McDowell Trojans
Boys
Coach (season, record): Jamie Smith (4th season, 38-16-2)
2010 overall record: 11-6-1
2010 region record (place): 6-1-0 (second)
2010 playoff results: Won the District 10 Class AAA championship. Lost 3-0 to Peters Township in the PIAA first round.
Top players lost: Mitch Kavlick, Zachary Fischer, Michael Vollant, Kyle Means, Patrick Hayes
Top returning players: Chris Cvecko, Andrew Masteller, Dez Cifelli, Shawn Matthews, Chad Ackerman
Assistant coaches: Dan Kowalczyk, Tyler Cook
Outlook: McDowell will go through some rebuilding after losing two all-district players in Mitch Kavlick and Zachary Fischer to graduation. The two were all-region picks along with Kyle Means and Mike Vollant. All four are gone leaving coach Jamie Smith some big holes to fill. Returning for the Trojans is all-region first-team selection Dez Cifelli along with Chris Cvecko, Andrew Masteller, Shawn Matthews and Chad Ackerman. McDowell has six starters back and will have a mix of experienced players with some newcomers. The Trojans have two District 10 championships in the past three years and their schedule will likely get them ready to make a run at another title. McDowell travels to the Cumberland Valley tournament to start the season and the Lockport (N.Y.) tournament a week later. Of course, the two biggest matches of the year will occur Sept. 20 and Oct. 12 against rival Cathedral Prep.
Schedule
September
2-3 Cumberland Valley tournament
6 at Fort LeBoeuf 4
8 North East 7:30
9-10 Lockport (N.Y.) tournament
12 at Saegertown 4
14 Meadville* 7:30
20 Cathedral Prep* 7:30
26 Strong Vincent* 7:30
October
4 at East* 4:30
8 at Upper St. Clair 2:30
10 at Meadville* 7
12 at Cathedral Prep* 7:30
15 Altoona 2:30
18 at Strong Vincent* 6:30
26 East* 6
Girls
Coach (season, record): Jason Perkins (3rd season, 34-8-1)
2010 overall record: 13-4-1
2010 region record (place): 8-0-0 (champion)
2010 playoff results: Won the District 10 Class AAA championship. Lost 4-0 to Pine-Richland in the PIAA first round.
Top players lost: Angela Kuhar, Emily Dahlstrand, Erica Grutkowski, Deb Comi
Top returning players: Sammy Valloud, Allison Oathout, Natasha Lennox, Sarah Danch
Assistant coaches: Sonny Vidakovic, Sarah Palm and Emily Leone
Outlook: McDowell lost some leadership in the offseason but has a strong core back this fall. The Trojans return both of their all-district selections in Sammy Valloud (offense) and Allison Oathout (defense). Both were all-region selections last season along with returnees Natasha Lennox, Caroline Mashyna, and Sarah Danch. McDowell will have to replace goalkeeper Deb Comi, Angela Kuhar, Kelsey Knauer, Erika Grutkowski, Emily Dahlstrand and Amanda Knauer. The Trojans have four sophomores back that can make an impact right away in Hannah Manzka, Ashley Bernatowicz, Mashyna and Danch. Mashyna and Danch saw plenty of playing time last year to make the all-region team, while Manzka and Bernatowicz could be a big part of this year’s squad. Expectations are high after winning the District 10 Class AAA championship the past four years. The Trojans should be the favorite once again this season and will need the underclassmen to step up in order to make a run in the PIAA playoffs.
Schedule
September
3 at Upper Saint Clair 1:30
7 at Corry 7:30
9-10 Lockport (N.Y.) tournament
13 at Meadville* 7
15 Central Tech* 4
17 Mt. Lebanon 12:30
19 at East* 6:30
24 Strong Vincent* 4:30
29 at Mercyhurst Prep 7:30
October
5 Bradford 5
8 Meadville* 4:30
11 at Central Tech* 4:30
12 at North Allegheny 7:30
13 East* 7:30
18 at Strong Vincent* 4:30
22 Villa Maria 4:30
25 at Warren 5
Monday: Meadville
– Tom Reisenweber
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