It took nearly the entire length of the regular season, but the Cazenovia girls lacrosse team made it to the .500 mark and secured its place in the Section III Class D playoffs, too.

A key step in that process for the Lakers was last Tuesday night’s game at Chittenango, where it got the best of this Madison County rivalry by putting together a 13-6 victory over the Bears.

Too often this season, Cazenovia had leaned heavily on the likes of Chloe Willard and Mikaylee Whalen to carry its attack, but as it built a 7-4 halftime lead on Chittenango, things were more spread out.

As it dominated the second half, the Lakers maintained this theme, Willard getting three goals and three assists, but also having Glenn Hartley get a three-goal hat trick as Whalen finished with three goals and one assist.

Further support game from Grace Rajkowski, who scored twice and got two assists, while Lauren Burbidge and Morgan Maliga also found the net and Laura Connor contributed an assist.

On the Bears’ side, Sarah Martin led the way, netting three goals and adding an assist. Ally Shoemaker found the net twice as Julia Pynn got two assists, with Tiffany Scofield also earning a goal.

It didn’t’ get easier for Chittenango last Thursday as it hosted defending Section III Class A champion Christian Brothers Academy, who proceeded to roll past the Bears 17-3.

Julia Graham did net a pair of first-half goals for Chittenango (1-11) and Scofield scored, too, with Taylor Glazier adding two assists. Hailee Watt made nine saves as CBA featured Olivia Penoyer (five goals, four assists) and Anna Ziemba (four goals, one assist).

Meanwhile, Cazenovia did something important on Friday night. When the Lakers defeated Mexico, it finally reached the .500 mark with a 7-7 record while improving to 6-3 in league play, second only to Skaneateles.

Whalen had the big effort, pouring in seven goals, plus an assist. Willard had three goals and two assists as Hartley scored twice, adding three assists. Connor got two goals as single tallies went to Emmie Dolbear, Faith King and Morgan Maliga.

Chittenango ran into Marcellus Saturday and lost, 18-1, to the Mustangs, the only goal coming from Alyssa Frantz in the first half. Anna Vetsch paced the state-ranked Mustangs with five goals and two assists.

On Monday, Chittenango would face Tully Monday just as Cazenovia was hosting CBA. The regular season concludes Wednesday with the Lakers at Westhill and the Bears hosting Mexico.