Wilmington Greyhounds
Boys
Coach (season): Christian Davoli (6th season)
2011 overall record: 8-10-0
2011 region record (place): 5-3-0 (third)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class A playoffs.
Top players lost: Harrison Sturm, Jared Kaufman
Top returning players: Jon Clark, Marc Delio, Hunter Taylor, Andrew Sciuto, Derek Nichols
Assistant coach: Nathan Hunter
Outlook: Wilmington moved up to Class AA in the offseason but coach Christian Davoli believes the Greyhounds put enough work in during the offseason to compete. Wilmington’s biggest challenge this season will be its depth at several positions. The ‘Hounds graduated goalkeeper Jared Kaufman and all-region sweeper Harrison Sturm. Among the players returning are seniors Marc Delio, Jon Clark and Hunter Taylor. Delio, a midfielder, is being looked at by several Division 2 and 3 schools, while Clark scored 20 goals as a forward last year. Taylor is back to anchor the defense along with sophomore Andrew Sciuto. Derek Nichols will step into the starting role at keeper this season. He joined the varsity team last year and was Kaufman’s backup. Wilmington has plenty of new players to the program this season and developing depth and experience will be key as the season goes on.
Schedule
September
4 Kennedy Catholic 7:30
8 at Neshannock 1
10 Sharpsville 7:30
12 at Commodore Perry 4
15 West Middlesex 11 a.m.
17 at Franklin* 4
19 Grove City* 6
25 Hickory* 7:30
27 Sharon* 7:30
October
1 at Slippery Rock* 4
3 Franklin* 4
9 at Grove City* 6
13 at Hickory* 11:30 a.m.
13 Sharon* 11 a.m.
17 Slippery Rock* 4
20 at Fairview 11 a.m.
22 at Sharpsville 4
24 Mercer 7
*Region 2 matches
Girls
Coach (season, record): Ben Bailey (16th season, 184-93-11)
2011 overall record: 15-4-1
2011 region record (place): 6-0-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Iroquois 3-2 to win the District 10 Class A championship. Wilmington then lost to Shady Side Academy 1-0 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Mariah Burns, Kaillie Marshall, Mackenzie Hiers, Raechel Pusateri, Alanna Elliott
Top returning players: Kyle Lum, Rachael Huff, Grace Gealy, Anna Hartwell, Sarah Slonaker, Anna Miller, Jillian Mickle
Assistant coach: Tim Shelenberger
Outlook: Wilmington rolled to its second straight District 10 Class A championship last fall but will need to reload quickly to repeat that success. The Greyhounds lost Mariah Burns, Kaillie Marshall, Mackenzie Hiers and Raechel Pusateri to graduation. Burns and Hiers were voted to the all-region first team on offense, while Marshall was a first-team defender and was named to the all-district team. Alanna Elliott was voted to the second team on offense as a sophomore but has decided to switch over to tennis this season. The Greyhounds return Kyle Lum, Rachael Huff, Grace Gealy, Anna Hartwell, Sarah Slonaker, Anna Miller and Jillian Mickle. Lum was voted to the first team on offense and the region player of the year as a sophomore. Mickel and Slonaker were first-team defenders last fall. Wilmington brings back a solid group but will need to reload several positions with new players. The ‘Hounds’ success could depend on how quickly they can build chemistry with new starters and develop depth.
Schedule
September
4 at Hickory 7:30
8 Neshannock 2
11 at Fort LeBoeuf 4
13 Grove City 7:30
18 at Sharon* 4
20 Kennedy Catholic* 7:30
24 at Sharpsville* 4
26 at West Middlesex* 4
October
2 Mercer* 7:30
4 Sharon* 7:30
8 at Kennedy Catholic* 4
10 Sharpsville* 7
11 at Karns City 7:30
16 West Middlesex* 7:30
18 at Mercer* 7:30
20 Slippery Rock noon
25 Fairview 6:30
*Region 1 matches
Wednesday: Regions 1 and 2
– Tom Reisenweber
