ONONDAGA COUNTY – What was quite evident through the early weeks of the 2023 season was that the Baldwinsville boys lacrosse team seemed to have one serious challenger in the area Class A ranks.

Cicero-North Syracuse, with its 4-0 start, would welcome the Bees to Bragman Stadium last Tuesday night, but despite a fine effort from the hosts, B’ville still emerged victorious by an 11-7 margin.

Players bestowed the game MVP award known as the “Manley Cup” to face-off specialist Josh Armpriester, who kept claiming draws and giving the Bees the extra possessions it needed.

Just as important was the way B’ville’s production spread around, led by senior Keegan Lynch, who netted a three-goal hat trick and added a pair of assists.

Garettt Sutton and Brady Garcia both scored twice, Garcia adding an assist. Long-stick midfielder Brayden Penafeather-Stevenson got a goal, as did Carson Dyl, Anthony Menickelli and Dylan Garcia.

And even though C-NS’s Mason Ciciarelli led both sides with four goals, the Bees’ defense thwarted most of the other Northstars attacks, Nick Cary finishing with nine saves.

Maybe the effort C-NS put into this game had an effect because it lost to Liverpool two nights later.

Meanwhile, B’ville kept rolling. On the road Saturday at Alibrandi Stadium, the Bees faced Christian Brothers Academy and won its sixth in a row, taking over in the middle stages to beat the Brothers 14-7.

They were tied, 2-2, going to the second quarter when B’ville burst out in front by outscoring CBA 6-3 the rest of the half, then pitched a third-quarter shutout while extending its margin to 11-5.

Lynch continued his consistent ways with four goals and two assists. Dyl scored three times, with Sutton and Ryan Quinn each converting twice and single goals going to Garcia, Judson Ferris and Ignazio LoMedico. Cary recorded 10 saves.

When it visits West Genesee Tuesday night, B’ville reaches the midway point of the regular season and then travels west to face Section V power Canandaigua on Saturday afternoon.