South lacrosse poised to make impact
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Senior goalie Mike Quinlan is one of three captains for the Williamsville South boys lacrosse team. Quinlan is a returning Section VI Class B second-team all-star. Photo by Patrick McPartland

After several disappointing years, the Williamsville South boys lacrosse team is ready to make an impact in Section VI Class B.

Billies' coach John Szymendara returns 16 of the team's 26 players from last year's 9-9 team, including 15 seniors.

"This is the class we've been waiting for," said Szymendara. "A lot of the senior class started with modified and (have) been with JV and varsity."

Szymendara feels if his team can play to its ability, they could be a top second level team in Class B.

Knowing that it could be a special season, Szymendara and his coaching staff of James Riedel, Ryan Hanretty and Tony Stephens simplified their coaching style for the players, and so far, it's been working out well.

"The kids have done everything they've asked of us over the past couple of years, but I think we were asking too much of them," said Szymendara. "Now that we've pulled things back, it lets the kids relax and have their own personality."

Szymendara has also moved several players to different positions on the field in an attempt to make them feel more comfortable.

"The kids have responded," said Szymendara. "They're willing to be more vocal. It seems like the pressure is off them and they have loosened up."

The Billies are led by tri-captains Max Muscato, Mike Quinlan and Mike Walter. Muscato moved from midfield to crease attack. Quinlan is a returning captain who is also the team's lone returning Class B all-star (second team).

Quinlan is a true testament of overcoming adversity. As a freshman, he tore an anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. Then in his sophomore year, he shattered his left kneecap.

"In my opinion, he's one of the top six goalies in Western New York," said Szymendara. "He's good at saving bounce shots and blocking shots."

Szymendara said Walter is not the greatest overall athlete but mentally is a very sound player. Walter was called up in the middle of his sophomore year.

"He doesn't get beat often because his positioning is so good," said Szymendara. "He throws good stick checks and stick skills."

Hands down the best player on the South roster and one of the top players in Western New York at long stick midfield is senior Nate Lennert.

Last year, Lennert, nicknamed "nasty" because he's so good, scooped up 123 ground balls, good for third all-time in a season at South. The single-season record is 155 set by 2006 grad Spencer Murray, who, Szymendara said, Lennert is better than. Szymendara said Lennert should break the South career record for ground balls this year.

"He's the best long pole to come through our school," said Szymendara.

Szymendara can't speak enough about Lennert's abilities.

"He has a natural ability to read the ball," said Szymendara. "He's almost a step above the play. He doesn't make a bad pass. He has the most accurate shot on the team and the hardest. He catches everything thrown at him. He doesn't miss a ground ball. If it's on the ground, you know he's going to get it. I can count on my hands the number of penalties he has gotten. We've basically switched our defense to highlight him because he's so good and covers a lot of ground. His elite travel coaches can't speak enough about him. He can step on any level of college lacrosse and play. He's going to be a major loss when he graduates."

Lennert scored three goals last year. Szymendara is hoping Lennert can score 10 goals this spring. Junior Jordan Luce backs up Lennert.

The midfield will feature seniors Aaron Mong, Dave Quinlan, and either Devon Edwards or Gabe Gonzalez on one line and Mong, sophomore Trevor Clark and Dustin Ditallo on another line. Clark averaged two points a game on JV last year. Szymendara said Ditallo is one of the top five coachable kids he's had on the team.

Junior Mike Glieco and senior Zack McClure start at attack.

Senior Anthony Erbacher and junior Andrew Tevins round out the starting defense.

Other players who should contribute are senior midfielder Scott Hourigan and junior defensive midfielders Chris Hauser and Colton Seeberg.

"We're very happy with the core people that we have," said Szymendara. "They've been drooling at the mouth ready to play."

South got its chance on Saturday, beating St. Joe's, 6-3, at Gateway Longview. Szymendara said his team jumped out to a 3-0 lead after the first quarter and never lost their poise.

"We possessed the ball well and moved it a lot better than I anticipated for not getting a chance to scrimmage anybody," said Szymendara. "I think St. Joe's didn't expect us to be moving the ball around as well as we did this early in the season."

Muscato and Dave Quinlan each posted two goals and an assist. Glieco and Mong also each tallied a goal. Szymendara thought Muscato did a great job working the offense from the "X" position and looking for guys cutting to the cage. Goalie Mike Quinlan posted 10 saves.

South scooped up 46 ground balls led by Lennert's seven and five each by Dave Quinlan and Muscato.

Szymendara said the defense, led by Walter, Erbacher and Tevens, did a great job clearing the ball.

South improved to 2-0 after defeating West Seneca West, 7-3, on Monday at West Seneca West.

Other South coaches are John Wodjeski and Drew Caya (modified) and Steven Altieri (JV).
South 2008 Schedule
4-9 at Lancaster ................ 5 p.m.
4-23 Lake Shore (Gateway-Long
iew) ..................................... 5 p.m.
4-25 at Grand Island ........ 5 p.m.
4-28 at North ..................... 5 p.m.
4-29 at W.S. East............... 5 p.m.
5-1 Iroquois................... 7:30 p.m.
5-5 Hamburg................. 7:30 p.m.
5-7 at Amherst .................. 6 p.m.
5-9 Sweet Home ............... 5 p.m.
5-12 at East ....................... 5 p.m.
5-14 Clarence .................... 7 p.m.
5-19 at East Aurora.......... 7 p.m.