High School Boys Soccer Preview: Monroe County Division II

Mario Cozzo (7) and the Churchville Chili Saints opened 2017 with a 3-1 win over Penfield. (Photo: Christopher Cecere)

MONROE COUNTY Division II

CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 6-9-3 (4-4-2 in division) and lost to eventual champion Fairport, 5-1 in the Class AA quarter-finals.

Coach: John Mahoney (64-49-13/ninth season)

Top returners: Colby Egan (Jr. Midfielder/Captain two-year starter on varsity, nine career goals and six assists in two years, Second Team All County), Alex Voglewede (Sr. GK/Captain – missed all of last year with Leukemia) and Cam Shuman (Sr. Midfielder/Captain – the engine of C-C’s machine).

Top newcomers: Mario Cozzo (So. Forward who was called up last year for a few games and scored two goals), Connor Starr (Jr. Defender) and Masiah Williams (So.Defensive Midfielder who just wins everything in air and on ground).

Next game: Thursday at Webster Schroeder (currently 1-0 on the season).

Outlook: Churchville-Chili has a young team, but is skilled with a very deep bench. Enduring what the team and senior goalkeeper Alex Voglewede did last year created a bond among the players. The Saints understand that life is short and you never know when you could lose everything you love. So live in the moment, work hard, and have fun every minute you are on the field.

GREECE ARCADIA TITANS (CLASS A1)

Last season: Finished 9-9-1 and lost to Greece Athena in Class A1 finals.

Coach: Matt Vergamini (combined 118-57-15 between Greece Arcadia and Greece Odyssey/14th season).

Top returners: Chris Colilli (Sr. Midfielder – one goal and one assist, Second Team All County), Tyler Lewandowski (Jr. Forward – four goals and seven assists, Second Team All County), Ryan Karker (Jr. Defender – one goal and one assist), Joe Esposito (Sr. GK, 1.45 GAA, seven shut-outs), Carter Englert (Jr. Defender – two goals and two assists), Camden Englert (So. Midfielder – two goals and one assist) and Cooper LaValley (So. Midfielder – one goal).

Top newcomers: Taber Monks (So. Midfielder) and Haris Sefo (Sr. Midfielder).

First game: Thursday, August 31st vs. Pittsford Sutherland in the Pittsford Classic at Thornell Park.

Outlook: The Titans return seven players who started every game last season for an Arcadia team that advanced to a sectional final for the first time in 14 years. Contributions from new players will be the key to this year’s success. Who is going to step up to fill key roles that were vacated by graduating seniors? Midfielder Anthony Cupello (13 goals, seven assists) and defender Rhys Levesque (two goals) were both First Team All-County players while Cupello was also a Third Team All State and a First Team AGR selection.

VIEW MORE CHRIS CECERE PHOTOS HERE.

IRONDEQUOIT EAGLES (Class A1)

Coach: Steve Brickler (ninth Year)

Last year: Lost to eventual champion Greece Athena in the Class A1 quarter-finals.

Top Returners: Mason DeLuca (Sr. Midfielder – three goals, one assist), Jake Fontaine (Sr. Midfielder – one goal and two assists) and Timmy Comanzo, (Sr. Defender).

Top Newcomers: Manny Lopez (Sr. Midfielder), Obed Berhe (Jr. Forward), RJ Beh (Jr. Defender), Josh Brickler (Jr. Defender), Ben DiCesare (Jr. Midfielder), Caleb Felton (Jr. Defender), Nate Halloran (Jr. GK), Carter Mezzio (Jr. Midfielder), Tyler Phillips (Jr. Midfielder), Frank Polito (Jr. Midfielder), Keegan VanKerkhove (Jr. Midfielder) and Michael Walther (Jr. Defender).

Next game: at Spencerport – Tuesday, September 5th (currently 0-2).

Outlook: Irondequoit returns zero starters from last year’s team and only three players overall so inexperienced players will need to get used to varsity speed and physical play right away. The group moving up had one of the program’s best JV seasons in years and could be the fastest group head coach Steve Brickler has had in his nine years. They are physical and like to compete. Can Irondequoit’s young group improve in time for the sectionals?

SPENCERPORT RANGERS (Class A1)

Last season: Finished 6-9-2 and lost to Greece Arcadia, 2-0 in the Class A1 quarter-finals.

Coach: Tom Etsler (235-135-50/23rd year).

Top returners: Ajan Rajamohan (Jr. Defender), Luke Dobles (Sr. GK – Second Team All County), Andre Strezoski (Jr. Midfielder), Justin Hockenberger (Jr. Forward), Josh Reding (Sr. Defender), Cam Barnard (Sr. Midfielder), Evan Clarke (Sr. Forward), Justin Fargnoli (Sr. Defender) and Tyler Doles (Sr. Defender).

Top newcomers: Alex Sigurjonsson (So. Forward), Gino Pellett (So. Midfielder), Greg Ranieri (So. Midfielder) and Vince Ranieri (Fr. Midfielder).

Next game: Thursday August 31st vs. Webster Thomas (Currently 1-0).

Outlook: Spencerport’s roster has a lot of new players. How will they gel with the experienced core? Can the Rangers score consistently?

WEBSTER SCHROEDER WARRIORS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 10-8-1 and lost to Webster Thomas, 2-1 in the Class AA semi-finals.

Coach: Dave Urbanski (118-99-18/ 14th season).

Top returners: Colin Merkey (Jr. Midfielder – scored seven goals and dished out two assists as a sophomore, First Team All County), and Conor Bolin (Sr. Center Midfielder – two assists).

Top newcomers: Alex Ortiz (Jr. Forward) and Ben Conrow (Jr. Midfielder).

Next game: Thursday August 31st vs. Churchville-Chili.

Outlook: Webster Schroeder returns two starters. Their nucleus consists mostly of juniors. That group may lack experience and size, but they understand the game. How well will the Warriors develop over the course of the season?

WEBSTER THOMAS TITANS (Class AA)

Last season: Finished 10-7-2 and lost to eventual NYSPHSAA finalist Fairport in the Class AA finals.

Coach: Steve Grose (16th season).

Top returners: Ben Uetz (Sr. Defender – All-County performer), Kyle Sicke (Sr. Midfielder – All-County performer), Matt Hill (Sr. Midfielder) and Brett Kaemmerlen (Sr. Forward).

Top newcomers: Ilya Yurovsky (Jr. Defender) and Peter VanCamp (Sr. Defender).

Next game: Thursday August 31st at Spencerport (currently 1-0).

Outlook: Webster Thomas returns nine starters from last year’s sectional finalist. They are experienced at sharing the ball and defending. Can they score goals while playing a very difficult schedule. There are no easy games. The veteran players have terrific chemistry and teamwork.