ONONDAGA COUNTY – Far more important things than a game marked the girls soccer match on Sept. 24 between Fayetteville-Manlius and Jamesville-DeWitt.

It was scheduled as the Thomas Ostrander Alzheimer’s Awareness game in honor of the father of F-M head coach Brent Ostrander.

Thomas Ostrander served more than 30 years at Central Square as a teacher, coach and athletic director, helping found an athletic program for students with developmental needs and the boys soccer team.

Then, three days before the game, Thomas Ostrander passed away at age 89.

Amid the grief, Brent Ostrander and others announced that F-M and J-D would have this game every year and dedicate it to Alzheimer’s research.

This time around, more than $2,300 was raised by the F-M and J-D communities for the Alzheimer’s Association through ticket sales, T-shirts and 50/50 raffle proceeds.

As to the game, F-M and J-D were close all the way, but the Hornets held the Red Rams to just three shots and got the game’s only goal when Lexi Caron converted off a feed from Una Vlasak.

Once back in league action last Tuesday, F-M went to Baldwinsville and endured a tense, thrilling contest before defeating the Bees 3-2.

After a 1-3 start, F-M was riding a five-match unbeaten streak and had won four in a row, but none of this intimidated B’ville, who quickly went out in front in the opening minutes thanks to Audra Salvagni’s goal.

F-M tied it, 1-1, by the midway point of the half, and it stayed that way until early in the second half, when a quick exchange of goals saw Nicole Pelletier find the net for the Bees.

Only now did the Hornets get out in front for good, having seen Lexi Caron score twice and Una Vilsak put up a goal and assist.

Between them, B’ville goalies Carlie Young and Alyssa Luce made eight saves and shut out F-M late, yet the Bees were unable to get the game to overtime, seeing eight of its 10 shots stopped by Campbell Dauzska.

J-D played again last Wednesday, against Central Square, and fought to a 1-0 overtime win over the Redhawks.

Eighty minutes of regulation went without a goal, J-D getting most of the opportunities but watching as Central Square goalie Samantha Haley piled up 22 saves.

For her part, Lindsay Parker had seven saves, and was rewarded when, in the first OT period, Brooke Bort took a pass from Megan Baker and fit a shot past Haley for the game-winner.

A wild battle with Fulton followed on Friday, and J-D outscored the Red Raiders 6-3, with the duo of Baker and Bort putting together a superb effort.

Even with a lot of defense focused on her, Baker managed to produce four goals, giving her 17 for the season, and the other two went to Bort to go with an assist as Meghan Kenna had two assists and Caroline Stone got an assist. Fulton got two goals and one assist from Mya Carroll.

When F-M faced Christian Brothers Academy in the ‘Red Out’ game to benefit the American Heart Association, the Hornets earned its fifth straight win, riding a big night from Goodman to a 3-0 shutout of the Brothers.

Controlling most of the game’s possession, F-M would provide constant pressure – and it led to Goodman three times putting it in the net, her hat trick all the Hornets needed.