Griffin becomes East's all-time scoring leader
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

When Rachel Piemonte became Williamsville East's all-time scoring leader last year, Jenny Griffin thought it would be a cool feat to accomplish. Fast forward a year and a half later and the senior midfielder has passed Piemonte on the school's all-time scoring list.

Griffin scored her 13th goal of the season and 64th of her career in East's 8-0 home win on Friday against Lake Shore. Piemonte netted 63 goals from 2003 to 2006.

Griffin took the ball away from a Lake Shore player 25 yards out, cut it back to her left foot and ripped a shot in the top right corner of the net.

"It was exciting," said Griffin. "I thought coming into the season I had a chance to do it."

"It wasn't a cheap goal," added East coach Chris Durr. "It was a great shot and a goal she will remember... To be the all-time scoring leader and have 75 percent of her goals come from the midfield is impressive."

Griffin also had two assists against Lake Shore, giving her 12 on the season. He said she is four assists away from breaking Piemonte's school record of 64.

"She's had several opportunities to score this year and passed it so others can get involved," said Durr. "She's the best player I've had in my 13 years at East."

"Whenever I'm on the field, I don't even think about taking it to the net myself," said Griffin, who is looking to play soccer at Canisius College, Niagara University, Brockport State College, Fredonia State College or the University at Albany. "I see someone open and my first instinct is to pass it to them and give them the opportunity to score."

East scored on three breakaways in the first half against Lake Shore to lead 3-0 at halftime. Sophomore Kelly McNamara opened the scoring at the 9-minute mark from junior Tara Kiernan and sophomore Katie Griffin. Freshman Becky Fedak made it 2-0 at the 17-minute mark on a through ball from Jordan Kowalski. Sophomore Kayla Acklin tallied at 28 minutes from sophomore Becca Rumschik.

The Lady Flames scored five times in the last 13 minutes of the second half to put away Lake Shore.

McNamara got her second goal of the game two minutes in on a cross from Kiernan. Katie Griffin also assisted. Three minutes later, Kiernan knocked in a Katie Griffin shot that hit the goal post. Jenny Griffin assisted.

Two minutes after that, Kiernan scored her second of the game on a cross from Jenny Griffin. Katie Griffin gave East a 7-0 advantage on a cross from Jenny Griffin that she volleyed into the net.

Junior goalie Josephine Bochiechio made two saves for her tenth shutout of the season.

The Lady Flames opened the week with a 5-0 road win at Sweet Home last Wednesday.

Katie Griffin scored eight minutes in on a rebound off a shot from Acklin. Kiernan also assisted. Fedak knocked in a cross in the far post from sophomore Alex Lima at the 20-minute mark. Senior Kristen Saviola also assisted.

Katie Griffin scored her second goal of the game seven minutes into the second half on a cross from Kiernan and Jessica Kowalski. Jenny Griffin put East ahead 4-0 13 minutes later on an amazing individual effort, said Durr.

"She picked up the ball five yards on our half of the field, dribbled by five of their players and beat the goalie," said Durr.

Acklin closed out the scoring at the 27-minute mark from Rumschik and sophomore Melissa Spada.

Bochiechio made four saves. Bochiechio has given up only three goals all year. East had 13 shots on Sweet Home.

East (12-0-1, 9-0), ranked No. 1 in Western New York, hosted Hamburg on Tuesday, but results were unavailable before The Bee went to press. They play at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday at Williamsville South and at 7 p.m. on Friday at Amherst.

e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com