ONONDAGA COUNTY – Having taken part in so many close games this fall, the Fayetteville-Manlius field hockey team did not get fazed when it happened again last Monday night against Liverpool.

Instead, the Hornets managed to play the Warriors to a 1-1 tie, which was a far closer game than the 3-1 decision Liverpool claimed when the two sides met in December.

Buoyed by this outcome, F-M moved on to Wednesday’s game against East Syracuse Minoa and scored in each of the first three quarters on its way to defeating the Spartans 4-1.

Even with Madeline Carr finding the net in the opening period ESM found itself trailing 2-1 after one period, and the Hornets tacked on goals in each of the next two quarters.

Carlye Bryant would net her 15th and 16th goals of the season, adding an assist. Lauren Hills and Elizabeth Kilmer also would convert. In defeat, Spartans goalies Emily Payne and Alexa Davis combined for eight saves.

Before this, ESM nearly earned its second win of the season against Auburn last Monday night, only to take a 1-0 defeat to the Maroons.

For three quarters, neither side could convert, with the Spartans held to a single direct shot. Auburn then won it in the fourth quarter when Alyssa Hogle scored off a feed from Mia Cammilleri.

Another close game followed on Friday for ESM as it faced Baldwinsville and got a goal from Karley Johnson, assisted by Sara Godleski, in the second quarter to forge a 1-1 tie.

It stayed that way until the fourth quarter, when the Bees got back in front and stayed there to prevail 2-1. Payne made eight saves as the B’ville goals went to Abigail Mantione and Kelly Nadzan.