South to rely on youth
by DAVE BENNETT Intern

When Williamsville South lost 6-0 to Williamsville East in the Section VI Class A semifinals last year, they had a young and largely inexperienced team. Not much has changed this season.

For the 2007 campaign, the Lady Billies will only have two senior starters, four seniors total, on the roster. For production and leadership, they will mainly look to younger players.

Junior captains Emily Novak and Meghan Couche will look to lead the charge. Novak will play forward and try to build on a successful 2006 season which saw her become a goal scoring threat. Couche will also play forward. She will be a full-time starter this season after having to split time with a senior last year.

While both are leaders on the field, one of their biggest contributions is the leadership they bring off of it.

"I think the kids respect them," said South coach Kevin McNamara. "They're both very nice players and I think there's a good camaraderie amongst the team and I think they help to create that."

Senior forward Lisa Stachura will also provide leadership and help South's offensive efforts.

The offense will also be aided by a score of talented underclassmen. Freshman midfielder Pam Guerrero played varsity last season as an eighth grader and should see significant minutes this season. Also running midfield for the Lady Billies will be freshman Liz Malinowski. Malinowski is new to the team but her teammates have been impressed by her play.

"Malinowski has improved a lot," said Novak.

Forward Ally Falletta was only brought up to varsity for the playoffs her freshman year but will look to add offensive production as a sophomore.

At goalie, South will rely on two players with varying degrees of experience. Senior Alyssa Aschroft and freshman Erin Ballou will split time and the team expects them to be solid.

"Erin and Alyssa will come through for us," said Novak.

On defense, senior Carrie Connolly, junior Alex Ciolko, and sophomore Jenessa Lucey will provide support for both goalies.

McNamara believes that the Lady Billies' strength lies in their speed and understanding of the game.

"What I like about them after two weeks is they have a good understanding of possessing the ball and they have good speed up top," said McNamara.

Since the team is so young, they are focusing more on learning rather than on specific goals such as championships.

"We're young enough where we can say, 'this year we need to learn how to compete' and we'll see where that takes us," said McNamara.

They also will try to make this season a total team effort.

"I think we should rely on everyone working together as a team and not be too individualistic and realize we have a goal to achieve and we all have to achieve it together," said Novak.
South 2007 Schedule
9-7 at North .................. 4:30 p.m.
9-11 at Hamburg .......... 4:30 p.m.
9-14 Sweet Home ........ 4:30 p.m.
9-17 Iroquois................. 4:30 p.m.
9-19 at W.S. East.......... 4:30 p.m.
9-25 at East .................. 4:30 p.m.
9-27 Lake Shore........... 4:30 p.m.
9-29 Hamburg.................. 10 a.m.
10-1 at Sweet Home.... 4:30 p.m.
10-3 at Iroquois............ 4:30 p.m.
10-5 W.S. East .............. 4:45 p.m.
10-11 East ..................... 4:30 p.m.
10-15 at Lake Shore (JT Waugh
Elementary) .................. 4:45 p.m.
10-17 Ellicottville......... 4:45 p.m.
10-19 at Frontier.......... 4:45 p.m.
10-22 at Clarence......... 4:30 p.m.