Team concept preached at North girls lacrosse
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Williamsville North's Caitlin Butler attempts to pass through the Sweet Home defense during the Spartans' convincing 17-8 win last Thursday at Sweet Home. Butler played attack last year and was third on the team with 29 goals. Photo by Patrick McPartland

Working as a team is a goal of the Williamsville North girls lacrosse team and with a ton of returning players, could be the key for the Lady Spartans' success this spring.

North coach Erin Minnuto returns the bulk of last year's 9-11 squad which includes six of the 13 returning juniors. The team also has four seniors, two sophomores and a freshman.

"We had a young team last year and the girls have used that year to improve their individual play as well as start to connect on the field," said North coach Erin Minnuto. "They have two years together (this and next year) to really work with one another and fine tune their offense and defense."

Minnuto does not have a starting lineup as of press time but did mention several players who will start or see playing time. They include seniors Kelsey Mulvihill and Nicole Lewis and juniors Maddi Genovese, Caitlin Butler, Leigh Schreiner, Kaitlin Kubala and Jess Czmara.

Mulvihill, who can play at attack or attack wing, is the team's top returning goal scorer. Last year, she was second on the team with 32 goals and an ECIC Division I second-team all-star.

"She was one of our leading scorers last year and will continue to be a main part of our offense," said Minnuto.

Lewis plays in the midfield and tends net. Lewis will tend net with junior Morgan King.

"I am excited to see Nicole play this year," said Minnuto. "Nicole has always been a field player for lacrosse but played goalie for field hockey. She has been very successful as a goalie (in field hockey) and I hope she has the same success this year playing goal for us."

Genovese, who scored seven goals last year, can play attack or midfield.

"Maddi will be playing on offense and defense," said Minnuto. "She is a player that knows where and when to be at all times on the field."

Mulvihill, Lewis and Genovese are tri-captains.

"They all are team leaders and will contribute on offense and defense," said Minnuto.

Butler played attack last year and was third on the team with 29 goals. Minnuto is expecting her to be an integral part of the North offense.

Schreiner can play attack, midfield or defense if needed.

"She is a very good player and I am hoping for great things from her," said Minnuto.

Kubala and Czamara each return at defense. Minnuto said both did well last year as sophomores and have only gotten better.

New to the team are freshman Allie Ahern and sophomore Holly Flanigan. Ahern played JV as an eighth-grader where she saw success, said Minnuto.

"She definitely can play with the older girls and will see playing time on attack and in the midfield," said Minnuto. "She will be one to watch."

Flanigan, a defender also up from JV, has great field sense, said Minnuto.

"She will be a dominant player on defense this year for us," said Minnuto. "I think she will be very successful."

It doesn't appear North has many weaknesses.

"We have a lot of depth at (offensive) positions," said Minnuto. "These girls have been playing in the offseason and have developed as players but have really started to work as a team. Our defense will be solid. We have some players that have come up from JV that will help us a great deal. They have great awareness on the field and work well together. We also have Morgan King and Nicole Lewis in goal this year. I am very confident in their abilities."

Minnuto sees Orchard Park, Lancaster and Clarence as favorites in ECIC I but does not see her team as a pushover.

"I think they are going to surprise some teams," said Minnuto. "They have been playing together throughout the year, and with the help of some of the new players, will be very successful this season."

North opened the season with a 17-8 road win last Thursday at Sweet Home. Butler almost outscored Sweet Home herself with six goals and two assists. Allie Ahern added two goals and three assists. Genovese chipped in two goals and four assists. Leigh Schreiner scored twice, Mulvihill tallied two goals and one assist, senior Kaila Raybuck and Lewis each had one goal. Lewis also tended net at one point and had a 60 percent save percentage.

"The girls played very well on both offense and defense," said Minnuto. "They were able to transition the ball down the field well to set up the offense."

North played at Orchard Park on Monday. They host Frontier at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.
North 2008 schedule
4-9 Frontier........................ 5 p.m.
4-22 at Lockport ............... 5 p.m.
4-24 at Lancaster ......... 4:45 p.m.
4-26 at Clarence.............. 10 a.m.
4-28 East ....................... 4:30 p.m.
4-30 North Tonawanda 4:30 p.m.
5-2 Orchard Park......... 4:30 p.m.
5-5 at South .................. 4:30 p.m.
5-7 Lockport ...................... 5 p.m.
5-8 at Frontier................... 5 p.m.
5-9 Lancaster................ 4:45 p.m.
5-12 Clarence ............... 4:45 p.m.
5-15 at North Tonawanda 4:45 p.m.