Pittsford Mendon girls soccer head coach Eric Pritchard is optimistic about his team’s chances to compete in Monroe County Division III. The third-year head coach isn’t alone.
Excitement is growing at Brighton and Pittsford Sutherland, as the Barons and Knights return several players off of last year’s teams. All three teams could be battling it out for a division title by the end of the season.
The Vikings feature experience all over their roster particularly on defense (goalkeeper Kim Forgue and midfielder Sarah Hansen). The Knights return 18 players off of last year’s team, but the Barons might be the biggest wild card because of their mix of youth and experience.
Honeoye Falls-Lima will try to return to the Class A finals after falling short against Greece Arcadia last year. Mercy could have a strong year thanks to the return of goalie Theresa Clancy and midfielder Korinne Thorne.
Brighton
Coach: Dale VanVechten (Fifth year as head coach)
Last year: 6-9-1 (Lost to Mercy in the first round of the Class A tournament)
Top returning players: Hannah Kittrell (Senior, defender); Micah Joseph (Senior, forward); Patty Banahene (Senior, midfielder); Hannah Calvelli (Junior, midfielder); Anna Thornton (Junior, midfielder); Emma Case (midfielder); Emily Eichner (Junior, goalkeeper); Emma Diehl (Sophomore, midfielder)
Top newcomers: Kateri Boucher (Sophomore, midfielder); Hannah Buschner (Freshman, midfielder); Nadine Buschner (Sophomore, midfielder); Carrie Leyens (Sophomore, defender); Hannah Wadsworth (Eighth grade, forward).
Coach’s thoughts: “We have an interesting mix of wily, savvy veterans and exuberant youth. The challenge will be to ensure that the combination is a potent mix of the best of both ingredients which will hopefully result in the creation of successful hybrid vigor.”
League/sectional contenders: “I expect this to be a horse race with the usual suspects in the mix; Pittsford Mendon, Honeoye Falls-Lima, Pittsford Sutherland and Brighton,” Wilmot said. “No team will go through the league schedule unblemished.”
Season opener: 7:30 p.m. Sept. 7 against Batavia
Harley-Allendale Columbia
Coach: Nikki Guilfoyle
Top returning players: Cricket Cleary (midfielder); Alex Hunt (midfielder/forward); Aedin Brennan (goalkeeper); Celia Cooper (defender); Maria Sykes (forward); Kelsey O’Brien (midfielder)
Coach’s thoughts: “I am looking for us to be a physically fit team this fall. I don’t want us to lose games because of a lack of heart, or effort.”
League/sectional contenders: Guilfoyle expects Naples to lead the Finger Lakes West this fall.
Season Opener: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 9 at Honeoye
Honeoye Falls-Lima
Coach: Chrissy Merrill (fifth year)
Last year: 14-5-1 (Lost to Greece Arcadia in the Class A finals)
Top returning players: Nicole Derby (Junior, midfield); Jessie Lesczynski (Junior, defense); Maggie Wilk (Senior, defense);
Carly Bazarian (Senior, forward); Sarah LeGrett (Sophomore, forward); Paige Smith (Senior, forward)
Top newcomers: Hanna Barnes (Junior, defense); Kelsey Hurley (Junior, goalie); Mandy Powell (Sophmore, midfield); Christie Powell (Sophomore, midfield)
Cougar notes: HF-L defeated top seeded Victor in the Class A semifinals last season; The Cougars are in their second season in the Monroe County league.
Coach’s thoughts: “Incoming class of players are talented and hard working. The small group of returners should provide leadership on the field for our young team.”
Season opener: 4:30 p.m. Thursday at Bloomfield
Mercy
Coach: Donna Trost
Last year: Lost to Victor in the Class A quarterfinals
Top returning players: Theresa Clancy (Senior, goalkeeper); Korinne Thorne (Junior, midfielder); Julia Delgatti (Sophomore, midfielder); Carleigh Swift (Senior, midfielder); Maria Reask (Senior, defender)
Key Games: Sept. 23 against Aquinas; Oct. 12 at Livonia; Oct. 16 at Mendon
Season Opener: 6:30 p.m. Sept. 8 at Pal-Mac
Pittsford Mendon
Coach: Eric Pritchard (third year as head coach)
Last year: 13-4 (Lost to Greece Arcadia in the Class A semifinals)
Top returning players: Sydney Ciufo (Senior, midfield); Sarah Hansen (Senior, midfield); Emma Larson (Senior, midfield); Anna Eschler (Senior, defender); Rachel Stummer (Senior, defender); Alyssa Iacona (Senior, forward); Kim Forgue (Senior, goalkeeper)
Top newcomers: Paige Hill (Junior, midfield); Lauren D’Hont (Sophomore, midfield); Erin Lyons (Sophomore, defense); Laura Herman (Freshman, forward)
Coach’s thoughts: “We have strong senior leadership, and I think we can improve each game and become a consistent team. Our goal, like every season, is to win sectionals.”
League/sectional contenders: “Arcadia will be the team to beat in our class,” Pritchard said.
Season opener: 4:30 p.m. Sept. 3 against Greece Odyssey at Hilton
Pittsford Sutherland
Coach: Betsy Balling (third year as head coach)
Last year: 4-11-2 (Lost to Greece Olympia in the first round of the Class A tournament)
Top returning players: Laura Topf (Senior, midfield); Hayley Hider (Junior, midfield); Nikki Beatham (Junior, midfield); Ally Koron (Junior, defense); Tori Wehner (Sophomore, defense); Tyler Maddox (Senior, goalkeeper); Elizabeth May (Junior, midfielder)
Coach’s thoughts: “As we have almost everyone returning from last year, the kids know each other better and have matured as players and as people. They worked hard in the off season and have continued to work hard during preseason. I also think we have excellent leadership from both our captains and our seniors.”
League/Sectional Contenders: “I think Mendon and HF-L will be very strong and I know Brighton returns a strong contingent from last season,” Balling said.
Season opener: 3 p.m. Tuesday against Irondequoit
