While in control of the CNY Counties League American division, the Fayetteville-Manlius girls soccer team still hasn’t quite found out how to consistently beat the major contenders. That point got drove home again last Monday night at Swan Pond, where the Hornets stayed close against visiting Cicero-North Syracuse, yet still suffered a 1-0 defeat to the Northstars. The Hornets would recover to beat Corcoran 8-0 on Friday afternoon, getting six of those goals in the first half alone. Off early in the week, the F-M boys soccer team returned to the field Wednesday with a top-10 state Class AA ranking (no. 7, to be exact), going to Nottingham and fighting hard for a 1-0 victory over the Bulldogs. Despite only having a 5-4 record, Nottingham put up a strong defensive effort, goalie Bjor Ajak finishing with 14 saves. Only once in the first half did the Hornets break through, Joe Mahr scoring as Tyler Forbes got the assist. It held up, though, as F-M returned home to Swan Pond Friday afternoon and had an easier time with Corcoran, ripping past the Cougars 8-1. This sets up a big late-season showdown Wednesday night at Swan Pond between F-M and three-time defending Class AA champion Baldwinsville, a team the Hornets beat, 1-0, on Sept. 4 at the Chittenango Tournament. Games against Rome Free Academy will follow on Saturday.