Field Hockey Player of the Week: Erin Roland

Tonight we kick off our West Herr Field Hockey Player of the Week series where we’ll recognize an athlete who exemplifies great character on and off the field.

This week’s selection was a consensus pick within our staff: Williamsville North’s Erin Roland.

Williamsville North went on a postseason run that took them all the way to the State Finals in 2018. It was Roland, as a junior, who scored the game winning goal against Fairport during the Far-West Regionals to get them to States.

It was also Roland who scored on a stroke in overtime against Sachem East to propel the Spartans into the State Finals.

As Williamsville North continues their Section VI Class A title defense they’re having to do it without nine of their starters from last year.. a graduating class that produced seven collegiate athletes.

As a 3-year captain, Williamsville North Head Coach Jessica Rys has been leaning heavily on Roland for the leadership needed to help this year’s group continue the Spartan culture.

“Erin Roland is a difference maker. As a midfield, she controls the tempo of the game,” explained Rys. “Her skill and hustle are admirable.”

To say Roland has been making a significant difference in 2019 would be an understatement.

Roland began the season with the quickest statistical start of any player in Section VI. She spent the first two weeks atop the leaderboard for both goals scored and assists. After two weeks she had a double-digit lead in total points.

Roland, who is currently averaging 2.66 points per game, is on pace to score 40+ points during the regular season.

If Williamsville North is going to repeat as Section VI Champions in 2019 they’ll need their ace-in-the-hole midfielder to come through.

So far, she has.

On behalf of the entire team at WNY Athletics we’d like to congratulate Erin on being selected as our first West Herr Field Hockey Player of the Week!