Elmira District Boys Soccer

By Joe Mink • jmink@gannett.com • Staff Writer • September 28, 2009

Star-Gazette - www.stargazette.com

With five wins in its first eight games, the Alfred University men's soccer team has already surpassed the victory totals from the 2008 and 2007 seasons.

Contributions from Elmira Free Academy graduates have played a major role in the Saxons' upswing.

Freshman forward Frankie Mannino leads Alfred with four goals, and three of them have been game-winners.

Sophomore Cory Hill has started every game at left midfield and has an assist.

Another sophomore, Mike Chrabaszcz, has been the starting center-back since the season started.

There's also freshman Matt Praino, an outside midfielder who's been sidelined with an injury after playing in two games.

"We had a good group last year," Alfred coach Scott Miller said. "We just added some dynamics."

Last year's group went 2-16, which followed a 4-12-1 showing in 2007.

"We still have a very young group," Miller said. "Frankie has come in and scored big goals for us. In recent years we haven't had that dynamic striker. So far so good. He has that ability to find the net."

Mannino was named Alfred's Male Athlete of the Week for the opening week of the sports season after scoring three goals in the Saxons' first two games. He has already learned soccer is played at a different level in college.

"It's more physical, the players are more aggressive," Mannino said.

The coach also credited Hill for helping to get the offense jump-started.

"He's a very good attacking player, very fast and dynamic," Miller said. "He's one of our better players."

Mannino added that he and Hill have been playing soccer together for five years and the familiarity with each other helps them make plays on the field.

Still, defense has been Alfred's backbone as the Saxons have won four games by shutout. And their losses have all been shutouts-- 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0.

That's where Chrabaszcz comes in, helping to stop opposing attacks.

"He brings good vocal leadership," Miller said. "He has good presence in the air, he wins balls in the air. And he's a solid tackler."

Mannino's take: "Mike is a strong defender."

When Praino returns, he'll help, too.

"He's shown composure," Miller said. "He's going to be a good asset."

The Alfred coach would like to continue bringing in EFA players.

"(EFA coach) Derek (Hamilton) has done a great job with the team there," Miller said. "We love the pipeline EFA has done for us. The kids have found a great home here. We hope to get other ones."

That's just fine with Hamilton, who has helped the Blue Devils become one of the stronger boys soccer programs in both Section 4 and New York state.

"We play more of a college system here, and those guys have done a nice job preparing themselves at the next level," Hamilton said. "Scott is a good coach. I'm comfortable sending players to him."

* At the same time Mannino was receiving his honor from Alfred, the Saxons named Waverly grad Emily Moorehead as the college's Female Athlete of the Week. A freshman on the women's soccer team, Moorehead scored two goals in Alfred's 3-0 victory over Cazenovia College.

* Horseheads grad Elli Argentieri, a junior defender on Cazenovia's women's soccer team, made the all-tournament team at the Alfred University Invitational despite the Wildcats going 0-2 in the event.

Her teammate, Troy grad Michelle Duffy, leads Cazenovia in scoring with three goals and one assist in seven games.

* Keuka College is another men's soccer team benefiting from an infusion of talent from the Southern Tier.

Forward Carl Learned (EFA), midfielder Alex Vondracek (Odessa-Montour) and defender Kyle Rivera (Horseheads) have each started all six games so far for the Storm. Learned has two goals and an assist, with Vondracek good for an assist.

* Keuka's women's soccer team has EFA grad Sarah Hillman on defense and Horseheads grad Sarah Capek at midfield. Hillman has started all five games and has a goal; Capek has played in all five games coming off the bench.

Not Mentioned by Star-Gazette:

* Fredonia State men's soccer team has EFA graduates Kevyn Rustici, Bobby McGinnis, and Michael McGinnis.

* Corning Community College men's soccer team has EFA graduates Matt Morrisey, B.J. Marshall, Joe Burin, Paul Bradley, and Tommy Hornbuckle

* St. Bonaventure University men's soccer team has EFA graduate Tyler Sampsell.