Amherst boys lacrosse faces a crossroad
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Tim Monahan, left, and Will Africano captain this year's Amherst boys lacrosse team. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Amherst has been the dominant team in Section VI Class B for the last six years but by the way they're playing so far this year, a section crown looks far away.

Through five games, the reigning six-time section champs are 2-3. Senior co-captain Will Africano said all five games were non-league and when it comes to league play they will not lose a game.

But 2-3? Amherst coach Stefan Henn can't remember the last time his team had that record through five games and he's concerned.

The biggest worry for Henn is depth. Amherst graduated a huge 2006 class - 13 players in all, including seven starters such as All-American Taylor Ebsary - and only has 24 on the team, about five below the average. His entire starting midfield (Africano, Kurt Ebsary, and Sean Smith) are new starters, his leading attackers (Casey Rich and Brent Doerflein) were role players last year, his defense is inexperienced (only co-captain Tim Monahan is a returning starter) and he has a brand new varsity goalie (Matt Allwes).

Not having enough depth has forced Henn to sub wisely this season.

"Last year, we ran three full midfield lines, two on offense and three short stick defensive middies," said Henn. "This year we're running four players. So we're going to have to be very wise about our subbing, that we do not get hung up on defense and that we're good with the ball on offense. Ball possession will be the key to our success."

Playing good defense will also be a key for the Tigers.

"If we keep our opponent's score under 10 we'll be in most games because we are going to have to be a little creative offensively," said Henn. "I don't know if we're going to be the team that beats you off the dodge versus the team that beats you by screening and picking and stuff happening through a dodge."

Doerflein and Rich, both juniors, are picking up the slack on offense, with 16 and 15 points, respectively. Rich enters his third year and was a Class B second team selection last year. Doerflein, a division honorable mention, is entering his second year. Doerflein is getting looks from Ivy league schools ranging from Cornell University, Brown University and United States Military Academy at West Point. Rich is being recruited by every top lacrosse school except Princeton University.

Henn said Doerflein and Rich complement each other.

"Brent is a shiftier kid and Casey is more of a goal dodger and back side finisher," said Henn.

Senior Nick Johnson and sophomore Dan Cooper are vying for the third starting attack position.

Seniors Doug Zaccagnino and Chris Brunetto and junior Chris Brunetto get their first starts on defense. Africano, accepted to the University of Notre Dame, is back for faceoff draws (64 percent this year). Senior Dan Lawson, when healthy, is the team's one true defensive midfielder who can create offense, Henn said.

Amherst's three losses this season have come to Niagara-Wheatfield, 11-10, Williamsville North, 7-5, and Section V's Webster-Schroeder, 10-4. They have beaten Clarence, 10-1, and Nichols, 11-5.

It doesn't get any easier for Amherst as they play at 5 p.m. Tuesday, April 17 at Class "A" powerhouse Orchard Park.

Amherst finished 17-5 last year and lost 7-6 against Corning East in the New York State semifinals. The Tigers have never played in a state final.
                Amherst Central 2007 Schedule
4-17 at Orchard Park ................................................ 5 p.m.
4-19 at Grand Island ................................................. 5 p.m.
4-23 W.S. East ............................................................ 7 p.m.
4-25 Iroquois............................................................... 5 p.m.
4-27 Bishop Timon-St. Jude........................................ 7 p.m.
5-1 Sweet Home ........................................................ 5 p.m.

5-3 at South ........................................................... 7:30 p.m.
5-5 Penn-Yan Academy............................................. 4 p.m.
5-7 at East .................................................................. 5 p.m.
5-9 Hamburg............................................................... 7 p.m.
5-15 at Lake Shore .................................................... 5 p.m.
5-18 Frontier............................................................... 7 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com