Youthful South improving
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

After dropping its first two games, Williamsville South has been on a mini-roll.

The Lady Billies have won two out of three games to improve its record to 2-2 in ECIC Division II, 2-3 overall.

South's latest win was a thrilling 1-0 double overtime victory at West Seneca East last Wednesday.

"It was nice to get a win on the road," said South coach Kevin McNamara.

Junior forward Emily Novak scored with five minutes left in double OT after a scramble in front of the box.

South goalie Erin Ballou made eight saves.

Earlier in the week, South almost came back to defeat Iroquois in a home game on Sept. 17, but lost 3-2.

Iroquois scored twice in the first 20 minutes before Novak scored in the first half from sophomore striker Sarah Marcus and senior attacker/midfielder Lisa Stachura tied it up on a direct kick from outside the 18-yard line with ten minutes to play in the second half. McNamara said his team outplayed Iroquois for the rest of the game; however, the Lady Chiefs scored the game-winning goal.

"We really started playing better and controlling play," said McNamara.

South's first win of the season was a 4-0 decision over Sweet Home on Friday, Sept. 14.

Marcus scored twice with assists by freshman outside/defensive midfielder Pam Guerrero and Stachura. Novak, from Ellie Falletta, and a direct kick by junior defender Alex Ciolko, were the team's other goal scorers.

South opened the season on Friday, Sept. 7 with a 4-0 non-league loss at Williamsville North and a 3-1 loss at Hamburg on Tuesday, Sept. 11. Megan Couche scored for South, assisted by Novak.

McNamara said a team strength he's seen in games has been the ability to share the ball.

"If we share the ball, we're a better team," said McNamara. "The players know it too."

McNamara said everyone on the team is contributing. He also lauded the play of junior central defender Brianna Zangaro and senior defender Carrie Connolly.

South played at Williamsville East on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They host Lake Shore at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday and Hamburg at 9 a.m. on Saturday.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com