Girard YellowJackets
Boys
Coach (season, record): Jason Tomlinson (4th season, 17-31-6)
2011 overall record: 7-10-1
2011 region record (place): 3-8-1 (sixth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: Garrett Brown, Brenden Parson, James Geraci, John Martini
Top returning players: Teddy Szyplik, Marcus Connors, Devin Mason, Corey Twitchel, Ryan Barlow, Jared Orr, Cody O’Brien
Assistant coaches: Fred Gribbin, Scott Jones
Outlook: Girard continues to make strides under coach Jason Tomlinson and worked its way close to .500 last fall. The YellowJackets will need to plug some holes if they want to keep improving this season. Garrett Brown, Brenden Parsons, James Geraci and John Martini have graduated, with the biggest impact being felt on defense. Cody O’Brien is back to lead a young defense while Girard will have sophomore Jared Orr in goal. The ‘Jackets also return Teddy Szyplik, Marcus Connors, Devin Mason, Corey Twitchel and Ryan Barlow. The offense went through soem growing pains in 2011 but should be better after gaining valuable experience. Mason and Twitchel are returning forwards that could be big-time goal scorers this year, while Connors, Szyplik and Barlow are experienced midfielders that will be counted on the control the ball. With a young defense, Girard may need to be more aggressive on offense and keep the pressure on its opponents this year. The ‘Jackets will have to deal with several talented teams, including General McLane and Harbor Creek in region matches, but if Girard can handle pressure and knock out a few good teams, it might make a run at the playoff spot.
Schedule
September
1 Conneaut 10 a.m.
5 McDowell 5:30
8 Saegertown 11 a.m.
11 at Central Tech 4:30
17 General McLane* 5:30
19 at East* 7:30
22 at Corry 11 a.m.
25 Strong Vincent* 5:30
27 at Harbor Creek* 6
October
1 at Fort LeBoeuf* 4
3 at General McLane* 5:30
6 Meadville 1
9 East* 5:30
12 at Strong Vincent* 3
15 Harbor Creek* 5:30
17 Fort LeBoeuf* 5:30
19 Cathedral Prep 6
22 at Iroquois 7
*Region 5 matches
Girls
Coach (season, record): Michael Frick (12th season, 95-107-10)
2011 overall record: 4-11-3
2011 region record (place): 1-9-2 (tied for sixth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: Erin Allen, Bekah Edder, Taylor Shaw
Top returning players: Sydney Dunn, Taylor Tharp, India Boderocco
Assistant coaches: Jason Morgan, Matt Paschke, Chris Buckner, Mark Corey
Outlook: Girard will have a young team this fall. The YellowJackets only graduated three impact players in Erin Allen, Bekah Edder and Taylor Shaw but several freshmen have showed promise in the offseason. Allen was an all-region first-team selection after collecting six goals and nine assists, while Edder was second in scoring with seven goals and five assists. Girard returns Sydney Dunn, Taylor Tharp and India Boderocco this fall. Boderocco was a second-team defender as a junior. Dunn had five goals and five assists for the ‘Jackets, while Shaw had three goals and four assists and Tharp had six goals with five assists. Girard has some experience but freshmen Molly Boniger, Courtney Lance, Paige Luciano, Alexa Dunn, Katie Brown and Carly Byham could be impact players after a successful 7th and 8th grade season last fall. If the ‘Jackets can build the program over the next few years, they could see that hardwork pay off in a few years.
Schedule
September
1 at West Middlesex noon
4 Iroquois 5:30
6 Seneca 5:30
11 Central Tech 5:30
15 at East 11 a.m.
18 Fort LeBoeuf* 5:30
20 at Cambridge Springs* 4:30
22 at Mercer noon
26 at General McLane* 5:30
29 at Seneca 1
October
2 at Harbor Creek* 6
4 at Fort LeBoeuf* 3:30
8 Cambridge Springs* 5:30
11 Mercer 5:30
16 General McLane* 5:30
18 Harbor Creek* 5:30
22 at North East 4
24 West Middlesex 5:30
*Region 5 matches
Monday: Grove City
– Tom Reisenweber
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