game.”

That they did.

Livonia jumped out to a 8-0 lead and finished the first half in control with a 14-2 advantage.

“At that point, we were able to relax and get some kids some more time in the fourth and end up with a convincing win to move us into the semi’s Friday against Aquinas,” said Wood.

Livonia was led by senior attackmen Wyatt Struble and Cody Cisco, who each logged three goals.

Derek Bishopp, a junior attackman, also scored three in the win, while senior goalie Ethan Jamison played the most of the game and racked up a save.

Assists were recorded by Struble (three), Alex Chiara (two), while Cisco, Dustin Ayers and Mitchell Kinney each had one.

For Bath, goals were scored by Brandon Dickson (two) and Justin Gavette (one).

Gavette and Trevor Lang each recorded an assist.

Next up for Livonia is a semifinal game in Victor at 7 p.m. versus Aquinas, a team the Bulldogs have not played since April 17, when they defeated the Little Irish 8-6 in Livonia.

Aquinas did beat Livonia before that, however, in a 13-4 match-up late March.

Said Wood of the season split: “We certainly know [Aquinas] will be gunning toward us and will do everything in their power to give us their best game. We believe if we play smart lacrosse — we are confident that we can rise to the occasion and get the chance to play in the finals against whoever wins the top side of the bracket.”

Livonia has never won a sectional title before, but have gotten close, losing back-to-back final games to Penn Yan in 2008 and 2009.

This year, after posting their best regular season record in Bulldog history, they are hoping to change their history.

“We are not satisfied with just getting there,” Wood said. “But [we] have the goal of winning it this year and bringing home a sectional title.”