Perhaps the Cazenovia girls soccer team did not strike first in last Saturday’s clash with its neighbors from Chittenango at the Sean Googin Sports Complex.
But the Lakers more than made up for it the rest of the way, its attack responding well to the early setback and eventually overwhelming the Bears on the way to a 5-1 victory.
Both teams arrived at this game sporting 3-0 records, and when awarded an early free kick, Chittenango pounced upon it as Emily Moon fired it past Cazenovia goalie Hannah Ruddy.
All that seemed to do, though, was refocus the Lakers – who promptly jumped out in front due to the contributions of the Gavitt sisters.
It was Lily Gavitt, unassisted, tying the game 1-1, and then assisting on the go-ahead goal by Ava Gavitt, who converted again to make it 3-1 and give the Lakers a cushion.
Not stopping there, Cazenovia doubled the margin as Lily Gavitt earned two more assists, one on a goal where Juila Reff emerged from a scramble to convert, the other when Lily Clonan converted.
Ruddy, after surrendering that early goal, stopped everything else on the way to five saves as Chittenango counterpart Alyana McDowell had 12 saves.
Having only played once going into the week (a 6-1 romp over Tully on Oct. 6), the Lakers were not as potent when it returned to action last Tuesday at Bishop Grimes, but still shut out the Cobras 2-0.
Both of Cazenovia’s scoring plays were set up by passes from Ava Gavitt, one leading to a goal by Lili Gavitt, the other to a tally from Caitlyn Smithers.
That it didn’t turn into more was a tribute to the 22 saves from Grimes goalies Natalie Musolino and Saba Farmasa. All five of the Cobras’ shots were stopped by Hannah Ruddy.
Facing Faith Heritage Thursday at the CNY Family Sports Centre, Cazenovia proved too much for the Saints to handle, steadily getting away until it had earned a 5-0 victory.
Gavitt built upon her Grimes effort, this time netting two goals and one assist. Clonan also netted a pair of goals as Anna Edwards scored once, Reff had two assists and Julia Hathaway added an asssit.
Chittenango’s game with Grimes on Thursday night offered a good opportunity to compare and contrast the results the two sides had against a common opponent.
In the Bears’ case, it beat the Cobras 3-0, with Madison Wagner gaining a pair of assists as Moon, Maryanna Garcia and Jordan Wagner each took turns netting goals. Chittenango held Grimes to just three shots on net.
