Roberts Wesleyan fall sports preview

Roberts Wesleyan fall sports preview

WOMEN’S SOCCER
The Lady Raiders are hoping to continue the momentum from their 14-5-1 record last season, which included eight wins in twelve games on the road and an eight game unbeaten streak. They enter this season with just five seniors and lose leading scorer Aimee Legault, but return American Mideast Conference Freshman of the Year Laura Willits (Spencerport).

“We are hoping to build off the success that we had last year,” said head coach Dan Berg. “Laura was a great addition last year scoring 13 goals and adding 16 assists and her ability as a play maker will aid us in achieving our goals. The freshman class is one of the best recruiting classes in school history and should contribute right away.”

Included among that freshman class is Michelle Roberts (Brockport), Kay-Leigh Stacy, Casey Oyer (Hilton), Ani Zdrojewski and Rachel Popowych (Hamlin).

Senior tri-captain Joanna Patalano (Churchville-Chili) and sophomore tri-captain Bethany George anchor the defense with senior tri-captain Donna Bertolone in the midfield.

Sister Dyan Bertolone and Michele Palma combined for nine goals and eight assists last year and are also back. Senior Nicole Drenth also returns for her final season and solidifies a veteran defense in front of junior goalkeeper Jackie Murphy, who had seven shutouts in 19 games last season for the rookie Popowych.

MEN’S SOCCER
A mirror-image of the women’s squad, the men finished last season 13-5-2 with just one loss on the road and also lost its leading scorer from last season. So the Raiders will turn to senior Daine Merrin from Australia, senior Ciaran Weissauer and Chris Farnsworth (Spencerport) to pace the offense. Also back is junior forward Tom Graham (Spencerport).

Help in the points department is also expected from Division I transfer Dan Lobene from Gates Chili via Niagara University with freshmen Michael McGinnis and Matt Newsome (Brockport). Freshman Shawn Roberts (Brockport) and Zach Hill (Churchville) with defender Scott Cobstill also join as newcomers this season.

Sophomore Brian Ehman will fight for playing time in goal with freshman recruits Joe Marino and Cody Saetta (Spencerport). Sophomore Sean Summerville returns for a relatively young defense with Dan Kavanaugh (Brockport) and Dustin Kiddick expected back at midfield.

WOMEN’S VOLLEYBALL
Roberts will look to rebuild a bit after losing their top two setters and leading point/kill getter. But they are coming off a 22-14 campaign including not allowing a single point in two three-game matches during the season.

Brandi Naish finished second last season in kills and, with Amanda Britton and Alyse O’Brien, will be looked on to supply much of the offense. Freshman Shavaughn Bartz (Byron-Bergen) and Stacey Tiffin will likely battle to run the offense. Libero Dianne Nelson returns after leading the team in digs as a freshman.

Other newcomers include Jackie Steubing (Brockport), who will add some size in the middle and Christie Drago. Julie Kilcoyne, Brooke McClure and Allie Ptak also will be asked to contribute more.

CROSS COUNTRY
The Raiders women won their own Harry F. Anderson Invitational last season and finished second at the Houghton Invitational. With almost one-third of their runners returning as seniors, this could be the season to move even higher at the NCCAA Nationals in early November.

Elisha Geilow, three-time NAIA qualifier Kelly Hanlon, Jenna Kepich and sisters Janelle and Sara Rice form the senior quintet and are backed by juniors Marielle Jensen, Jessica Scribani with Chelsea and Heather Wallace. Katie Kaidas and Audrey Moore are the only returning sophomores.

“Our goals for this season are to improve with every race we run and to place in the top three at our conference meet with hope of receiving a bid to the NAIA National meet,” said head coach Paul Kurtz.

The recruit class features Laura Doak, Rebeckah Johnston, transfer Bryn Johnston, Lauren Peters, Rachel Wheeler and transfer Katie Wolfe.

For the men, “this year will be a rebuilding year after the loss of many of our top seven from last season,” said Kurtz. Goals would be to have our top 5 running under 28:00 by season’s end and for (captain) Julius Rono to qualify and perform well at the NAIA National Championships.”

The team finished second at the Houghton Invitational and the Anderson Invitational last season.

Ried Robbins, Darton Wendell and Chris Kimpel are among the newcomers being counted on.

The teams begin the season at the Brockport Invitational September 15 and will host the Greg Greve Alumni 5K and the Anderson Invitational on September 29 and October 13.