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More depth has South boys lax feeling optimistic
"A realistic goal is a 10-6 record," said Szymendara. "Last year we were 2-14 but lost a lot of close games, and that's because we did not have a lot of depth. This year we have more depth and a number of skilled players who can pass the ball around and score." Half of the South roster returns, including several JV players who were called up later in the season. There are 25 players, including 15 juniors, on the roster. Returning players include seniors Joe Glieco, Joe Dash, Nick Brace, Lou Cascino, Jordan Feldberg, Eric Dimarco, Drew Caya and Steve Cutting; juniors Aaron Mong and Mike Walter; and sophomores Mike Glieco and Dustin DiTallo. Joe and Mike Glieco and sophomore Nick Frangos make up the starting attack with DiTallo rotating in. The starting midfield lines are Mong and juniors Dave Quinlan and Max Moscato; Dash, Feldberg, and Cascino; juniors Gabe Gonzalez, Scott Hourigan; and a yet-to-be-determined player. Joe Glieco started the season by setting a school record for most goals in a game, with seven in the team's 10-4 victory over Lockport on April 3. "Everything was clicking for him," said Szymendara. "It almost seemed like there wasn't a goalie in the net." Szymendara said Feldberg takes many of the team's faceoffs and excels at scooping up ground balls. Cascino can play any position when asked. A major strength is at long stick midfielder. Brace moves from close pole to long stick and with junior Nick Leonard should be dynamic at the position. Szymendara feels Leonard could go down as the best player to come through the program. "They truly just dominate out there," said Szymendara. "Their athletic ability lets them be a little more aggressive and put pressure on the ball. We had a scrimmage with Orchard Park, and OP coach Gene Tundo said 'who are these two guys because they are the best two athletes on the field'." The starting defense is comprised of Walter, who can use either hand and has good body positioning and awareness; junior Anthony Irbacher, who is returning from an anterior cruciate ligament tear he suffered early in the football season; and Caya, Cutting or Jerry Green. Dimarco moves from long stick midfielder to short stick defense and should be a major key for the South defense, Szymendara said. In goal is junior Mike Quinlan, twin brother of midfielder Dave Quinlan. Quinlan is a tri-captain with Joe Glieco and Dash for good reason. As a freshman, he tore an ACL in his left knee, then shattered his left kneecap that summer, which led to his entire knee being replaced by a cadaver's. Quinlan rehabbed, came back and played the last three games last season. Now he's at 100 percent. "The knee's not even a question," said Szymendara. "We're real happy with his recovery and impressed with his leadership role. On the field, he takes command of where the slide is coming from and is making the proper calls." Other stats from the Lockport game were goals from Frangos, Dash and Feldberg, Walter (11), Brace (nine) and Leonard (eight) leading in ground balls, and Quinlan making 14 saves. South's other game was a 6-3 loss at Lancaster last Wednesday. Cascino, Mong and Gonzalez scored. Leonard grabbed nine ground balls and Brace and Walter each grabbed seven. Quinlan made nine saves. "We took a couple of penalties and they capitalized on some man up situations," said Szymendara. "We played our best in the fourth quarter but unfortunately, the bounces did not go our way."
South returns to action on April 17, when they host St. Francis at 5 p.m. at Gateway-Longview. |
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