In advance of its most important stretch of the season – back-to-back games against OHSL Liberty division leaders Westhill and Skaneateles – the Cazenovia boys soccer team first had to secure local bragging rights.
The Lakers went to Chittenango Thursday night, and after a shaky first half its attack took over in the latter stages, leading to a 5-1 victory over the Bears.
For the most part, it was Tyler Modzeleski leading the charge. With his team only ahead 1-0 going to the second half, the sophomore led an all-out charge that blew the game open.
By the time he was done, Modzeleski had a three-goal hat trick, with Brody Kellish and Awng Hung also converting. Five others – Kevin Porter, Ngun Lian, Peter Burr, Conor Race and Conner Polsin – earned assists. Kyle Prenoveau accounted for Chittenango’s lone goal.
Both sides had played on Monday afternoon, with vastly different results. Cazenovia had hosted Solvay, and as it would against Chittenango, needed some time to get things together before pulling away and shutting out the Bearcats 5-0.
It was only 1-0 at the break, so the Lakers had to be patient with its attack until it could take over in the late stages.
Modzeleski again led the way, the sophomore scoring twice. Burr had a goal and assist as Hung and Lian also converted. Race, back from a knee injury that sidelined him in late September, earned two assists as Porter also had an assist.
On the same day, the season-long struggle for Chittenango continued in a 4-0 defeat to Phoenix last Monday afternoon, the Bears unable to recover from a poor first half where the Firebirds bolted ahead 3-0.
Kyle Coon did a better job as the game went on, finishing with 10 saves. For Phoenix, Kyle Fisk scored twice, with Jason Czyz adding a goal and two assists.
When they first played Westhill and Skaneateles in September, Cazenovia went to overtime on both occasions, falling 3-2 to Westhill and drawing Skaneateles 1-1.
Since then, the Warriors have remained unbeaten and moved to the no. 8 spot in the state Class B rankings, with Skaneateles at no. 10 before Westhill beat them 4-0 last Tuesday night.
