Having both started 2-0 before hitting the Labor Day weekend, the Liverpool and Cicero-North Syracuse girls soccer teams were ready to face each other to see which side would get three in a row – or not.
The meeting came last Wednesday night, at Archie Hall Stadium, where the Warriors wanted to continue its recent history of controlling matters with the Northstars – and it did, taking charge in the second half of a 3-0 decision.
For the first 40 minutes, neither side could convert, Liverpool continually thwarted by the work of C-NS goalie Olivia Haven, who was on her way to 10 saves. But the Warriors made the adjustments it needed and, after intermission, broke through three times.
Carli Kovarik led the way, scoring once and adding an assist, with other goals going to Abby Haley and Bri Kovarik. Leigha Johnson contributed an assist, with Liverpool’s defense constantly turning the Northstars back as Megan Merrifield made six saves.
Liverpool had prevailed twice against Section II foes the week before, beating Bethlehem 3-1 on Aug. 31 and, a day later, topping Saratoga Springs by that exact same margin.
Having notched the only goal of the first half against Saratoga, the Warriors pulled away by having Bri Kovarik put home a pair of goals. Carli Kovarik had the other goal as Emily Dorr, Colleen Tifft and Morgan Mitchell had one assist apiece.
Back on that same Sept. 1, C-NS had made it two wins in as many matches by edging Central Square 1-0. Deep into the second half, it remained scoreless, but the Northstars kept pressing until Ashlyn Slate, off a feed from Morgan Siechen, beat Redhawks goalie Hayley Bell to put her team in front for good.
Following the loss to Liverpool, C-NS hosted Auburn on Saturday and quickly got back in the win column, routing the Maroons 8-0 as it scored five times in the first half and continued to pour it on even with the match well decided.
Slate, in particular, burned Auburn’s defenders, netting a career-best four goals to go with an assist. Haley Imbeski scored twice, while Siechen had a goal and two assists. Jenna Imbesi got a goal as Ciera Murphy and Marissa Bukowski had two assists apiece. Makenna Ramsey earned a single assist.
Liverpool would get a big test against Long Island-area opponents Islip and Massapequa in weekend games played at the Wright National Soccer Complex in Oneonta. In fact, Islip would prevail, 1-0, over the Warriors, the only goal coming in the first half as Merrifield made six saves to keep things close all the way through.
