Five consecutive defeats to open the season had left the Cazenovia girls lacrosse team with a lot of work to do in order to get past these vast early struggles.

Finally, a win arrived last Tuesday afternoon as the Lakers, with a deeper attack and steady defense, turned back Jordan-Elbridge and earned a 12-6 victory over the Eagles.

Each half went 6-3 in Cazenovia’s favor, and what was more important was that it spread things around, unlike J-E, who got five of its six goals from Gabby Smart.

Overcoming 17 saves by Eagles goalie Gabby Skotinski, the Lakers had Grace Rajkowski score four times, with three others – Kaitlyn Puffer, Molly Brown and Megan Hughes – getting two goals apiece.

Brown and Puffer also earned assists, as did Molly Schwartz, who joined Laura Connor in earning single goals. Mackenzie Halliday finished with three saves.

Two days later, Cazenovia hosted state Class D no. 3-ranked Westhill and lost 13-6. Though it actually played on even terms with the Warriors in the second half, the Lakers could not overcome the 10-3 margin Westhill established early.

Brown had three goals, aided by goals from Rajkowski, Schwartz and Charley Harris, with Puffer and Ava Hartley getting assists. No one on the Lakers could contain Westhill forward Rebecca Gilhooley, who amassed five goals and four assists.

When Cazenovia returned on Tuesday night, it would be against its neighbors from Chittenango, part of a week that also includes games against reigning state Class A champion CBA and General Brown.