With the tough experiences of defeats to Baldwinsville and West Genesee long behind them, the Cazenovia boys lacrosse team began to establish itself as a championship contender again.

The impressive April 6 win at Skanetaeles was followed for the Lakers by a trip to Jordan-Elbridge last Tuesday where, again, it roared out of the gate on the way to a 12-3 romp over the Eagles.

Half of Cazenovia’s production came in the first quarter as it roared out to a 6-0 lead. It was 10-2 by halftime, and all but settled as Thomas Bragg and Alex Nowak both finished with four goals and one assist.

Brody Coleman found the net twice, adding an assist. Single goals went to Brian Pezzi and Ryan Romagnoli as Trey Schug got two assists. Tim Burr and Steve LaFever joined Pezzi with single assists.

On Saturday, Cazenovia traveled south to face Section IV power Chenango Forks, and quickly saw its win streak halted as it fell to the Blue Devils 12-8.

As it turned out, the second quarter made the difference. Already trailing, the Lakers were outscored 6-2 in that frame as Forks built an 8-3 advantage that withstood the Lakers shutting them out in the third period.

Then the Blue Devils closed 4-2 to thwart Cazenovia’s comeback, containing everyone except Nowak, who had five of the Lakers’ eight goals. Bragg and Burr both had a goal and two assists and Cole Basic also converted. R.J. Smith recorded 13 saves.

Chittenango, finally resuming its season more than a week after it lost to Whitesboro on March 29, was overwhelmed again in last Tuesday’s 17-3 defeat to Bishop Ludden-Onondaga.

It was close until the Bears surrendered an 8-1 Ludden/OCS run in the second quarter, with Bailey Martin and Matt Delany each netting five goals overall and Mac Mulhern getting two goals and five assists.

Billy Demand did score twice for Chittenango as Caleb Barnard got the other goal and Karl Farber an assist. Goalie Patrick Donner had 16 saves.

But the Bears turned around Friday to shut out Manlius-Pebble Hill 16-0 for its first win of the season, with Zeph Scott notching his first four goals of the season.

Shane Kolb amassed five assists to go with three goals. Seth Spurgeon finished with three goals and four assists as Demand also scored three times. Caleb Barnard and Hunter Penoyer each had one goal and one assist as Tanner Laramee got the other goal.

Chittenango would face LaFayette Monday and Utica Proctor on Saturday. Cazenovia would travel Monday to Carthage and then rest until Saturday’s home game against Tully.