East boys soccer returns plenty for title run

Matt Kweller is one of three captains for the Williamsville East boys soccer team. Kweller was the Flames' leading goal scorer last year. File photo

Williamsville East fell two games short last year of claiming its first section title since 2004 but most of the team returns this fall to take another crack at the Class A crown.

The Flames, who finished 12-1-1 last year and lost 2-1 to Iroquois in a Section VI Class A semifinal, will be led by senior tri-captains Bryan Cianchetti, Matt Kweller and Jay Winzenreid.

Kweller, a three-year starter at forward, is a returning All-WNY third team and ECIC Division II first team pick. Kweller was the Flames' leading goal scorer last year with 13 tallies.

"His strength is in the way he hustles," said East coach Ron Schumacher. "He puts pressure on the defense to create mistakes."

Cianchetti, a three-year starter on defense, moves from outside back to sweeper. Cianchetti is a returning ECIC II second team selection.

"He must control the middle for the team to be successful," said Schumacher. "He is tough and has good instincts."

Winzenreid enters his third year on varsity.

"Jay can play defense or any midfield position," said Schumacher. "He has great speed and good instinct with the ball."

Other key players are senior Colin Begy and junior Kevin Castine and senior Brian Wallden.

Begy, a returning ECIC II third team selection, is a four-year starter at center midfield. For the past three years, he teamed with graduated midfielder Tony Schiappa to give East a solid center that assisted or scored most of the goals. This year, Schumacher said Begy will pair with Castine, a transfer from St. Joe's.

"Colin can control the middle and needs to produce some goals when given the opportunity," said Schumacher.

Castine was a Monsignor Martin Association honorable mention last year for the Marauders.

"Kevin is quick, has great skills and has an eye for the goal," said Schmacher. "He has adjusted well on the team and will need to have a big year for us."

Wallden, an ECIC II first team pick as a junior, covers a lot of space with his 6-foot-6 frame in net, said Schumacher.

"He also has a long reach," Schumacher added.

Senior Ryan Dobos will back up Wallden.

"He's a solid player who is consistently giving his all in practice and games," said Schumacher. "He plays through injuries and is smart with good instincts in the net."

Other seniors on East are Rashaun Durden, Joe Buran, Justen Floss, Steve Reding, and Fred Brown.

Durden is a three-year starter at stopper.

"He has all of the tools to dominate the middle of the defense," said Schumacher. "He needs to be a vocal leader on the field."

Buran is a third-year defender who will substitute with Winzenreid as an outside defender.

"He's tough and plays the air game well," said Schumacher.

Floss and Reding are outside midfielders. Floss has a good cross and strong shot and Reding has good speed and a strong leg, Schumacher said.

Brown is a second-year player who will substitute in at defense who plays hard and tough, Schumacher said.

The other 12 players on the roster are juniors. They are Castine, Derek Frost, Simon Park, Fernando Recio, Mac Noronha, Greg Ryan, Dave Mernan, Trevor Igol, Chris Haney, Brian Calisto, Matt Brault and Andy Aderman.

Frost is a three-year varsity player who will start at an outside midfield position.

"This is his breakout year," said Schumacher. "He is a smart player with good skills."

Park is a three-year starter at forward who continues to improve, said Schumacher.

"He has great speed and a great touch on the ball," Schumacher added. "We have high expectations for him this year."

Recio is a two-year player who will move from midfield back to a defensive position.

"He plays strong and aggressive in the back," said Schumacher.

Noronha is a foreign exchange student from Brazil who will see action as an outside midfielder.

"He has great ball skills and a desire to score that will help us," said Schumacher.

Ryan, Mernan, Igol, Haney, Calisto, Brault and Aderman are entering their first year on varsity.

Ryan will see some action at forward and possibly in the midfield and will play strong and aggressive in the back, said Schumacher.

Schumacher said Mernan will give East a solid game in the midfield. He will be the Flames' starting goalie next year.

Igol will see some playing time at an outside midfield position, Haney has the skill to play midfield and at an outside defensive position, and Calisto is developing into a solid midfielder who has scoring possibilities, said Schumacher.

Brault is a defender that shows great promise as a center defender, said Schumacher.

"He's a physical player that sees the field well," Schumacher added.

Aderman is also a defender who hustles and works hard, Schumacher said.

"If he develops, he will see a lot of playing time this year," he added.

Schumacher thinks Hamburg and Iroquois will be the toughest competition in the division. West Seneca East will also be much better, he added.

East graduated two starting defenders (Kyle Habdo and Andy Gage) and three starting midfielders (Schiappa, Sean Lanighan, Mike Price) from last year's team. Schumacher said they were major factors in East's success.
East 2007 Schedule
9-5 at Hamburg ............ 4:45 p.m.
9-6 vs. Ken. East at Clarence
tourn. (Clarence Soccer Complex)

.............................. 4:30 p.m.
9-7 at Clarence tourn.. 4:30 p.m.
9-10 at South ................ 4:30 p.m.
9-12 Sweet Home ........ 4:30 p.m.
9-14 W.S. West................... 5 p.m.
9-19 at Lake Shore ........... 5 p.m.
9-20 Hamburg............... 4:30 p.m.
9-24 Iroquois................. 4:30 p.m.
9-26 at W.S. East.......... 4:45 p.m.
9-28 at Sweet Home.... 4:30 p.m.
10-2 at W.S. West ......... 4:45 p.m.
10-4 Lake Shore........... 4:30 p.m.
10-9 at North ................ 4:30 p.m.
10-12 at Iroquois.......... 4:30 p.m.
10-16 W.S. East ................. 5 p.m.
10-17 Lancaster............ 4:30 p.m.