Williamsville North shows improvement
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

All you have to do is look at recent scores from Williamsville North girls lacrosse games to see the team's improvement from the beginning of the season.

North is 4-8 but three of those victories came last week. The Lady Spartans defeated Lockport twice, 13-4, on Wednesday, May 2 and 12-3 on Saturday, May 5, and Sweet Home, 8-5, on Thursday, May 3. North beat North Tonawanda, 13-4, on April 25, for the team's other win.

"Over the season, the girls have gotten a ton better," said North coach Erin Munnto. "They're playing as a team and more consistent. I think we'll finish out the season strong."

First home Hillary Jacobson and attack wing Kelsey Mulvihill have been leading the team all season. Jacobson is one of league's top scorers with 36 goals. Mulvihill is second on the team with 24 goals.

"Offensively and defensively, they've stepped up their play and have been really working hard to improve," said Minnuto. "They're gaining confidence with each game."

Last week, Jacobson scored nine goals combined against Lockport, two against Sweet Home and single tallies in North losses to Lancaster, 9-4, on Friday, May 4, and Frontier, 9-5, on Monday, April 30. Mulvihill had two goals against Lockport and Lancaster and a goal against Sweet Home and Frontier.

Center Caitlin Butler also stepped up her game last week, tallying seven goals, in- cluding four in the team's first meeting with Lockport.

Minnuto also lauded the ground ball work and intensity of attack wing Leigh Schreiner and speedster Maddi Genovese (five goals).

Goalie Courtney Peterson has also stepped up her game. She had save percentages of 60 and 73 against Lockport, 69 percent versus Sweet Home and 65 percent against Lancaster.

North's other recent games this season include losses to Clarence, 14-9 - was trailing 7-6 at halftime - and Niagara-Wheatfield, 17-10.

North, 3-5 in league play, played Clarence on Monday, May 7 and Lancaster on Tuesday, May 8 but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. They host North Tonawanda at 4:30 p.m. on Friday, May 11 and Williamsville South at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 12.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com