East girls lax moves into first place tie in ECIC III

Williamsville East easily moved into a first place tie with Amherst in ECIC Division III after defeating Williamsville South, 15-4, on Thursday, April 19.

East co-coach Kristen Zbrzezny said her team came out rusty (was the first time many players picked up sticks over past two weeks) and after the first eight to ten minutes, the score was tied at 3-3. Zbrezny called a timeout to regroup and her team responded, scoring 12 unanswered goals.

"The younger and newer players saw significant playing time," said Zbrzezny.

Emily Williams scored four times and assisted on another for the Lady Flames.

Emily Dehlinger also tallied four goals and added an assist. Lauren Latona and Aleece Burgio each scored twice. Sarah DiPofihad six points (goal, five assists). Erica Sizemore and Erika Flashner each had a goal and assist. Lauren Hall tallied her first two assists of the season. Alyssa Drozynski added an assist.

Goalie Courtney Vitello had a 73 save percentage against South, stopping 8 of 11 shots. Back-up Ashley Slisz stopped two of three shots.

Liz Gengo kept hope alive for South in the second half with great play and excellent control which led to two goals. Caitlin Kelly and Gina Rutecki each scored a goal. Nita Bhatia played strong defense and was named South's MVP.

East continued its winning ways on Saturday, April 21, defeating Niagara-Wheatfield, 14-7. Niagara-Wheatfield scored first but East came back and was ahead, 6-4, by halftime.

Vitello had an amazing game, stopping 12 of 19 shots for a .63 save percentage. Scoring for East were Williams (five goals), Brittany Hargis (four goals, two assists), Latona (two goals, assist), Dehlinger (goal, assist), DiPofi(goal, assist), Alina Swierski (goal), Drozynski (assist), Lauren LaPoint (assist), Hall (assist), and Flashner (two assists).

For the season, Williams already has 20 goals. Other season totals are Hargis (14 goals, five assists). Dehlinger (six goals, six assists), DiPofi(six goals, six assists), Latona (five goals, six assists), Swierski (four goals, two assists), Drozynski (three assists), LaPoint (assist), Hall (three assists), Flashner (three goals, three assists), Burgio (four goals, two assists), and Sizemore (goal, assist).

East, 3-0 in league play, took a four-game win streak into its road game at East Aurora on Tuesday, April 24 but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press.

East's game against Amherst was postponed due to a lack of officials and has been rescheduled for 7 p.m., Monday, April 30 at Amherst.