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Mercyhurst Prep Lakers
Coach (season): Sean Amann (1st season)
2010 overall record: 8-7
2010 region record (place): 8-4 (third)
2010 playoff results: Lost to McDowell in the District 10 Class AAA championship.
Top player lost: Lindsey D’Andrea
Top returning players: Anna Evanoff, Kelsey Hooker
Assistant coach: Kelly Orlando
Outlook: Mercyhurst Prep will be starting over this fall with only two starters returning and a new coaching staff in place. Dana Amann takes over and will implement a new system this season. The Lakers will have to replace most of their starting lineup, including standout Lindsey D’Andrea. Anna Evanoff and Kelsey Hooker return to lead the way, while Lexie Campbell, Maggie Cavanaugh, Morgan Valone, Susana Lin, Lauren Kenny, Heather D’Andrea, Jen Robie and Ali Miller could contribute right away for Mercyhurst. The Lakers decided to play up in Class AAA for the current PIAA cycle and the move paid off. Mercyhurst qualified for the District 10 championship match but fell to powerhouse McDowell. The Lakers compete in a tough region with several strong Class AA teams. Mercyhurst will need some of the inexperienced players to step into starting roles right away for the Lakers to compete for a region a district title.

Schedule
September
6 at Eisenhower 7:15
8 at Hickory 7:15
13 at East* 7:15
15 Central Tech* 7:15
20 at McDowell* 7:15
22 Harbor Creek* 7:15
27 Strong Vincent* 7:15
October
4 at Villa Maria* 7:15
6 East* 7:15
11 at Central Tech* 7:15
13 McDowell* 7:15
18 at Harbor Creek* 7:15
20 at Strong Vincent* 7:15
27 Villa Maria* 7:15

Later today: North East

– 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

Mercyhurst Prep Lakers
Coach (season, record): Matt Morgan (7th season, 58-21)
2010 overall record: 12-1
2010 region record (place): 8-0 (champion)
2010 playoff results: Lost 39-0 to Farreel in the District 10 Class A championship.
Top players lost: Aaron Horton, Zack Palmer, Chris Kurzik, Brad Hesch, Brandon Czerwinski, Jeff Annunziata, Zach Murzynski, D’Andre Connor, Tyler Pullium
Top returning players: Cornelius Barclay, Mike Weber, Dwayne Canady, P.J. Wycech, Darrin Donikowski, Josh Agresti, Joe Desanti
Assistant coaches: Ryan Abbott, Nate Hain, Rich Krafty, John Graeb, Pete Szoszorek, James Cowles, Drew Botelho, Scott Gorring
Outlook: The three biggest strengths of Mercyhurst Prep in 2010 may be its biggest weaknesses this year. The Lakers were hit hard by graduation at running back, linebacker and offensive line. Mercyhurst has three starting offensive linemen back, but the departure of Zack Palmer, Brandon Czerwinski and Jeff Annunziata will be tough to replace. Mike Weber, a 6-foot 3-inch, 300-pound two-way starter will anchor the line along with Darrin Donikowski and Joe Desanti.

Mercyhurst’s rushing attack could wear teams out last fall. Speedy Aaron Horton, who set the District 10 single-season rushing record with 2,444 yards, and powerful Chris Kurzik made up a brutal offense to slow down. All three backs have graduated leaving a huge hole for coach Matt Morgan. Cornelius Barclay is hoping to fill that hole by transforming from a home-run threat to an every-down running back. Barclay was named to the Nike Combine All-Combine team in Pittsburgh in the offseason and his speed is impressive. He finsihed with 840 yards and 11 touchdowns on only 53 carries and could be a difference-maker for the Lakers.

The Lakers lost two of its top linebackers in Brad Hesch and Kurzik to graduation. They were leaders on the field and were a big part of a terrific defense. D.J. Mahoney will be in the mix at linebacker along with Mackenzie Kranz. The competition in camp for starting jobs should be intense. Mercyhurst has some experience back at quarterback with P.J. Wycech and in the secondary. If the Lakers can develop a few linemen and maybe get some help for Barclay, they will likely be back on top of Region 2 once again.

Schedule
September
2 Mercer 7
9 at Iroquois* 7
16 at Cambridge Springs* 7
24 Eisenhower* 7
30 at Youngsville* 7
October
8 at Oliver 1
14 at Cochranton* 7
21 Saegertown* 7
28 at Union City* 7
November
4 Maplewood* 7

Tuesday: North East

– Tom Reisenweber

About 180 finalists, their families, fans and award sponsors turned out for the first Varsity Cup awards banquet Wednesday night. Mercyhurst Prep walked away the big winner, with three awards and the Varsity Cup trophy, but the Lakers had to share the spotlight with many others, including keynote speaker Amy Palmiero-Winters.

Here’s a look at what went on at the Erie Maennerchor Club ballroom: