To start its run through October, the East Syracuse-Minoa boys soccer team survived a tough battle with Chittenango last Tuesday night, edging the Bears 1-0. Jeremy Barbuto gave the Spartans all the offense it needed when he notched an unassisted goal in the first half. From there, ESM’s defense had to take over, preventing Chittenango from getting any kind of attack started. Casey Sullivan only had to make five saves. In Thursday’s game at Fulton, the Spartans lost 2-0 to the Red Raiders. Sullivan had eight saves this time, but the Red Raiders pulled out in front behind the work of Eric Naioti, who scored one goal and assisted on the other, by Zach Howell. ESM’s girls soccer team began the week at the .500 mark (5-5), but fell below it after last Tuesday night’s 2-0 defeat to Chittenango. The Spartans did not lack for scoring opportunities, despite the rain and cold temperatures. Every time it charged, though, the Bears kept turning them back, goalie Brigid St. Leger stopping all 12 shots she faced. St. Leger’s counterpart, Casie Auricchio, had eight saves, and blanked Chittenango until the second half, when Bears forward Jenna Barber twice beat her for goals, both times getting assists from Kaitlin Antelmi. The Spartans’ game with Fulton, scheduled for Friday, got pushed back to Monday afternoon. Both ESM teams meet CBA this week, with the boys Spartans also going to Fowler and the girls hosting Solvay.