ONONDAGA COUNTY – For the first time since its state Class A championship run a year ago, the Baldwinsville girls lacrosse team found itself battling real adversity.
A 14-10 defeat to Fairport on April 8 signaled that the Bees had plenty of opponents across New York State that wanted nothing more than to topple the reigning champions.
Even more important, though, was what B’ville did last Thursday night as it went to Bragman Stadium to face Cicero-North Syracuse, considered the main local Class A challenger.
And while the Bees prevailed 12-8, it left not completely satisfied, having built a margin twice as big before the Northstars closed strong.
Energetic out of the gate, C-NS saw Gabby Putman claim the opening draw and score 50 seconds into the game – but it would turn out to be the Northstars’ lone lead.
B’ville seized control with five goals in a span of less than 2 ½ minutes. This was accompanied by a defense that blanked C-NS for more than 22 minutes as it stretched out to an 11-3 advantage at one point early in the second half.
But the Northstars regrouped and chipped away at the deficit throughout the rest of the game, Sophia Nesci getting all of her three goals in the second half to match Putman and make B’ville work until the final whistle.
Brianna Peters still finished with five goals. Carlie Desimone notched four assists to go with her three-goal hat trick as Mia Pozzi got two goals and three assists. Peyton Dyl and Sophia Muscolino each got one goal and one assist as Ava Graham earned six saves.
Prior to this, there was last Monday’s game against Brighton, where B’ville found itself in another tight battle, but was able to get out in front and stay there to beat the Barons 11-9.
Again, the Bees’ defense found itself struggling against a solid Brighton attack, at least enough that B’ville had to succeed on the other end as it inched in front 7-6 by halftime.
During the second half, the Bees settled in on defense, Ava Graham working her total to seven saves, while it saw Peters put in four goals and add an assist.
Even bigger, though, was the way Lea Otts and Alexza Zalla stepped up, each of them netting three-goal hat tricks, while Pozzi got a goal and three assists and earned four draw controls. Sophia Ianno won a pair of draws.
Two days after beating C-NS, B’ville hosted Section II’s Shenendehowa and again displayed strong form on both ends, doubling up against the Plainsmen and prevailing 18-9.
Aggressive and accurate in the first half, the Bees built a 13-5 advantage on Shen, cruising from there as Desimone dished out six assists and Peters four assists to go with her three goals.
Pozzi had four goals and two assists, with Otts and Muscolino also notching three-goal hat tricks. Sierra Natoli and Jaya Madigan joined Desimone earning single goals.
This was the first of six consecutive home games for the Bees (6-1), who welcome league rivals Fayetteville-Manlius and Liverpool to Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium this week.
