East soccer exceeding expectations
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville East coach Chris Durr didn't think his girls soccer team would be 4-0-1 through five games, but he's not complaining.

"At this point, I would have been happy with playing well and competing," said Durr. "They've far exceeded my expectations. The kids are playing together and with a lot of confidence. They continue to get better."

East, ranked No. 1 among Western New York large schools, picked up another nonleague win, this time a 1-0 home victory last Saturday over Clarence, the defending Section VI Class AA champion.

East opened the season with nonleague wins over Section V's Wayne, 5-1, and Livonia, 3-0, at the Cohocton Soccer Showcase and tied Section V's Pittsford Mendon at the North French Soccer Complex on Sept. 8.

Senior midfielder Jenny Griffin scored the only goal of the Clarence game 4:07 into the first half. Griffin got a loose ball from 18 yards out, took a couple of dribbles and put the ball into the upper corner of the net.

Durr said Clarence's Katie Lancellotti ripped a shot wide with 30 seconds remaining in regulation.

"Other than that, they probably had four good scoring chances, and we had six or eight," said Durr. "We missed a few crosses and corner kicks that we could have put in."

East goalie Josephine Bochiechio made 11 saves for her third shutout of the year. Durr said Bochiechio made two key first half saves, one on a corner kick; the other on a free kick.

"She's starting to raise the bar with every game that she plays," said Durr. "I'm pleased with not only her game play but her work ethic in practice."

Durr also lauded the defensive play of Morgan Begy, Neha Bakhai, Kristen Saviola and Jordan Kowalski.

East opened league play last Tuesday with a 2-0 win at West Seneca East. Scoreless at halftime, Jessica Kowalski scored 19 minutes into the second half on a cross from Tara Kiernan and Griffin.

"Jenny put a through ball in to Tara, Tara crossed it and Jess scored from 12 yards out on a volley," said Durr.

Three minutes later, sophomore midfielder Kayla Acklin hit a through ball to Kiernan who scored. Bakhai was also credited with an assist.

Bochiechio made four saves. Durr lauded the defensive work of Begy, Bakhai, Saviola and Jordan Kowalski.

"I don't think we came out as focused as we should have been," said Durr. "They need to know every team we play in the league is going to give us their best game. We need to be better prepared mentally and physically for league games."

East hosted Sweet Home on Monday and traveled to Lake Shore and Hamburg on Wednesday and Friday, respectively.

For the season, Griffin leads the team with five goals and three assists. She is followed by Jessica Kowalski (three goals, two assists) and Kiernan (two goals, four assists).

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com