Cross Country
The Roberts’ women are coming off their fourth consecutive East Coast Conference championship and the men’s team returns all top five finishers from their fourth place finish.
“We are really excited about both the men’s and women’s squads we have assembled this year,” co-head coach Andrew Dorr said. “It’s the largest roster we’ve ever fielded and it’s really deep with talent. The men’s team is especially deep.”
Sophomore and ECC Rookie Runner of the Year and First Team All-Conference pick Ashley Watson, classmate Brittany Shumway and junior Michaela Bierly all finished among the top ten in last year’s conference championship.
“I think Brittany Shumway is going to be a really strong contributor,” Door said. “When she entered as a freshman last year, running was still brand new to her. She continued to get stronger and stronger last year and I am excited to see where she ends up this season.
All-Conference Second Team selections Addison Sgroi and Makenzie Widder will compete in their senior year along with similarly honored junior Moriah Martone (Spencerport) to add plenty of depth to the squad.
The coaching staff is excited about the addition of freshmen Abby and Bailey Gostomski who they feel “will be immediate contributors. They have impressive high school credentials and it’ll only be a question of how quickly they can be ready for a 6k.” Churchville-Chili product Kyilee Quayle also arrives for her first year.
On the men’s side, juniors Christopher Sims, Nathan Cannon and Bryan Forino will anchor a deep squad. “We’re counting Bryan Forino to deliver for us,” Dorr said. “Last year was rocky for him at times, but he is more patient and more focused this year and I am expecting him to impress.”
As for recruits, “we have a number of runners who could contribute now or in the near future. Shane Pease (Greece Athena) and Connor Demo (Beaver River) are among others who will lead this team in the future.”
The annual Harry F. Anderson invite is September 22 for both teams.
Women’s Soccer
After falling below ten wins for the first time this decade during a disappointing five-win season in 2017 that included just one conference victory, the Redhawks are hoping the two wins over their final four games last fall will help launch them back to their normal double-digit victory level.
“We have a core of returners that made significant strides in the offseason,” third year head coach Sarah McClellen said. “Several newcomers will mix into the lineup right away. We have a strong early schedule once again as we know how competitive and talented our conference is; the non-conference games will challenge us and allow us to improve and prepare for the conference slate.”
The team will rely on a veteran defense anchored by juniors Sarah Giancursio and Olivia Avery with sophomore Ava Harrington, who all started every game last season, along with redshirt junior Alana Montreal in front of junior goalkeeper Kelsey Brinkel.
“All of our Juniors and our single senior will be looked to as our leadership group to carry the team and set the tempo for the season,” McClellen said.
Junior midfielder Israela Groves is the leading returning goal scorer with two last season along with classmate Tiffany Melendez and Kendall grads Taylor and Maya Rutland among those up front. Redshirt junior midfielder Mia Montreal also returns after a year off.
The team welcomes a couple of strong Canadian additions in Justine Sharda and Eboni Redman-Coombs, freshman forward Sydney Regan plus Byron-Bergen products Makenzie Muoio on defense (two time All-State) and midfielder Leah Thompson, who was a three time Genesee Region All-Star Team selection and two-time All-State Team pick.
The team will jump right in with five games over the first 14 days of the season including a pair of Labor Day weekend home games before their East Coast Conference opener in mid-September.
Men’s Soccer
The Redhawks have had two disappointing years in a row, but are rebuilding with the addition of six freshmen.
“(I am) excited about the team,” head coach Scott Reber said. “We have a great core group and adding a lot of youth. Overall, it’ll be a young team with talent – if we can focus and commit to our approach, we will do well.”
Among that core are a junior class that includes leading scorer Terrell Spencer along with forward Barrington Smith and senior midfielders Juan Ospina-Betancurt and Daniel Maxwell.
Redshirt sophomore Johanz Tusiime from Uganda will help up front.
Juniors Elijah Jarvis and Jeremiah Ochepo each started all but one game last season, but everyone’s job is on the line after the team gave up 40 goals in 17 games. And senior goaltender Ben Hastings is the only goalkeeper on the roster who played any minutes last season – and that was only 37 – but he did appear in four games as a sophomore. Brockport High grad and sophomore Joe McNulty is one of the other two on the roster in net.
“We have a great core group that did very well in our Spring season,” Reber said. All of them will provide leadership to our young recruits and help as they transition to the college game.”
Key newcomers include Alex Perez Vega from Panama, Aaryn Massy and Marc Blackburn via Toronto, sophomores Trevon and Tariq Michael from Florida, Dylan Ruiz of Ontario and Ethan Leonard of Medina.
The home opener is September 8 versus Stonehill College with the conference schedule beginning one week later.
Women’s Volleyball
The Redhawks enter their 2018 campaign trying to end a three-year program skid of under .500 results.
“Looking forward to a better season this year for several reasons,” head coach Doug Porterfield said. “One, I learned a lot last year and I believe I am making good adjustments to the program and to our play. Two, our returning athletes are very hungry this preseason and are ready to do some battle on the court. Three, my coaching staff is great this year and I see good connection to the team and to the program.”
“Grace Detwiler (third last season in kills and second in digs) will be an anchor on the outside as well as Rachel Holmes (third in digs) playing strong defense and hitting from the back and front rows.
“Our Middles are faster and jumping higher than last year and should be able to establish our middle game.”
Among the freshmen recruits, “I have been very impressed with one of our freshmen from Colorado, Taeko Chase. Very sharp volleyball IQ and skill sets. She will be getting some significant play time (setter/libero).
Vada Young from Lancaster, Ohio will also help up front with solid blocking instincts. Rebecca Oldham from Charles Finney and Kennedy O’Keefe from Webster-Thomas also join the program.
The team opens with a four-game tournament and seven road contests overall before the home-opener September 14 against Franklin Pierce.
