Rebuilding year for Williamville North girls lacrosse
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Last year, Williamsville North was in the hunt for a Section VI Class A title. This season is a different story.

North, 10-6 last year, lost three-quarters of its starters to graduation, and has yet to have set starters at several positions.

"One of our goals is to get them to a point where they're playing as a team because there are so many new girls," said Lady Spartans coach Erin Minnuto.

Minnuto reloads with returning tri-captains, seniors Hillary Jacobson and Leeane Pinski, and junior Kelsey Mulvihill.

Jacobson, a returning Division I honorable mention, led North in scoring as a junior. She will play at first home on offense, meaning she is the closest offensive player to the net. It's her third year on varsity.

"She sets up a lot of the plays and will run the offense at her end of the field," said Minnuto.

Only Jacobson and Mulvihill, who can play at attack or midfield, has scored in the team's two games, losses to Orchard Park, 14-5, and East Aurora, 14-4. Jacobson has six goals; Mulvihill has three.

Pinski and senior Karrie Gurbacki will anchor the North defense. Sophomore Suzie Jacobs returns and will play at defensive wing.

Other set starters are junior Nicole Lewis and sophomore Cailtin Butler, the JV's leading scorer last year, in the midfield.

North returns to action at 4:30 p.m. on Monday, April 16 when they host Lockport.
        Williamsville North
            2007 Schedule
4-16 Lockport ............... 4:30 p.m.
4-18 Lancaster.............. 4:45 p.m.

4-20 at Clarence........... 4:45 p.m.
4-23 East Aurora.......... 4:30 p.m.
4-25 at North Tonawanda 4:45 p.m.
4-27 at Orchard Park .. 4:45 p.m.
4-28 at Niagara-Wheatfield 10 a.m.
4-30 Frontier................. 4:45 p.m.
5-2 at Lockport ................. 5 p.m.
5-3 Sweet Home .......... 4:30 p.m.
5-4 at Lancaster ........... 4:45 p.m.
5-7 Clarence ................. 4:45 p.m.
5-11 North Tonawanda 4:30 p.m.
5-12 South........................ 11 a.m.
5-15 at East .................. 4:30 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com