ESG - Field hockey
Talent-rich Western ready to end medal drought
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

East Amherst's Nicole Lewis will tend the Western Region scholastic field hockey net for the third straight year. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Western scholastic field hockey hasn't medaled at the Empire State Games since taking bronze in 2004 but a nice mix of players from Buffalo and Rochester has made coach Peter Tonsoline think this is the year they will get over the hump.

"Last year, we got beat up pretty bad," said Tonsoline, a Depew resident. "This year, I worked real hard in the winter to have Rochester coaches tell players about the Games and they came through big time. Over 85 girls tried out. Last year, we only tried out 50."

"I don't think we missed anybody," he continued. "We have kids on the alternate list that normally would have made the team in past years."

Western is almost split down the middle between Buffalo (nine) and Rochester (seven) players. Among the Buffalo players are East Amherst's Nicole Lewis and Chantae Miller and Getzville's Emily Ogorman, all of Williamsville North; Williamsville's Darragh Kerr of Williamsville South; Elma's Rachel Sluberski and Nicole Augustine, both of Iroquois; Orchard Park's Emily Girasole, South Wales' Serena Slattery, and Akron's Melissa Ciurzynski.

East Amherst's Chantae Miller makes her fourth appearance at the ESGs. Miller is coming off a torn ligament in her left ankle. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

The Rochester contingent is comprised of East Rochester's Tiffany Raskopf (forward), Ashley Moulton (midfield), Samantha Cavallaro (center) and Maggie Morrissey (defense), all of East Rochester High School, as well as Irondequoit's Meghan Leusch (forward), Hilton's Kimberly Vocco (forward) and Pittsford's Paulina Lee (defense).

"We have a lot of skill, speed and depth," said Tonsoline. "The only thing we're lacking is the right attitude. When Central or Hudson Valley walks on the field, they think they're going to win. We need to have an attitude that we're just as good as everyone else."

Lewis and Miller have the most ESG experience on Western. Lewis, the starting goalie, is back for a third straight year. Miller, a midfielder, played on the 2003-05 teams. She made last year's team but a sprained left ankle that turned out to be a torn ligament kept her out of the Games. Miller had surgery last November and was cleared to start training in February.

"I'm definitely excited to play," said Miller, an All-WNY first team selection who is has 107 career goals and is the nation's all-time high school career assist leader with 98. "We've had great teams that have come up short but I really think this is the year."

"She's like our quarterback," said Tonsoline. "She dictates the flow of the game. She is what we were missing last year. Plus she has an unbelievable cannon of a shot, especially on corners. Every Sunday morning we scrimmage against Division I players and when we go into corners, they can't stop her. She's really that good."

Miller, a co-captain on Western with Slattery, has verbally committed to Michigan State University and will graduate from North in January.

Lewis, a soon-to-be senior, knows about playing in pressure filled situations. She's started for North since her freshman year and has played in many section final and regional games. She has 38 career shutouts.

"You know you're the best of the region so you have to show you're the best," said Lewis, an All-WNY first team selection. "We always are the underdog so you want to go out there and prove yourself."

"She plays the angles (in net) well," added Tonsoline. "Rarely do I see her get beat on the first shot. If it's loose, she gets it out of the zone quickly."

In front of Lewis is a rock solid defense, including Slattery, Morrissey, Sluberski and Augustine. Sluberski and Augustine, both soon-to-be seniors, played for Tonsoline at Iroquois and helped the Lady Chiefs to 12 shutouts and an appearance in the New York State Class B semifinals. In 2005, Iroquois posted a team-best 16 shutouts. Augustine is making her ESG debut; Sluberski, an All-WNY and All-New York State player, is back for a second time.

"We didn't win any games last year so we really want to get a medal," said Sluberski.

Also on defense is Kerr, who tried out for ESGs last year but didn't make the team.

"I've worked hard to become better at field hockey so I was happy to make it this year," said Kerr, who can also play in the midfield.

Another returning player is Girasole, who last fall, earned All-WNY second team honors. Girasole will play a wing position with Raskopf or Vocco.

"I absolutely love it," said Girasole of the Games. "It's really fun. I think we're going to do really good this year."

Western opens against Adirondack at 10 a.m. on Thursday at Rye Country Day School, Cedar St., Rye. The Games are being held in Westchester County.

"There's no open team so I really have to go out and play hard because it's my last chance," said Lewis.

"I haven't won one yet so winning a medal would be awesome," added Girasole.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com