Aquinas: 2009 Preview

March 24, 2009 -

Aquinas



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March, 2009 - Aquinas ended their league season second in GRALL with a 4-3 record (13-5 overall). Seeded second in the Class B tournament the Fighting Irish lost to Geneva in the Section Five finals 13-12 and finished as seeded. aquinas Aquinas led by three goals with 1:37 remaining but Geneva scored four goals in the last 1:16, with the winning goal at 0:08, to defeat the Little Irish.

Aquinas graduated eight seniors from their 2008 roster, including Academic All-American Marc Brondon and GRALL Top 16 player Alex Gray in the defense.

Offensively, the Little Irish will look to Austin Gorman in the attack. Gorman led in goals, assists and points for Aquinas last season with 40g-42a. He was also 5th in assists and 13th in points in Section Five last season. Joining Gorman in the attack will be Cameron Corsaro (29g-13a) who was second in points for the Little Irish last year and Klay Heston. Gorman and Corsaro are independently a strong threat; however, together they will pressure their opponent's defensive capabilities.

In the midfield, the Little Irish look to junior Anthony Bianchi, two time GRALL Top 16, as the a leader in the midfield. Joining Bianchi is Mike Messina.

The key defensively will be in the goalie. Kraig Heston returns for his second season after being named GRALL HM and to the Class C All Tournament Team. Heston had a 64% save percentage last season with 266 saves and has signed to play for Binghamton for next season. Heston will also look to two time GRALL HM player Mike Owens in the close defense. Casey Vogl, a midfielder last season, has switched to close defense and is looking to put his AGR football running back skills to use.

Coach Jerry Dawes has scheduled some tough out of league games including Churchville-Chili, St. Francis, Webster Thomas, Geneva, Erie Prep, St. Joseph's, Irondequoit, Brighton and Gates Chili. Aquinas is looking strong to break McQuaid Jesuit's four year streak on GRALL Championships and winning their second title since the formation of the league (Aquinas won the league's championship in the first season).

Top Returning Players:

Kraig Heston - Goal - 12 - GRALL HM, Class B All Tournament Team
Cameron Corsaro - Att - 12 - GRALL HM, Class B All Tournament Team
Mike Owens - Def - 11 - GRALL HM
Anthony Bianchi - Mid - 11 - GRALL Top 16
Austin Gorman - Att - 11 - GRALL Top 16, Class B All Tournament Team
Mike Messina - Mid - 10
Klay Heston - Att - 10