Low-scoring first quarters have not been an issue for the undefeated Cicero-North Syracuse boys lacrosse team this season.
Before Tuesday's game against Baldwinsville, the Northstars were averaging six first-quarter goals per game.
Against the Bees, C-NS trailed after one quarter of play for the first time this season. Baldwinsville led 7-1.
"A little sloppy, and I mean, [Baldwinsville] has got a heck of a team," C-NS coach Chuck Wilbur said. "And their face-off kid [Preston Cusimano] is outstanding, and they just dominated the faceoffs in the first quarter. They took advantage of our sloppiness, like good teams do, and we got behind quickly.
"B'ville is really good. We touched the ball twice in the first quarter and both times we turned it over because we were a little anxious and I think the kids were excited to be able to play. We always have great games against [Baldwinsville] and I think our kids came out a little anxious early and trying to do too much too."
That Baldwinsville advantage was short-lived, as the Northstars outscored the Bees 14-4 over the next three quarters. That rally gave C-NS a 15-11 victory and improved the team to 6-0 for the season.
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"We just started playing well in the second, third and fourth quarter," Wilbur said. "Our kids are tough and they ... no one panicked and we just chipped away one goal at a time and everyone just made one play at a time and we got back in the game."
The Northstars were led by Adrian Sweeney (4 goals), Quinn Empey (3 goals) and Cooper Hunter (2 goals, 2 assists).
Hunter also batted Cusimano on faceoffs all night. He won four of 10 faceoffs.
"[Hunter] just showed a lot of moxie and toughness, and they kind of rallied around him a little bit in that second quarter," Wilbur said. "I just loved how Cooper Hunter played today, just showed a lot of character and leadership."
Seven different players scored for the Northstars on Tuesday. "We've been fortunate," Wilbur said. "I think every game ... what's nice about this team, yeah, we got some stars, the Adrian Sweeneys of the world and Donovan Chaneys, but every game, we've had a different guy step up. Every game, different guys are contributing and that's what's nice about having a team like this."
Baldwinsville (4-3) will look to get back in the win column when it hosts West Genesee on April 21 for a rematch of last year's Class A sectional final. The Wildcats (2-3) defeated the Bees 15-10 before reaching the state final.
Cicero-North Syracuse will try to stay hot with a matchup against state-ranked Webster on Friday. It is the first of three non-league games before the Northstars get back to what Wilbar said, "might be the best league in the country." "That's all part of the season," he said. "Everything's a tight, contested game, so we know every time we play anyone in our league, it's going to be a heck of a battle."
