It took 11 games, but someone finally managed to upend the Cicero-North Syracuse field hockey team.
Pittsford Mendon, from the Section V ranks, arrived at Bragman Stadium last Friday night and, with effective defense and two late goals, was able to defeat the Northstars 2-0.
Earlier this season, C-NS had beaten the other Pittsford team, from Sutherland, 4-0, but here it was a case of the Northstars unable to convert anything early and, after a scoreless first half, seeing Mendon go out in front and stay there.
Just 24 hours earlier, C-NS proved it was still the local area’s Class A team to beat, and that Liverpool is best equipped to try and knock the Northstars from its throne.
In the Warriors’ case, it was the evidence presented by a 4-2 victory over Baldwinsville, twice the total these teams had when they first met less than two weeks earlier.
Having won that initial game 2-1, Liverpool found itself with that exact same advantage following an active first half, only to double the margin to 3-1 in the third period.
One more goal sealed it even though B’ville would tack on a second as Gianna Carbone would earn two goals, the others going to Mia Berthoff and Alexis McGregor as Caitlyn Guilfoil picked up an assist.
All of this overcame eight saves by B’ville goalie Chloe Butler, not to mention the goals Ava Hettler and Callie Smith got as Mya Huntington and Abigail Mantione had assists.
As this went on, C-NS, remembering how tough it was in a season-opening 2-1 win over Fayetteville-Manlius late in August, would unload in its rematch with the Hornets, roaring to a 6-1 victory.
They were scoreless when, in the second quarter, the Northstars scored twice to take charge, but then really caught fire in the third period, extending its advantage to 6-0 before F-M was able to get a late goal.
Nicole Conklin led all this, notching a three-goal hat trick. Ayvah Romano converted twice, with Gabby Wameling adding a goal as Eva Farone, Isabel Normanly and Gabriella Garuccio picked up assists.
This followed a 4-0 shutout over East Syracuse Minoa two days earlier where the Northstars jumped out to a 3-0 first-quarter advantage and breezed from there.
Wameling, who had both goals when C-NS blanked then-unbeaten Rome Free Academy on Sept. 22, had two more here, with the other goals earned by Paige Pangaro as Farone earned a pair of assists.
As the Northstars absorbed its first loss, Liverpool faced Clinton on Saturday afternoon and, for the first time all season, did not get on the board, though its defense helped salvage a 0-0 tie.
Through four quarters in warm conditions, both sets of Warriors found it difficult to generate chances. Liverpool only managed three shots, so it had to protect its own end and did so, Jenna Hayes earning six saves.
All of this leads to Wednesday night’s rematch between Liverpool and C-NS at Bragman Stadium. The Northstars won the first edition 2-1, largely because goalie Olivia Planty stopped a possible go-ahead penalty stroke in the fourth quarter minutes before Conklin netted the game-winner.
