CENTRAL NEW YORK – In many different ways, this will prove a memorable season for the Cazenovia field hockey team beyond what takes place on the field.
This might prove the final season for the Lakers playing home games at Burton Street Elementary School, a facility with lots of history – but also a natural-grass surface.
Starting in 2024, Cazenovia is expected to join the football program on the new artificial surface at the high school campus and Buckley-Volo Field.
Prior to that, though, the Lakers carry high expectations into this fall, returning every single player from 2023 on both offense and defense.
Starting out at the Fayetteville-Manlius Tournament on Labor Day weekend, the Lakers dominated East Syracuse Minoa in the opening round, blanking the Spartans 5-0.
Both in the second and fourth quarters, Reed McMurtrie proved unstoppable, recording a career-best four goals with help from Meghan Mehlbaum’s one goal and one assist, along with two assists from Grace Kingsley.
Then, against host F-M in the championship game, it went in the other direction, the Lakers on the defensive most of the way as it lost 3-0 to the Hornets.
Constantly facing shots, Cazenovia goalie Maddy Rothfeld remained steady and earned eight saves. Still, F-M got three goals from three different players – Elizabeth Kilmer, Natalie Rameasa and Sophia Lobo, plus assists from Brooke Southwick and Audrey Burke.
On the road again last Wednesday night , Cazenovia visited Port Byron/Union Springs, playing a solid all-around game to deliver a 3-1 victory over the Panthers.
After surrendering a first-quarter goal to Kylee Cordway, the Lakers’ defense settled down, Rothschild eventually earning six saves.
McMurtrie continued her hot streak by finding the net twice. Bella Fazio had the other goal, with Casey Felton and Lucille Hagan also earning goals.
Back at Burton Street to meet Weedsport on Friday, Cazenovia once again flourished amid the quirky bounces and other unique aspects of its home turf, prevailing by a score of 2-0.
Both goals came in the first quarter, with Mehlbaum converting and Margaret Huftalen also finding the net. The rest was done by a Lakers defense that rarely let Weedsport get close, holding it to just two shots all afternoon.
Two more home games follow this week, the Lakers first taking on Cato-Meridian and then hosting New Hartford.
