Preseason Report: HFL, Victor and Brighton

March 23, 2005 - HONEOYE FALLS-LIMA

In their first Varsity year, HF-L took top honors in the Monroe County-2 league with a 10-0 league record (12-4 over all).

After receiving permission to move up from Class C to Class B, the Cougars were seeded first in the Class B Tournament but were defeated (15-11) by Brighton in the semi finals.

Although young and inexperienced in their first Varsity year, the Cougars finished the year second in offense in Section Five with 191 goals scored (11.4 average) and sixth in defense with a 7.25 average.

HF-L lost only five players to graduation, including Erich Dehm (Geneseo) who was named to the All Tournament as well as all league teams, and defensemen Kade O'Brien and Kyle Beck who were also all league selections.

Goalie Mike Brisbane is a senior this year and senior Ryan Mulcahey and junior Dusty Mulcahey are back in the defense this year. Juniors Connor Burgasser and Bryan Zavitz return as defensive midfielders.

The Cougar's strength will be in on the offensive side of the field this year with seniors Jeff Price, and Mike Cintineo back in attack and seniors John Cintineo, David Uzialko and Dan Layfield back in the midfield.

There is every indication the HFL will win many games this year and will score many goals against the MC-2 teams in their division. As a result of the 16 game maximum imposed by the Monroe County league, HF-L may see it's toughest competition against Brighton, Pittsford and Schroeder which will make it more difficult to prepare for tournament time.
      

VICTOR

Victor tied with Penn Yan for the number two spot in the Finger Lakes-1 league with a 5-3 record (11-8 overall).

Seeded 3rd in the Class B Tournament, the Blue Devils played tough games, winning 11-10 over Eastridge and the 10-9 over Aquinas before losing to Brighton in a 6-5 overtime championship game.

Victor's efforts resulted in All Tournament Team honors for senior attackman Chris Potter, senior midfielder Ben Cerza, senior defenseman Mike Pupparo and senior goalie Andy Bowerman who was also named to the Finger Lakes 1st team All league list.

Victor saw nine seniors at graduation including Bowerman (Herkimer), Potter, Cerza and Pupparo along with three other defensemen.

Victor will most certainly feel the loss of Bowerman in the goal and the loss of players like Cerza, Potter and Pupparo will also hurt. The Blue Devil defense last year held their opponent to just over 7 goals per game. Coach Foeder will look to junior Pat Sullivan to organize a fast group of younger defenseman. Senior Kyle Sullivan returns in midfield and Cory Benulis returns to the attack. Four newcomer sophomores have been added to the roster and will be looking for time; Jason Houtenbrink and Eric Willman at midfield, Time Gallahan at defense and Tyler Tomani the goal.
   

BRIGHTON

Brighton won it's first Section Five Championship in 2004 after taking the number 2 spot (along with Thomas) in the Monroe County-2 league with a 7-3 record (12-8 over all).

The Barons entered the Class B tournament seeded 4th and won their quarter final game against Newark, 14-13. In the semi final contest, Brighton beat the top seed from HF-L, 15-11. In the finals it was a goal by MVP and junior attackman, Mike Ryerson that gave Brighton their first Section Five Class B Championship, 6-5.

Joining Ryerson on the All Tournament team were junior attackmen James Ryan and Zach Davis, sophomore midfielder, Robbie Asselin and senior defenseman Tom Fannon. Ryan, Ryerson and senior defenseman Todd Maurer were named to the Monroe County-2 all league team.

The Barons lost ten seniors in 2004 included Davis (FLCC), Fannon, defenseman Jon Hill, midfielder Spencer Durlan and goalie Ben Baker.

Almost half the team was lost to graduation, but Mike Ryerson, James Ryan, Robbie Asselin and Tom Fannon form a strong returning nucleus for the Barons. In fact, a total of six starters return for the 2005 season and Brighton's position in MC-2 will assure an ample number of wins against some of the newer teams in the Section.