Youthful Lady Tigers shooting for section crown
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

With no underclassmen on its 2007 roster, the casual fan would think the Amherst Central field hockey team is varsity tested.

But with only seven returning players, the Lady Tigers, runner up in Section VI Class B last year, is far from it. Ten out of the 11 members of the rest of the team played JV a year ago. However, Amherst coach Laurie LeGoff said the Section VI Class B title is still a team goal.

"That's our goal, to get to that championship game," said LeGoff, who takes over for Jennifer Higgins after nine years as her assistant. "This team is much younger than in the past so we have to work each day together to improve and build upon each contest for our future challenges."

"Amherst has a high learning curve compared to other teams in the area," she continued. "I expect nothing less from this team."

LeGoff said members of her senior class, led by captains Robin McDonald and Katie Erbacher, have been outstanding leaders. McDonald is a returning starting forward; Erbacher gets her first chance to start in the midfield.

The other seniors on Amherst are defenders Sarah Hunt and Meghan Wright, forward Alana Madrid and midfielder Morgan Felgemacher.

"Their leadership as a whole is what is going to lead us to success this year," said LeGoff.

Junior JV call-ups include defender Carolyn Sobol, midfielder Abby Muraco and goalie Erin Edson. LeGoff said all three have recently participated in the Futures program. The Futures is an elite field hockey program where players can compete in training sessions and regional tournaments.

Juniors Maria Cafferelli and defender Lauren Kapus, two other JV call-ups, will start at forward and defense, respectively.

The lone junior who has varsity experience is starting defender Jordan Aprile.

LeGoff is looking for Aprile and Hunt to lead the defense and for McDonald, Erbacher and Hunt to provide offensive scoring opportunities.

Amherst is 1-0-1 after defeating West Seneca East 2-1 and tying Williamsville South 0-0. Madrid (Aprile, Sobol) and Cafferelli (McDonald) scored against West Seneca East. Against South, LeGoff said her team couldn't capitalize on the offensive opportunities they generated.

"In the second half, the girls did a nice job of executing and limiting South's opportunities on offense," LeGoff said.

LeGoff will be assisted by Nicole Marabella.

Key starters Amherst lost to graduation from last year are three-year starting midfielder Sara Heidinger, two-year goalie Abby Hogle, halfbacks Christine Domres, Anna Haumesser and Becca Masters and midfielder Alyssa Pantano. Heidinger and Hogle were All-Western New York second team selections; Domres and Masters were honorable mentions.

Amherst finished 11-3-1 last year and were ECIC Small School champions.
Amherst Central
2007 Schedule
9-12 at W.S. West ......... 4:30 p.m.
9-14 East Aurora (Kings) 4:30 p.m.
9-17 at Clarence........... 4:45 p.m.
9-19 at Hamburg .......... 4:30 p.m.
9-21 Eden (Stadium)... 4:30 p.m.
9-24 Iroquois (Kings) .. 4:30 p.m.
9-26 at Holland ............ 4:30 p.m.
9-28 OP (Stadium)....... 4:30 p.m.
10-1 Lancaster (Stadium) 5 p.m.
10-3 Starpoint (Kings) 4:30 p.m.
10-4 Pioneer (Kings) ........ 5 p.m.
10-10 at East ................ 4:30 p.m.
10-12 Sweet Home (Stadium) 5 p.m.
10-15 at North .............. 4:45 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com