Defense helps Amherst girls lax post victories

The Amherst girls lacrosse team won five games in six days to improve their ECIC Division III record to 9-0 and overall record to 10-4.

The Lady Tigers beat Williamsville East, 16-2, on May 5 at Amherst; Williamsville South, 16-1, on May 6 at Amherst; Nichols, 19-9, last Wednesday at Nichols; and East Aurora, 19-5, on Friday at East Aurora.

"The girls faced a tough week of games and not only came out victorious but as a more confident, composed team," said Amherst coach Janet Battaglia. "It was a big week of growth for the team, as it is happening at a great point in the season."

It was an impressive week for the team, especially on defense.

Amherst assistant coach Kristy Grossman was quick to laud the defense.

"As coaches, we have worked hard to show and teach the girls the importance of team defense, stressing that each member of the defensive unit must work together to shut down the opponent," said Grossman. "This past week, the Amherst defense exhibited their ability to communicate, work together and play as a well-cohesive unit. In each game, the solid unit made intelligent defensive decisions and played aggressive yet disciplined."

Led by senior low defenders Elana Korn, Cydney Kramer and Meagan Hurley, the Amherst defense continually not only stopped but also turned away opposing scoring threats with solid, aggressive and disciplined defensive pressure, said Grossman.

Amherst lacrosse defensive veterans Korn and Hurley combined for an impressive 39 caused turnovers and 34 ground balls. The defense remained poised and composed on goalie clears, initiating Amherst's strong transition game up field, said Grossman.

Amherst's midfield defense, led by junior Erin Edson and sophomore Casey McGuire, used their speed to the team's advantage by playing tight midfield defense, which slowed down the opponent's transition, caused turnovers and allowed Amherst to gather crucial ground balls, said Grossman.

Edson and McGuire combined for 15 ground balls and 17 caused turnovers. Edson also scored two goals.

The last line of defense, goaltender Ellie Poleon, contributed greatly to Amherst's success this past week.

"She continually helped her team to victory with her excellent play between the goal pipes," said Battaglia. "She exhibited great composure on goalie clears, making confident passes that helped her team to safely carry the ball out of the defensive end and transition the ball up the field."

Poleon finished the week with an impressive 31 saves, only allowing 17 goals over the four games.

Amy Simon and Abbie Gowen scored the bulk of the Lady Tigers' goals against Williamsville East and Williamsville South. Simon scored six goals and Abbie Gowen added three goals and seven assists against East, and Simon posted three goals and four assists and Gowen had five goals and two assists versus South.

Against Nichols, Daisy Timlin scored six times and Gowen posted four goals and tied her own state record for most assists in a game with 10. Lily Timlin demonstrated her consistently steady performance with three goals. Poleon made 10 saves.

Against East Aurora, Gowen, Simon and Daisy Timlin combined for 14 goals and Gowen again had 10 assists.

Kristin Scaringi's offensive knack for the net broke a 2-2 tie with three of the next four goals in a four-minute span and then added another before halftime to send the Lady Tigers into halftime with a 10-3 lead.

Poleon made 13 saves.

Lots of Amherst's underclassmen saw time against Eden, led by freshman Sophie Niescuir (three goals, five assists), Kelsey Battaglia, Ashley Zak and Brooke Bullock (two goals each) and Jessica Turpin, Sophia Kim, Lily Timlin and Gowen (goal each).

Amherst played at Iroquois on Tuesday, but the result was unavailable before The Bee went to press. They host Springville at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday and travel to Williamsville East at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday. Amherst closes out the regular season against Hamburg at 6 p.m. on Monday, May 19, at Amherst.