New faces surround North boys lacrosse

by PATRICK J. NAGY
Reporter

With 13 seniors at several starting positions gone from last year's team, Williamsville North coach Matt Smart finds himself in an unfamiliar position. However, he's not worried about how his youthful team will respond.

"I have never had to deal with this much turnover but these guys have been in the program for a while and know what is expected of them," said Smart. "As a coach, I need to teach and encourage more and at the same time, be patient through our learning process. I am not worried about this 'young' group. They are hungry to succeed and are the best learners/ listeners I have ever coached."

Almost all of the team's offense graduated but Smart does bring back senior goalie and captain Pat Stasio. Stasio, an All-Western New York honorable mention last year, finished with a 65 percent save percentage.

"He sees the ball and field very well," said Smart. "He will make the outside save every time and surprises the in tight shooters often with his hand speed."

Defensively, the Spartans will be rotating four guys in the starting lineup - juniors Jason Heim, Grant Rickan and Mark Capenhurst and senior captain Bryan Ridall.

"Jason Heim has size, speed, skill and a ton of desire," said Smart. "He will be utilized all over the field. Bryan Ridall knows the game very well and plays a good, physical and positional game. Grant Rickan has all of the tools to become a great defender. His checks, position, knowledge and stick skills will be big part of our success. Mark Capenhurst has the ability to help tremendously. He is a clearing machine, has great field awareness and will mark a lot of the (other) team's top attackmen."

Junior Luke Wolfe is the starting long stick midfielder.

"Luke is an outstanding athlete with a tenacious attitude," said Smart.

Seniors Kurtis Knoble, Joe Greenwald, Nick Hereth and junior Brian Jaszka lead the midfield. Greenwald and Hereth are captains.

"Kurtis Knoble has the speed, stick skills and shot to make a huge impact this year," said Smart. "Joe Greenwald is one of the team's best all-around athletes. He is relentless on offense and defense. Nick Hereth is built like a Mack truck who can run, shoot and distribute the ball to anywhere on the field. Brian Jaszka completes a solid four-way offensive midfield set. He is a wonderful athlete with raw lacrosse skills that will surprise a lot of defenses this year."

North's starting attack - sophomores Craig Petit and Dan Rychlicki and junior Aaron Dindurksi - are young with experience but not at the varsity level, said Smart.

"So far they have worked well together but must take the next step to complete our offensive ability," said Smart. "Each has worked extremely hard in the offseason to prepare for this year."

"Craig Petit has a powerful shot and strong field vision," said Smart. "Dan Rychlicki is a quick and shifty athlete that has the potential to dismantle defenses. Aaron Dinderski is a big athlete with all the tools to be a scoring and feeding threat. Off-ball position will be one of Aaron's strong suits this year and will earn him goals."

Sophomore Rob Golightly will start at the faceoff position.

"He's smart and has the athletic tools to earn us the ball at the 'X'," said Smart.

Smart feels his team is a driven, disciplined and cohesive group of skilled athletes who lack experience.

"We will grow each day and develop into what we want to become," said Smart.

Smart said team goals are to earn a top four playoff spot in Section VI Class A, win North's first sectional title and remain Williamsville Cup champions.

North finished 2007 with an 11-8 record and a loss to Orchard Park in the Section VI Class A semifinals.

North opened 2008 with a 12-1 loss to Amherst last Tuesday. Petit scored the Spartans' lone goal.

"We scored first and controlled our game for the first half," said Smart. "They capitalized on half of our mistakes and we didn't capitalize on any of theirs. We beat them for a quarter and a half. They beat us for three and a half quarters. Nobody will win games with that percentage. We learn, move on and prepare for the (Class) A's. Our guys showed a lot of heart, pride and class and potential."
North 2008 Schedule
4-10 at Hamburg ............... 5 p.m.
4-24 Orchard Park............ 5 p.m.
4-28 South.......................... 5 p.m.
4-30 at W.S. West .............. 5 p.m.
5-2 at Niagara-Wheatfield 5 p.m.
5-5 Clarence ...................... 5 p.m.
5-9 Frontier........................ 5 p.m.
5-10 at Canisius .............. 11 a.m.
5-12 Lockport .................... 5 p.m.
5-14 vs. Penn Yan (Alfred University)
..................................... 5 p.m.
5-15 Jamestown ................ 5 p.m.
5-19 at North Tonawanda 5 p.m.
5-20 East ............................ 5 p.m.
5-23 at W.S. East............... 7 p.m.