Every Frontier League girls lacrosse coach knows how aggressive opposing defenses get once the Section 3 tournament arrives.

The only response for those stingy defenses is developing a capable finisher; a goal scorer with a penchant for getting to the cage and producing. Any Frontier League team making a lengthy run in sectionals, will need an instinctive scorer.

Here are three players some of the league's coaches believe are the top finishers to watch as the postseason approaches:

Katie Ferris, Carthage,

So., attacker

Comets head coach Sue Gallagher isn't surprised to see the Frontier League's most lethal scorer on another torrid pace.

Ferris has become a prototypical finisher in just her second year as a varsity player. She's buried a league-best 80 goals in just 13 games. Her 96 points is one of the highest totals in Section 3.

"I think the main thing is her stick work," Gallagher said. "She finds a way to get the ball, even though she's heavily guarded. It's something you can't teach."

Gallagher wasn't expecting Ferris to transform into a natural attacker a year ago. After Ferris suffered a couple minor injuries early in the season, Gallagher brought her off the bench for her first varsity game.

Ferris worked her way quickly into the starting lineup as she racked up a league-high 96 goals last season and helped guide the Comets to the state Class B championship game.

"By far, she is the best," Immaculate Heart Central coach John Connolly said. "She just has a knack for knowing where to be. The ball is in the back of the net before the goalie even sees it."

Connolly said a combination of speed and knowledge of the game makes Ferris almost unstoppable. In the biggest league game of the season so far, she buried a career-high 10 goals in a 19-6 victory over Watertown. Gallagher said the goal total is likely a school record.

"By next year, she'll be breaking more records," Gallagher said.

Rachel Schneeberger,

Watertown, Jr., midfielder

Cyclones head coach Nunzio Fazio has the luxury of possessing a quartet of players responsible for most of the team's success.

But it's Schneeberger who provides the biggest spark for Watertown. She occasionally unloads a hard shot on opposing goalies and is in the process of honing an effective low shot. She's pacing the Cyclones with 46 goals this season.

"She has a quick stick to get to the ball," Fazio said. "She just has a nose for the cage."

What has made Schneeberger even more dangerous is her ability to distribute to the team's other evolving goal scorers. When she draws the defense, she can pass the ball to reliable senior Lindsey Gefell, crafty junior Taylor Nims or speedy sophomore Taylor Hughes.

"Rachel does a lot of things well," Gallagher said. "They all do so much. They put up good scoring numbers, and they're all midfielders."

Samantha Roukous

General Brown, Sr., attacker

Perhaps no other player in the league is looked at more as a No. 1 option than Roukous.

A four-year varsity player and captain, Roukous has provided 42 goals for a youthful General Brown squad. One characteristic in particular has allowed her game to materialize in her final season.

"She knows when to fake and where to place the ball," Lions coach Jennifer Prevost said. "Choosing a corner is very important, then adding a fake in and picking a pocket."

When the team is in desperate need of a goal, Prevost said Roukous thrives on the challenge. Her ability to convert in the clutch is another characteristic Fazio believes is difficult to find and makes her even more dangerous.

"You don't have many opportunities to finish when you play really good teams," Fazio said. "When you have a good shot, you've got to put them in. Those players are few and far between, and she gives them that option."

WELCOME TO THE PARTY

Section 3 is saying goodbye to the first-round bye in this year's state tournament.

Instead of advancing straight to regionals, Section 3 will face the Section 10 champion in classes B and C for the opening round of the tournament.

"I'm excited and it's a historic time for Section 10," said Stephanie Putney, Section 10's girls lacrosse chairperson. "Since we started league play earlier this year, I've seen the quality of play double. I think we'll represent the section well against Section 3 in the years to come."

Gallagher, who is the Frontier League's girls lacrosse chairperson, confirmed that the first-round game between the two sections will be June 3. Putney said Massena will be Section 10's representative in Class B, while the other five schools will be up for the sectional Class C title.

Putney said the Section 10 Class C championship game will be played on May 28. The winner faces Massena for the section's first overall title on May 30. Both matchups will be held at SUNY Potsdam.

Max DelSignore covers Frontier League lacrosse for the Times. You may reach him at mdelsignore@wdt.net.