MONROE COUNTRY Division III
BRIGHTON BARONS (Class A1)
Last season: Finish: 6-9-2 and lost to Greece Arcadia, 3-0 in the Class A1 semi-finals.
Coach: Adam Hiller (53-22-8/ six years).
Top returners: Felipe Hanuch (Sr. Midfielder/ four goals and four assists in 2016), Lucas De Medeiros (Sr. GK/ .97 GAA First Team All County), Gabe Barrouclough-Tan (Jr./ three goals, six assists – Second Team All County) and Brady McDermott (Sr. Defender/ four goals/ two assists – Second Team All County).
Top newcomers: Rikki Nord (Jr. Defender), Connor McQuillan (Jr. Midfielder) and Jake Vitale (So. Midfielder).
Next game: At Greece Athena – Tuesday, September 5th (currently 1-1-0).
Outlook: The Barons have a good mix of upperclassmen with some sophomores sprinkled in. Defense should be solid with three returning starters and De Medeiros in the net. Will compete well if they are able to score goals. Brighton’s biggest challenge? Being physical while still being technical.
GREECE ATHENA TROJANS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 14-4-4 and won their third straight Section V title before falling to Grand Island (VI) in the Far West Regional.
Coach: Michael Butler (185-86-26/ fourth season as Greece Athena boys head coach).
Top returners : CJ Takatch (Jr. Attacker/Second Team AGR, Dylan Rice (Fr. Midfielder), Bryan Testa (Senior Defender) and Othman Belhsiene (So. Attacker).
Top newcomer: Yakup Simsek (Jr. Striker).
Next game: Home vs. Brighton, Tuesday September 5th (currently 3-0-0).
Outlook: Greece Athena has a shot at their fourth straight sectional title. Takatch is a premier player but Belhseine, Rice and others give the Trojans plenty of playmakers. If their young defense rises to the level of their offense, Athena will be tough to stop.
VIEW MORE JODI ZUROWSKI PHOTOS HERE.
PITTSFORD-MENDON VIKINGS (Class A1)
Last season: Finished 7-10 lost in the Class A1 quarter-finals to Brockport, 3-0.
Coach: Mark Hurley (186-59-33/15th season).
Top returners: Charles Shi (Sr. Defender/Co-Captain) and Marty Banghart (Sr. Forward/Co-Captain).
Next Game: At Brockport – Tuesday, September 5th (currently 2-0-1).
Outlook: Pittsford-Mendon looks to be in the hunt in Class A1. Peaking in the postseason is the goal.
PITTSFORD SUTHERLAND KNIGHTS (Class A2)
Last season: Finished 5-10-2 and lost to Wayne, 3-2 in overtime in the Class A2 quarterfinals.
Coach: Sean Hopkins (39-25-10/fifth season).
Top returners: John Mozrall (Sr. Midfielder/ eight goals and four assists in 2016 – Two-time First Team All-County Selection), Will Graupman (Sr. Defender), Liam Wilmot (Sr. Striker/ two goals last year), Ryan Morabito (Sr. Defender) and Will Bowen (So. Midfielder).
Top newcomers: Alex Oleyourryk (Sr. Goalkeeper).
Next game: Home vs. Canandaigua – Tuesday, September 5th (currently 1-1-0).
Outlook: Sutherland returns five starters and has 13 seniors in their lineup. That senior leadership and experience will be valuable at sectional time. Their biggest challenge will be to find a way to defend as a team and limit our opponents scoring opportunities.
BROCKPORT BLUE DEVILS (Class A1)
Last season: Lost to eventual Class A1 champion Greece Athena, 3-2 in the semi-finals.
Coach: Chris Zorn
Players to know: Peyton Young (Sr. GK), Zach Wharram (Sr. Attacker), Zachary Langelotti (Sr. Midfielder) and Ben Leach (Sr. Midfielder).
Next Game: Home vs. Pittsford-Mendon – Tuesday, September 5th (currently 3-0).
CANANDAIGUA BRAVES (Class A1)
Last season: Lost to Brighton on penalty kicks in the Class A1 quarter-finals.
Coach: Mark Annesi
Players to know: Sam Burley (Sr. GK) and Dan Herrick (Sr. Midfielder).
Next Game: At Pittsford Sutherland – Tuesday, September 5th (currently 0-1).
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