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East boys lacrosse returns majority of roster
Flames' coach Ed Greenway returns 15 players, including four Class B all-stars - senior co-captain and defender Rashaun Durden, junior midfielder/attacker Derek Frost (Class B first team), junior attacker Austin Weil and senior goalie Ryan Sheehan (Class B second team). Durden is a two-year starter who, Greenway said, has the potential to be an All-American. Frost will be one of the team's top faceoff specialists, whom Greenway called the team's "X factor." "He has great vision and a great shot," said Greenway. Weil is a skilled player who is creative with the ball, makes others around him better and rides well, said Greenway. Sheehan is a three-year varsity player and two-year starter who has gotten better at clearing the ball and getting out and starting transition plays, said Greenway. The rest of the team is solid. The strength of the team is at attack led by Weil, returning junior Mike Faltisco and Blake Dougherty, a senior transfer from Salisbury, Md. Dougherty played goalie for a prep hockey team in Salisbury. Juniors Andrew Aderman (JV leading scorer) and a returning Ryan Newell will push Weil, Faltisco and Dougherty, said Greenway. Seniors Justin Barkowski and Jay Winzenried are back in the defensive midfield. "Both are really starting to come into their own as being specialists for the defense," said Greenway. "Jay is a tremendous clearer and is one of the fastest players on the team. Justin is a good, sound, tough defensive player." The offensive midfield is led by Frost, seniors Zach Stubbendeck and co-captain Brad Teal, and sophomore Peter Duggan. Stubbendeck will share faceoff duties with Frost. Duggan is off to a great start, scoring four goals and adding an assist in East's 8-7 double-overtime loss to Lancaster last Wednesday at East. "Peter is a smart, heady and athletic player who is a great finisher," said Greenway. The starting defense is Durden, junior Josh Roetzer and either senior Brian Wallden, Ryan Dobos or Jonathan Gambacorta. Senior Michael Brooks should contribute as a defense long stick midfielder. Greenway hopes experience will be a key for the team. "We have a lot of players who have played three to four years with us who know the course of events that will transpire in front of them," said Greenway. "Now it's putting the right amount of effort in practice and in games. They have to play the game with passion." Besides Weil's five points, Faltisco (goal), Weil (goal, three assists) and Dougherty (assist) also tallied points against Lancaster. Sheehan made 11 saves. Stubbendeck won six of seven faceoffs. Junior Mike Silvestri played tremendous defense and was outstanding on wing play for faceoffs with Stubbendeck. Lancaster's Sean Setlock scored the game-winning goal with 1:32 left in double overtime. "I was pleased with the effort," said Greenway. "I don't think we took care of the ball well. We had a lot of opportunities we didn't finish. They also beat us on ground balls." East (1-1) defeated East Aurora, 6-2, on Monday. They played Lockport on Tuesday but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. East finished 9-9 last year and lost to Amherst in the Section VI Class B quarterfinals. To have success against the top teams in Class B, Greenway said his team has to get a strong effort from every one of his players on the field every second of the game.
Team goals include winning the section title, which they haven't done since 2000, going to the state championships, earning the section's sportsmanship award and reclaiming the Williamsville Cup, which they haven't won in four years. |
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