Fresh off a solid win over archrival Liverpool on April 14, the Cicero-North Syracuse girls lacrosse team looked to build up further momentum through the middle of the month.
The Northstars split a pair of non-league contests, then somehow made its way through a wild, high-scoring battle with Christian Brothers Academy Monday night, beating the Brothers 21-20 in overtime.
After years of playing at Bragman Stadium, CNS found itself playing Monday in Archie Hall Stadium at North Syracuse Junior High School on Taft Road, the home of the Northstars’ girls soccer team. Future home games could be played here, too, depending on a determination as to whether the Bragman Stadium turf is safe for use.
Regardless of the location, the game with CBA proved to be a goal-scoring festival. The Brothers pushed itself to an 8-6 lead at halftime, and stayed in front through much of the second half, too, even as the pace quickened.
Down by a goal as regulation time wound down, the Northstars pushed itself into the Brothers’ end. With 19 seconds to play, Lis Zuern ripped a shot past CBA goalie Emma Taylor, tying the game and sending it to a pair of three-minute overtime periods.
As the score moved to 19-19 late in the second OT, again CNS picked up the ball and again, Zuern would make the difference, beating Taylor for her seventh goal with just 19 seconds left to break the 20-20 tie and win it.
Aside from Zuern, Tori Praino had a big night, with five goals. Ashley Waldron, Rachel Geruso, Alyssa Crystaldi and Emily Bryerton each scored twice, with Ashley Caporizzo getting the other goal.
CBA’s stars came through, too, as Brittany Brigandi earned seven goals and M.E. Lapham added five goals and three assists. Alex Gale turned them away enough times, though, to record 15 saves.
In last Tuesday’s sunny conditions, the Northstars faced Garrison Forest and pulled out a 9-8 victory, holding on after it seized a 6-4 advantage before halftime.
Zuern and Geruso each finished with three goals and one assist. Praino, Waldron and Chelsea Dunay each scored once, with each of Gale’s 13 saves proving to be important.
For CNS, it would turn the other way on Thursday during an 8-6 loss to Rochester Mercy, where it managed just a pair of first-half goals to fall behind. Praino and Zuern each scored twice, with Waldron adding a goal and two assists and Geruso also scoring.
After the game with CBA, the Northstars (4-3) travel to Oswego Wednesday night, then play Friday against Auburn.
