Strong Vincent Colonels
Boys
Coach (season, record): Steve Mooney (2nd season, 5-13-0)
2011 overall record: 5-13-0
2011 region record (place): 0-8-0 (fifth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Anthony Anglikowski, Andrew Black, Bintu Mwamba, Dahn Gurung, Godfrey Lohitai, Kendrick Tate
Top returning players: Ahmed Abdille, Halil Alicusic, Diego Molina, Abdullahi Serat
Assistant coaches: Kamal Sharif, Ed Palattella
Outlook: Strong Vincent broke through to win its first match in three years in 2011. The Colonels were hit hard by graduation but they are hoping to keep building on their five wins from last season. Vincent will have to replace Anthony Anglikowski, Andrew Black, Bintu Mwamba, Dahn Gurung, Godfrey Lohitai and Kendrick Tate. Tate was voted to the all-region second team on offense, while Lohitai and Gurung were second-team picks on defense. The Colonels have a strong group back and will need several leaders to step forward to lead the younger players. Ahmed Abdille, Halil Alicusic, Diego Molina and Abdullahi Serat are back, while several freshmen and sophomores could be in the mix for playing time. Vincent dropped down to Class AA in the offseason and while that means no more region matches with Cathedral Prep and McDowell, it also means a schedule loaded with Erie County powerhouses. The Colonels will need to use the momentum they built up last season and carry it over this year to keep improving.
Schedule
September
5 Saegertown 4:30
11 at McDowell 7:30
15 at Central Tech 8 a.m.
15 at Hickory 12:30
17 East* 4:30
19 Harbor Creek* 5:30
22 at Cathedral Prep 3:30
25 at Girard* 5:30
27 Fort LeBoeuf* 5:30
29 West Middlesex 11 a.m.
October
1 at General McLane* 5:30
3 East* 4:30
9 at Harbor Creek* 6
12 Girard* 3
15 at Fort LeBoeuf* 4
17 General McLane* 6
20 at Meadville 11 a.m.
*Region 5 matches
Girls
Coach (season): Katie Giles (1st season)
2011 overall record: 7-9-2
2011 region record (place): 4-3-1 (second)
2011 playoff results: Lost to McDowell 7-0 in the District 10 Class AAA championship.
Top players lost: Rachel Burnett, Katie Carman, Devon Dudley, Stacy Rabat, Sarah Ritz
Top returning players: Rachael Dobosiewicz, Sandra Rabat, Deja Dixon, Taylore Fletcher, Courtney Sargent
Assistant coach: Mike Kasprzak
Outlook: Strong Vincent will look to rebuild the program after going through plenty of transition in the offseason. The Colonels have a new head coach in Katie Giles and graduated five starters in Rachel Burnett, Katie Carman, Devon Dudley, Stacy Rabat and Sarah Ritz. Burnett was voted to the all-region first team at goalkeeper, while Rabat was a second-team defender. The Colonels return sophomore starters Taylore Fletcher and Courtney Sargent this season along with all-region selections Sandra Rabat and Rachael Dobosiewicz. Rabat was a second-team pick on offense and Dobosiewicz a second-team selection on defense. Deja Dixon is also back for Vincent who will be young but somewhat experienced. Several seniors suffered injuries as juniors but if everyone is healthy, the Colonels could be a surprise team in Region 6.
Schedule
September
1 at Fort LeBoeuf 11 a.m.
4 at Warren 5
5 Mercyhurst Prep 5:30
8 at Hickory 12:30
10 East 4
12 at Bradford 5:30
15 at General McLane noon
20 at Corry 6
26 at Central Tech* 6:30
27 Harbor Creek 7:30
October
2 McDowell* 6:30
6 North East 9 a.m.
13 Villa Maria 3
16 Central Tech* 4:30
22 at McDowell* 7:30
25 at Iroquois 7
*Region 6 matches
Friday: Titusville
– Tom Reisenweber
