With most of its preliminary work behind them, the Baldwinsville field hockey team would spend last week proving to all of its opponents that it might be even better than the side that got so close to the state Class A finals a season ago.
A key moment in this process came Wednesday night, when the Bees traveled to Bragman Stadium to face one of its primary local challengers, Cicero-North Syracuse. It turned into a hard-fought contest where B’ville leaned on its defense in the late going to preserve a 2-1 win over the Northstars.
All of the goals came in the first half. The Bees struck by having Amanda Strenk and Mary Cate McKee each convert, with assists going to Emma Brushingham and Talia Scarfino. C-NS countered with an unassisted goal by Jamie Wagner.
For the entire second half, B’ville found itself unable to add to its one-goal lead. At the same time, though, the Bees’ back line mostly contained matters, not letting the Northstars get too many good looks – though when the shots were taken, Hailey Boda turned them away, finishing with five saves.
To warm up for C-NS, the Bees hosted East Syracuse Minoa Monday at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium and could not get stopped, roaring out to a 4-0 lead by halftime and eventually defeating the Spartans 8-2.
The wide-open style of play fit B’ville quite well. Strenk had a role in more than half the scoring plays, netting a three-goal hat trick and earning two assists, while McKee notched two goals. Lauren Brushingham matched Strenk’s total of two assists.
Emma Brushingham also scored, adding an assist, while Mackenzie Wodka and Madison Ascioti also netted goals. Olivia Wachob contributed an assist as Boda made nine saves in the net. ESM got second-half goals from Gillianne McCarthy and Leah Brennan.
At 4-0 following the win over C-NS, B’ville goes Cortland on Monday and visit Fayetteville-Manlius next Wednesday before a Sept. 23 trip to Holland Patent. On another scheduling note, B’ville’s game with 11-time defending sectional Class C champion Cazenovia at Pelcher-Arcaro was moved from Oct. 5 to Oct. 6 at 4:30.
