The last day of March saw the season’s first action for the Liverpool boys lacrosse team, a week after Cicero-North Syracuse had debuted with a victory at Binghamton.
On the home turf at LHS Stadium, the Warriors faced Saratoga Springs, from Section II, and took a long while to get itself into gear, but did finish strong in an 11-4 victory over the Blue Streaks.
All through the first three periods, Saratoga controlled the game’s tempo, using long possessions to keep it away from Liverpool, but it didn’t quite work.
Even in its limited attacks, the Warriors were able to carve out a 5-3 lead through three periods before wearing down the Blue Streaks’ defense in the fourth quarter, more than doubling its total.
Mostly, this was the effort of a single line as Lukas McIlroy scored four times, helped by Cabry Hildmann and Ryan McGowan, who earned three goals apiece. Kade Clouthier had the other goal as Kyle Caves came up with three assists. Goalie Cole Zafarikis recorded eight saves.
At this went on, C-NS, in its home opener at Bragman Stadium, met another Section IV opponent, Elmira, and it roared out of the gate, which proved the difference as it defeated the Express 10-6.
Before Elmira could settle into its own game, C-NS attacked and converted at will in the first quarter, establishing a 6-1 lead, and was glad to have that cushion as it was held to just one goal over the next two periods.
Yet Elmira could only close the gap to 7-4, with the C-NS defense sound throughout the afternoon and Brian Jobin ultimately stopping 12 of the 18 shots he faced.
The Northstars were able to close it out as Nate Scarlata scored four times. Justin Griffith had two goals and one assist, with Josh Pickard getting a goal and two assists. Riley Kennedy and Brody Guido each had one goal and one assist as Austin Vandewalker also scored.
C-NS has just one game this week, going to East Syracuse Minoa Saturday as Liverpool, who had its Tuesday game with Rochester Aquinas postponed, visits Rome Free Academy and Watertown late this week, all leading to an April 10 clash between the Northstars and Warriors at Bragman Stadium.
