When Cicero-North Syracuse girls soccer players climbed onto the bus last season following their 2-0 loss to Commack in the New York State Class AAA championship game, the team knew immediately that they wanted another shot at the title.
CNS went 20-2 and captured the Section III Class AAA crown in 2025.
This season, the Northstars brought all of their starters back from last year, including All-Central New York Large School junior twins Abigail and Addison Mackey, and All-CNY player of the year finalist and sophomore Sloane Raymond.
Juniors Evelyn Maglente and Gianna Melfi, and senior Emery Kozdemba — each of them All-CNY second team selections last season — have also returned.
"The goal for us is to return to the state final," CNS coach Jeremy Lenchert said. "They wanted that (win) last season. On the bus, they were looking forward to being able to come back out here and do all this again. Hopefully, we can make it back and win that last game of the season."
The Northstars are now two games into this season, including a 5-1 win over East Syracuse Minoa on Thursday. The Spartans are the defending Class AA sectional champions.
Complete Box Score »
CNS has outscored opponents 11-1 so far, including a 6-0 result against rival Fayetteville-Manlius on Tuesday.
"It's a good thing, but these players have been playing together for quite some time now," Lenchert said. "Things are clicking right from the start, so we're just picking up where we left off last year. Hopefully, we maintain that consistency throughout the rest of the year."
CNS had a 3-1 advantage at the half in Thursday's contest and cruised the rest of the way.
Abigail Mackey recorded a hat trick for the Northstars, while Raymond and junior Riley Joyce each scored. Senior Natalie LaPoint and junior Kara Dorrance combined for five saves in goal.
Senior Liliana DiNatale scored the lone goal for the Spartans. Goalkeeper Cara Alvarez made seven saves.
"The girls are playing well," Lenchert said. "ESM's a solid program. They're typically showing up and either winning sectional titles or at least showing up to the final. Anytime you get a win against ESM, it's a good win."
The Northstars (2-0) are set to compete at the Northern New York Hall of Fame Tournament in Watertown this weekend. CNS will face Section II's Amsterdam on Saturday then Christian Brothers Academy on Sunday.
Both games will begin at 4 p.m.
"Before the (regular) season began, we ended up taking a trip out to Boston and playing some amazing teams out there for scrimmages," Lenchert said. "So we tried to create a difficult schedule that'll hopefully prepare us for a long postseason run."
ESM (0-1) will also compete in the Hall of Fame Tournament. The Spartans will take on Section X's Massena on Saturday at 10 a.m., and Section II's Saranac at 2 p.m. Sunday.
