CENTRAL NEW YORK – In racing out to a 5-0 start, the Cicero-North Syracuse girls lacrosse team had undergone a series of close contests where, on each occasion, it did enough on both ends to stay undefeated.
At least, in terms of the Northstars’ fifth consecutive victory on April 8, it did not have to go all the way to the wire, building a bigger margin against Section II’s Bethlehem on the way to beating the Eagles 15-9.
A well-balanced and deep attack featured Elizabeth Smith scoring four times and adding an assist, with Brooke Molchanoff not only getting three goals, but earning four assists.
Shea Firth also had a three-goal hat trick, with Mackenzie Prentice scoring twice and earning three assists. Sophia Nesci also had two goals, with Katy Harbold getting a goal and two assists.
However, when C-NS faced Section V’s Irondequoit on a hot Saturday afternoon, it turned into a low-scoring struggle that the Northstars were glad to pull out by a 5-4 margin.
In addition to stifling defense that matched the temperatures, the Northstars got two goals and one asssist from Natalie Wilson as Gabby Putman, Elizabeth Smith and Marissa Doty had the other goals. Nesci got an assist as Jillie Howell and Nicole Mirra combined for seven saves.
Liverpool had its own pair of one-goal decisions late last week, ultimately splitting those games.
hosted Fayetteville-Manlius on Thursday night and, after playing on even terms, was able to pull out a 12-11 victory over the Hornets.
Helped by a well-balanced attack, the Warriors found itself even with F-M 11-11 and in possession of the ball, seemingly content to run down the remaining clock in regulation.
However, with 55.4 seconds left, Caitlyn Guilfoil cut to the net and put a shot pat Hornets goalie Micaela Jennings, and Liverpool’s defense held it from there.
Rewarding Ava Eicholzer’s nine saves, the Warriors had Mia Berthoff net three goals and Abby Geary score twice to go with three assists. Guilfoil and Gianna Carbone also had two goals, with Grace Geary, Emma Esposito and Addyson Graham adding one goal apiece.,
Still at home on Saturday, and with a Tuesday-night showdown against C-NS looming, the Warriors welcomed Section II’s Colonie and, battling both opposition and summer-like heat, it was close again.
This time, though, the Warriors lost, 8-7, seeing its record fall to 2-3 overall just before it met the Northstars and had games later this week at West Genesee and Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake. Right after it plays Liverpool, C-NS will challenge reigning state Class A champion Baldwinsville on Thursday night.
