As it headed into its CNY Counties League slate, the Cicero-North Syracuse boys lacrosse team found out that a lot more work remained before it could aim for the top. Despite making a strong second-half comeback in last Tuesday night’s game at Henninger, the Northstars could not prevail, falling to the Black Knights 13-12 in double overtime. Little went right for CNS in the first half as Henninger, led by Andrew Jackson’s scoring punch, took a quick lead and, by the break, had the Northstars trailing by an 8-4 margin. That didn’t last, though. A subtle defensive adjustment in the third quarter put CNS in charge as it blanked Henninger and, with five unanswered goals, took a 9-8 lead. Through an active final period, the Black Knights caught up, tying it 12-12 and sending it to overtime. The first OT period went without a score, but in the second extra frame Jackson returned and put in the game-winner, his fifth goal of the night to go with two assists. No one on CNS’s side was as productive, though Rob Spenard and Mike Fiorini came close with four goals apiece. Tyler Heldt found the net twice as Scott Slater and Dylan Collins also converted. Combined, goalies Brian Pitonzo and Bryan Schenk made 20 saves. At least the Northstars recovered on Thursday night at Bragman Stadium, easily topping the Nottingham Bulldogs 18-5 to improve to 2-2 on the season. Possessing the ball for most of the first half, CNS constantly found the net, not stopping until it had a 13-4 edge going into the break. And the margin kept growing as Scott Slater set the pace with five goals and two assists. Mike FIorini and Zach Waldron each found the net three times, with Fiorini adding a pair of assists. Tyler Heldt and Dylan Collins both had two goals as Rob Spenard, Brandon Townsend and Ryan Houghtalen earned single goals.