North field hockey takes one game at a time approach
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North's Chantae Miller (23) is one of the top field hockey players in Western New York. Also in on the play is Clarence's Amber Kieffer. North defeated Clarence, 2-0, on Monday. Photo by Joe Eberle

It's not been easy to win a Section VI title in field hockey but Williamsville North has done it the last three years. If the Lady Spartans want to make it four straight Class A titles, coach Kris Lapaglia said it's going to have to be from taking one game at a time.

"We have to take it game by game," said Lapaglia. "I think in order to fare well in the upcoming postseason, the team has to consistently play at a higher level regardless of the opponent. If we take care of business within our own game plan we should be successful."

Lapaglia returns All-Western New York First Team players, junior midfielder Chantae Miller and senior midfielder Ainsley Stoll, and Second Team selection, junior goalie Nicole Lewis. All three, along with senior defender Kristen Stone, are returning ECIC Large School First Team all-stars. Senior defender Lucy Papia is a returning ECIC Second Team player.

Miller, who has been playing on varsity since the seventh grade, scored 35 goals and 35 assists to give her career totals of 89 goals (13th in New York State history) and 79 assists. She was Section VI's co-leading scoring champion last year with teammate Claire Hourihan, who has graduated and currently playing at Stonehill College. A stubborn ankle injury in the spring forced Miller out of this summer's Empire State Games, but Lapaglia said Miller will not miss any time this fall. Stoll, Lewis, and Papia played for the Western Region at the ESGs.

Miller is a captain for the third straight time, and will be joined this year by Stone, Papia, and Stoll.

Stoll scored 15 goals and 18 assists last season.

Other key returning offensive players besides Miller and Stoll are sophomores Caitlin Butler and Leslie Ahern, and senior Kelsey Burke. Newcomers Emily O'Gorman and Julia Marcusa will also contribute to a very unselfish attack, Lapaglia said.

"Everyone on this unit has the capability of scoring and they disperse the ball very well to one another," said Lapagalia.

Lapaglia said other defensive players to watch out for is the unit of Stone, Papia, junior Emily Curry, and junior Trish Kennery. Junior Adriana Meholick, up from JV, will also help a well-rounded defense, Lapaglia said.

New to the team is sophomore midfielder Emily O'Gorman and junior attacker Julia Marcusa.

"All are up from JV and should be strong contributors," said Lapaglia.

Lapagalia said the team's biggest strength is its cohesion. "Most of them have been playing together for two to four years," said Lapaglia. "They are comfortable and confident knowing their backs are covered if they make a mistake."

"I also feel the team collectively is balanced offensively," she continued. "The defense knows they play an integral part in sustaining our offense, and transition the ball very well up to the midfielders and forwards."

North finished 20-1 last fall with its only loss coming to Section V's Penfield (1-0) in the Far West Regionals. Lapagalia said the regional loss was heartbreaking but has made the returning players more resilient.

"The team has their mind set on another state run," said Lapagalia. "They know the task at hand is very difficult with the competition in our league. We always respect the opponent because they could be the one team who could take it away from us. In that sense I feel the team will play with a lot of urgency this season, especially the seniors who know this is their final opportunity. If we maintain a highly competitive attitude, I think we are going to be very successful."

Lapaglia said she liked what she saw from her team in its opener, a 8-0 shutout over East Aurora last Wednesday.

"They came out with a relentless attitude and scored very quickly," said Lapaglia.

Miller had five goals and Stoll recorded three goals. Lewis recorded five saves for the shutout.
        North 2006 Schedule
9-13 at Hamburg .......... 4:45 p.m.
9-15 Eden...................... 4:45 p.m.
9-18 Iroquois................. 4:30 p.m.
9-20   at   Holland   (Elementary
School) .......................... 4:45 p.m.
9-22 Orchard Park....... 4:30 p.m.
9-25 Lancaster.............. 4:45 p.m.
9-27 Starpoint............... 4:30 p.m.
9-29 at Pioneer (Middle School)
4:45 p.m.
10-4 at Sweet Home.... 4:45 p.m.
10-6 South..................... 4:45 p.m.
10-10 at East ................ 4:30 p.m.
10-13 at W.S. West ....... 4:45 p.m.
10-16 W.S. East ................. 5 p.m.
10-18 at Amherst 4:45 p.m. (Westmoreland)
Westmoreland)
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com