East shut outs recent opponents

Williamsville East showed last week why they are one of the best boys soccer teams in Western New York.

The Flames, ranked second among Western New York large schools, outscored its opposition, 16-0, on route to three more victories. East is 5-1-1 overall, 2-1-1 in ECIC Division II.

East opened the week with a 3-0 non-league road win on Monday, Sept. 10 over Williamsville South.

Simon Park scored his fifth goal of the season on a cross from junior Derek Frost.

"Simon has had several scoring opportunities in the early season and it was good to see him score in the first half," said East coach Ron Schumacher.

Justin Floss also scored on a pass from Brian Cianchetti.

"Floss, playing an outside midfield position, beat the defender," said Schumacher. "As the goalie came out to cut the angle, Justin sent a low corner shot into the net."

The Flames' third goal was scored by Brazilian exchange student Mac Noronha. Justin Floss sent a cross to the middle of the goal area. The goalie and a defender collided and Noronha scored his first goal of the season.

Schumacher said South's sophomore goalie, Steve Crawford, made several outstanding saves on shots by Matt Kweller, Colin Begy, Simon Park and Kevin Castine.

"He kept South in the game and has a great future," said Schumacher.

The East defense played well, allowing only two shots on net.

"They have improved by playing more physical and tighter coverage on their opponents," said Schumacher.

Goalies Brian Wallden and Ryan Dobos shared halves in net for the shutout.

East's week of success continued with an 8-0 blanking over Sweet Home last Wednesday.

"Sweet Home came out playing an intense game and pressured us all over the field," said Schumacher. "Although we controlled the game, there were not many scoring opportunities."

To spark the offense, substitute junior Brian Calisto scored his first and second goals in the game.

"Brian played with intensity and hustled to get to a ball in Sweet Home's end to score," said Schumacher. "A few minutes later, that same hustle allowed him to score again."

An East player was taken down in the penalty area. Begy scored on the penalty kick to give the Flames a three-goal lead in the first half.

Park scored on a pass from defender Rashaun Durden.

"With the wind to our back, the defense pushed up to close space," said Schumacher. "Rashaun set a ball to Simon, who beat the goalie."

Schumacher said except for the center midfield, most of the subs were playing the second half to give them experience.

Begy was able to score two more goals on free kicks. The first went over the defensive wall into the net. The second goal was just inside the post for his third of the game.

Junior Dave Mernan hustled after a ball played to the middle of the field by Manuel Strasser.

"Dave got into a foot race, beat the defender and put the ball into the corner as the keeper came out," said Schumacher.

A new student from Austria, junior Manuel Strasser, playing in his first game, scored on a loose ball around the 13-yard mark.

Of the eight goals scored, half were scored by non-starters.

Dobos and Wallden split halves again for the shutout.

Schumacher said Sweet Home continued to play hard until the end of the game. The Flames closed out the week with 5-0 home win over West Seneca West last Friday.

Begy scored the first goal on a head ball when Jay Winzenreid sent a free kick the middle of the goal area. The timing the run and a well-placed ball off Begy's head to the upper corner of goal was beautiful to watch, said Schumacher. Kevin Castine scored the second goal the first half when defenseman Andy Aderman passed him the ball.

East scored again when the West Seneca West goalie made the initial save on a hard shot and Park scored on the rebound.

Several minutes later, Begy made a good pass to Park, who rifled a shot into the corner. Winzenreid took another dead ball and sent it into the goal area as Cianchetti headed the ball into the net.

Schumacher said he was able to play everyone on the roster in the Sweet Home and West Seneca West games.

"All played well with several non-starters scoring and assisting goals," said Schumacher.

East travels to Lake Shore on Wednesday and a rematch against Hamburg Thursday.

"It is a must win for us to win the Division II title," said Schumacher.