CANANDAIGUA
March 18,2006 - Like Old Mother Hubbard’s cupboard, it looks like there is not much left in Canandaigua after graduation, but the Braves have a great developmental program and they seem to attract some of the best athletes in the district to play lacrosse. After 26 years, Coach John Johnson is gone (to St. John Fisher College) and long time assistant, Ed Mulheron is the new Head Coach. During his career, Johnson compiled a career record of 357-149, while leading the Braves to 13 Finger Lakes League titles, six Section V titles and four Western New York Regional Championships.

Although the new coach will have his own ideas about running the team, one would expect that most things that made Canandaigua one of the most successful teams in Section Five, will continue.

The Braves lost 17 seniors to graduation (53% of the team), including All American and “Offensive Player of the Year”, Dan Groot (Maryland) and Academic All American Chris Mulheron (Binghamton). Gone are middie, Tyler Emery (Lehigh) and attackman, Aaron Manzer (Mercyhurst). Lost in the defense were first team all-league players, Ryan Cunningham (Loyola) and Mike Serron (MCC) and the rest of the starters with Jay Woodworth (Ithaca) and Ed Walsh (Oswego). The midfield was also hit hard with the additional loss of Albert Gianforti (Franklin & Marshall) and Nick Boylan (Alfred) and a host of others including Todd Anthony and Brian Hadsell (Keuka College). The attack saw the graduation of Kyle Wakefield and Jeremy Nemecek.

Finishing the season at 19-2, the Braves lost only to Baldwinsville (13-8) during the regular season and in the final game of the year against Orchard Park (14-10) in the State quarter finals. As predicted, the Class A finals were once again between Canandaigua and Penfield and the Braves won again. They finished 9th in the final NYS poll and 47th in the Laxpower national poll.

The undefeated winner of the Finger Lakes division 1, Canandaigua placed 2nd in Section Five offense (256 goals scored / 12.19 average) and 3rd in defense (107 goals against / 5.10 average). Seeded 2nd in the Class A tournament the Braves beat Thomas (15-7) and then Fairport (9-5) before winning the championship against Penfield (12-10) in an exciting game at Aquinas.

Seven players received first team all league recognition. In the attack it was Mulheron and Manzer. At midfield it was Groot and Emery and in defense, Serron and Cunningham. Dan Serafine was a first team all league goalie. Dan Groot was named All American, Chris Mulheron was named Academic All American and Coach Johnson was named “Coach of the Year”.

Junior goalie, Dan Serafine, who will attend Binghamton next year, was named to the Class A All Tournament team for the second year in a row as was Dan Groot (MVP) and Chris Mulheron. Also making the list were Ed Walsh in defense and Tyler Emery in midfield.

The Braves should do well in the Finger Lakes, but don’t expect the normal excitement in the CA / Penn Yan games this year. Coach Mulheron will also have his hands full with an 18 game schedule and out of league games with Baldwinsville, Fairport, Irondequoit and Hamburg.

Sarafine will return to the goal, but with a new defense. Juniors, Jeremy Brown (attack) and AJ Groot (midfield) return with seniors Chris McWilliams, Eric Klein and Justin Buck in midfield.

Top Returners:

Dan Serafine – 12 - goal
Jeremy Brown – 11 - att
Eric Klein - 12 - att
A.J. Groot - 11 - mid
Chris McWilliams – 12 - mid
Charlie Sauter – 11 - mid
James Regan - 12- mid
Matt Malloy - 12 - def
Alan Zulick - 12 - def

Top New Players:

Jordan Manzer – 11 – att
Justin Tomzak – 10 – att
Connor Henderson – 10 att
Austin Rogers – 10 - mid
Nick Munn – 10 – mid
Andrew Knoblauch – 10 – mid
Ben Knapton – 10 - def
Evan Roth – 10 – def
Jon Zacharias– 11 – def