McDowell Trojans
Boys
Coach (season, record): Jamie Smith (5th season, 47-23-3)
2011 overall record: 9-7-1
2011 region record (place): 5-2-1 (second)
2011 playoff results: Lost to Cathedral Prep 4-2 in the District 10 Class AAA championship.
Top players lost: Dez Cifelli, Chris Cvecko, Andrew Masteller, Chad Ackerman, Shawn Matthews, Jesus Covarrubius
Top returning players: Luke Troncone, Jacob Hanko, Alex Mong, Ryan Huffman, Dimitri Arvanitopulos, Eldin Sabic
Assistant coaches: Dan Kowalczyk, Aaron Pentz
Outlook: McDowell had big expectations going into last year before devastating injuries to Dez Cifelli and Andrew Masteller. The Trojans weren’t able to handle rival Cathedral Prep in the District 10 Class AAA championship match, but McDowell is hoping to break through this fall. The Trojans have to overcome the loss of Chris Cvecko, Chad Ackerman, Shawn Matthews, Jesus Covarrubius, Cifelli and Masteller to graduation. Cifelli and Cvecko were voted to the all-region first team on offense, while Matthews (offense) and Covarrubius (defense) were second-team selections. McDowell returns five starters from last season and expects to contend right away. The Trojans return Luke Troncone, Jacob Hanko, Alex Mong, Ryan Huffman and Dimitri Arvanitopulos, Eldin Sabic. Hanko and Mong were voted to the first team on defense as juniors. McDowell has a challenging non-region schedule, but the two biggest matches of the year occur Oct. 4 and 23 against Prep. If the Trojans can reload its offense and receive big contributions on defense, they could make a run at their third D-10 title in five years.
Schedule
September
1 at Warren 11 a.m.
5 at Girard 5:30
7 St. Francis, N.Y. (Lockport tournament) 5
8 (Lockport tournament)
10 North Allegheny 6:30
11 Strong Vincent 7:30
13 at Harbor Creek 6
19 at Central Tech* 3:30
22 East noon
25 Meadville* 7:30
October
4 at Cathedral Prep* 7:30
6 at Fort LeBoeuf 4
9 Central Tech* 7:30
13 Upper St. Clair 7
16 at Meadville* 7
20 General McLane 2:30
23 Cathedral Prep* 7:30
*Region 6 matches
Girls
Coach (season, record): Jason Perkins (4th season, 47-15-1)
2011 overall record: 13-7-0
2011 region record (place): 8-0-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Strong Vincent 7-0 in the District 10 Class AAA championship. McDowell then lost to North Allegheny 3-1 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Sammy Valloud, Allison Oathout, Natasia Lenox, Mackenzie Presta, Alyse Sambuchino, Alyssa Guerriero
Top returning players: Hannah Manczka, Sarah Danch, Caroline Mashyna, Mariah Elwell, Carly Pruckner, Crystal Flagg
Assistant coaches: Sonny Vidakovic, Sarah Palm, Amanda Garrity
Outlook: McDowell rolled to another Region 6 title and the District 10 Class AAA championship last fall. With only two other AAA teams, the Trojans are in line to repeat their success. McDowell will be young and inexperienced this fall after massive graduation losses. Sammy Valloud, Allison Oathout, Natasia Lenox, Mackenzie Presta, Alyse Sambuchino and Alyssa Guerriero were among the players gone to graduation after making the all-region team. Valloud, one of McDowell’s all-time scorers, was an all-district selection, an all-region first-team pick and the Region 6 Player of the Year. Lenox, Presta and Oathout were first-team selections on offense, while Sambuchino made the first team on defense. Guerriero was a second-team pick on offense. With everything McDowell lost to graduation, the Trojans will have some experienced leaders back to count on. Carly Pruckner provides senior leadership after making the all-region first team on defense, while juniors Sarah Danch, a first-team defender, and Caroline Mashyna, a second-team offensive player, are back. Goalkeeper Crystal Flagg returns along with sophomore midfielder Mariah Elwell and junior midfielder Hannah Manzcka. The Trojans received a boost in the offseason when all-region forward Abby Kenski transferred from Villa Maria. Kenski could start right away as well as freshman Erin Meeker and sophomore Morgan Mello. McDowell was gutted by graduation but coach Jason Perkins should have a solid group this season. The Trojans should dominate Class AAA in D-10 once again, but preparing for another PIAA run is important. McDowell loaded its schedule with area powerhouses Villa Maria, Mercyhurst Prep, Harbor Creek and Fairview. The Trojans should be battle-tested by the time the state playoffs roll around.
Schedule
September
1 at North Allegheny 6
4 at East 6:30
5 at Villa Maria 7:30
7 Lockport (Lockport, N.Y. tournament) 3:30
8 (Lockport, N.Y. tournament)
12 Corry 7:30
15 Mt. Lebanon 2:30
18 Central Tech* 7:30
20 at Warren 5:45
24 Fairview 7:30
October
2 at Strong Vincent* 6:30
8 Mercyhurst Prep 7:30
10 at Central Tech* 6:30
13 Upper St. Clair 3:30
22 Strong Vincent* 7:30
24 Harbor Creek 3:30
*Region 6 matches
Monday: Meadville
– Tom Reisenweber
