2012 Preseason Overview: MC-D3

March 27, 2012 -

  March, 2012 - Monroe County juggled its divisions again in 2012. The new Division 3 is identical to last year's Division 2 with Eastridge added to the mix. Only six players return this season after receiving first team honors in Division 2. TJ Ennis of Eastridge made it seven as he was named to the first team in Division 3. Attackman Matt Kaser (Spencerport) and Matt Martin (Gates-Chili), Midfielder Seth Miller (F/O at Spencerport), Defensemen Shane Endres (Hilton) and Steve Hilsdorf (Gates-Chili) and goalie Tyler Schweikert (Spencerport) made up the six. Although Churchville-Chili has no returning first team players they are still probably the most dangerous team in Division 2.

The top offenses in Division 2 are Churchville-Chili and Spencerport. Although only a sophomore, one of the top attackman in the division is Trevor Hodgins (second team) for Churchville-Chili. He may still need another year to mature, however, he is in route to be one of the top attackman in the Section. In addition his talents in the attack, the Saints have a strong midfield line of Pat Bonafede (HM), Nick Gray (second team) and Nolan Jessop (second team). Spencerport is nearly the same set-up with only the names are changed. Leading their charge is attack star Matt Kaser (junior) and a strong midfield line of Levi Basynnski (second team), Ben Tribunella (second team) and Miller. Hodgins (60 points) and Kaser (59 points) finished 18th and 21th in total points for all of Section Five last season.

Defensively, Churchville-Chili comes up in the top group again but this time with Gates-Chili and Hilton. Churchville-Chili is returning two second team defenseman and two other veteran players. Hilton and Gates-Chili each return a first team defenseman surrounded by new talent. Churchville-Chili will look to Nick Bruno to control the midfield defense (LSM) and Bobby Wheeler to control the close defense. Both received second team honors last year. Seniors Patrick McMahon and Slavic Huley round out the close defense for the Saints. Hilton's Endres and Gates-Chili's Hilsdorf are key defensive players for their respective teams. Endres also has Alex Alvarado (HM) back with him in close defense. Hilsdorf will be joined by LSM Alexander Chefalo (HM) at the midfield. Gates-Chili will also look to rising JV defenseman Alex Saavedra to make a big splash early in the season.

Between the pipes Eastridge returns TJ Ennis (first team in Division 3) and Spencerport returns Tyler Schweikert (first team in Division 2). Both have impressive stats coming into the season and the leadership necessary to keep their teams in the games.

Overall it looks like Churchville-Chili has the talent to make a run at another league title and a run at the Championship at the end of the year. However, there is still a lot of talent in Division 3 and most games will be close throughout the division.