CENTRAL NEW YORK – A series of setbacks last week meant that the Cazenovia girls lacrosse team would not find its way back to the .500 mark in the regular season.
The Lakers faced Homer last Tuesday night, and it proved close most of the way, yet Cazenovia’s struggles on the offensive end translated into a 10-7 defeat to the Trojans.
Led by Ella Spanbauer (four goals, one assist), Homer got out in front and preserved it largely due to its defense, who made all kinds of key stops as goalie Aislynn Cobb made 11 saves.
Katie Rajkowski did give Cazenovia a three-goal hat trick, plus an assist. Riley Knapp scored twice, with Madison DeAngelis getting a goal and two assists as Hayden Bubble also converted.
Chittenango did not get on the board last Tuesday in a 16-0 defeat to Skaneateles, the Bears falling to 3-9 on the season as Bella Brogan (four goals) and Paige Willard (one goal, five assists) led those other Lakers.
Against Jordan-Elbridge two nights later, Chittenango turned it around, inching into a 7-6 lead by halftime and, by cranking up its defense in the latter stages, picking up an 11-8 victory over the Eagles.
Much of the damage by Tomi Newkirk and Cara Kielbasa, who had three goals apiece, was done in the early stages. Help came from Brooke Walters, with two goals and one assist, as Cailtyn Sgambellone, Alazayah Smith and Reese Ferstler had one goal apiece.
Despite J-E getting two goals from the trio of Riley Crawford, Kelsey Brunelle and Brenna Tubbert, Chittenango held on in large measure due to the nine saves from goalie Abby Penfield.
Another victory for the Bears came on Saturday as it handled Vernon-Verona-Sherrill 17-8, the entire margin established during a dominant first half when Chittenango built a 10-1 margin.
Newkirk scored six times and added a trio of assists. Sgambellone had four goals and two assists, with Walters getting three goals and two assists. Kielbasa converted twice as Smith and Sequoya Roberts also landed goals.
