North repeats as Lockport tourney champs
Boys soccer

Williamsville North's varsity boys soccer team repeated as Lockport Tournament champions. Members of the team, pictured from left, are: front row - Graham Harris, Travis Lang, Pat McCann, Brendan Walsh, Brian Durfee, Oliver Jackson, Brian Doherty, Matt Campana, Brett Lanham, Eric Bellinger, Andrew Calabrese; back row - Tyler Cominsky, Jimmy Nesper, Andre Marinaccio, Dan Topolski, John Paggione, Daric Will, Sean Durfee, Lucas Barnes, Jeff Ceier and Ryan Donaldson.

After not playing for a week, the Williamsville North boys soccer team picked up where it left off this past weekend, winning the Lockport Tournament.

North defeated St. Francis, 2-1, in the first round on Friday and Lockport, 2-0, in the final. North beat Lockport in last year's tournament final. It was the second straight year the Spartans have won the tournament.

North threatened early against Lockport with a low hard shot by Brian Durfee that was too much for the keeper to handle. Later in the first half, Pat McCann set off on a sneaky "catch me if you can" back door run as Brian Doherty placed a perfect free kick in the air and McCann buried the header to give North a 2-0 lead.

Sean Durfee controlled the tempo of the midfield as Lockport and North battled for a scoreless second half.

The defensive unit of Lucas Barnes, Jimmy Nesper, Travis Lang and Doherty helped goalie Tyler Cominsky earn the shutout.

On Friday, St. Francis got on the board early in the first half, but the Spartans would not be counted out.

The Spartan offense kept attacking and controlled the pace of the game. Midfielders John Piaggione, McCann, Eric Bellinger and Matt Campana kept North in possession most of the game. Andre Marinaccio and Jeff Ceier worked tirelessly as they constantly put pressure on the St. Francis team.

"We had numerous chances to finish, yet just couldn't find the back of the net," said North coach Lee Ferenc.

It took until the last four minutes of the game for Doherty to crash the net from defense and bury a ball in the net to tie the game.

"As we prepared for overtime I had no doubt in my mind we would walk away with a win," said Ferenc. "The whole team was just energized and raring to go."

It didn't take long for the offense to seal the victory as sophomore Oliver Jackson ripped a shot from about 25 to 30 yards out past the goalkeeper, just 45 seconds into overtime.

Piaggione, Cominsky, Brian Durfee, Nesper, Doherty, and Sean Durfee were named to the all-tournament team.

North (3-0) starts league play this week on Wednesday against Lancaster and Friday at Jamestown.