East continues league dominance
Girls soccer
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

The biggest question for ECIC Division II league opponents facing Williamsville East this season is not if they're going to win; it's if they're going to score a goal.

The Lady Flames posted shutouts over Sweet Home, 4-0, Lake Shore, 7-0, and Hamburg, 2-0, last Monday, Wednesday and Friday to remain unbeaten in ECIC II with a 4-0 record. East, 7-0-1 overall, hasn't allowed a goal since tying Section V's Pittsford Mendon on Saturday, Sept. 8.

East junior Josephine Bochiechio didn't have to do much in goal this past week, stopping two shots against Sweet Home, five versus Lake Shore and one against Hamburg.

Senior midfielder Jenny Griffin opened the Lady Flames' scoring against Sweet Home 2:30 into the first half off an assist by senior forward Jessica Kowalski. The score remained that way until 12 minutes into the second half when Kowalski scored from Griffin and sophomore midfielder Kayla Acklin. Two and a half minutes later, Griffin scored on a direct kick from 25 yards out that sailed over the Sweet Home goaltender's head. Tara Kiernan closed out the scoring at the 26-minute mark from Katie Griffin and Kelly McNamara.

East could have led Lake Shore, 4-0, in the first 20 minutes of the game but only scored once, Jessica Kowalski, from Acklin and senior outside defender Kristen Saviola, because of outstanding goaltending, East coach Chris Durr said.

Kiernan made it 2-0 at the 34-minute mark on a pass by sophomore sweeper Morgan Begy.

In the second half, Katie Griffin, McNamara and Lauren Lapoint scored their first career varsity goals.

Six minutes in, Katie Griffin, a sophomore midfielder, scored on an assist from older sister, Jenny, and Kowalski.

"The ball came across seven to eight yards on a cross from Jenny and Katie stuck her foot out in mid air and it deflected into the goal on the near post," said Durr.

Seven minutes later, McNamara scored on an assist by Jenny Griffin. Lapoint scored at the 35-minute mark from sophomore Becca Rumschik and senior forward Alex Lima.

Kowalski, on a free kick from 35 yards out into near post, upper corner, and Lima, from Jenny Griffin, scored at the 14- and 16-minute marks.

East finished with 19 shots on goal.

The only worry for East against Hamburg was that it took longer than usual to score.

The Lady Flames didn't put a goal on the scoreboard until there was four minutes remaining in the first half. Sophomore defender Melissa Spada passed to sophomore midfielder Daniella Galante, who hit a through ball to Katie Griffn. Griffin cut back from 20 yards, moved the ball to her right foot and ripped a shot that went into the upper corner of the net near the post.

"The goalie didn't have a chance to save it because it happened so quickly," said Durr.

Durr said the goal was a big confidence booster going into halftime because his team had dominated the first half.

At the 18-minute mark of the second half, Jenny Griffin scored on a penalty kick.

Durr lauded the defensive work of junior stopper Neha Bakhai, Begy at sweeper, Saviola and Jordan Kowalski at outside defenders as well as reserve outside defenders Spada and sophomore Olivia Quenneville.

"They've been the dominating group so far this season," said Durr. "Not to say that our forwards and midfielders are not playing well but the defense has been outstanding."

East, ranked third in New York State Class A, hosted Williamsville South on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They play at 4:45 p.m., Thursday at Iroquois and host West Seneca East at 4:45 p.m. on Friday.

Jenny Griffin leads the team with eight goals and seven assists. Jessica Kowalski has six goals and four assists followed by Kiernan at four goals and four assists. Durr said nine East players have scored at least one goal and 16 have at least one point.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com