Both lacrosse teams from Chittenango had rough season openers last Monday night, with the boys falling 15-5 to Westhill and the girls Bears taking an 18-10 defeat to Clinton.
The Chittenango boys had to deal with a Westhill side that went to the state Class C finals a season ago, and the Warriors outscored them 4-1 each of the first three quarters, steadily pulling away.
Caleb Barnard kept it from getting worse, scoring three times and adding an assist. Zeph Scott had a goal and two assists as Ethan Robles earned the other goal, with Corey Jackowski and Nate Addison combining for 24 saves.
Will Delano, with five goals, led Westhill as Charlie Bolesh adding four goals and two assists.Jack Grooms, fresh off helping the Syracuse Cougars ice hockey team win the state Division I title, notched three goals and an assist as Reilly Sizing scored twice.
Before this, the Chittenango girls team debuted, having combined this spring with Bishop Grimes, but even put together, this group of Bears could not contain Clinton as Sarah Owens (seven goals, two assists) and Mia Lopata (five goals, two assists) led the Warriors.
Julia Pynn did find the net four times for Chittenango, with Julia Graham adding three goals. Ally Shoemaker had two goals and two assists as Rhonee Shea Pal earned three assists. Alex Adams had a goal and Olivia Cianfrocco got an assist.
On Wednesday night, the Chittenango boys team recovered to win its first game of the season as, in its own game against Clinton, it held off the Warriors 8-5.
Building a 6-1 margin by halftime, the Bears got three goals and one assist from Billy Demand, with Brad Tily converting twice. Barnard had a goal and three assists as Shane Kolb and Elias Clement had one goal apiece.
At 1-1, the boys Bears have three games scheduled this week, a rematch with Clinton sandwiched in between contests against Jordan-Elbridge and Vernon-Verona-Sherrill. Chittenango’s girls are home for games against LaFayette Tuesday and Tully on Saturday at 11 a.m.
