All of the struggles the Cazenovia girls lacrosse team faced in its season-opening loss to General Brown on March 28 were put to good use.
A week of tough practice followed, and by the time the Lakers returned for last Tuesday’s game against LaFayette at Cazeonvia College’s Christakos Field, it was ready for prime time.
Cazenovia doubled up the Lancers, prevailing 20-10, the tone set in a wild first half where neither side had an easy time stopping the other, but the Lakers, winning more draws, had more chance to get on the board – and did so.
By halftime, Cazenovia enjoyed a 13-6 lead, and kept on pulling away thanks to a well-balanced attack centered around Audrey Burbidge, who finished with three goals and four assists.
Sarah Willard and Keara Dwyer each scored four times, with Dwyer adding an assist. Grace Milmoe had three goals and one assist, while Chloe Willard and Taylor Eldred both found the net twice. Olivia McEntee joined Chloe Willard in the assist column.
Two days later, facing Tully on that same Cazenovia College turf, the Lakers broke open a close battle with a second-half shutout and offensive surge to bash the Black Knights 14-2.
It was only 6-2 at halftime, but Cazenovia turned it up on both ends, mainly thanks to Chloe Willard, who set a career mark with five goals, and Sarah Willard, who had four goals and one assist. Dwyer added a three-goal hat trick as Milmoe and Paige Nardella added single goals and Nardella contributed an assist, too.
All of this week is spent on the road for the Lakers, who must travel to Jordan-Elbridge on Tuesday, Westhill on Thursday and Jamesville-DeWitt on Saturday before its April 21 home encounter with reigning state Class C champion Skaneateles.
