Sacred Heart opens season playing well
Girls soccer
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East Jessica Kowalski, left, boots the ball past Pittsford Mendon's Annie Tutino at the North French Soccer Complex last Saturday. East tied Pittsford Mendon, 1-1. East is 2-0-1 so far this season. Photo by John Rusac Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Sacred Heart coach Kelly Damon said her girls soccer team usually doesn't play any league games before the Tonawanda Tournament because she wants to work out the kinks.

After knocking off the defending two-time Monsignor Martin Association champions, it's safe to say her team is clicking on all cylinders.

The Sharks beat Mt. St. Mary's, 3-2, in double overtime last Wednesday. It was Sacred Heart's first win over Mt. St. Mary's since 2005.

Devon Hornung and Katherine Bougard had unassisted goals in the first half for Sacred Heart but Laura Giunta scored twice for Mt. St. Mary's to tie at 2-2 before halftime.

Alycia Pontello was the hero for the Sharks, scoring on a free kick with five minutes remaining in double overtime.

"For the first game of the season up against the defending champs was a pretty big task but we rose to the occasion," said Damon. "After they tied it up, we fought with them to the end. It's a testament to their character. They were really excited after the game."

Goalie Susan O'Rouke made nine saves for Sacred Heart, which went on to win the Tonawanda Tournament on Saturday at Clint Small Stadium for the second time in three years.

The Sharks beat Tonawanda, 2-0, in the tournament final. Hornung, filling in for an injured O'Rourke, made 15 saves. She recorded 17 stops in the team's 3-0 first round win over Depew on Thursday. Hornung was named tournament MVP. She usually plays in the midfield but played some goalie over the summer.

"As soon as Susan went down, Devon told me she'll play goalie," said Damon. "She's been on the team since she was a freshman so she knows the pace of the game. Plus she played goalie over the summer with sweeper Natalie Coppola so they work well together."

"It's a nice feeling to know that she can go in and play the goal," Damon added. "I feel confident with her back there."

Emily Rodgers (Pontello) opened the scoring early in the second half of the final. Bougard (Sam Arena) made it 2-0 with less than eight minutes remaining.

Rodgers (Ginamarie Mule), Loftus (Bougard) and Pontello (Bougard) scored for the Sharks against Depew.

Coppola, Pontello, Rodgers and Mule were named to the all-tournament team.

Sacred Heart lost 4-0 to Nichols on Monday. They are off until Tuesday, Sept. 18 when they play at Holy Angels.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com