Perhaps the Liverpool girls soccer team is repeating its 2012 theme of waking up from a sluggish opening act to do a lot better once the weather turned cooler.
Nearly a week after its impressive 3-1 win over West Genesee on Sept. 13, the two-time defending Class AA champion Warriors did not return to action until last Thursday night – but when it did, the Warriors were steady and productive in a 5-0 road victory at Central Square.
Already up 3-0 by halftime, the Warriors spread things around. Five different players – Ore Akinpelu, Morgan Wright, Leigha Allen, Elizabeth Brosnan and Emma Geyer – earned the five goals, with Alexis Kline, Logan Rubio and Leanne Barnard getting credit for assists.
Liverpool followed that up by venturing to Whitesboro on Saturday afternoon and easily prevailing in this clash of Warrior sides with another shutout, this one a 3-0 margin.
Akinpelu again proved difficult to contain, using her speed and skill to notch two of Liverpool’s three goals. Wright had the other, with Kline and Leanne Barnard picking up assists.
Possessing a 3-1 record to start the week, Cicero-North Syracuse went up against a pair of other major Section III Class AA title contenders.
In last Wednesday night’s match at Baldwinsville, the Northstars battled for the entire evening and, while, it stayed in the battle until the end, lost 3-2 to the Bees.
Early in the first half, C-NS fell behind, 1-0, only to tie it 1-1 in the 18th minute. But Isabella May’s goal gave the Bees a 2-1 edge, which stood until halftime.
Even when Hailey Couchman stretched B’ville’s edge to 3-1, the Northstars kept on attacking, restoring the deficit to one in the 61st minute, but could not quite force overtime.
Stephanie Liberati and Marissa Rio scored the Northstars’ goals, with Hanna Haven contributing an assist. In goal, Alyssa Jim recorded six saves.
A windy, wild game at Fayetteville-Manlius followed on Saturday afternoon, but neither team would get on the board, the Northstars and Hornets playing to a 0-0 draw.
C-NS visits West Genesee on Wednesday night, a team it was supposed to face at home on Sept. 11 before a weather postponement. The Northstars also host Oswego on Friday as Liverpool makes its own trip to F-M on Wednesday before a Saturday-night home clash with Baldwinsville.
