Even as it roared out to a 4-0 start, the Fayetteville-Manlius field hockey team understood that its toughest tests in the SCAC Metro division still lay ahead of them.

So the Hornets were ready when defending Section III Class A champion Cicero-North Syracuse arrived last Wednesday to play on the same F-M turf where it reclaimed the sectional title a season ago.

For nearly 60 minutes of regulation, neither side would break through, a common feature in early-season league games where knowledge of the opposition makes it far more difficult for offenses to convert.

Then, with 18 seconds left in regulation and a seven-on-seven overtime session looming, F-M pushed once more and Stephanie Drapas, drawing the defense to her, passed to Lucy Fowler, who shot it past Ally Wagner for the game’s lone goal.

That 1-0 victory was also a vindication for the Hornets’ fine defense, which limited the Northstars to just one direct shot all night. Wagner finished with four saves.

And it set up a big early-season match on Monday, F-M taking on Baldwinsville before a rematch Friday with the East Syracuse Minoa side it defeated Aug. 30 in the final of the Hornets’ season-opening tournament.

Since then, ESM had fared quite well, and continued to roll last Wednesday as it traveled to Holland Stadium and picked up a 3-0 victory over the Auburn Maroons.

Grace Stone, one of the top scorers in Section III, struck again for the Spartans, netting a pair of goals as Rileigh White picked up the other goal. ESM dominated the flow of play, taking 26 shots overall, 23 of them stopped by Auburn goalie Brittany Yanez.

Back home Friday night, ESM met Weedsport, and got another shutout. The 1-0 decision involved White netting the game’s lone goal in the first half, with Mary Searle earning the assist.

Even though the Spartans were frustrated by 16 saves put up by Weedsport goalie Mariah Quigley, it made sure the Warriors did not pull back even, Maura Leib stopping all five shots she faced.

ESM would challenge Liverpool on Monday night, just as F-M had a showdown with Baldwinsville. The Spartans then would face Whitesboro Wednesday before it welcomed the Hornets.