Fully rested, and hungry for its first title in three years, the Cicero-North Syracuse boys soccer team took the top seed into the Section III Class AA playoffs.
In a bit of irony, the Northstars’ first post-season assignment came on Halloween night against an opponent wearing orange and black — but there was nothing to be scared about.
Rome Free Academy, the no. 8 seed, melted in the presence of the Northstars, who wore down the Black Knights and prevailed 4-0.
Throughout the first half, CNS attacked, but could only get one shot past RFA goalkeeper Gavin Maloney, making it 1-0 going into the break.
Gradually, the Northstars began to take charge, and a diverse attack produced three more goals after the break while the defense limited the Black Knights to just two shots.
Four different players — Kenny Cooper, Gino Corasaniti, Miles Crouse and Jon Cary — earned those four goals, while Zach MacNabb got credit for two assists.
This leads to a unique Class AA semifinal Wednesday night against no. 4 seed Baldwinsville at West Genesee High School. It will come exactly one year to the day of the Northstars’ 1-0 overtime loss to the Bees in the 2008 sectional final.
CNS will be bent on payback — and also focused on earning a return to that Camillus turf on Nov. 10 for the sectional final against Utica Proctor or Fayetteville-Manlius.