Two big home games would determine where the Liverpool field hockey team stood on the brink of the Section III playoffs – and what still needed to be done. Offense was an issue in the first of those games, when defending Class A champion Rome Free Academy showed up Tuesday night, but it still emerged with a 0-0 draw. Liverpool’s defense, led by Emily Burns, Michelle Hopkins, Amanda Muldoon and Alyssa Mills did a terrific job of protection, and Tess Tracy kicked away all six shots she faced. Yet the Warriors, despite its constant pressure, could not pull out in front, Danielle Famolaro stuffing them with 16 saves. As this went on, Cicero-North Syracuse had an ideal night, both on and off the field, in a 2-1 win over Fayetteville-Manlius at Bragman Stadium, both on and off the field. Just as in 2009, the Northstars hosted its “Stick It to Cancer” event, raising money for the American Cancer Society through T-shirt sales and other donations from the community. Meanwhile, CNS, aiming to avenge a 2-1 defeat to those same Hornets three days earlier, got into early trouble when Kendra Napierala scored to give F-M a 1-0 lead. The Northstars remained patient, though, and tied it early in the second half when Alaina Stojkovski found the net. Then, with 3:57 left in regulation, Kristi Thompson flashed open and swung a shot past F-M goalie Abby Cunningham for the game-winner.