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North East Grapepickers
Boys
Coach (season, record): Sam Coffman (8th season, 94-36-6)
2011 overall record: 13-5-2
2011 region record (place): 8-2-2 (second)
2011 playoff results: Defeated Warren 1-0 on penalty kicks in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals before losing to Slippery Rock 3-1 in the semifinals.
Top players lost: Jake Smith, Josh Eby, Josh Kitchen, Pete Seymour
Top returning players: Ryan Roggie, Joe Neff, Colin Gregory, Chase Doyle, Ethan Sowers
Assistant coach: Phil Sarver
Outlook: North East pulled off one of the biggest upsets in last year’s District 10 Class AA playoffs by beating Warren in penalty kicks. The Grapepickers return eight starters, including the entire offense, but will need to fill some holes on defense. North East graduated all-region first-team goalkeeper Josh Eby along with first-team defenders Jake Smith and Josh Kitchen. Pete Seymour, a second-team selection, is gone as well. The returning offense has built chemistry over the past few years and is led by first-team selections Joe Neff and Ryan Roggie. They are joined by fellow seniors Colin Gregory at forward, Chase Doyle in the midfield and Ethan Sowers on defense. The ‘Pickers could also receive contributions from new player Tom Martin. North East dropped down to Class A in the offseason and could be an interesting team to watch. The ‘Pickers loaded its non-region schedule with tough teams like Bradford, Warren, Hickory and Slippery Rock to go with a brutal region schedule. North East will find out where it stands in Class A in late September with big matches against Fairview and Mercyhurst Prep.

Schedule
September
4 at Corry 4
6 Warren 4
12 Bradford 4
13 at Titusville 4
17 Seneca* 4
19 Iroquois* 4
25 at Fairview* 4:30
27 Mercyhurst Prep* 4
29 at Hickory 12:30
October
1 at Eisenhower* 4
3 at Seneca* 4
6 Slippery Rock 11 a.m.
9 at Iroquois* 7
11 Fairview* 4
13 at East TBA
15 at Mercyhurst Prep* 7
17 Eisenhower* 4
*Region 3 matches

Girls
Coach (season, record): Lauren Christy (2nd season, 6-10-2)
2011 overall record: 6-10-2
2011 region record (place): 1-9-2 (tied for sixth)
2011 playoff results: Did not qualify for the District 10 Class AA playoffs.
Top players lost: Hannah Brown, Sarah Mrozowski, Alexis Mazzeo
Top returning players: Alexis Coleman, Leah Kowalewski, Bre Klenz
Assistant coach: David Zamperini
Outlook: North East started competing well with some of its Class AA region opponents last year and because of the shift in eastern teams, the Grapepickers have moved down to Class A. North East is a contender in Class A and will need to replace three standout players this fall. All-region first-team defender Hannah brown graduated along with second-team selection Sarah Mrozowski, who scored 10 goals last year. Alexis Mazzeo is gone as well, leaving second-year coach Lauren Christy the task of finding some leadership in this year’s team. Senior Alexis Coleman is back to anchor the defense, while Leah Kowalewski (senior) and Bre Klenz (junior) return at midfield. Macy Putnam, an incoming freshman, might make an impact right away this season. North East lost several starters and will be young this season. The move to Class A helps, but the ‘Pickers still have to deal with upstart Fairview. If North East can build some cohesion as the season goes on, the ‘Pickers will be a tough out in the second half of the fall.

Schedule
September
4 at Harbor Creek 5:30
6 at Fairview* 4:30
8 Central Tech 11 a.m.
10 at Iroquois* 7
12 Maplewood* 4
13 General McLane 4
18 at Seneca* 4
20 Eisenhower* 4
24 at Conneaut* 4
29 Kennedy Catholic 11 a.m.
October
2 Fairview* 4:30
4 Iroquois* 4
6 at Strong Vincent 9 a.m.
8 at Maplewood* 4:30
10 Seneca* 4
16 at Eisenhower* 4
18 Conneaut* 4
22 Girard 4
*Region 3 matches

Friday: Oil City

– Tom Reisenweber

North East Grapepickers
Boys
Coach (season, record): Sam Coffman (7th season, 81-31-4)
2010 overall record: 15-5-1
2010 region record (place): 8-3-1 (co-champion)
2010 playoff results: Lost 2-0 to Warren in the District 10 Class AA championship.
Top players lost: Justin Seeley, Jake Haeseler
Top returning players: Jake Smith, Josh Kitchen, Josh Eby
Assistant coach: Phil Sarver
Outlook: North East put together a terrific second half of last season to earn a Region 5 co-championship and make a run to the District 10 Class AA championship match. The Grapepickers lost to Warren in the D-10 title match but they have most of their offense back. North East’s biggest challenge will be replacing captains Justin Seeley and Jake Haeseler. Haeseler was named first-team all-region on defense, while Seeley was a second-team pick on offense. The ‘Pickers will turn to seniors Josh Kitchen and Josh Eby to lead the defense this fall. Kitchen returns after being named to the second team on defense, and Eby is a four-year goalkeeper on the varsity level. Jake Smith led North East in goals last fall and was named Region 5 co-Player of the Year. North East has plenty of experience back and will need to build a little depth in camp. The ‘Pickers need to fill a few holes in on the starting lineup but should once again be a contender for the region and district titles.

Schedule
September
3 at Iroquois 10 a.m.
6 Meadville 4
8 at McDowell 7:30
14 at Central Tech* 4:30
17 at Corry 10 a.m.
20 Saegertown* 4
22 at General McLane* 5:30
24 Hickory 11 a.m.
26 Fort LeBoeuf* 7
28 Harbor Creek* 4
October
1 Girard* 11 a.m.
6 Central Tech* 4
10 at Saegertown* 4
12 General McLane* 7
15 Titusville 11 a.m.
18 at Fort LeBoeuf* 7
20 at Harbor Creek* 6
24 at Girard* 5:30

Note: North East does not have a girls soccer coach yet and information will be posted once they do.

Friday: Oil City

– Tom Reisenweber