Steaming for nearly a week after a series of correctable mistakes cost them a chance at beating Fayetteville-Manlius on April 11, the Cicero-North Syracuse boys lacrosse team tripped up again, but would quickly recover and improve its mark to 7-3.
The Northstars trailed 1-3 Rome Free Academy at halftime of last Tuesday’s night’s game at RFA Stadium, only to take charge after the break and beat the Black Knights 10-5.
RFA slowed the game’s tempo, which proved effective for two quarters. C-NS was unable to dislodge the ball for long periods of time, and the Black Knights inched out in front, 4-3, going to the break.
Needing to break out, C-NS did so in the third quarter. Tyler Heldt led the charge as the Northstars got five unanswered goals in that period to take an 8-4 lead, a streak from which RFA could not recover.
Heldt finished with four goals and one assist. Tom Koster chimed in with two goals and one assist as Erik Sauer also found the net twice. Zach Debottis and Matt O’Donnell each had one goal as Bryan Schenk recorded most of his 10 saves in the second half.
Two nights later, C-NS was back home to face Corcoran, and it turned into a grinding affair where the Cougars’ defense made a stunning late rally to beat the Northstars 7-4.
Frustrated throughout a slow-paced first half, C-NS trailed, 3-2, but appeared to right itself in the third quarter, blanking Corcoran and inching into a 4-3 lead. Koster had two goals, with Heldt and Debottis earning the other goals as Sauer and O’Donnell picked up assists.
But the pressure Corcoran put on the C-NS back line allowed for one more reversal. Led by Sean Eccles, who piled up three goals and three assists, the Cougars scored four times in the fourth quarter as goalie Noah Galvan, who finished with 12 saves, turned back every Northstar attempt in the latter stages.
On Saturday, C-NS went to Herkimer Community College to face Colonie, from Section II. Despite getting shut out in the first half, the Northstars somehow made up the deficit and forced overtime, where it beat the Garnet Raiders 4-3.
Amid cold, blustery conditions, C-NS could not produce anything in the first two periods, but its defense prevented Colonie from getting away, so it only stared at a 3-0 deficit going to the break.
Somehow, the defense kept the Garnet Raiders off the board through the entire second half and OT, and despite a glacial pace, C-NS caught up by the fourth quarter and won it in the extra period, watching Schenk stop 17 of the 20 shots he faced. Griffo scored twice in the comeback, including the tying goal, with Koster and Sauer getting the other goals.
Now C-NS got to rest and recuperate a bit, off until Friday night, when it hosts long-time powerhouse West Genesee, the Wildcats in search of a spark after starting its season 5-4.
