by Warren Kozireski
Women’s Soccer
A great 2012 season that featured the most victories since the 2007 season (15), winning their first SUNYAC regular season title, being nationally ranked during the later stages of the season and head coach Joan Schockow being named SUNYAC Coach of the Year for the fifth time in her career ended bitterly when the Golden Eagles were knocked out of the SUNYAC playoffs in the semi-finals and were snubbed for an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament.
But the team seems to simply reload each year with former understudies moving into regular roles and recruits filling some vacancies, so this year should be no different.
Vanessa GilletteSenior NSCCA Second Team All-Region selection Vanessa Gillette returns after leading the SUNYAC conference in most offensive categories last season with her 21 goals, 47 points and 105 shots. Seniors Katie Gildemeyer and Annie Terilli (Brockport) and sophomore Courtney Szczesniak were among the top six in team scoring last season, so the offensive balance should be intact.
Senior leadership will also be expected from midfielders Brittany Lee and Katie Dykes, with junior Laura Thompson expected to see the bulk of minutes in goal after her 1.01 goals against average over 16 games including 14 starts.
But the key to the season could rest on the back line with sophomores Amy Dotterweich and Brianna Goodwin, the only two returning players who played in at least half the games, barring a position change from another veteran.
Among the many recruits are Liz Wilson, Emily Boehm and Chelsea Stahl via Brockport High.
“Losing the senior class with their ability and leadership will be difficult,” said Schockow. “However we have a very solid nucleus back and a very good set of recruits coming in so I hope we can contend again for the SUNYAC title.”
The Golden Eagles open at the Colonel Classic Labor Day weekend before their home opener September 6 versus St. John Fisher and Nazareth for Breast Cancer Awareness Weekend. A regular season closing trip to Plattsburgh and Potsdam could prove crucial.
Football
Following their first season over .500 since 2008 (6-4) and the departure of 19 year head coach Rocco Salomone, the Golden Eagles begin another chapter under the direction of former offensive coordinator and alumni Jason Mangone and with new field turf and lights that were installed over the summer.
The team averaged over 31 points per game last season and set four school season records for passing, but will need to replace quarterback Joe Scibilia, who leaves with the all-time mark in passing yards among other records.
Junior Scott Fisher is back to compete for the starting quarterback spot, but played in just one game with one pass attempt all of last season. Redshirt sophomore Tyler Stoldt also will be given a shot in what will be the battle to watch in training camp.
Jake SpalikThe good news for whoever wins that spot is they will have plenty of offensive weapons to choose from. Junior running back Tyrone Nichols surpassed the 1,000 yard mark in rushing last season and added 351 yards receiving. Pre-season First Team All-American Jake Spalik and Second Team pick Andrew Mrozek are both back at wide receiver after each exceeding 800 yards and Spalik setting a new school mark with 73 receptions.
The offensive line features USA Football Network pre-season Honorable Mention selections Bruce Doyle, Ben Woolston and Zach Roberts all back for their senior campaigns.
On defense, Hilton grad Colby Morabito joins Spalik on the USA Network First Team All-American squad at cornerback after leading the nation last year with 23 pass defenses. Senior safeties Ross Ragonessi and Anthony Bianchi also will anchor the secondary while Second Team All-American John O’Hagan back after leading the team in tackles one year ago, and sophomore Tarik Bennett returning to a revamped defensive line.
First Team All-State selection Courtland Haines (6’2”, 260 lb.) will compete right away for one of those d-line spots with fellow recruits Chris Jones (240 lb.), Nicholas Ferraiolo and Hilton product Jake Brickler also looking for regular playing time at linebacker. Fellow Cadet Nick Prince also arrives and will try to break into the receiver rotation.
“It’s been a great offseason with the additions of Glen Young, Steve Potter and Dick Diminuco to our (coaching) staff,” Mangone said. “We are very excited to begin a season where the kids are hungry to prove that we belong at the top of the NJAC (New Jersey Athletic Conference).”
Brockport begins the season at home September 7 against Lycoming. The first home game under the lights will be during Homecoming September 28 versus Alfred.
Men’s Soccer
Fourteen newcomers last season had a lot to do with the team falling five wins shy of their 2011 campaign, but that experience should pay off this season.
“”Our expectations are high since we have the majority of our team returning,” said head coach Gary LaPietra. “We are confident that the experience last season will prepare them for a successful season. We have a very young team returning and we’re counting on last year’s freshman class to step up their game.”
Bobby RossFirst Team All-SUNYAC and Third Team NSCCA pick Bobby Ross is back to lead the defense as are fellow senior Ryan Phillips, junior Mike Bernard and sophomore Collin Goettel (Spencerport), who was a Third Team All-SUNYAC member as a freshman. All with sophomore Casey Sullivan in goal, who started 12 of 17 games last season, make for a solid back line.
Seniors Chris O’Gorman and Kevin Nichols anchor the midfield with the top two scorers from last season in juniors Kevin Dorn and Paul Altobelli, who were both Second Team All-SUNYAC after 16 and 12 point seasons, respectively, back for their junior seasons.
With 20 returning players, there is not much room for newcomers, but Gates Chili products Cody Zavaglia and David LaPietra with Marco DeBole will fight for minutes.
After opening the season against RIT and Nazareth in the Doug May Classic and a road game at St. John Fisher, the Golden Eagles home opener is versus Hobart September 7 on the new stadium turf under the lights with the conference season beginning at home on the 27th.
Women’s Tennis
With just one senior and three juniors returning and losing their first and third singles players, the Golden Eagles netters look to improve on their fifth place finish in SUNYAC’s last fall.
Rachel LamontJunior Rachel Lamont played second singles and first doubles last season and Lauren Bohman played fifth singles and third doubles; both will be asked to do more as upperclass leaders.
Sophomore Amy Kurmis had an impressive first season playing second doubles and fourth singles. With a year of college level competition behind her, escalating performance is expected.
“I am expecting another productive season from our women’s team,” said head coach Ben Klempka. “It hurts to lose two of our top players in the line-up, but I am very excited to see what the incoming freshmen can do. Our outcome will also weigh heavily on how much our returning players have done in the off season.”
Recruits expected to contribute right away include Samantha Malak from the Syracuse area, Elizabeth O’Rourke and Brittany Wojtal will be looking for spots on the starting lineup. Tori Pignato will also compete for some time.
After opening at St. John Fisher, the home opener is September 5 against Alfred. The conference lid-lifter is September 7 at home with Fredonia.
Field Hockey
A new turf field to play on, a large recruiting class and losing a four-year starter and All-State player in Kasey Schreiner in goal equals an abundance of questions to be answered as the Golden Eagles opened camp after their 6-8 2012 campaign.
“With the construction of the new turf field, I am expecting a huge change in the speed of the game,” head coach Andrea Zurlo said. “When the game is played on grass the ball moves much slower and there are more fouls called for dangerous play.”
Among the newcomers who will help the adjustment to a faster pace are eight All-Conference, All-County and All-Star recruits including goalie Lindsay Farrell, midfielders Nickole Morgan and Emilee Boddery, sweeper Autumn Swavely, forward Nicole Fazzolari and defenders Kasha Goodberry, Katherine Weyant and Ryenn Sanger.
Gina StephanThey will compete with returners such as senior Second Team All-SUNYAC selection Gina Stephan and junior Alyssa Mills on defense, senior midfielder Jessica Blind and Molly Hurd plus forwards Abby Eschen and senior Madison Buckley, who tied for the team lead with eight points last fall.
“I have a big recruiting class coming in and all are bringing in a variety of talents. I am hoping for the team to adjust quickly and develop as one cohesive team.”
The season begins August 31 at Ithaca with the home opener versus Wells September 18. Their first conference home game isn’t until October 12 hosting Cortland.
Women’s Volleyball
Steve Pike arrives as the new head volleyball coach after the team finished under .500 for each of the last three seasons. Pike previously was at Potsdam, where he led the Bears to 42 wins over the last two seasons.
Jaime SnyderFirst Team All-SUNYAC selections Jaime Snyder and Jessica Senek are back for their junior seasons with Second Team pick Hannalee Fordyce for her senior year.
“All of our returners will be key to creating success on and off the court,” said Pike. “There are ten returning student athletes during pre-season and that should give us a good core to build upon.”
Snyder led the team with 278 digs and was second on the team with 219 kills and 37 service aces. Senek finished second on the team with 37 blocks and registered 130 kills and 20 digs. Fordyce recorded double-digit kills in 15 matches, including five of the last nine, led with 261 kills, was second with 37 service aces and second with 262 digs.
Transfers Brittany Brace, Taylor Ryan, Katie Peters, Jessica Dobson-Tufo, Lauren Hughes and Katie Sullivan arrive with freshmen Amanda Riebel, Kelsey Baker and Sydney Youngberg for what should be quite a competitive camp.
The squad opens the season in late August at the NYU Tournament before the Elmira Tournament and RIT Tournament prior to their home opener against D’Youville September 18. Conference competition opens with SUNYAC pool play at Brockport September 27-28 with Fredonia, Geneseo and Plattsburgh in town.
