New Spartans coach excited about team's chances
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

New Williamsville North boys lacrosse coach Matt Smart has every reason to be excited about the 2007 season.

Smart, last year's Section VI Class "A" assistant of the year, thanks former coach Rick Hopkins for the opportunity to take over a Spartan squad that came four goals short of defeating Orchard Park in last year's Section VI Class A semifinals.

Smart, who before his stint with North, played and coached lacrosse for two years in Manchester, England, likes the makeup of this year's group, which includes 13 seniors.

"We have a ton of senior leadership and young energy that complement each other," said Smart, who is assisted by North grad Mike Cicco. "They're focused on improving this program and getting back to the sectional finals."

North's last sectional final appearance came in 2005.

Returning players include seniors Mike Jaska and Nic Stalker at midfield; Evan Bryant, Brent Rickan and Matt Dindurski at attack; and Rob Wilcox and Brad Adkins at defense. Wilcox made the final cuts for last year's Empire State Games.

Bryant, a Class A second-team all-star as a junior, has played varsity since he was a freshman and leads the team this season with 12 points (seven goals, five assists).

"Evan brings a great deal of game knowledge and field leadership," Smart said.

Senior Rob Pekarski joins Jaska and Stalker on one midfield line. The other line is seniors Pat Mulvihill, a great two-way player, and Ryan Geary and either junior Joe Greenwald or sophomore Jake Newton.

Geary leads all North players in ground balls with 21.

Junior Pat Stasio, starter on JV the past two years, has the unenviable task of replacing Rob Eimer, a three-year starter who walked on to the University of Virginia, the defending national champions. Stasio has a 65 percent save percentage through four games.

North is 2-2, defeating Sweet Home, 12-5, and Class B powerhouse Amherst, 7-5.

Bryant led North against Sweet Home with eight points (five goals, three assists). Stalker and Rickan each had two goals and an assist. Greenwald had a goal and assist. Wilcox and Geary also scored. Kurtis Knoebel had two assists.

Smart said every North senior touched the ball in the win.

"Last year, we lost to them in three overtimes," said Smart. "It was nice as a first-year head coach to beat a program like that. The guys have wanted that win for a long time. They've worked hard for it."

All North seniors scored versus Amherst, including three from Jaska, and single tallies from Bryant, Pekarski, Rickan and Dindurski. Rickan also had two assists. Mulvill and Bryant each had one assist. North outshot Amherst, 31-27.

Their losses came against Smart's alma mater, Penn-Yan, the defending Class C New York State champion, 12-1, and Hamburg, 7-4.

North and Penn Yan were tied at 1-1 in the middle of the third quarter. Bryant scored North's only goal. Geary recorded an assist.

Knoebel led North against Hamburg with a goal and two assists. Greenwald, Dindurski and Stalker also scored. Bryant added an assist.
        North 2007 Schedule
4-19 at Jamestown ........... 5 p.m.
4-23 W.S. West................... 5 p.m.

4-25 Lancaster................... 5 p.m.
4-27 Niagara-Wheatfield .. 5 p.m.
5-1 North Tonawanda ...... 5 p.m.
5-4 at Clarence.................. 5 p.m.
5-5 Grand Island ............... 3 p.m.
5-7 at Lockport ................. 5 p.m.
5-9 at Orchard Park ......... 5 p.m.
5-11 at South ................ 7:30 p.m.
5-15 at Frontier................. 5 p.m.
5-17 at W.S. East............... 7 p.m.
5-22 at East ....................... 5 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com