Thomas Looking for a Repeat

March 29, 2022 -

Webster Thomas 2022

Class B - Monroe County League

It is hard to imagine a season much better than the 2021 season for Coach Rob Ruller, who lost only to Victor in May, but who then beat the Blue Devils in the Class B tournament to cap their15-1 season. Their one goal win against Canandaigua for the Championship was among the best games of the year. Coach Ruller was able to coach his son, Ethan, in his senior year and Ethan, a four-year starting goalie, was named MVP of the tournament, Defensive Player of the Year from both SportsFive and the D&C and a USA Lacrosse All-American. That was last year, and according to the coaches' preseason poll, the Titans may end up in the finals again this year.

Ethan (Cornell) was only one of a large group of talented seniors who have moved on including Cade Spencer (20g-9a-Geneseo) Joe Russo (31g-15a-Geneseo), Ryan Prine (12g-15a-Roberts Wesleyan).

Although last year's seniors produced 114 points, they still left almost 200 points that will return this year. A large part of those 200 points came from David Petz, Evan Pashalidis, Nathan Hoban and Chase Gottstein who are all seniors this year.

A three-sport athlete that Coach Ruller calls "an old school competitor", David Petz is an attackman who scored 30g-22a last year while picking up MC-D2 second team honors. "His passion for the hustle plays sets the bar for our attack and our offense," say his coach.

Senior midfielder Nathan Hoban was a first team all-league pick last year after turning in 21g-19a. The Le Moyne bound four-year starter has trained hard for his final season. He is "willing to put in the extra hours to get better. His ability to play many positions and do good things will be a factor throughout". Senior attackman Evan Pashalides (28g-18a) is "a weight room junky" which certainly contributes to "a rocket [shot] from the lefty wing".

LSM/Def senior, Eli Adams is a three-sport athlete and is committed to Fairfield next year. "He's very humble and brings a youthful competitiveness to every practice. Eli is the best. He's such a fun kid to coach. He loves competition and is driven to win at all things." Seton Hill bound defenseman, Thomas Wolford returns to help direct the defense.

Many current seniors are planning to play lacrosse at the next level, including Adams (Fairfield), Chase Gottstein (Mercyhurst), Hoban (Le Moyne), Wil Pieters (Marywood), Ethan Shappee (Cortland), Anthony Shura (Lander), Wolford (Seton Hill), and Steven Zielke (Cortland).

Clearly the goalie position will be a key position to be filled this season. Senior Owen Dalberth will return after getting a little time last year. Also available for goaltending duty is junior goalie Zachary Isaac.

The Titan schedule is full of the potential for great games. MC-D2 games include Penfield, Schroeder, Canandaigua, Brighton, Spencerport, and Victor. Non-divisional games include Fairport, Pittsford, and Hilton. Among the out of league games this year are Clarence, Baldwinsville, and Penn Yan.

Coach Ruller has high expectations for an enjoyable season. "The fact that the level of talent in this area is so great and the quality of the coaching means you have to be prepared each week, it makes for a great season. So many big games are in front of us, and we look forward to growing as a team and competing to the end. I feel blessed to get to work with such a great program. From the parents to the athletes and coaches this program has good things coming."

Head Coach

Rob Ruller 20th year 228-104

Assisted by - Jasson Jobson - Craig Modern - D. Costanza - O. Murij - M. Messina

Some Key Players

Eli Adams (12-LSM/D), Nathan Hoban (12-M), David Petz (12-A), Evan Pashalides (12-A), Thomas Wolford (12-D)

Key Games

Coach Ruller says, "So many big games on the schedule. This league is so tough, and we have added our regular non-league OOC games. We start the season with the Class A Champions from Buffalo in Clarence and then have a veteran Penfield team. So, it starts, and I don't see many easy ones. The best part of Section V is the fact that so many games are big. Obviously, we have a great situation in Webster with our rivalry game vs Schroeder, but we know that the big games in our class B division will be awesome events. We travel to Baldwinsville for a huge mid-season match-up that has turned into a great rivalry. The passion to compete is still there for our program and we look forward to these big games."

See other stories as they are posted: Class A  -  Class B  -  Class C  -  Class D

 

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