A solid start to the 2018 season, with three wins in its first four games, had pushed the Cazenovia boys soccer team all the way to the no. 10 spot in the first state Class B rankings of the season.
So now the Lakers had to justify those lofty standards, which it had a difficult time doing in last Tuesday’s match against Mexico, even though it did fight its way to a 1-0 win over the Tigers.
Clearly, Cazenovia’s Sept. 8 defeat to Westhill had a long-term effect because the Lakers had a difficult time throughout the game finishing off its opportunities, Mexico goalie Josh Hadcock recording 11 saves.
Only Jack Aronson’s first-half goal, assisted by Trey Schug, eluded Hadcock, and Cazenovia was able to protect that slim margin the rest of the way by holding the Tigers to just one direct shot on net all night.
On Friday afternoon, Cazenovia traveled to Utica Proctor, and while the Lakers’ offense perked up, its defense retreated in the second half, causing a two-goal margin to slip away as it lost to the Raiders 4-3.
All seemed fine in the first 40 minutes as Aronson, Joe Spires and Eli Gifford each scored, with Brian Pezzi picking up an assist, all of which helped Cazenovia to a 3-1 advantage.
But Proctor fought back, catching up in the late stages and then moving in front thanks to Ali Sornow, who notched two goals and assisted on the other two scored by Hussein Osman. In defeat, Ethan Baker made nine saves.
Chittenango, far from these state rankings after losses to CBA and Skaneateles, rebounded last Tuesday when it traveled to Jordan-Elbridge and shut out the Eagles 4-0.
Overcoming 11 saves by J-E goalie Keegan Delap, Sean Larsson scored twice for the Bears, adding an assist. Artie Paul had one goal and one assist, while Anthony Roberts also converted and Brian Schermerhorn added an assist.
Back home Thursday night, Chittenango had to face Marcellus, who was at no. 8 in the state rankings, two spots above Cazenovia, and the Mustangs would prevail 3-1 over the Bears.
Even with Larsson’s first-half goal, Chittenango found itself trailing 2-1 at halftime. Noah Schnauffer had 11 saves, but the Mustangs’ David Bosak was impossible to contain, scoring one goal and assisting on the other two, by Ryan Lundgren and Brett Beal.
In its lone game this week, Chittenango hosts Mexico on Friday. Cazenovia would meet Jordan-Elbridge Tuesday and then takes on state no. 8-ranked Marcellus Friday night before its Sept. 27 trip to face the Bears.
