Boys soccer teams that play in separate leagues rarely meet more than once during any given regular season.
However, Cazenovia and Rome Free Academy would have two encounters within an 11-day span at the start of the 2016 season, and they ended up a split, with the Black Knights taking the rematch 1-0 last Tuesday night at RFA Stadium.
They had first met in the Aug. 27 opener at the Sean Googin Sports Complex, and the Lakers had won that encounter 2-0. What was different about the rematch was RFA’s artificial turf, which led to less control of the ball for both sides.
So it was little surprise that it remained 0-0 until the second half, when the Black Knights broke through thanks to Jadon Barton’s goal, assisted by Matt Kahler. It was one of just five shots for the hosts, but Cazenovia got none of its five shots past RFA goalie Michael Haag.
This meant the Lakers were 2-1 going into Friday’s OHSL Liberty division opener against Marcellus, back at the Googin complex.
And for much of the night, Cazenovia was in firm control before a furious Mustangs comeback made the Lakers glad to get out with a valuable 3-2 victory.
Cazenovia went right after Marcellus from the opening kickoff, and unlike with RFA, it got on the board in a hurry, scoring in the 15th minute when Joe Spiers found the net off nice passes from Alex Pezzi and Christensen.
Even with an early goal, the Lakers kept pushing and, four minutes later, made it 2-0 with Spiers this time offering the assist on Ryan Modzeleski’s goal. It stayed that way until the second half, when in the 55th minute Justin Gagnon took his turn, pouncing upon a Mustangs defensive turnover and converting.
Understandably, Cazenovia relaxed with its three-goal margin – but Marcellus nearly made the Lakers pay for it. David Bosak and Alex Stasyuk hit on back-to-back goals, and the Mustangs pulled within one with more than nine minutes left.
Throughout the homestretch, Marcellus swarmed the Cazenovia net. Try as it could, though, the Mustangs couldn’t force overtime, Thomas Bragg finishing with six saves and doing most of his difficult work in those frantic final minutes.
The Lakers had its game Wednesday against Chittenango moved to Oct. 14, giving the team space between Monday’s showdown with Westhill and Friday’s home game against Blessed Virgin Mary.
Chittenango, who lost twice in its own season-opening tournament, at the end of August, entered OHSL Freedom division play last Tuesday night, hosting Cortland and taking a tough 2-1, double-overtime defeat to the Purple Tigers.
Mike Culkin’s first-half goal, assisted by Tim Ryder, held up for a while, but Cortland tied it in the second half as Chris Tanner found the net. So it remained through the rest of regulation and one OT period before Tanner returned to beat Justin Makowski (who finished with six saves) for the game-winner.
Even with the postponement of the Cazenovia game, Chittenango still has trips this week to Marcellus and Phoenix.
