New faces to carry on Amherst's winning tradition
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Senior center midfielder Sara Heidinger (4) is one of three Amherst Central varsity field hockey captains this fall. Heidinger is a returning All-Western New York Second Team selection. Photo by Joe Eberle

Some familiar faces to the Amherst Central varsity field hockey team are missing this season, which should make the Lady Tigers' road to the Section VI Class B title game a little bumpier than usual.

Graduated are All-Western New York players Emily Warren (starting at Mercyhurst College), Lindsay Bronnenkant (plays at University at Rochester), and Brittany Jeffords (reserve at Mercyhurst).

Amherst head coach Jennifer Higgins returns a host of players who will try to defend the Class B title.

Senior tri-captains center midfielder Sara Heidinger, center halfback Rebecca Masters, and sweeper Christine Domres, will lead the way.

Heidinger, a returning All-WNY Second Team and ECIC Small Schools First Team selection, is the most well rounded player on the roster, Higgins feels. "She will be a key player on

offensive and defensive corners and as a stroker," said Higgins. "She has great field vision and is able to transition the ball from defense to offense with ease."

Higgins said to date, Heidinger, a three-year varsity player, has been the team's most consistent shooter on corner shots as well.

"She has a hard push pass and can find the small openings to put the ball on net," said Higgins. "Even more importantly, Sara loves the game of field hockey. She plays the sport year round, which gives her a competitive edge, and is a quiet leader both on and off the field as well."

Heidinger was also an alternate for the Western Region Empire State Games and is a member of the Futures program.

Masters, a Small Schools Second Team selection, is a three-year varsity starter.

"She is a physically strong player who steps up and intercepts opposing teams passes consistently and understands what to do in a variety of situations," said Higgins. "She has a strong drive and slap as well."

Higgins said Masters will play multiples roles, participating on offensive and defensive corners and as a stroker. "We will also be looking for Becca to be a leader on the field, using her previous years experiences as a starter to help keep our young team focused," said Higgins.

Domres, the team's most improved player from last season, Higgins said, was the team's saving grace throughout the playoffs at sweeper.

"Christine has excellent anticipation skills," said Higgins. "She steps up to the ball and stays low and strong when in possession of the ball. Her strong push and drive have also earned her a position on offensive corners. As the last line of defense, she has great field vision and is the quarterback of the defense."

Other players who will see a lot of playing time are seniors Brittany Horvath (midfielder), Alyssa Pantano (right wing attack), Anna Haumesser (halfback), and Abbe Hogle (goalie) and junior Robin McDonald (forward).

Higgins said Horvath has come into her own as a senior.

"She is in great shape and understands the game of field hockey," said Higgins. "In our first victory over Wilson, she controlled the left side of the field and created scoring opportunities for her teammates and used her stick skills to easily move the ball down the field."

Higgins hopes Pantano, who scored the only goal for Amherst in regulation time against Iroquois in the Section VI finals last fall, can pick up right where she left off.

"Alyssa plays the game with balance and poise," said Higgins. "She creates turnovers and distributes the ball well from the strong side of the field."

Haumesser returns as a starter on defense.

"Anna has good open field skills and a consistent drive," said Higgins. "Last year's playing experience will help make us a solid team at the defensive end of the field."

Hogle returns to her goalkeeping duties. Last fall, she had 12 shutouts and made 116 saves.

"Abbe has all the qualities that we look for in a keeper - athletic, agile, quick and aggressive," said Higgins. "She has the ability to be one of the best goalkeepers in the ECIC this season. Once again, assistant varsity field hockey coach Laurie LeGoff has done a fabulous job preparing Abbe for the upcoming challenges of the next three months."

McDonald moves up from a successful junior varsity squad.

"We will be looking for Robin to be a playmaker," said Higgins. "She has tremendous stick skills, can collect and distribute the ball, and score under pressure."

Others who will receive playing time or may work into a starting role include seniors Sam Groeger, Ali Medinac, Lisa Felgemacher, Kristen Ronca, and junior Alana Madrid at attack and sophomore Jordan Aprile, juniors Katie Erbacher, Bonnie Bullock, and Morgan Felgemacher in the midfield. Juniors Sarah Hunt and Meagan Wright will look for time on defense.

Higgins said her team has an abundance of attack players, which will keep fresh legs on the forward line at all times. Groeger, Medinac, Felgemacher, Madrid, and Ronca each bring something to the position, Higgins said.

"Sam scored two goals during our preseason scrimmages," said Higgins. "Lisa is a three-year varsity player who is aggressive on the left side of the field. Ali is a quiet but dedicated player who goes above and beyond to develop her skills. Alana is up form the JV where she was the leading goal scorer last season. Kristen returns to the varsity squad as a senior looking to receive more playing time this season."

Aprile is the lone sophomore on the team and will receive substantial playing time at midfield and the defensive end of the field, Higgins said.

"Jordan is a strong and determined athlete who is improving everyday," she said. "Her speed and competitive nature have earned her the fly position on corners."

Erbacher is a very versatile player who will receive playing time at midfield and back, Higgins said.

"She's (like a) sponge in practice and games," said Higgins. "She's learning all she can to make herself a better player. She is a quiet and productive player."

Bullock moves up from JV and will see time in the midfield.

"She is working hard to adjust to the speed of the game at the next level," said Higgins.

Felgemacher is currently recovering from a pre-season injury but will see time at the midfield position once she accumulates the appropriate number of practices, Higgins said.

"Morgan has been very competitive in practice," said Higgins. "She is aggressive and talented."

Hunt will receive playing time as a back, Higgins said.

"She spent much of her summer attending field hockey camps," she added. "She is a dedicated player who will play one of the most challenging positions on the field at left back. She has the ability to intercept, stay low and be diligent in her pursuit to win the ball."

Wright will be competing for playing time on the defensive end of the field.

"Meghan is the true example of a team player working hard everyday in practice improving her skills for game day minutes," said Higgins.

If Amherst makes it to the section finals this year, they will have a home field advantage. All Section VI and regional games will be held on Amherst's turf field.

"It will take a total team commitment to get to take advantage of our home field advantage during the playoffs," said Higgins.

"It is a privilege to have the premier field hockey venue in the area," she added. "We hope that the Rochester schools have the same feeling when they come to visit in mid-November. Teams look forward to showing off their skills on the turf whether it be a regular season game or in the playoffs. Field hockey is meant to be played on turf. We are very fortunate to have a supportive district and community when it comes to the continual improvement of our athletic facilities."

Amherst finished 19-3 overall and 16-2 in league play. They were Small School Division champions. Their season ended with a 2-1 loss to Pittsford-Sutherland in the Far West Regionals.

"We play in a very competitive ECIC league and will face many tough opponents," said Higgins. "Our rivals Sweet Home, Williamsville South and Williamsville North are always great competition. In the small school division we are constantly battling Iroquois and Holland." "Overall we have a very positive outlook on the season," she added. "Laurie and I are privileged to work with a pleasant, skilled and intelligent group of student-athletes on a daily basis.... There is a long winning tradition (at Amherst). This season should be no different. We are hoping to defend our Section VI Class B title come November."

As of this writing, Amherst is 2-1, defeating Wilson, 3-0 in a non-league game on Wednesday and 3-0 over West Seneca East last Friday. They lost 2-1 to

Williamsville South on Monday. Against Wilson, Hogle had the shutout, making two saves. Mc- Donald, Domres and Madrid scored goals. Heidinger and Bullock each added an assist.

Amherst Central

2006 Schedule 9-15 W.S. West 5 p.m. (Westmoreland) 9-18 at East Aurora..... 4:30 p.m. 9-20 Clarence .. 6:30 p.m. (Westmoreland) 9-22 Hamburg.. 4:45 p.m. (Westmoreland) 9-25 at Eden ................. 4:30 p.m. 9-27 at Iroquois............ 4:30 p.m. 9-29 Holland .... 4:30 p.m. (Westmoreland) 10-3 at Orchard Park .. 4:30 p.m. 10-4 at Lancaster ......... 4:30 p.m. 10-6 at Starpoint .......... 4:30 p.m. 10-10 at Pioneer........... 4:30 p.m. 10-13 East 4:30 p.m. (Westmoreland) 10-16 at Sweet Home.. 4:30 p.m. 10-18 North 4:45 p.m. (Westmoreland)

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com