Girls lacrosse wrap-up
W. S. West leaps from worst to first
Imagine taking a team that finished 0-12 in its league and convincing its players that they’ve got what it takes to win a Section VI title.
West Seneca West co-coach Mark Komosinski pulled it off as the Indians managed the improbable —going from winless to winners. They came from a No. 9 seed to win the Class B crown, the first title in the program’s 10-year history.
“That was one of the most difficult things—to keep morale high,” said Komosinski, whose team finished 8-13 overall. “At times during the season the wheels were falling off the bus, but we kept telling them they could win in playoffs. It was a new season.”
The Indians, the only Class B team in the all-Class A ECIC I, lost all 12 games. They moved down to Class B for the sectionals. As the playoffs began, they took their team motto “Don’t Stop Believing” to heart. They knocked off Sweet Home, No. 1 seed Niagara- Wheatfield, Williamsville East and Hamburg in the final.
Komosinski said the first-round win over Sweet Home had a big effect on the team. “We all kind of believed together we could do it,” he said.
Hamburg came into the finals as the two-time defending champions. History was on its side, but fate was not as West won, 7-5. “It was all the momentum they had,” said Hamburg coach Kaci Nowadly. “We give them credit. They came out, knew what they had to do and we were caught us a little off guard. Those days happen.”
West’s title put it in some pretty fast company as it raised a plaque along with five-time champions Lancaster (Class A) and Amherst (Class C). Lancaster (19-3) had four picks on this year’s All-Western New York team while Amherst (16-2) landed two. The 14th annual squad was chosen by area coaches. Repeat selections in 2009 are: Kaitlin Donahoe of Nichols, Caitlin Formato and Lindsey Morgan of Lancaster and Abbie Gowen of Amherst.
Gowen and Maria Kotas of Lancaster were named All-America honorable mention.
After getting a taste of the state final four last year, it’s understandable that Lancaster was disappointed when it fell one game short of getting back there. The Redskins had big-game experience, talent and confidence, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Fairport, 14-11.
“They won together, they’ve lost together. I think we’re going to miss that experience and leadership and hopefully the kids behind them have learned from them,” said coach Julie Buccieri.
Gowen leaves Amherst as one of its most accomplished players. She holds the school record for points in a career with 455. As a junior she broke the state record for assists in a season with 102.
Coach Janet Battaglia said they needed Gowen to get to the cage more this year and score. She finished with 52 goals. Her role was different last year as the team had plenty of good finishers. “She balanced her effort between scoring and feeding this year,” she said.
Nichols (17-6-1, 6-1) finished third in the Mid West School Girls Lacrosse Association, the best in school history. Wins over Mount St. Mary and Hamburg came when those teams were undefeated. Donahoe ends a memorable senior year having been named first team all-WNY in soccer, basketball and lacrosse.
Around the cages
Gowen joins Jody Battaglia (2007) as the only two girls in Amherst history to surpass 200 career goals. . . . Lancaster finished undefeated in its league for the third straight year. Formato and Morgan have won sectionals in each of their four years as starters. . . . Kayla Minner became the first athlete from Lockport to earn a lacrosse scholarship after she signed with MCAA Division II Mercyhurst. She’s also the first Lady Lion named All-WNY. . . . Jacquie Greco of Nichols is trading her lacrosse stick for a hockey stick and heading off to Syracuse where a full scholarship awaits. Greco was also an All-WNY first-teamer in field hockey. . . . League MVP Liz Rossi led Mount St. Mary to its fifth straight Monsignor Martin Association title. The Thunder has not lost a league game in three seasons. . . . Doug Kohler of Clarence, the program’s founder 15 years ago, was named the Western New York Coach of the Year.
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