ONONDAGA COUNTY – Much of the last week of May for the Cicero-North Syracuse girls lacrosse team involved rest, making sure that all was ready for the handful of games which could deliver another Section III and state Class A championship.
Back in action Thursday night, the Northstars hosted no. 4 seed Baldwinsville in the sectional semifinals, renewing a rivalry which has seen many memorable post-season duels throughout the years and decades.
This particular version may not have fallen into that instant-classic territory, but C-NS didn’t care for drama, controlling all phases of the game and putting away the Bees by a score of 17-5.
Defeats of 19-9 and 19-7 in those first two meetings had taught B’ville plenty, but it also proved that, even with the Bees’ immense growth this season following its 1-16 struggles in 2024, a gap still remained.
C-NS eagerly reinforced this point with Gabby Putman claiming 16 draws to give her side all kinds of extra possession and an attack centered around Sophia Nesci, who along with her five goals produced three assists.
Three other Northstars had hat tricks, too, with Elizabeth Smith scoring four times and three goals apiece from Putman and Natalie Wilson, single goals going to Miabella Gates and Sophia Graham.
When B’ville did have the ball, Gisella Trouesdale produced a pair of goals with Lea Otts, Peyton Dyl and Raeagan Ratliff also converting. Goalie Maddy Polky finished with eight saves.
B’ville got here by taking out Liverpool in Tuesday’s sectional opening round at Pelcher-Arcaro Stadium, with the Warriors taking a 16-6 loss.
Defeats of 18-11 and 14-6 in the regular season were echoed in this playoff clash where the Bees built a 9-3 advantage by halftime and never let Liverpool put together any sustained scoring run.
Maura Beckwith was the only Warriors player to score twice, with Maya Michaud and Caitlyn Guilfoil each earning a goal and assist. Maura Woods and Gianna Carbone had the other goals and Lana Alampi got an assist.
Busy in the net, Isabella DaRin finished with 12 saves, but saw B’ville led by Otts’ four goals and five assists along with six goals from Peyton Dyl, all of which concluded a 3-14 season for Liverpool.
C-NS then took its turn and bashed B’ville, setting up Monday’s sectional final at SUNY Cortlan d against West Genesee, who in its semifinal avenged two regular-season losses to Fayetteville-Manlius in a 13-10 decision.
