North boys soccer continues success in ECIC I

Williamsville North's varsity boys soccer team entered last week ranked first in Western New York large schools, fifth in New York State and eleventh in the region. Yet, the Spartans would have to face two tough divisional opponents to remain undefeated.

North shut out Orchard Park, 6-0, on Tuesday, Oct. 2 and defeated Lancaster, 7-1, last Thursday.

The first half of the Orchard Park game was a tight matchup as OP rung a few shots off the post and crossbar. Brian Durfee got the scoring started for North by ripping a left-footed rocket past the goal keeper.

"I told Brian at halftime if he continued to shoot with that amount of power he might break the goalie's hand," said North coach Lee Ferenc.

Ferenc said his team came out in the second half determined to put Orchard Park away and tallied five goals in the second half. Sean Durfee had two goals and Matt Campana and Dan Topolski each had single tallies. In addition, Jeff Ceier scored on what Ferenc called "a heck of rip" that dipped over the keeper's head and into the net.

Goalie Tyler Cominsky earned his eighth shutout on the season.

"The depth of the overall team came through, even with all the shifting of positions the Spartans kept producing," said Ferenc.

Going into the Lancaster game, North had not given up a goal on its home field and had the ability to control its own destiny for the division championship.

North opened the scoring early as Topolski deflected a cross into the net that froze the keeper. Topolski would end up with a natural hat trick on the day and take over as the team's leading goal scorer. Daric Will and John Piaggione also added to their scoring tallies for the year by outworking the Lancaster netminder.

Ryan Donaldson would score off a beautifully executed corner as he headed the ball into the back of the net to get his first goal of the season. Andre Marinaccio was taken down in the penalty box and buried a penalty shot.

"It was total domination over Lancaster as we never missed a beat," said Ferenc.

Ferenc said he loves the versatility of the team and the hunger to play.

"No matter who is on the field we just keep progressing as a team," said Ferenc. "Whoever is off the field is always itching to get in."

"The 'family approach' we have taken on this year is so evident," Ferenc added. "We all encourage and look out for each other not only on the field but in life in general."

North (11-0-1, 8-0-1) enters by far its toughest week of the season. They took on Wiliamsville East, ranked fourth in the state, on Tuesday at home and play for the divisional championship on Wednesday at Frontier. In addition, North will travel out to Section V to play against Aquinas Institute, last year's Class A state champion.