If ever a girls soccer team had a reason to seethe, it was the Cazenovia Lakers.
Back on Oct. 8, the Lakers had state Class B no. 2-ranked Westhill on the ropes, trailing by three goals – and ended up on the wrong end of a 5-3 decision, the kind of result that mirrors the heartbreak Cazenovia has faced every time it has gone up against the reigning Section III Class B champions the last couple of years.
Exactly one week later, the Lakers faced another high-profile game, this time against Madison County neighbor Chittenango, and it proved an exciting battle, both sides getting plenty of chances before Cazenovia defeated the Bears 2-1.
Entering the game with a 10-5 mark, Chittenango boasted a strong attack, but a suspect defense. Yet that back line managed to blank Cazenovia during the first half, and on the other end Alli Cerio, taking a feed from Kayla Bain, put in a goal that gave the Bears a 1-0 edge going into intermission.
Gradually, Cazenovia increased its pressure, and it turned the game around. Overcoming Katy Myka’s 13 saves, the Lakers used goals by Casey Crawford to inch out in front, and held on behind the work of a defense anchored by Hannah Matteson, who finished with nine saves.
Before that happened, Cazenovia took out the anger from the Westhill loss out on Solvay in last Tuesday’s 7-0 shutout, again building a 3-0 lead, but this time going further against the overmatched Bearcats.
Casey Crawford roared back to form, earning a three-goal hat trick plus an assist. Saige Ackermann and Brenna Hughes each got one goal and one assist, with Kirsten Underwood adding two assists as Chloe Willard and Madeline Gavitt contributed goals of their own.
On Saturday, the Lakers would visit Homer, who had just staged its own comeback from a three-goal deficit to stun that same Westhill team 4-3 earlier in the week.
The Lakers lost, 1-0, to the Trojans and finished the regular season 8-6-2, despite having most of the opportunities as Homer goalie Anna Gugerty stopped all 12 shots she faced and Sophia Thomas netted the game’s only goal, assisted by Carolyne Yonta.
Chittenango’s week started in a wild, exciting Columbus Day match against Homer that spread its action throughout 80 minutes of regulation and 20 minutes of overtime before the Bears lost, 6-5, to the Trojans.
They were tied, 2-2, through halftime, and continued to exchange goals in the second half. Entering the first OT period at 4-4, the Bears fell behind when Homer scored twice in the first 10 minutes, only to have Chittenango get a goal in the second OT and nearly pull out a draw.
Through it all, Lauren Billington scored twice and added a pair of assists, with Kayla Bain also netting a pair of goals. Ashley Young got one goal and one assist. Homer saw Kim Dieroff net goals and add three assists, with Olivia Porter also getting two goals. Mollie Ferrito and Madison Dimorier had one goal apiece.
On Sunday, both Chittenango and Cazenovia found out their sectional playoff assignments.
As the no. 6 seed in Class A, the Bears host no. 11 seed Mexico Tuesday night, with the winner facing Central Valley Academy or Camden in the quarterfinals later this week.
Cazenovia is also a no. 6 seed, in Class B, and with just 10 teams in the field, the Lakers go straight to the quarterfinals and a tough match-up with no. 3 seed Lowville, who has been ranked in the state top 10 for most of the season, Thursday night at 6 p.m.
