Grove City Eagles
Boys
Coach (season, record): Ron Churchill (3rd season, 23-9-3)
2011 overall record: 15-3-1
2011 region record (place): 7-2-1 (second)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Hickory 2-0 in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals before losing to General McLane 1-0 in the semifinals.
Top players lost: Thomas Hummel, Andy DiStasi, Alex Goodwin, Brian Murone, Luke Biddle, Jeremy Ball, Sam Homan, Armando Henriquez
Top returning players: Dylan Motta, Will Potter, Matt Welker, Lee Wishing, Alex Boarts, Peter Conley, Tyler Eccles, Camron Feather, Brandon Fagan, Jed Grimm, Riley Keffer, Evan Lowers
Assistant coach: Caleb Ritenour
Outlook: Grove City has developed into a yearly playoff team and will need to reload quickly to return to the postseason. The Eagles graduated eight starters in Thomas Hummel, Andy DiStasi, Alex Goodwin, Brian Murone, Luke Biddle, Jeremy Ball, Sam Homan and Armando Henriquez. Murone was named to the all-district team and the all-region first team on defense. He was joined on the first team by Hummel, a standout offensive player. Henriquez was a second-team offensive player and Goodwin was a second-team defender. With most of the starting lineup gone, the Eagles will need numerous underclassmen to step up. Alex Boarts is a returning leader after being voted to the all-region second team on offense. Dylan Motta, Will Potter, Matt Welker and Lee Wishing provide senior leadership, while Peter Conley, Tyler Eccles, Camron Feather, Brandon Fagan, Jed Grimm, Riley Keffer and Evan Lowers are returning juniors. Each returning player may need to contribute right away. Andrew Conley, Tanner McKnight and Nate Zimmerman are freshmen that could be impact players right away this fall. The Eagles will get another shot at General McLane this fall after losing to the Lancers in the playoffs last year. Grove City will have a new lineup and new leaders but it must come together quickly to stay competitive in Region 2.
Schedule
September
4 at West Middlesex 6
6 at Kennedy Catholic 4
10 Mercer 4
12 Saegertown 6:30
13 at Sharpsville 4
17 Sharon* 4
19 at Wilmington* 6
22 at General McLane 3
25 Franklin* 4
27 at Slippery Rock* 4
29 at Commodore Perry 11 a.m.
October
1 at Hickory* 7:30
3 at Sharon* 4
6 Conneaut 1:30
9 Wilmington* 6
11 at Franklin* 4
15 Slippery Rock* 6
17 Hickory* 6
*Region 2 matches
Girls
Coach (season): Matt Nichols (6th season)
2011 overall record: 9-6-1
2011 region record (place): 4-4-0 (third)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: Lauren Hernandez, Caroline Wilson
Top returning players: Moriah Williamson, Mariah Trieber, Jessie Trieber, Aubri McCoy, Kalie Davis
Assistant coach: Jessica Nichols
Outlook: Grove City was on the verge of contending for a District 10 playoff spot and could take the next step this fall. The Eagles return most of their team with the exception of six players, including midfielder Lauren Hernandez and defender Caroline Wilson. Grove City returns all-region second-team selections Aubri McCoy (offense), Kalie Davis (offense) and Jesse Trieber (defense). McCoy and Davis are juniors this season, while Trieber, the Eagles’ top defender, is only a sophomore. Grove City had a strong sophomore-laden group last fall, which gives the Eagles hope for this year and in 2013. Most of Grove City’s defense is back, including senior Moriah Williamson and Trieber. A weakness could be a lack of experience at midfield but ball control and solid passing could offset that. The Eagles will be tested right away in the non-region schedule, including a showdown with General McLane. Grove City will take on traditional powers like Hickory and Titusville in region play and will need to find a way to upset a few teams to get into the playoffs.
Schedule
September
6 at Sharpsville 4
8 General McLane 10 a.m.
11 at Mercer 7:30
13 at Wilmington 7:30
18 at Hickory* 7:30
20 at Slippery Rock* 4
24 Titusville* 4
26 at Oil City* 4
29 Fort LeBoeuf 1:30
October
2 Meadville* 6
4 Hickory* 6
8 Slippery Rock* 4
10 at Titusville* TBA
13 Sharon 10 a.m.
16 Oil City* 6
18 at Meadville* 4
*Region 2 matches
Tuesday: Harbor Creek
– Tom Reisenweber
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