Six Section III Class AA titles in seven years made the Baldwinsville boys soccer team establish a standard others hoped to reach.
And it nearly was seven wins in eight years before Fayetteville-Manlius upended the Bees in the 2014 sectional final.
What made it hurt more was that head coach Tim Scheemaker knew a big roster turnover was about to take place. Six starters, including goalie Nick Lindovski, Nick Gates, Connor Ross, Alex Burrer, Erik Ferrari and Austin Dukat, would graduate.
Even though ample talent has returned for 2015, B’ville still has a lot of work ahead, and that was illustrated in last Monday’s opener at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium, a 2-0 defeat to Liverpool.
The Warriors, who had a “down” season in 2014, is bent on changing those odds, and would attack hard from the outset against the Bees, scoring in the first half to move out in front.
Another goal followed in the second half, and despite eight saves from Lindovski’s successor, Andrew Hahn, B’ville could not get on the board itself. Sam Fuller and George Betoubaum found the net for Liverpool.
Ironically, on the weekend B’ville would play at Liverpool in a two-day tournament, starting out against defending Class A champion Jamesville-DeWitt on Friday afternoon.
Here, the Bees’ attack broke free in the second half of a 4-2 victory over the Red Rams, getting three goals in the second half after the two sides were even, 1-1, going into the break.
Griffin Lynch found the net twice, pacing a deep lineup where Christian Fuller and Brandon Mimas also converted. Evan Ingersoll got two assists, while Mike Brussel, Josh Doback and Justin Lado took turns earning assists of their own.
A day later, the Bees took on Christian Brothers Academy and won again, this time in a 3-1 decision. Playing through plenty of heat and humidity, B’ville again was tied, 1-1, going into halftime and, again, took charge late.
Three different Bees – Doback, Alex Pompo and Justin Lado – earned those three goals, with Brussel and Connor Carhart earning assists. Hahn recorded five saves.
Another big test for B’ville comes Tuesday, when it hosts Cicero-North Syracuse, a week before having a rematch with Liverpool Sept. 15.
