It would not take long for the Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse boys lacrosse teams to get a look at each other in this 2015 season.
The two neighbors and rivals square off Tuesday night at Bragman Stadium after each of them played last Friday night, with varying results – the Warriors routing Central Square 21-4, the Northstars falling to the newly combined Syracuse squad 10-8.
Each of these sides come off 2014 seasons where they lost in their respective Section III Class A quarterfinals, Liverpool falling to West Genesee, C-NS to Baldwinsville.
Of course, the Warriors have a sectional title (earned in 2012) in its recent history, while the Northstars still are in search of a first-ever sectional crown.
C-NS got, by far, the tougher opening assignment. Early this winter, it was announced that the Corcoran and Henninger programs would combine for a single Syracuse entity, a move that was met with some criticism in local circles.
It just so happened that C-NS was the first opponent for Syracuse, and during the first half the Northstars struggled to get anything going on the offensive side.
Trailing 8-3 at halftime, C-NS shored up its defense, only allowing one goal in each of the last two periods as Zach Sheridan recorded eight saves. Meanwhile, the attack started to find some success as it ate into Syracuse’s margin.
Ray Scarlata, with a three-goal hat trick, led the Northstars. Ryan Waldron scored twice as Zach Debottis managed three assists to go with his lone goal. Nate Scarlata and Conner Collins also scored, with Nick Riccardi contributing an assist.
Still, Syracuse held on, led by Sean Eccles, who got two goals and three assists, and Alec Smith, who got three goals and one assist. Jack Kane and Sterling Carlin had two goals apiece.
Far from all this, Liverpool had an easy time of it at Central Square, roaring out to a 6-0 lead before the first quarter and continuing to pile up goals until it led 15-1 at halftime. It got to 20-3 in the third quarter before a running clock, plus plenty of substitutions, kept the margin reasonable the rest of the way.
The duo of Dom Castiglia and Dillon Rogers proved unstoppable, Castiglia earning seven goals and one assist, with Rogers getting five goals and one assist.
Matt Sala scored twice, adding a pair of assists, while Anthony Calabrese produced two goals and one assist. Antonio Rey, Kendall Keahey, Connor Tift, Jon Jerman and Ethan Calderwell each had one goal, with Jerman contributing a pair of assists.
