When the Cazenovia and Chittenango boys soccer teams gathered last Wednesday night, summer warmth was gone, replaced by chilly temperatures and a reminder that the rest of the season would included plenty of more elements.
Regardless of the conditions, though, the only thing that mattered on this night was that the Lakers were sharp, potent and ultimately far too much to handle, especially Joe Spires as he led his side to a 5-1 victory over the Bears.
Going into the game, Cazenovia was 7-3, but in its previous game had struggled in a 4-0 defeat to Whitesboro on Sept. 27. That gave no hint of what was to happen against a Chittenango side sporting its own solid record of 8-2-1.
In the first half, the Bears did get on the board with Arthur Paul’s goal, assisted by Tom McIntosh. But with Spires twice taking part in scoring plays, the Lakers still were up 2-1 at the break.
Spires then really caught fire, three times burning Chittenango in the second half as he finished night by scoring four goals and assisting on the other, by Max Michael. That overcame nine saves by Bears goalie Will Simmons.
The game was originally set for last Thursday night, but moved up 24 hours. This meant Chittenango was just one day removed from its 9-1 romp over the Homer Trojans.
Eight different players scored for the Bears against Homer, with only Aiden Adams getting two goals, though Tom McIntosh and Josh Mattia both were credited with a pair of assists.
Anthony Roberts, David Mullin and Devon Hardy each finished with one goal and one assist, while Sean Larsson, Brian Schermerhorn and Austin Strickler also converted.
At least Chittenango got to play on Tuesday – something Cazenovia could not do as rain and lightning forced the Lakers to abandon its game at Phoenix.
Fresh off beating Chittenango, on Saturday Cazenovia hosted Oneida, and after a modest start took over with a string of goals early in the second half on the way to shutting out the Indians 5-0.
Brian Pezzi went to the forefront, scoring twice and picking up an assist, but Spires wasn’t quiet, getting one goal and one assist. Bryan Roca and Charlie Aronson also found the net. Mike Senehi also had an assist.
Now at 9-3 overall, Cazenovia battle its fellow Lakers from Skaneateles Thursday night, two days after Chittenango faces them as the Bears (8-3-1) also go to Phoenix on Thursday, its last four regular-season games all on the road.
