Senior-loaded Lady Flames off to quick start
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Despite graduating nine players from last year's 6-8 team, Williamsville East field hockey is once again senior-loaded.

Lady Flames coach Kate Zgoda has 11 seniors on the 2007 team, six of which are starters. They are defenders Aleece Burgio, Ally Kotz and Lea Milbrand, goalie Erin Smith, forward Courtney Hawkins and center midfielder Bridget Steele.

Burgio and Steele have the most varsity experience on the team, with four years each, so it's no surprise that they are the team captains. Burgio is also a returning ECIC Small Schools second team all- star.

"Burgio has been my key on defense for six years (Zgoda coached Burgio in seventh and eighth grade on JV)," Zgoda said. "She drops back and communicates with other players and is always helping out other teammates. She's aggressive to the ball. She's a real take-charge defenseman.

"Steele has the most experience in the midfield," she continued. "Her stick skills are phenomenal, and she does a great job getting the ball down the field. She's also aggressive in the face-off circle."

Zgoda is also starting sophomores Katie Flaschner and Regan Prater in the midfield and Sam Frank at forward as well as junior forwards Claire Scheidemann and Kate Kaiser. All played JV last year.

Other athletes contributing will be junior defenders Vanessa Griffith and Jessica Moulin and forward Laura Stelianou and senior forward Lauren Hall, midfielders Nicole Bordonaro and Erica Miller and defenders Sara Weinstein and Gina Gramaglia.

So far, the newcomers have helped the team to a 2-1 start, edging Eden, 2-1, romping East Aurora, 8-1 and losing 5-0 to Holland. Scheidemann has five goals between all three games; Frank has tallied three. Stelianou, another new player up from JV, and Hawkins, each have a goal.

"The offense looks great so far," said Zgoda. "Our passing has been great, and we're communicating and being aggressive in the face-off circle."
East 2007 Schedule
9-12 at Hamburg ......................... 4:30 p.m.
9-14 Lancaster............................. 4:45 p.m.
9-17 Iroquois................................ 4:30 p.m.
9-19 Pioneer ..................................... 5 p.m.
9-21 at Orchard Park ................. 4:30 p.m.
9-24 at Sweet Home................... 4:30 p.m.
9-26 Starpoint.............................. 4:30 p.m.
9-28 at North ............................... 4:30 p.m.
10-3 at W.S. East......................... 4:30 p.m.
10-10 Amherst ............................. 4:30 p.m.
10-11 South.................................. 4:30 p.m.
10-12 at W.S. West ...................... 4:30 p.m.
10-15 at Clarence........................ 4:45 p.m.
10-19 Wilson ................................ 4:15 p.m.