CENTRAL NEW YORK – Knowing full well that its main mission of toppling Baldwinsville remains ahead, the Cicero-North Syracuse field hockey team still wanted to make sure that no other Class A rival had caught up from behind them.
Back-to-back games proved this point, starting on Sept. 2 when the Northstars took on Rome Free Academy and, with a fine all-around effort, blanked the Black Knights 5-0.
Constantly on the attack, C-NS found particular success with Chrissy Wagner, who burned RFA for a three-goal hat trick with some help from Gabby Wameling, who also scored.
RFA did not just defend most of the way, able to post a series of opportunities, none of which it could convert as C-NS goalie Avery Richardson stopped all eight shots she faced.
Then, in its SCAC Metro division opener last Wednesday night, the Northstars battled Fayetteville-Manlius and it was a tight game until a late offensive surge by the Northstars produced a 5-1 win over the Hornets.
All through the first three periods, F-M’s defense frustrated C-NS and Sarah Porter’s goal meant that the two sides were tied1-1 going into the fourth quarter.
Down the stretch, though it was all Northstars, who netted four unanswered goals as Wagner, who scored twice, led the way, overcoming a fine effort from Hornets goalie Kaleigh Hamilton, who got 10 saves.
Alexa Snyder, Shannon Brown and Nicole Conklin each put in goals to help, while Wameling had an assist. Richardson only had to make three saves.
Now C-NS faced Holland Patent on Saturday and had its toughest test so far, but was able to get a 3-2 victory over the Golden Knights.
Wagner led the way again, not only getting a goal, but assisting on tallies by Wameling and Shannon Brown. Richardson’s six saves negated HP goals by Alivia Alexander and Izzy Stalker.
Liverpool, who had lost its season opener to Pittsford on Aug. 31, rebounded at home against Little Falls two days later, pulling out a 1-0 decision over the Mounties.
For three quarters, neither side was able to get on the board or record many shots. But in the final period the Warriors took full advantage of a rare attack as Katia Flavin, off a feed from Caitlyn Guilfoil, put in the game-winner.
Then Liverpool would welcome Baldiwnsville to LHS Stadium last Wednesday, just as C-NS was facing F-M, and despite solid defense most of the way, it could not overcome the Bees’ quick start in a 2-0 loss.
Though the flow of play was relatively even, it was B’ville converting once in each of the first two periods, Abigail Mantone netting one goal and assisting on the other, by Erin Gee.
Arianna Webber made five saves and blanked the Bees in the second half, yet the Warriors could get none of its five shots past Bees goalie Caley Gee.
When Liverpool met up with RFA on Saturday, it fell to the Black Knights 3-1, the only Warriors goal coming in the first quarter when Guilfoil converted.
They were still tied, 1-1, at halftime, but RFA got clear with single goals in each of the last two periods. Hannah Lowder had two of the Black Knights’ three goals.
