The undefeated Cicero-North Syracuse girls soccer squad has shown game after game how bad it wants to be in the New York State championship game once again.
The Northstars on Friday night faced unbeaten foe West Genesee -- a SCAC Metro Division rival.
Backed by two goals from junior forward Abigail Mackey, CNS won 3-0 over the Wildcats.
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"It was a good win," Northstars coach Jeremy Lenchert said. "The girls came out focused. It's nice to see that they're not getting complacent, and it's always good to get a win against Genny."
CNS has been nothing short of impressive through five games so far this season. The Northstars have recorded three shutouts, and also scored 5-or-more goals in four games.
Lenchert noted that CNS, who compiled a 20-2 record in 2025 and reached the state title game before a 2-0 loss to Commack, has the makings of repeating its efforts in 2026.
The Northstars are also off to their best start since the 2021 season. That team began 9-0 before it ended with a 15-1-1 record.
"Honestly, the girls are confident, and that's kind of different than how they were last year," Lenchert said. "You know their feelings, though. If they're focused, they can hang with and beat just about any team we're going to see all season long."
The Northstars scored all three goals in the first half of Thursday's contest. Sophomore forward Sloane Raymond chipped in a goal and an assist.
Lenchert noted that Mackey, a returning All-Central New York Large School all-star, had one of the best goals "I've seen her score" in the junior's four-year career.
"She just got a hold of it, and no one was going to stop that one," Lenchert said. "It was more of one of those shots from the outside near the 18. The shot just had space on it. There was nothing that I think any keeper in our league was going to be able to do to stop it. (Mackey) is great and she's playing very well right now."
Goalies Kara Dorrance and Natalie LaPoint each had two saves for the Northstars.
Lenchert noted that maturity of the team's lineup has what driven CNS this season.
"They've been starters since they were in eighth grade, and winning sectional titles," Lenchert said. "There's this sort of calmness to them that they're focused. It's not an arrogance in any way. They're just confident that if they show up and they do what they're supposed to do, they're going to win."
West Genesee goalies Peyton Furner and Olivia Tarolli combined to make 14 saves.
CNS (5-0) will head to Baldwinsville on Thursday to face the Bees at 7 p.m.
"I think one of the interesting things about the season is I'm always getting nervous to focus before games," Lenchert said. "The players are the ones who are calming me down a bit, so we'll see how (Thursday's) game goes."
The Wildcats (5-1-1) will also take on Baldwinsville next, with that game scheduled for Tuesday at 7 p.m.
