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The football showdown between Cathedral Prep and McDowell, also known as the Cureage Cup, will serve as a fundraiser for cancer research for the fifth consecutive year.

That game is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. at Veterans Stadium.

However, two upcoming soccer games will serve as cancer fundraisers as well.

McDowell and Prep meet on the soccer field today at 7:30 p.m. at Dollinger Field in the second annual “Kickin’ Cancer” game.

Shelley McQuown, a Cathedral Prep soccer parent rep, said the game will be utilized to raise money “to assist a family who has been affected by cancer.”

Last year, more than $1,000 was raised for a family at the inaugural “Kickin’ Cancer” game.

Fans can help by selling T-shirts, 50/50 tickets and raffling three baskets. In addition, $1 from each admission ticket sold will be donated. The public is encouraged to attend.

• Meanwhile, the McDowell girls soccer team will raise money for the Regional Cancer Center Foundation during its game at Gus Anderson Field Monday at 7:30 p.m. against rival Mercyhurst Prep.

A press release from the McDowell girls soccer team noted that one team member lost a grandmother to colon cancer and an aunt to lung cancer. Another McDowell player’s uncle had childhood leukemia at age 2, and “fortunately, thanks to treatment, he is now 35, cancer-free and about to be a father for the first time.”

The team chose the Regional Cancer Center “because it benefits cancer patients right here in our community. No patient is ever turned away because of his or her inability to pay and patients with financial needs are served.”

McDowell will be selling special game shirts and soccer ball cutouts with ribbons to raise funds.

For information, send an e-mail to Caroline Mashyna at carolinemashyna@gmail.com or Char Mashyna at charmashyna@gmail.com or call 881-1210.

Kyla Dwyer

The Mercyhurst Prep girls soccer team is loaded with seniors in the starting lineup, but the upperclassmen need several younger players to fill in the gaps.

Sophomore Kyla Dwyer has helped in a big way this season. Dwyer scored two goals, including the go-ahead goal in the first half, in a 4-1 win over rival Villa Maria.

The Lakers entered the season with several impressive scorers, including Cleveland State recruit Sarah Kaiser.

Mercyhurst’s offensive attack has been bolstered each match by underclassmen like Dwyer.

Poll results:

Read the rest of this entry »

The Mercyhurst Prep girls soccer team will be able to chase a second PIAA Class AA championship in three years. The Lakers were reinstated for consideration for the District 10 and PIAA playoffs on Tuesday. Mercyhurst Prep athletic director Dan Perfetto confirmed that the school received a letter from District 10 announcing the reinstatement.

Mercyhurst Prep was initially suspended from the postseason on Sept. 5 after competing in a scrimmage with Montour two days before the first scrimmage date set by the PIAA. Coach Pedro Argaez then resigned for the “good of the program” one day later.

–Tom Reisenweber

Mercyhurst Prep soccer coach Pedro Argaez has resigned. Argaez was the head coach of the girls soccer team and assistant coach for the boys soccer team. He resigned Thursday effective immediately “for the good of the program and athletes involved” according to a release from Mercyhurst Prep.

In light of the resignation, Mercyhurst Prep has appealed the District 10 Committee sanctions handed down at its meeting Wednesday. The D-10 Committee suspended the girls soccer program from the 2012 postseason.

–Tom Reisenweber

Mercyhurst Prep Lakers
Boys
Coach (season, record): Doug Bakka (7th season, 110-18-6)
2011 overall record: 21-2-0
2011 region record (place): 8-0-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Kennedy Catholic 8-2 and Fairview 3-1 to win the District 10 Class A championship. Mercyhurst then defeated Seton-La Salle 3-2, Karns City 6-0 and Sewickley Academy 5-1 in the PIAA playoffs before losing to New Hope-Solebury 1-0 in the PIAA championship.
Top players lost: Max Weber, Tyler Zupan, Jose Abdala, Mario Perez, Gabriel Loret, Casey Shelton and Eric Campbell
Top returning players: Tyler Shumaker, Josh Ott, David Michaels, Jacob Kisiel, Geoffrey Mayes, Caleb Payne, Matt Zimmer, Jon Getson
Assistant coaches: Sombath Inthavong, Pedro Argaez
Outlook: Mercyhurst Prep went through plenty of transition in the offseason and has several holes to fill from last year’s PIAA runner-up team. The Lakers graduated prolific scorer Max Weber along with Tyler Zupan and Casey Shelton. Weber was voted to the all-region first team after scoring 12 goals and dishing out 16 assists, while Zupan was an all-district pick and first-team selection on defense. Jose Abdala, Mario Perez and Gabriel Loret were only in the United States for one year and have returned to their high school in Mexico. Abdala was one of the top scorers in the state with 50 goals and 14 assists on his way to being named the District 10 Player of the Year. Abdala was an all-district pick and was the region player of the year along with a first-team selection. He scored 50 goals and collected 14 assists last fall. To add on to the heavy losses from last year, all-district selection Eric Campbell transferred to Harbor Creek in the offseason. Campbell, a standout the past two years, scored 22 goals and had 11 assists as a sophomore. With everything the Lakers lost, they will have some experienced players back. Calen Payne is a returning first-team defender, while Josh Ott is a second-team selection on offense. Ott scored eight goals and finished with nine assists as a junior. Tyler Shumaker, David Michaels, Jacob Kisiel, Geoffrey Mayes, Matt Zimmer and Jon Getson are also back this season. The eight returning players could emerge as leaders and might need to with a young team filling in the rest of the roster. Freshmen Alex Schroeck, Nick Kisiel, Ben Waldee and Ryan Intrieri could be key contributors this season. Mercyhurst has always been a technically-sound team and will need to keep possession of the ball as much as possible this season with an inexperienced team back. The Lakers have a loaded schedule that should prepare them to make a run at defending their District 10 Class A championship. Mercyhurst has won three titles in a row and will need to figure out a way to beat an experienced Fairview team to make it four. The Lakers and Tigers meet Oct. 1 and 17 while Mercyhurst also has a big showdown with Cathedral Prep on Oct. 27.

Schedule
September
1 (Hempfield tournament)
1 (Hempfield tournament)
8 at Central Tech 1
12 Warren 6:30
15 St. Francis (N.Y.) TBA
17 at Iroquois* 7
20 Eisenhower* 4
25 at Seneca* TBA
27 at North East* 4
October
1 Fairview* 6:30
3 Iroquois* 4
6 at Neshannock 1
9 at Eisenhower* 4
11 Seneca* 4
15 North East* 7
17 at Fairview* 4:30
27 at Cathedral Prep 7:30
*Region 3 matches

Girls
Coach (season, record): Pedro Argaez (8th season, 110-21)
2011 overall record: 16-5-1
2011 region record (place): 7-1-0 (co-champion)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Cambridge Springs 8-0 and Hickory 2-1 in the District 10 Class AA playoffs before losing to Harbor Creek 2-1 in double overtime in the D-10 championship. Mercyhurst then lost to Mars 2-0 in the first round of the PIAA playoffs.
Top players lost: Lauren Elia, Jess Armagost
Top returning players: Sarah Kaiser, Olivia Augustyniak, Allie Segel, Bailey Jordan, Cassie Geiger, Taylor Smallshaw, Kendal Schaetzle, Sara Carlucci
Assistant coaches: Doug Bakka, Sombath Inthavong, Russell Segesdy, Shawn Walsh
Outlook: Expectations are high, once again, for Mercyhurst Prep. The Lakers were upset in last year’s District 10 Class AA championship by Harbor Creek in double overtime after winning a state title in 2010. Mercyhurst lost two players to graduation but each leaves a big hole to fill. Lauren Elia, an all-district offensive player as well as an all-region first-team pick, is gone along with goalkeeper Jess Armagost, a first-team selection. The Lakers will need a new keeper to fill in this season but they might have enough offensive firepower to make up for the loss of Elia. Sarah Kaiser, a Cleveland State recruit, was named to the all-district team last year and an all-region first-team pick. She leads a strong offensive unit, which includes first-team selection Allie Segel and second-team picks Taylor Smallshaw and Cassie Geiger. The Laker defense should be strong as well. Olivia Augustyniak, a Duquesne recruit, is an all-district selection as well as a first-team defender. Bailey Jordan was also voted to the first team. Kendal Schaetzle and Sara Carlucci also return this fall to add depth for the Lakers. Mercyhurst loaded its schedule this season to make another run at a state championship. The Lakers will take on state champions Peters Township and Nichols (N.Y.) along with powerhouses Mt. Lebanon and South Park. Mercyhurst also has big region matches with Villa Maria but with a big senior class, expectations are to win D-10 and make another deep run in the PIAA playoffs.

Schedule
August
31 (South Park tournament)
September
1 (South Park tournament)
3 Central Tech 1:30
5 at Strong Vincent 6:30
18 Villa Maria* 6:30
24 Warren* 6:30
26 at Bradford* 5:30
October
2 Corry* 4
3 at East* 6:30
5 (Adidas tournament)
6 (Adidas tournament)
8 at McDowell 7:30
10 at Warren* 5
13 at Nichols (N.Y.) 1
16 Bradford* 6:30
18 at Corry* 4
22 East* 4:30
27 at Villa Maria* 4:30
*Region 4 matches

Thursday: North East

– Tom Reisenweber

The “Road to Hershey” blog will begin Friday morning and continue through Saturday, following the Mercyhurst Prep boys soccer team. The Lakers are scheduled for a rally at 8:20 a.m. on Friday before departing for Hershey. Mercyhurst Prep will take on New Hope-Solebury for the second year in a row on Saturday at 1 p.m. Fans can get details of what the team is doing on its road trip throughout the weekend, ending in its arrival back in Erie on Saturday night.

– Tom Reisenweber

Mercyhurst Prep Lakers
Boys
Coach (season, record): Doug Bakka (2nd season as boys coach, 6th season overall, 21-2-1 as boys coach, 89-16-6)
2010 overall record: 21-2-1
2010 region record (place): 8-1-1 (second)
2010 playoff results: Won the District 10 Class A championship. Lost 2-1 to New Hope-Solebury in the PIAA championship.
Top players lost: Jordan Felice, Connor Frawley
Top returning players: Eric Campbell, Max Weber, Josh Ott, Tyler Zupan, Jacob Kisiel, Tyler Shumaker, Caleb Payne
Assistant coaches: Pedro Argaez, Sombath Inthavong
Outlook: Mercyhurst Prep put together an impressive season in 2010, including a District 10 Class A championship and an appearance in the PIAA Class A championship match. Although New Hope-Solebury was talented, the Lakers stuck with the eastern powerhouse before falling 2-1. Mercyhurst returns with plenty of experience this fall but will have two big holes to fill. Connor Frawley, an all-region defender, and all-district goalkeeper Jordan Felice have graduated. The good news for the Lakers is pretty much everyone else is back. Max Weber, the District 10 Player of the Year, played a big part in Mercyhurst’s state-playoff run and is a difference-maker for the Lakers. Eric Campbell had a huge freshman year by being named the Region 3 Player of the Year and earning a spot on the all-district team. The Lakers also have all-region first-team selections Josh Ott and Tyler Zupan back along with Jacob Kisiel, Tyler Shumaker and Caleb Payne. Mercyhurst plays in one of the toughest Class A regions in this half of the state and despite not winning the region title, the Lakers made a deep run in November. Coach Doug Bakka is stressing to his team to take things one match at a time and to realize what made the Lakers successful last year. With a new season, Mercyhurst will face new challenges, including finding a new keeper. David Michaels and Geoffrey Mayes could make an impact on the varsity level this season. The Lakers put together another challenging schedule, which includes a seven-game road trip in October.

Schedule
September
8 Bradford 4
10 at Saint Francis (N.Y.) 11 a.m.
12 at Franklin 4
14 Titusville 4
17 at Steel Valley 2
20 Fairview* 6:30
22 Seneca* 4
26 Warren 4
28 Eisenhower* 4:30
October
4 at Maplewood* 4:30
6 at Iroquois* 7
10 at Fairview* 4
12 at Seneca* 4:30
15 at Richland 1
17 at Peters Township 7
18 at Eisenhower* 4
20 Maplewood* 4
25 Iroquois* 4:30

Girls
Coach (season, record): Pedro Argaez (3rd season as girls coach, 7th season overall, 40-3-3 as girls coach, 109-17-3 overall)
2010 overall record: 22-0-3
2010 region record (place): 8-0-0 (champion)
2010 playoff results: Won the District 10 and PIAA Class AA championships.
Top players lost: Becca Costello, Kaylin Akerly, Christine Haverly, Jenna Bauer, Gabby Malone, Rachel Honard, Riley Stetson, Erin Wienczkowski
Top returning players: Sarah Kaiser, Jess Armagost, Olivia Augustyniak, Lauren Elia, Cassie Geiger, Allie Segel, Bailey Jordan, Kendal Schaetzle
Assistant coaches: Doug Bakka, Sombath Inthavong
Outlook: Mercyhurst Prep made history in 2010 with District 10′s first outright PIAA championship. The Lakers rolled through District 10 and didn’t lose a match the entire season. To repeat that success, Mercyhurst will need a lot of help from its underclassmen. The Lakers lost 11 seniors to graduation, including District 10 Player of the Year Becca Costello. Also gone is all-district selection Kaylin Akerly along with Christine Haverly, Jenna Bauer, Gabby Malone, Rachel Honard, Riley Stetson and Erin Wienczkowski. Mercyhurst Prep coach Pedro Argaez will look for some of the younger players to step up and fill those roles. Helping the underclassmen will be returning all-district members Sarah Kaiser, Jess Armagost and Olivia Augustyniak along with all-region first-team selection Lauren Elia. Cassie Geiger, Allie Segel, Bailey Jordan and Kendal Schaetzle also return to provide experience and leadership. Gabby Simora and Sarah Carlucci are new players this fall that could contribute right away this fall. With experience back on defense and in goal, the Lakers should be in every match this season. The key will be developing a strong offense and confidence to repeat the success from last year.

Schedule
September
2-3 South Park tournament
7 at Villa Maria* 5:30
11 Central Tech 1
13 at Warren* 4
17 at Steel Valley noon
19 at Corry* 4
25 Holy Name (Ohio) 2
29 McDowell 7:30
October
3 Villa Maria* 7:30
8 Nichols (N.Y.) 7
11 at East 6:30
13 Corry* 4
17 Warren* 4
19 Bradford* 4
23 at Strong Vincent 1
25 Meadville 4:30
27 at Bradford* 4

Thursday: North East

– Tom Reisenweber