CHURCHVILLE-CHILI SAINTS (Class A1)
Last season: 17-3, lost in Class A finals.
Coach: John Mahoney (93-56-14/10th season).
Top returners: Mario Cozzo (F/MF – First Team All-County, 12 goals and nine assists last season with 17 and 12 in his career), Alex Blondale (Jr. – three goals and four assists in first two Varsity seasons), Gaven Egan (So.).
Top newcomers: Caleb Bailey (F/MF), Noah Donner (C).
Next game: Thursday, September 5th at Webster Thomas (current record 1-1).
Outlook: The Saints lost 16 players from their 2018 Sectional Finalist squad, a team that scored 77 goals throughout the season. However, Coach Mahoney is confident his 2019 roster holds a lot of potential goal scorers. Coming off of a finals loss, will the Saints return with vengeance and make a run?
GATES-CHILI SPARTANS (Class AA)
Last season: 3-10-3, lost to Rush Henrietta in quarterfinals.
Coach: Jim Vanderhoof (10-22/third season).
Top returners: Nick Furino (Sr. D – Second Team All-County), Adam Blackwell (Jr. F – First Team All-County, led team in assists in 2018), Marshall McRae (So. MF).
Top newcomers: Antiqullah Ghulami (So. MF/F).
First game: Thursday, Sept. 5 at Canandaigua.
Outlook: Gates-Chili will debut a brand new turf stadium this season. Coach Vanderhoof believes this stadium will allow the squad “to play the quick attacking brand of soccer that the players are built for.” Can they secure more wins at home this season?
IRONDEQUOIT EAGLES (Class A1)
Last season: 59–4 regular season, lost to Wayne 2-0 in the Class A1 quarterfinals.
Coach: Tom Gillett starts his 26th season in the Irondequoit program (second stint as varsity head coach). He has also served as the JV head coach (three years), Mod A head coach (three years ) and varsity assistant (10 years). Previously served as varsity head coach for 10 years with a record of 74-84-21.
Top returners: Luke Buckley (Sr. MF), Ryan Davis (Sr. MF), Emir Erkenkalken (Sr. F), Luke Melidona (Sr. MF), Nathan Ritchie (Sr. F) and Cole Senecal (Sr D).
Top newcomers: Malik Christensen (Jr. F), Bryan Friedel (Jr. D), Hawk Lindner (Jr. D) and Josh Rudolph (Jr. GK).
First game: Tuesday, September 3rd at Fairport.
Outlook: Irondequoit has a young and relatively inexperienced group, but the Eagles had a good preseason and showed an understanding of the program’s system of play. Irondequoit’s league and crossover matches will present stiff competition. Can the Eagles use that tough schedule as preparation for the postseason?
SPENCERPORT RANGERS (Class A1)
Last season: 14-3-1, lost in the Class A1 semifinals to Brighton.
Coach: Jody Wyant (first season).
Top returners: Jadon Schlierf (Sr. GK), Max La’Rosa (Sr. F).
Top newcomers: Sujan Rajamohan (So. D).
First game: Tuesday, Sept. 3 vs. Greece Athena.
Outlook: Between the Rangers’ highly successful 2018 season and a new head coach stepping in, can they return to the top?
WEBSTER THOMAS TITANS (Class AA)
Last season: 5-11-1, lost to Hilton in the Class AA quarterfinals.
Coach: Steve Grose (171-107-36/18th year).
Top returners: Cameron Webb (Sr. D), Isaac Buckley (Jr. MF), Zach Wolfe (Jr. F), Nick Harrington (Jr. MF)
Next game: Thursday, September 5th vs. Churchville-Chili (current record 0-1).
Outlook: The Titans return eight of last season’s 11 starters, including a strong defense. Will they build on last season’s successes and finish at a higher seed?
CANANDAIGUA BRAVES (Class A1)
Last season: 8-8-1, lost to Pittsford Mendon in the opening round of Class A.
First game: Thursday, September 5th vs. Gates-Chili.
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