Playing three times in a span of four days, the Cazenovia girls soccer team managed to find victories on at least two occasions.
The busy stretch kicked off last Monday, at Manlius-Pebble Hill, where the Lakers had to grind its way to a 1-0 victory over the Trojans.
Through the entire first half, and a good portion of the second half, Cazenovia and MPH traded chances, but neither side could convert.
Only in the 57th minute did the Lakers break through when, during a scramble in front of the Trojans’ net, Colleen Dougherty poked the ball into the net.
And that single goal held up, as Whitney Goris, Taylor Malmsheimer, Becca Wheeler, Hillary Bullock and the rest of the Lakers’ back line stayed calm amid several MPH attacks. Freshman goalie Jamie Enders stopped all nine shots she faced.
In another tough trip Wednesday, to Skaneateles, Cazenovia did not prove as fortunate, taking a 5-3 loss to that other group of Lakers.
Playing in wet conditions, Cazenovia spotted Skaneateles a two-goal margin, 3-1, in the first half, and despite finding offensive success in the late going, it could not catch up.
Katie Kleine returned to form, scoring twice, while Dougherty got the other goal and Kristina Kleine added an assist. Enders had 11 saves. Carly Davis (two goals) led a deep and balanced Skaneateles offense.
Back home Thursday to face Phoenix, the Lakers returned to winning form as it recorded a 3-0 shutout of the Firebirds.
As part of a 23-shot attack, Katie Kleine scored twice and assisted on Kristina Kleine’s tally. Dougherty also got credit for an assist.
That lifted Cazenovia’s record to 4-3-1. The Lakers visited Jordan-Elbridge on Tuesday before a rematch with MPH on Thursday at the Fenner Street complex.
