Spartan boys soccer loaded with talent

As soon as Williamsville North lost 2-1 to Frontier last year in the Section VI Class AA quarterfinals, the returning Spartan players got together and were talking about the 2007 season.

"The team goals are always the same - play our game, treat each other like family and ultimately win," said North coach Lee Ferenc. "This year is no exception. The players are focused and ready for the divisional and playoff challenges ahead."

Ferenc said it is too early in the season to determine set starters, but with the depth of talent, all players are competing for starting positions.

There are 11 key returning players from last year, including seven which received ECIC I all-star status. They are: senior goalie Tyler Cominsky, senior midfielders Brian Durfee, John Piaggione and Daric Will, along with senior defender Jimmy Nesper and junior defender Lucas Barnes and senior striker Sean Durfee.

Ferenc said the remaining four returning players have gained a year of experience, starting with junior midfielders Ryan Donaldson, Pat McCann, and Eric Bellinger. Senior striker Dan Topolski will provide offensive shot power up at top, said Ferenc.

Ferenc said the team has added 10 new players to the "family" this year. Defensively, juniors Brendan Walsh and Graham Harris, along with sophomores Travis Lang and Brian Doherty, will help solidify the back unit. Junior midfielders Brett Lanham and Andre Marinaccio will rotate in on the outside, while sophomore Matt Campana will help anchor the central part of the field. Junior Jeff Ceier will showcase his striker ability up top, along with sophomore Oliver Jackson.

"All ten are ready to contribute to the success of the overall team," Ferenc said.

The team strengths Ferenc has witnessed so far is the team's ability to control possession and its communication.

"The team has a ton of talent with extreme depth and are quickly gelling together," he added. "Their ability to attack from anywhere on the field and constantly communicate will be our advantages for the season."

North finished 9-5 last year and were ECIC I regular season champions.

The Spartans opened the season with a 4-0 home win on Friday against Niagara Wheatfield. Bellinger opened the season scoring, as he did last year in the Lockport tourney, with a beautiful cross from Jackson. Ferenc said Topolski smoked the Niagara-Wheatfield goalkeeper twice, while being set up twice by Campana. Piaggione added the fourth goal with a bullet from outside the 18.

Cominsky and Andrew Calabrese split time in net to earn the shutout.

North returns to action on Friday and Saturday in the Lockport Tournament. They will face St. Francis and either Lockport or Section V's Greece Athena.

"The outlook for the team is always positive," said Ferenc. "The amount of returning players, mixed together with the new and upcoming talent, not only gets me excited, but extremely motivated to start the season and divisional games."

North will also travel to Rochester on Oct. 12 to play Class A state champion Aquinas.
North 2007 Schedule
9-7 vs. St. Francis at Lockport tourn. 4:30
p.m.
9-8 vs. Lockport/Greece Athena at Lockport
tourn. ........................................ 1 p.m.
9-12 at Lancaster ........................ 4:30 p.m.
9-14 at Jamestown (Jefferson Middle
School) .............................................. 5 p.m.
9-18 Clarence .............................. 4:45 p.m.
9-20 Orchard Park...................... 4:30 p.m.
9-24 Frontier................................ 4:30 p.m.
9-26 Jamestown ............................... 5 p.m.
9-28 at Clarence.......................... 4:45 p.m.
10-2 at Orchard Park (OP varsity complex)
4:30 p.m.
10-4 Lancaster............................. 4:45 p.m.
10-9 at East (Maple East) ......... 4:30 p.m.
10-10 at Frontier......................... 4:45 p.m.
10-12 at Aquinas (Aquinas complex) .... 5
p.m.
10-15 Cheektowaga .................... 4:30 p.m.
10-18 South.................................. 4:30 p.m.
10-19 Canisius ............................. 4:30 p.m.