Hickory Hornets
Boys
Coach (season, record): Mike Pascarella (11th season, 124-63-10)
2011 overall record: 11-7-1
2011 region record (place): 6-3-1 (third)
2011 playoff results: Lost to Grove City 2-0 in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals.
Top players lost: Kevin Hodgkins, Brandon Ward, Mark Caracci, Ryan Meyerowich, Phil Tantuo, Tom Radachy, Zach Scarton
Top returning players: Donte Green, Nick Petrochko, Zack Walters, Scott Phillips
Assistant coaches: Pete Donnarummo, Gary Hodgkins, Shawn Cozad
Outlook: Hickory could go through some growing pains this season. The Hornets were hit hard by graduation in the spring and won’t have much experience back this season. Kevin Hodgkins, Brandon Ward, Mark Caracci, Ryan Meyerowich, Phil Tantuo, Tom Radachy and Zach Scarton have graduated for Hickory. Hodgkins was an all-district selection and all-region first-team pick on offense. Ward and Caracci were each voted to the all-region second team on offense and Meyerowich on defense. The Hornets return Donte Green, Nick Petrochko, Zack Walters and Scott Phillips this season. Green was voted to the all-region team as a sophomore goalkeeper. Hickory replaces a total of eight starters and building the program might be more important than winning matches this season. The Hornets will have to rebuild quickly in order to compete for a playoff spot this season.
Schedule
September
5 Sharpsville 7:30
8 General McLane 12:30
11 Kennedy Catholic 7:30
13 at Mercer 7:30
15 Strong Vincent 12:30
17 at Slippery Rock* 4
19 Sharon* 7:30
22 at Commodore Perry 11 a.m.
25 at Wilmington* 7:30
27 at Franklin* 4
29 North East 12:30
October
1 Grove City* 7:30
3 Slippery Rock* 7:30
9 at Sharon* 4
13 Wilmington* 11:30 a.m.
15 Franklin* 7:30
17 at Grove City* 6
23 at Trinity Christian 7:30
*Region 2 matches
Girls
Coach (season, record): B.J. Rudge (9th season, 110-40-6)
2011 overall record: 18-1-0
2011 region record (place): 8-0-0 (champion)
2011 playoff results: Defeated General McLane 5-0 in the District 10 Class AA quarterfinals befloe losing to Mercyhurst Prep 2-1 in the semifinals.
Top players lost: Allison Richards, Lauren Costello, Jennifer Free, Hannah Davis
Top returning players: Allyssa McClure, Michelle DeGerolamo, Morgan McBride, Jackie White, Sara Suler, Madison Bell
Assistant coaches: Andrew Levitt, Pat DeGerolamo, Katie Mild, Dale Spadafora
Outlook: Hickory made strides last season by picking up its first playoff win and coach B.J. Rudge is hoping to build off that this fall. The Hornettes have some big-time players to replace, including Allison Richards, Lauren Costello, Jennifer Free and Hannah Davis. Richards was an all-district pick after scoring 44 goals and dishing out 10 assists last season. She was voted to the all-region first team and the Region 2 Player of the Year. Costello (offense), Free (defense) and Davis (defense) were first-team selections as seniors. Costello led Hickory with 21 assists and she scored 13 goals. Despite a solid group gone to graduation, the Hornettes have plenty of experience back this season. Seniors Allyssa McClure (offense) and Michelle DeGerolamo (defense) were voted to the all-region first team and could be leaders this season. McClure scored 11 goals and collected seven assists last fall, while DeGerolamo had seven goals and four assists. Also back are second-team selections Morgan McBride (goalkeeper), Jackie White (offense), Sara Suler (offense) and Madison Bell (defense). McBride is a junior this season, while White, Suler and Bell are sophomores. White had a breakout freshman season with 14 goals and 15 assists. Hickory has a solid non-region schedule that should get the Hornettes ready for region play. Hickory rolled through its schedule last season and if the Hornettes can replace their lost seniors, they could be a tough out in the playoffs.
Schedule
September
4 Wilmington 7:30
6 Neshannock 8
8 Strong Vincent 12:30
13 Sharpsville 7
18 Grove City* 7:30
20 at Oil City* 6:30
22 at Meadville* 5
26 at Titusville* 4
October
2 at Slippery Rock* 4
4 at Grove City* 6
8 Oil City* 7:30
10 Meadville* 7:30
16 Titusville* 7:30
18 Slippery Rock* 7:30
20 at Karns City noon
23 Sharon 7:30
24 Mercer 7:30
*Region 2 matches
Thursday: Iroquois
– Tom Reisenweber
