Planets to push for 3rd WPIAL crown
How do you beat a pair of WPIAL Class AA boys soccer championships?
Go for three of a kind.
Mars coach Chris Knauff will try to three-peat in 2010, though he'll be doing so with a new cast of characters.
Mars graduated eight starters, including 34-goal scorer Ryan McKenzie and stellar defenders Jack Leslie and Tanner Panza. They are now playing at Pitt, Penn State-Behrend and St. Francis (Pa.), respectively.
"We've still got some talent here," Knauff said. "We're not going to win games by the margins we did last year, but we should be OK."
Senior forward Yulian Lutsiv scored 19 goals last season and Alex Perri returns as a senior midfielder.
"Alex is our best all-around player and we're counting on him to be a little more offensive-minded this year," Knauff said. "A few guys will have to adjust their roles for us to maintain success."
<B>Coach:</B> Troy Mohney, sixth year<B>Last year: </B>7-9-2<B>Key starters lost:</B> C.J. Burger (PSU-Behrend), Corey Werth, Nathan Shook<B>Key starters back: </B>MF-Sean Bernardi (Sr.), D-Roberto DeSilva (Sr.), MF-Ian Eckstein (Sr.), GK-Aaron Voelker (Sr.), GK-Kevin Knechtal (Sr.), F-Adam Suter (Jr.), F-Trey Robinson (Jr.), D-Kyle Boyer (So.)<B>Key newcomers: </B>D-Glenn Brennen (Jr.), D-Dylan Weyand (Jr.), MF-Cody West (Jr.), MF-Sam Cleary (Sr.)<B>Mohney says: </B>"Last year was the first time we've missed the playoffs since I've been here. It was disappointing. ... Our scoring will have to be much more balanced than it's been in recent years."
<B>Coach:</B> Mike Spagnolo, first year<B>Last year:</B> 3-7-1<B>Key starters lost: </B>Mike DeFrancisis, Nick Gentile<B>Key starters returning: </B>MF-Tahlon Kirkland (10 goals, 5 assists, Sr.), D-Garrett Blake (4 goals, 8 assists, Sr.)<B>Key newcomers: </B>F-Dave Hidinger (Jr.), F-Tyler Singer (Sr.), D-Mike Bercik (Jr.), GK-Tyler Luytinsky (Sr.)<B>Spagnolo says:</B> "With Mars, Hampton, Shady Side ... this is like a section of death. To get to .500 and sneak out a playoff spot would be quite an achievement."
<B>Coach:</B> Roy Parker, 11th year<B>Last year: </B>17-2-1, reached District 9 title game<B>Key starters lost:</B> Eric McCue, Nick Lopresti, Tim Johnston, Mike Scott<B>Key starters returning:</B> MF-Ethan McGarvey (16 goals, 17 assists, Sr.), MF-Justin Ryan (7 goals, 12 assists, Jr.), SW-Andrew Johnston (So.), F-Evan McGarvey (So.), F-Kristen Crosbie (Sr.), GK-Derek Sadowski (Jr.)<B>Key newcomers:</B> D-Brady Bandura (Sr.), ST-Austin Murray (So.), D-Matt Slagle (So.), O-MF: Anthony Easley (So.), O-MF-Eric Easley (So.)<B>Parker says:</B> "We should be strong up the middle with a good sweeper, stopper, goalkeeper and two midfielders. We need to replace our top two defenders and outside people."
<B>Coach: </B>Doug Wood, fifth year<B>Last year:</B> 9-8-1, lost in first round of WPIAL playoffs<B>Key starters lost: </B>Kevin Wood (PK at St. Francis), Chris Ludwiczak, Cullen Hinderliter<B>Key starters returning: </B>MF-Nick Pfeiffer (Sr. captain), F-Trevor Gordon (Sr. captain), MF-Kory Wood (9 goals, 10 assists, Jr. captain), F-Klaus Ondrizek (9 goals, 5 assists, Jr.), D-Erik Heinle (Sr.), D-Alex Slomer (So.)<B>Key newcomer: </B>GK-Andy Fritz (So.)<B>Wood says:</B> "We have some younger kids stepping up and things will fall into place after two or three weeks. We'll improve throughout the year and should make the playoffs."
<B>Coach: </B>Chris Knauff, fourth year<B>Last year: </B>22-2, WPIAL Class AA champion<B>Key starters lost:</B> Ryan McKenzie (Pitt), Jack Leslie (PSU-Behrend), Tanner Panza (St. Francis)<B>Key starters returning:</B> F-Yulian Lutsiv (19 goals, Sr.), MF-Alex Perri (Sr.), SW-Josh Brake (Sr.)<B>Key newcomers: </B>MF-Spencer Posey (So.), GK-Garrett Gabriel (Jr.)<B>Knauff says: </B>"We're going to get everybody's best this year, so there is some added pressure that comes with winning a championship. Our scoring will have to spread out more, but we're very capable of having another strong season."
<B>Coach: </B>George Williams, 16th year<B>Last year: </B>9-8-1<B>Key starters lost: </B>Tyler Izenas (PSU-Behrend), Justin McAtee (W.Va. Wesleyan), Drew Williams<B>Key starters returning:</B> B-George DeAugustino (2 goals, 2 assists, Sr. captain), F-Ryan Vilella (10 goals, 5 assists, So.), B-Steven McConahy (Jr. captain), MF-Jeff Hart (Sr. captain), MF-Ryan Mershimer (Sr.), MF-Josh Allman (Jr.), F-Andrew Danylo (Sr.)<B>Key newcomers: </B>B-Ben Hart (Sr,.), MF-Dylan Bilka (Sr.), F-Kyle Findlay (Jr.), MF-Andreas Satschel (So.)<B>Williams says: </B>"We're a well-rounded team with no standout strength in any one area. We need to find the winning formula, stay healthy and get the talent we have to play well together."
<B>Coach: </B>Jordan Wiegand, first year<B>Last year:</B> 18-3-1, District 10 champion<B>Key starters lost: </B>Dan Jeon, Devin Hribal, Chris Dudek, Ethan Bryan<B>Key starters returning: </B>GK-Tyler Little (0.68 GAA, Sr.), SW-Brock Sloan (Jr.), W-Braden Sloan (Jr.)<B>Key newcomers: </B>W-Scott Laboire (Sr.), MF-Cole McCandless (So.), ST-Quay Barnhart (Jr.), MF-Mike Stutz (Jr.)<B>Wiegand said: </B>"We lost a lot of players, but the year before this, we returned only two starters and wound up winning the district in a year we were supposed to be rebuilding. Anything is possible."
