Announcement
Corning seeks back-to-back titles in STAC West
STAC West
Horseheads won eight straight Southern Tier Athletic Conference West Division titles from 1999 to 2006.
Elmira Free Academy claimed STAC West titles in 2007 and 2008.
Corning head coach Chad Freelove is hoping the streaky nature of the division continues this season as his squad tries to successfully defend its championship. Eight starters return from last year's team.
The battle for the division title figures to be a battle between Corning, Horseheads and EFA after Corning secured the championship on the final day of the regular season last year.
"I think it's going to be just like it has been the last few years: a three-horse race between EFA, Horseheads and ourselves," Freelove said. "If we play to our potential, we can win. ... We have to play our best soccer every time out on the pitch."
Said EFA head coach Derek Hamilton: "Horseheads, Corning and EFA are right around the same level. Those games against each other will be the key in the STAC West."
The league's coaches are happy with a schedule change that has their teams playing only one crossover game against teams from the STAC Metro Division, giving them a chance to schedule more nonleague opponents. Previously, the West teams played each of the Metro teams twice per season.
Boys Soccer Team Capsules
Corning
Coach: Chad Freelove
Last year's record: 9-7-1
Opener: 5 p.m. today at home against Union-Endicott
Outlook: Among the keys for the Hawks is senior goalkeeper Jonathan Howitt, who last year tied a team record with seven shutouts, leading a defense that allowed only 14 goals during the regular season.
He'll be flanked by three starting defenders who are back: seniors Tony Secondo and Patrick Kerwin, and sophomore Jeffery Kahlmeyer. The midfield also boasts three returning starters in STAC West/Metro all-conference pick Sam Schirmer, STAC West all-star Zach Dann and Matt Sheffer, who missed the final nine games of the 2009 season with a foot injury. All three are seniors.
Rounding out the eight returning starters is senior forward Julian LaDalia, a STAC West all-star last season who contributed greatly to the 48 goals scored by the team.
Also back are senior forward Andrew Timmons and sophomore JonMichael Tokar. Junior forward Stephen Dunlap is trying to bounce back from knee surgery after he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in a knee while playing indoor soccer in February. Among the new players is freshman forward Evan Crawford, who tied the school JV scoring record last season with 23 goals. Sophomore Will Cornfield adds depth.
"At this point...our goal is just to continue to improve on last year's numbers," Freelove said. "Our hope is we can return to winning the STAC West title and try to make it even further into sectional play. We're trying to keep our goals realistic and understand, yes, we return alot of experience, but at the same time, games are played for a reason.
Elmira Free Academy
Coach: Derek Hamilton
Last year's record: 8-7-2
Opener: Opened with home victory over Binghamton Seton Catholic Central on Saturday.
Outlook: Academy came up short in a bid for its third consecutive STAC West title last season. Although several key players have graduated, there's still plenty of talent, led by senior forward Nick Lian, a STAC West all-division pick. Senior defender Kevin Kucharski and sophomore Alex Varkatzas were also division all-stars in 2009. Varkatzas opened this season with three goals in the win over Seton Catholic.
Other returning players expected to contribute are senior defenders Jake Davenport and Dan Earley, junior midfielders Parker Warrick, Sean Denicola, and Brian Owens, and senior midfielder Kail Burfield. Satchel Waters, a junior, takes over at goalie. Other key newcomers are sophomore midfielder Tee Millikan and senior defender MacKenzie Park.
"We lost a good amount of talent from last year, but some of the players have developed nicely coming through the years," Hamilton said. "With the addition of Steve Mastronardi as the new JV coach, i'm as excited about the program as I have been...I think we'll be difficult to score on defensively. We always play a good, organized brand of soccer and we have some kids that just flat-out know how to win games from the success we've had the last four or five years."
Elmira Southside
Coach: Edgar Zarate
Last year's record: 0-15
Opener: 10 a.m. Wednesday at home vs. Horseheads
Outlook: Conrad, a former JV coach, joins Zarate as co-coach of the varsity team after Southside was forced to drop the JV program this season because of a low turnout. With a roster of 27 players in the preseason, Zarate said the players have worked hard to make sure they get as much playing time as possible.
"I know they would all like to play, so they're doing their bit in practice and in drills," he said.
Among the returning starters are senior defender Ryan Murphy, senior forwards Johnny LaDouce and Sean Mason, junior midfielder Theron Brown and junior defender Jacob Coons. Sophomore Eric Berglund has impressed in net, with sophomore forward Caleb Johnson another player expected to contribute.
"We're working on communication," Zarate said. "For some reason, our guys hesitate to talk to each other. We are really emphasizing that this season."
Last season's team suffered some key losses because of injuries and grade problems, something Zarate wants to avoid this year.
"I have very high expectations for our players that are coming back, that they will use their skills and experience they gained last year," said Zarate, who added that he is encouraging the players' parents to support them at games as much as possible.
Horseheads
Coach: Curt Grottenthaler
Last year's record: 6-9-2
Opener: 10 a.m. Wednesday at Elmira Southside
Outlook: Horseheads has a young roster, with a good chunk of last year's team lost to graduation. Three-year starter Ian Boor, a junior goalie, is among those back. Senior defender Cody Adam, senior midfielder Eric Garrison and junior midfielder Hunter Kaysa are all varsity veterans.
Building a cohesive team is an emphasis, Grottenthaler said. "The biggest thing we're trying to focus on this year is trusting each other and to build confidence in themselves and their teammates every day," he said. "We're looking for every player on the field to perform (his) role, whatever it may be--whether it's five minutes a game or 70 minutes a game--to the best of (his) ability.
Horseheads returns experienced players on the defensive end after setting some school defensive records last season. Scoring goals will be pivital.
"I think defensively speaking, the kids have confidence in their ability," Grottenthaler said. "The big thing this year is we have to put more balls in the back of the net. That's where we struggled last year. We lost seven one-goal games."
