Sweet Home takes one game at a time
Field hockey
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Katie Mazuchowski, left, returns in the midfield/attack for Sweet Home. The Lady Panthers are the defending Section VI Class A champions. File photo

Every year Sweet Home coach Dawn Kauderer-Kromer tells her field hockey team to take one game at a time.

This year that philosophy will really be put to the test as the Lady Panthers defend their first Section VI Class A title since 2002.

"We enter every season with the same focus," said Kauderer Kromer. "I have said it before but we really take it one game at a time. We're not looking to playoffs."

Kauderer-Kromer lost seven seniors from last year's 15-2-3 team but return enough at key positions to be another serious threat in the section.

Leading the way is junior goalie Leann Stiver, an All-Western New York first team selection last year. She was also an ECIC Large School first team pick. Stiver has been the starting goalie since eighth grade.

"She really is the complete package," said Kauderer-Kromer. "She's such a hard worker and is so coachable. On top of that, she is an extremely skilled goaltender. She has tremendous footwork and a clear understanding of the game. She knows where to be and when to be there."

In front of her will be senior sweeper Betsy Forster and junior center back Lauren Korniczky. Korniczky is the team's other returning All-WNY player; she was a second team selection. In addition, the three-year varsity player was named to the ECIC Large School first team.

"Lauren controls our defense and does a fantastic job of distributing the ball and playing strong in transition from defense to offense," said Kauderer Kromer.

Senior Chrissy Strom, who started last year at defensive back, might play at defense or in the midfield this season, said Kauderer- Kromer.

Senior Danielle Gangi, a reserve last year, brings her aggressive play to the midfield. Senior attacker/ midfielder Katie Mazuchowski, a returning ECIC Large School second team selection, returns for her third year. She was one of the team's top scorers last year.

"She really does a nice job transitioning us into the field and distributing the ball real aggressively in the circle," said Kauderer Kromer.

Mazuchowski, Korniczky and Stiver are team captains.

Sweet Home is 1-0-1 after tying Hamburg 0-0 and defeating Eden, 4-0. They lost 3-2 in overtime against Iroquois on Monday.

"I've always had a great group of girls who work well together and support each other on and off the field, and this year is no different," said Kauderer-Kromer. "They're a coach's dream. It's really why we've been associated with success in the past."
Sweet Home 2007 Schedule
9-12 Holland ................. 4:30 p.m.
9-14 at Orchard Park .. 4:30 p.m.
9-17 at Lancaster ......... 4:45 p.m.
9-19 Starpoint............... 4:30 p.m.
9-21 at Pioneer.................. 5 p.m.
9-24 East ....................... 4:30 p.m.
9-28 South..................... 4:30 p.m.
10-1 at North ................ 4:45 p.m.
10-3 W.S. West.............. 4:45 p.m.
10-5 W.S. East .............. 4:45 p.m.
10-10 at Clarence......... 4:45 p.m.
10-12 at Amherst .............. 5 p.m.
10-15 East Aurora........ 4:30 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com