Winning section title the goal for East boys lacrosse
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East's Mike Faltisco is one of three sophomores starting at attack. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Williamsville East boys lacrosse hasn't won a section title since the 1999-2000 season. In a wide-open Class B, Flames coach Ed Greenway said winning another section crown is long overdue.

"It's time to get back there and win it," said Greenway. "Last year, we were in most games but it was a matter of do you have the leadership and confidence to go over that hump when you're down by one. I look at all of the teams in Class B this year and it's really up for grabs. It will come down to who is developed more and who wants it."

Greenway returns a number of faces from last year's 10-9 club to contend. Back are senior midfielders Joe Schriever and Andrew Duggan, junior long stick midfielder Rashawn Durden and sophomore attackers Austin Weil and Mike Faltisco. Returning senior attacker Andrew Ross is coming off a knee injury but should be ready to play next week.

Durden, Duggan, Ross, and midfielder Brad Teal are the team captains.

Sophomore Derek Frost, a call-up from the JV, joins Faltisco and Weil on a solid attack line.

Justin Barkowski will also see time in the midfield, which Greenway feels is a team strength.

"Our midfield is confident with the ball and understands how important their play is for our success," said Greenway.

Senior A.J. Forster and sophomore Josh Roetzer solidify the East defense.

Freshmen Peter Duggan and Austin Sabrowski have contributed in the midfield and attack.

Junior Ryan Sheehan has stepped up in his first year in goal.

East, 3-1, is off to a great start, posting non-league wins over Canisius, 8-2, St. Francis, 9-5, and North Tonawanda, 13-0. East's only loss was an 8-7 decision to East Aurora, a game that East was ahead by two with four minutes remaining. Schriever scored three goals versus East Aurora and three goals and an assist versus North Tonawanda.

Weil added three goals and two assists against NT. Teal scored a goal versus NT as did Barkowski, his first of the year. Greenway lauded the work of backup goalie Matt Bradley, who filled in at defense. Sheehan made 10 saves.

Greenway is looking forward to the season.

"It's another year of growth and confidence building in each other," said Greenway. "They've taken the extra effort to work in the offseason to make this season better than the last one. I still think we'll make some mistakes but those mistakes aren't out of effort but newness (to the varsity level). They relish the opportunity to compete."

"They're also the most close-knit group that I've had this early in the season in the past five to six years," he added. "They take pride in themselves and that's exciting to watch."
                        Williamsville East
                          2007 Schedule
4-17 Clarence ................................................... 5 p.m.
4-19 at Sweet Home........................................ 5 p.m.
4-21 at W.S. West ........................................... 11 a.m.
4-23 Lake Shore............................................... 5 p.m.
4-25 Grand Island ............................................ 5 p.m.
4-27 at Hamburg .............................................. 5 p.m.
4-30 at Lancaster ............................................. 5 p.m.
5-1 at W.S. East................................................ 7 p.m.
5-4 at Lockport ................................................ 5 p.m.
5-7 Amherst ...................................................... 5 p.m.
5-11 Frontier..................................................... 5 p.m.
5-15 at Iroquois................................................ 5 p.m.
5-17 at South ............................................... 7:30 p.m.
5-22 North......................................................... 5 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com