Caz girls lacrosse goes 1-1 in sectional playoffs

By PHIL BLACKWELL

An up-and-down season for the Cazenovia girls lacrosse team included many special milestones.

From the last games at Christakos Field on the former campus of Cazenovia College to two veterans, Katie Rajkowski and Riley Knapp reaching 100 career goals, the Lakers could count many proud moments.

And one more came last Monday night at the Sean Googin Sports Complex, when Cazenovia, the no. 7 seed, outscored no. 10 seed Jordan-Elbridge 20-10 in the opening round of the Section III Class D playoffs.

Quick from the outset, Cazenovia ran over the Eagles’ defenses and did not let up until it had established a 12-4 advantage, which it built on during the second half.

Rajkowski, in particular, dazzled with her seven goals as Knapp scored four times. Charlie Prior had two goals and two assists, Izzy Stromer-Galley also converting twice.

Madison DeAngelis and Maren Smith had matching totals of one goal and three assists, Julia Reff and Sally Hughes also finding the net. Eliza Smith and Olivia Lints combined for five saves.

Just 24 hours later, Cazenovia found itself at Hyatt Stadium, tasked with trying to stop no. 2 seed and defending champion Skaneateles in the sectional quarterfinals.

It proved too much to ask, Skaneateles prevailing 19-2 as it bolted to a 14-1 advantage by halftime and saw 11 different players get in the goal-scoring column.

Paige Willard, Anasofia Cirincione and Lilly Marquardt had three goals apiece, Willard adding four assists. Only Knapp and Rajokowski found the net for a Cazenovia side that finished its season with a 7-11 mark.

While all this was gong on, Chittenango , who closed fast to earn the no. 9 seed in the sectional Class D bracket, saw its season end with a 10-7 openinground defeat to no. 8 seed Clinton.

With a berth in the quarterfinals against top seed South Jefferson at stake, the Bears paid for a rough first half on the defensive side, Clinton bolting out to a 10-3 advantage.

Led by Leah Alteieri’s four goals and three assists, Clinton built up enough of a cushion to withstand Chittenango’s second-half charge led by Brooke Walters, who had a game-high four goals.

Tomi Newkirk and Cara Kielbasa both had one goal and one assist, while Caitlyn Sgambellone found the net and Reese Ferstler got an assist.

Abby Penfield managed a secondhalf shutout and earned 16 saves overall, but the Bears’ season still concluded with a 7-10 record.