Roberts Wesleyan fall previews

Men's Soccer
Coach Greg Gidman is back for his 11th season as head coach and features one of his best recruiting classes along with several stabilizing veterans. The Raiders were 11-10-2 overall last season and 5-3 in league play.

The 2003 leading scorer Craig Bamber from Manchester, England returns for his sophomore campaign and will move back to midfield. Dusty Holbrook, who is back after a year off, will settle into a sweeper role in their three-back system with junior Scott Bradley at right back. Senior Keeshon Spencer will either play at striker or midfield for his final collegiate season. Senior Ben Roushey from Spencerport will also see time in goal.

The newcomer class has a distinct international flavor led by Portsmouth, England native Mark Howlett at midfield and Dennis Idrissa from Niger, West Africa, who recently played midfield in the World Cup qualifying tournament. Freshmen Jess Johnson and Kurtis Dawley will battle for playing time up front and at keeper, respectively.

The team scrimmaged Syracuse University at home August 10 and tied 0-0. "This was a good start to the season and demonstrates the competitiveness and ability for this team to compete at the highest level," said Gidman." We will be a competitive team in the challenging America Mideast Conference."

The team is scheduled to play several Top 25 teams from both the NAIA and NCAA. Five consecutive home matches in 11 days and 10 of 12 at home over five weeks mid-season will be the key to the success of the season.

Women's soccer
After a rough 1-5-1 beginning last season, the Lady Raiders righted the ship and finished 6-4-2 including one loss in overtime. That, combined with several new faces, has the team optimistic this season.

Freshman Anna DePre from Brockport and Cedarville College transfer Michelle Flow of Holley will help the defense and join the Bertolone sisters, Donna and Dylan from Greece as key additions to the Raider squad.

Aimee Legault returns for her sophomore year after leading the Red Raiders in scoring last season with 15 goals in 17 games. Stacey Patterson and Nicole Drenth also return as two of the top four scorers on the squad. Joanna Patalano of Churchville-Chili will also help anchor the defense with junior Marcy Furlow in goal for most of the games after registering a 1.62 GAA in 16 games one year ago.

Head coach Andrea Boon will be in her third year with the Raiders and will be tested with just eight home games during the 20 game schedule. Three road games over four days in late-September looks to be a notable test for the young squad.

Women's volleyball
Coach Jim Vanderhoof lost his top hitter in senior Kaitlin Driscoll to graduation, but has plenty of talent to at least repeat last season's 22-14 record.

Jess Arndt is back for the second year and is already fifth on the school's career assist list with a chance to move into the top three with a repeat performance. Cristen Carlisle and Candance Kaylor will be in their final seasons after leading the team in blocks and finishing 4-5 in kills. Jesse Biever also is back after 72 service aces in her freshman season to tie for second all-time at Roberts and leading the team in digs. And sophomore Megan Penman will likely get more playing time up front after finishing third on the team in blocks while playing in less than half the games of the leaders.

Alli Ptak from Kenmore is the only newcomer this season.

After hosting their own tournament and playing in the Houghton Tourney on September 3 and 4 and the St. Vincent Tournament on September 10 and 11, the Raiders play seven of eight on the road before a six-match homestand October 2 to 9 including Homecoming matches with Seton Hill University and Carlow College on October 2.

Cross Country
Paul Kurtz is in his seventh season as coach of both the Women's and Men's team and is looking for a repeat of 2003 when the women had their best season in school history finishing 10th at nationals and the men entered a rebuilding mode with many quality youngsters.

"We have been blessed over the past few years with very strong runners and their strength has enabled us to continue to draw in great new runners and make for a bright future," commented Kurtz.

Senior, two-time NAIA, three-time NCCA All-American Kim Cipura of Hilton anchors the women's team with seniors Erin Doak, Laurel Reed and junior Jennifer Scribani of Chili all coming off strong seasons. Senior Megan McRae and juniors Becky George from Greece, Tami Keene and Amanda Clark try to hold off newcomers Kelly Hanlon, Jenelle Rice and Kelly St. James for top-seven spots.

Matt St. James qualified for nationals last season as a freshman and returns with seniors Kyle Poag, Jeff Arnold of Hilton and Aaron Sherman. Junior Justin Nieble and a trio of sophomores including Matthew Kennedy from Bergen will be welcoming newcomers Chuck Plake, Jonathan Buisch and Caleb Roes.

Two home meets dot the schedule with the Greg Greve Alumni 5k on October 4 and the Harry F. Anderson Invitational on October 18. Both teams are fighting for berths in the NAIA National Championships in Louisville, Ohio.