Penfield
17-2 3 2

 March, 2009 - Penfield ended their league season first in Monroe County Division I with a 9-1 record (15-1 overall). Seeded third in the Class A tournament the Patriots defeated sixth seeded Schroeder 6-5 in overtime in the quarterfinals, but then lost to second seeded Irondequoit in the semifinals to finish as seeded.

Penfield graduated 14 players from the 2008 roster including five 1st team All County players and an All American attackman. Connor Rice (Salisbury School to Marist College) will be hard to replace in the attack. Additionally, Academic All American Kevin Randall (Notre Dame) will be difficult to replace. Also continuing to play in college are Kyle Denhoff (St. John Fisher), Alex Nowak (Canisius) and Alex Smith (St. Lawrence).

Offensively, the Patriots will look to two time Empire State Games player Kyle Van Thof for leadership and offensive ability. Van Thof(42g-42a) led in assists and tied in points for Penfield last season. Van Thof was tied for fifth in assists and tied for eleventh in points in all of Section Five last season. He is the only returning 1st team pick for Penfield. However, the 4th, 5th, 6th, 8th and 9th leading points scorers also return for the Patriots: James Dwyer (26g-12a), Tucker Nelson (31g-5a), Gian Maggio (26g-4a), Kevin Westcott (9g-2a) and Tyler Zweifel (7g). Coach John Schembri notes, "Nelson will lead the attack with returners Maggio and Malloy."

Defensively, senior Brady Del Pozzo returns between the pipes. Last year Del Pozzo finished with 111 saves (56%). Defensive midfielders are the strong part of the Patriot defense with short sticks Mike Vacanti and Kevin Walders and long stick Shane Cleveland returning. However, the close defense will need rebuilding with the graduation of Nowak, Rob Solomon, Jon Wheaton and Randall. Coach Schembri writes, "we will rebuild the close defense with junior Mike Catanzaro and seniors Alex Sitton and Gary Schrieb."

Coach Schembri has scheduled out of league games against Loyola, Binghamton, West Seneca East and Orchard Park. These games should help prepare the Patriots for the post-season tournament.

Top Returning Players:

Brady Del Pozzo - Goal - 12 - MC-1 HM
Gian Maggio - Att - 12 - MC-1 HM
James Dwyer - Mid - 12 - MC-1 2nd
Shane Cleveland - Def - MC-1 HM
Kyle Van Thof - Mid - 12 - MC-1 1st
Mike Vacanti - Mid - 12 - MC-1 HM
Kevin Westcott -Mid - 12 - MC-1 HM
Tucker Nelson - Att - 11 - MC-1 2nd

Top New Players:

None Listed

Updated:3/24/2009