CENTRAL NEW YORK – For generations, Chittenango soccer fans had a field of its own, fitting into the high school campus between the gymnasium and main stadium/track.
Now it will get a proper farewell when, on Friday afternoon, the boys soccer Bears host its neighbors from Cazenovia as part of the many Homecoming festivities this weekend.
Leading up to this game, both teams secured wins, Cazenovia having the far more stressful outing last Wednesday night as it battled to a 2-1 victory over Phoenix.
All of the goals came in the first half, the Lakers seeing Eli Royer convert once and assist on Eliot Comeau’s tally. Then Cazenovia held on the rest of the way, limiting the Firebirds to five total shots.
Now the Lakers looked, on Saturday, to avenge a 5-0 defeat to Cortland two weeks earlier, and it did so with a comprehensive effort that resulted in beating the Purple Tigers 3-1.
They played to a 1-1 first half tie, Caden Albright getting the goal for Cortland, but in the second half Cazenovia was able to convert twice and get clear, overcoming Liam Burns’ eight saves.
Alex Dolly not only had a goal, he assisted on tallies by Comeau and Nat Gale, with Comeau also earning an assist. It was the Lakers’ third consecutive victory.
Chittenango, meanwhile, smashed Homer 7-0 last Wednesday night to climb to the .500 mark at 3-3, getting a 4-0 advantage by halftime and not letting up one bit.
Two different Bears players had hat tricks, with Gavin Karwoski and Cole Thomas both netting three goals as Karwoski tacked on a pair of assists.
Jake Wagner earned a goal, too, while the trio of Landon Touchette, Jackson Blaszkow and Jeremy Ludlow each picked up single assists.
In Saturday’s game against Whitesboro, Chittenango was shut down in a 3-0 defeat. Logan Bronner had five saves, but the Warriors won with goals from Kyle Little, Josh Gorgas and Matt Meus as the Bears fell to 3-4.
This game with Chittenango comes at the end of a testing week for Cazenovia, who before it would host reigning state Class B champion Skaneateles on Monday and then go to Marcellus on Wednesday night.
