Lake Placid defender Billy Waldy (15) and Chazy’s Josh McCauley leap for a head ball during Thursday’s match. Also pictured are Chazy’s Derek Drake and Blue Bombers Pat Kane (16), Connor Preston (7), Tucker Angelopoulos (22) and Lucas Strack. News photo — Lou Reuter

LAKE PLACID – In a big early-season matchup between two defending Section VII champions, Chazy proved to be too much to handle for the Lake Placid boys soccer team in a contest played Thursday at the North Elba Show Grounds.

With a strong wind at their backs, the Eagles scored two first-half goals and then blanked the Blue Bombers the rest of the way to claim a 2-0 victory in Northern Soccer League Division II action.

Tyler Hicks scored 7:01 into the match and Josh Barriere buried a shot with less than five minutes remaining in the first half as Chazy improved to 2-0 in league games and 3-1 overall.

“When it comes to soccer, Chazy are the benchmark,” Lake Placid coach Stuart Hemsley said. “We didn’t defend two times in the first half and they scored two goals. That’s the kind of punishment they give you for making mistakes.”

The Eagles, who are New York’s defending Class D co-champions and also own a slew of outright state titles, were solid from the goal out providing the Blue Bombers with a good test.

Lake Placid’s Ryan Damp boots the ball upfield in front of Chazy’s Connor Morse during Thursday’s game at the North Elba Show Grounds. News photo — Lou Reuter

Hicks put Lake Placid in an early 1-0 hole when he scored off a pass from Derek Drake. Barriere then upped the lead to 2-0 when he drilled home a well-placed shot from the top of the penalty area after gaining control of a loose ball following a corner kick.

The Blue Bombers fared better with wind at their back in the second half, but were unable to break through a solid Chazy defense.

“They’ve got good players in all departments and we got good players in all departments,” Hemsley said. “Their good players are just better than our good players. I think this game came about two weeks too early.”

Chazy held a 12-8 edge in shots. Junior Austin Gravelle made four saves to earn the shutout win in goal for the Eagles. Noah Mohr stopped six shots in net for Lake Placid.

“This is always a tough place to come and play well,” Chazy coach Rob McAuliffe said. “In the first half, we did a really nice job possessing the ball against a good soccer team. I think Lake Placid did a much better job in the second half but we didn’t let them get on the board.”

Chazy’s next game is at home Saturday against the combined Elizabethtown-Westport team. Lake Placid’s next match will be on the road Tuesday against Willsboro.

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Chazy 2, Lake Placid 0

[TABULATED_DATA]

Scoring

First Half

1. C, Hicks (Drake), 7:01; 2. C, Barriere, 35:28.

Shots: Chazy 12, Lake Placid 8

Saves: Gravelle, C, 4; Mohr, LP, 6.