Preseason 2006 - Geneva

GENEVA
March 18,2006 - Geneva placed third in Finger Lakes-1 division last year with a 2-4 record and finished the year at 11-9. Three seniors made the Finger Lakes All League team including attackman Mike Toner, midfielder Matt Warner and defenseman Dutchie Venuti.

Seeded third in the Class B side of the B/C tournament, the Panthers ended in second after beating Brighton in the semi finals (17-6) and losing to HFL in the finals (13-7). Matt Warner was named to the All Tournament team. Geneva received an honorable mention in the final Class B NYS poll.

Geneva lost 13 seniors and a whole lot of the talent at the end of 2005. The defense lost Venuti (Fisher), Jason Edwards (Alfred) and Mike George. Seven midfielders graduated including Warner (Penn State), Carson Poole, Jake Queener, Matt Morabito, Mark Bloom, Paul Modera and Henry Heaton. Gone from the attack are Mike Toner (Penn State) and Chris Toner. Goalie Nick Sharman graduated as well.

Returning are senior defenseman Brian Knecht (committed to Clarkson) along with junior Andy Torruella and seniors Dan Toner and Steve Healy. Newcomer freshman Tyler Travis moves up from JV. In the attack are junior Greg Bonney and senior John Manion as well as sophomore Kyle Boncaro (up from JV). At midfield, junior John Warner returns and sophomore newcomers Willy Rago and Jim Warner move up from JV. Adam Schultz returns in the goal.

Geneva is much leaner this year and the loss of so many talent seniors will make everything a bit more difficult this year for the Panthers. Brian Knecht is an excellent defenseman and John Warner will score goals this season. The roster is full of names that will be familiar to most Finger Lakes fans including Bonney, Toner, Warner and Boncaro. Should these younger players live up to the family traditions, the Panthers can look for an exciting future. Coach LJ Russell has scheduled a couple of challenging games this year including an opener at Henninger and later games against CNS and Corning West. These, combined with some of the tougher opponents in the Finger Lakes, will help the relatively young team grow and prepare for the Class B tournament, where they could be a contender.

Top Returners:

Brian Knecht – 12 – Def
John Warner – 11 – Mid
Andy Torruella - 11 – Def
Dan Toner – 12 – Def
Steve Healy – 12 – Def
Greg Bonney – 11 – Att
John Manion – 12 – Att
Adam Schutz - 11 – Goal

Top New Players:

Kyle Boncaro – 10 – Att
Willy Rago – 10 – Mid
Jim Warner – 10 – Mid
Tyler Travis – 9 - Def