McQuaid Jesuit: 2009 Preview

March 24, 2009 -

McQuaid Jesuit



15-5	8	12

March, 2009 - McQuaid Jesuit ended their league season first in GRALL with a 6-1 record (14-4 overall). Seeded fourth in the Class A tournament, the Knights lost to fifth seeded Webster Thomas in the second round. McQuaid Jesuit extended their GRALL Championship winning streak to four last season (tied in 2005). The Knights have won or shared 1the title every year except the inaugural year when Aquinas won.

McQuaid Jesuit graduated 13 seniors from their 2008 roster, including two time GRALL Player of the Year Mitch Ritchie. Ritchie (LeMoyne) was a major player on offense for the Knights, leading in goals, assists, and points. Ritchie was also 3rd in goals and 4th in points in Section Five in 2008, as well as, 1st in goals and tied for 1st in points in 2007. Ritchie will be difficult to replace but McQuaid Jesuit also graduated four other GRALL Top 16 players.

Offensively, the Knights may have difficulty. Eric Wright, their top returning scorer, was 5th on the team last season with 11g-9a. Juniors, Nick Wolak (7-6) and John Jenkins (4-2) were 7th and 9th respectively. The Knights will have to look for players to step up this season with Ritchie's absence. Coach Paul Jordan says, "The real question for 2009 - will the young players step up and contribute?"

Defensively, the Knights have some strong players returning. Walter Rodenhouse (close defense) and Tim Caton (LSM) were both selected to GRALL Top 16 honors. Caton, the third brother to play for McQuaid Jesuit, looks to share some of his elder brother's success as Alex Caton was named GRALL Player of the Year in 2006 for LSM. Rodenhouse has signed to play at Mercyhurst next season. The Knights will have to break in a new goalie with the loss of both Dan Caufield (Plattsburg) and backup goalie Harry Goluses who transferred to Pittsford.

Joining the Knights staff this season is Assistant Coach Dan James. James, an All-American from Mercyhurst College, was a key player for the Lakers in face-offs from 2002-2005. He holds multiple records at Mercyhurst with a 69% winning percentage over all four years.

In addition to challenging GRALL schedule, McQuaid Jesuit has scheduled an exceedingly difficult out of league schedule with games against Irondequoit, Canandaigua, Geneva and Webster Thomas all of whom are in the running for their respective Section Five Titles.

Top Returning Players:

Walter Rodenhouse - Def - 12 - GRALL Top 16
Tim Caton - LSM - 11 - GRALL Top 16
Eric Wright - Mid - 12
Nick Wolak Mid - 11
John Jenkins - DMid - 11