Weeks of travel to other venues finally ended for the Cazenovia field hockey team, but the winning continued, even if it remained, at times, a tight proposition.
When the Lakers beat East Syracuse-Minoa 2-1 Wednesday afternoon at Burton Street Elementary School, it was the first time Cazenovia had played at home since Sept. 15, when it beat Weedsport.
Since then, the Lakers had played five times on the road, twice going to overtime and twice prevailing (over Cortland and Camden), and twice seeing games postponed due to weather.
So, back on familiar grass at Burton Street and under sun-kissed skies, Cazenovia tried for a second regular-season win against ESM, and quickly seized a 2-0 lead on goals by Nicole Chiarello and Jessy Silfer. Rachel Nourse got credit for an assist.
It didn’t turn into a runaway, though, as ESM’s Amy Loder hit on an unassisted goal early in the second half. Nursing a one-goal margin, the Lakers’ defense, anchored by Maggie Carpenter, SarahRose Gabor and Maggie Namy, would keep the Spartans from too many more chances. Lauren Devine only had to make four saves.
Friday’s home game against Port Byron proved simpler as the Lakers extended its Onondaga High School League win streak to 69 straight games, pummeling the Panthers 6-0.
Jillian Vogl enjoyed one of her best outings of the season, recording a three-goal hat trick and adding an assist, as Cazenovia seized a 4-0 lead by halftime. Chiarello had one goal and one assist, with Ashley Winn and Emily Willard also converting. MaryKate Conley added an assist.
Cazenovia stays at Burton on Wednesday to face Homer, two days before a rematch with Cortland, the same side that pushed the Lakers to overtime on Sept. 21 before Vogl’s goal won it 2-1.
