Both the Cazenovia and Chittenango boys soccer teams got in their opening games of the 2014 season before the end of Labor Day weekend.
For the Lakers, it meant taking on Cortland Aug. 30 and showing mid-season form long before it ever got to that point as a dominant first half led to a 5-1 romp over the Purple Tigers.
Looking to round into game form, Cazenovia spent the early portion of the first half probing and testing Cortland’s defense. Then, in the 21st minute, it broke through them by having Tyler Modzeleski find the net.
Barely a minute later, it was 2-0, Modzeleski this time taking a supporting role as he assisted on Peter Burr’s goal. And after a Cortland penalty kick made it 2-1, Ryan Modzeleski, taking a pass from Tyler Modzeleski, put in the Lakers’ third goal.
Just to make things more secure, Tyler Modzeleski struck for his second goal, assisted by Cole Willard, and made it 4-1, and to cap off his masterful effort, Modzeleski crushed a free kick into the net to earn the hat trick.
A similar rush of goals would mark the Lakers’ game against Jordan-Elbridge last Wednesday night, where a long scoreless deadlock turned lopsided as Cazenovia blanked the Eagles 5-0.
Despite constant pressure, it stayed 0-0 through halftime, but the Lakers broke through against J-E goalie Max Bondgren (who had 11 saves) with Ryan Modzileski’s goal in the 50th minute.
Willard extended the lead to 2-0 in the 57th minute, and when Tyler Modzileski was fouled inside the 18-yard box less than two minutes later, he converted the penalty kick. Before J-E could recover, Willard, on a breakaway in the 59th minutes, and Ryan Modzeleski, with 6:46 left, scored again.
A bigger test loomed Friday night, Cazenovia hosting its namesakes from Skaneateles, and a couple of quick strikes allowed the visiting Lakers to move in front and never get caught, the host Lakers losing a 2-0 decision.
Even before most of the fans got to settle in, Skaneateles had its two-goal margin, with Sam Clymer and Eli Goodell putting shots past Cazenovia goalie Garrett Clabeaux.
Stunned by this turn of events, Cazenovia settled down. For the rest of the night, it played superb defense, Clabeaux only having to make three saves. Yet it could not convert any of its chances against a tough Skaneateles defense that protected goalie Billy Patrick, who only had to get three saves to preserve his shutout.
Back on Aug. 29, Chittenango, seeking a return to the elite 13 years after it last won a sectional and state title, got off to a dramatic start with a 1-0 overtime victory over Solvay.
For 80 minutes of regulation, the Bearcats had chances to go in front, only to see Bears goalie Dane Johnson turn them away with eight saves overall. Then, in the sudden-victory OT period, Joe Murray, taking a pass from Seamus St. Leger, put home the winning goal.
Chittenango maintained its shutout streak last Tuesday when it topped Mexico 2-0. Overtime wasn’t needed on this occasion, with the Bears patiently working through a scoreless first half before getting on the board after the break to tame the Tigers.
Murray scored in the second half, as did Nash Boyd, with Connor Martin contributing an assist. Johnson, well-protected by the Bears’ defense, only had to make four saves.
