Long removed from last season’s 6-10 struggles, the Chittenango boys lacrosse team has already matched its 2012 win total and is nearing a Section III playoff berth.

Up against 8-1 Cortland last Saturday afternoon, the Bears pulled off, by far, it most impressive victory of the season, pulling away in the second half to beat the Purple Tigers 15-11.

All through the first two periods, Chittenango showed that it could stay right with Cortland, leading most of the way, even though it was tied 4-4 at the break.

Then the Bears’ attack started to click in the third quarter, more than doubling its total as it inched back in front 9-8. Then it wore Cortland’s defense down in an impressive 6-3 dash through the final period to seal it.

Aaron Jones stepped up with four goals and two assists, with Devin Phelps managing three goals and three assists. Robert Whittin also had a three-goal hat trick.

Just behind them, Steve Billington and Kyle Zimmer both scored twice, with Garrett Sadler picking up a goal and three assists. Though Cortland’s Pat McMahon led his side with five goals and one assist, Connor Shea turned more shots away as he picked up 29 saves.

The Bears also prevailed last Tuesday night, at Onondaga, where it kept the Tigers winless with a dominant effort through the opening stages and cruised to a 15-9 decision in a game that really wasn’t that close.

Through a steady, relentless attack, Chittneango built a 9-3 halftime lead, and put things away by outscoring OCS 5-0 in the third period. Thus, it could sit its starters in the fourth quarter and withstand a furious Tiger rally, which only cut the margin in half.

Billington, with four goals, led a balanced effort as Zimmer and Jones both managed three-goal hat tricks and Jones added an assist. Phelps scored twice, adding two assists, while Sadler managed two goals and one assist. Whittin was close behind, earning a goal and two assists.

Two nights later, at Jordan-Elbridge, the Bears tripped up, though, its defense unable to get settled at any point as it lost to the Eagles 17-11.

Even with a 4-3 first-quarter lead, Chittenango did little to thwart J-E’s attack, surrendering that lead as the Eagles went in front, 8-7, by halftime. A pivotal third quarter saw the Bears outscored, 5-2, and unable to recover.

Phelps still had three goals and three assists, with Jones adding two goals and two assists. Sadler and Zimmer also had two-goal outings as Billington and Whittin had one goal apiece. Shea had 16 saves as, for J-E, Gale Thorpe led with five goals and three assists, with Aurie Schwarting (four goals, two assists) close behind.

In girls lacrosse action, Chittenango went up against Tully last Monday night, and paid for a poor first half in a 17-6 loss to the Black Knights.

Tully essentially settled matters by jumping out to an 11-2 lead, led by Ally McNerney and Allison Bolt, who had four goals apiece as Zoe Hendricks and Taylor Kwiek (three goals each) followed.

Chittenango stemmed things a bit in the second half, but had too much ground to make up. Kaitlin Antelmi had two goals, with Sierra Shafer, Lauren Bililngton, Nicole Zimmer and April Appel managing one goal apiece. Alyssa Crane made nine saves in the net.

The Bears also lost Wednesday to LaFayette, 22-6, getting most of its offense in the first half as Antelmi poured in four goals, with Shafer and Billington also finding the net.

Despite this, Chittenango still trailed 13-5 at the break, and the Lancers pulled further away as six different players earned hat tricks and goalie Paige Skinner earned most of her 11 saves.

For LaFayette, Nina Schaeffer and Alexis Manley both had four goals, while Cassley Jackowski, Cassidy Doster, Maddison Appel and Cassidy Ubieta earned three goals apiece. Jackowski added five assists as Doster and Appel each managed three assists.

Trying to get back in the win column on Friday against Bishop Ludden/Bishop Grimes, the Bears nearly did so, only to see its plans thwarted late in a 10-9 defeat to the Gaelic Knights.

Only down by one, 6-5, at halftime, Chittenango slowed the game down and stayed right with Ludden/Grimes. Antelmi got four goals, while Shafer found the net twice. Zimmer, Gabby Loftus and Emily Gibbons earned one goal apiece.

Still, Ludden/Grimes held on thanks to five goals and one assist from Teresa Shattuck and a three-goal hat trick from Stephanie Brazell.