ONONDAGA COUNTY – Seven shutouts in eight games helped to make the Liverpool boys soccer team the front-runner in the area Class AAA ranks, even if four of those shutouts came in 0-0 decisions.
All the state Class AAA no. 12-ranked Warriors really need is a consistent scoring spark, and Antonio Wilson provided it last Tuesday at Fayetteville-Manlius amid a 3-0 victory over the Hornets.
Again the defense did its part, limiting F-M to five shots, all stopped by Jacob McQuatters. Meanwhile, on the other end Wilson had a part in all three scoring plays.
Between his two goals and one assist, Wilson pushed the Warriors to a 2-0 halftime edge and another insurance goal in the second half.
Now visiting Central Square on Thursday night, Liverpool earned its ninth shutout in 10 outings, putting away the Redhawks 2-0 with a single goal in each half.
It was Dominic Paolini and Patrick Nimineh earning those goals, with assists credited to Wilson and Camden Farrell. Again McQuatters used five saves to earn his shutout.
Then, back home Saturday to face Jamesville-DeWitt, the Warriors only gave up its second goal of the season – and still did enough to fight past the Red Rams 2-1.
J-D’s first half tally was answered, leaving the sides 1-1 until Liverpool was able to go in front in the second half and hang on, largely because it limited the Rams to four shots.
Wilson’s hot streak continued as he put in one goal and Christian Kritzer earned the other, with Maltrin Ramadani and Christian Hope each getting assists.
Meanwhile, Cicero-North Syracuse began its own busy week with a tense battle against East Syracuse Minoa at the Gillette Road complex that was not settled in regulation or overtime.
The 0-0 draw saw the Spartans long stretches on the Northstars’ end, ultimately taking 14 shots – but C-NS goalie Niko Severider stopped all of them, the kind of grand effort Wyatt Dupell made routine in last year’s sectional title run.
Then, hosting Nottingham last Thursday night, C-NS found itself unable to contain a red-hot Bulldogs side that produced a 4-0 decision.
A first-half goal got Nottingham in front. Then it added three more as Miko Nkurunziza led the way, scoring twice and adding an assist. None of the Northstars’ six shots got past Bulldogs goalie Conor Leuschke.
C-NS plays three times this week, hosting Baldwinsville before going to Henninger and PSLA-Fowler, a contrast to Liverpool having its lone game Thursday against West Genesee.
