Many new faces on South hockey
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Dustin Ditallio, right, is a four-year varsity player who brings leadership to the Williamsville South defense. Also pictured is Clarence's Adam Stover. South lost to Clarence, 2-1, last Thursday on the Amherst Pepsi Center Olympic Rink. Photo by Joe Eberle Purchase color photos at www.BeeNews.com

Williamsville South coach Sean Green has never been in a situation like this before.

Green lost 15 players off of last year's team, including forward Greg Reed (graduated) and goalie Thomas Tysowsky (playing at prep school in Boston), both division all-stars.

Green has replaced the 15 with nine youngsters from JV. Combine that with the returning players and Green is fielding a team of 22, his smallest roster ever. There are only four seniors.

"We kept the smaller numbers because we're so young," said Green. "The kids will get more reps in practice."

"They're great kids," he continued. "They're easy to coach and are hard workers."

At forward, Green returns juniors Jon Sherman and Austin White and sophomore Leo Schulz. Each has been with the team for two to three years. Senior Dustin Ditallio, a four-year varsity player, and sophomore Trevor Clark, who got a lot of ice time as a freshman, should lead the defense.

In between the pipes, Green brings back senior Brian D'Angelo and junior Matt Green. Coach Green feels both have played well early in the season.

"If one falters or gets hot, one will get more ice time," said coach Green.

Other returning players include junior defenders Shawn Jordan and Mike Anders, junior forwards Garin Smith and Derek Caputi and senior forward Adam Baker.

Coach Green is looking for good play from freshman and sophomore forwards, Justin Dipasquale and Daren Powers, respectively. Dipasquale is new to the team; Powers returns after taking last year off.

Coach Green has not chosen captains yet but said many on the roster were captains on their "AAA" youth hockey teams.

Coach Green feels his team has to outwork other teams and play well in practice to compete with other teams in the Section VI Western New York Varsity Hockey Federation.

"If they do those things on a consistent basis, and get strong goaltending, I think we'll be competitive in many games," he said.

South finished last year 3-11-2 in league play. Its season ended last year with a 2-1 loss to Lancaster in the first round of the Federation playoffs.

The Billies opened its season 0-4. (see other story for results)
South 2007 Schedule
12-7 Niagara Falls (Niagara University's
Dwyer Arena).... 9 p.m.
12-8 Bishop Timon-St. Jude (Feature)
.................................... 3 p.m.
12-14 South Tournament vs.
Glens Falls (Feature)....... 9 p.m.
12-15 South Tournament vs.
Clarence (Feature)........... 3 p.m.
12-20 East (Feature) ........ 7 p.m.
12-22 Amherst (Olympic) 3 p.m.
12-23 Ken. East (Buffalo State
College) .............................. 3 p.m.
12-27 Niagara Falls (Olympic) 9
p.m.
12-29 Ken. West (Niagara University's
Dwyer Arena) ......... 6 p.m.
12-30 Ken. East (Buffalo State
College) .............................. 1 p.m.
1-5 Sweet Home (Feature) ...... 1
p.m.
1-9 St. Francis (Olympic) 7 p.m.
1-10 Bishop Timon-St. Jude
(Olympic) ........................... 7 p.m.
1-11 McQuaid (Skaneateles) 5:30
p.m.
1-12 Skaneateles or Canandaigua

Skaneateles) ...................................... TBA
1-26 North (Feature)....................... 1 p.m.
2-2 Sweet Home (Olympic) .............. 3 p.m.
2-6 East (Olympic) .......................... 7 p.m.
2-9 St. Francis (Olympic)............... 3 p.m.
* All games are played at the Amherst
Pepsi Center's Feature, Olympic unless
otherwise noted.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com