CANANDAIGUA

Canandaigua lost eight seniors to graduation including All American midfielder Steve Smith (Binghamton), midfielder Mike Pane (LeMoyne) and defenseman Grady Moore (Bryant), but is still a favorite among Section Five coaches for one of the best teams in 2005.

Canandaigua had a "dream season" in 2004, winning the Section Five Class A title 10-7 in a great game against Penfield to maintain their perfect 19-0 record but then lost a very tough one goal game to Orchard Park (Section 6) in the NYS Tournament. They finished in the Number 4 spot on the final NYS poll and 24th on the Laxpower national poll.

Taking first in the Finger Lakes-1 division with a 8-0 record, the Braves led Section Five in both offense with 250 goals (12.5 average) and defense with 81 goals against (8.04 average). Seeded first in the Class A tournament, the Braves beat R-H 17-3, then Fairport, 10-4 before capturing the crown by beating Penfield, 10-7.

Seven players made first team all league honors including seniors Mike Pane (mid), Steve Smith (mid), Brian McWilliams (def) and Grady Moore (def). Juniors Chris Mulheron (att), Matt Warner (mid) and Mike Serron (def) also made the first team. Steve Smith was named to the All America Team. Coach Johnson was named Coach of the Year in the Finger Lakes.

The seniors gave way to the underclassmen in the Sectional tournament as juniors Dan Groot (mid), Mulheron and Serron each received All Tournament honors in Class A along with sophomore goalie, Dan Serafine. Junior midfielder, Aaron Manzer was the MVP in Class A.

With last year's distinguished record and a great number of experienced players returning this year, the Braves are loaded with talent.

The attack starts off with seniors Aaron Manzer (early to Mercyhurst) and Chris Mulheron (early to Binghamton) along with three other players from last year's team.

In defense the Braves have seniors Mike Serron, Ryan Cunningham and five others returning. Junior goalie, Dan Serafine is also expected back this year.

Midfield might be the one place where Canandaigua will lack depth in experience, but Coach Johnson should expect see a great deal from seniors Dan Groot (early to Maryland) and Tyler Emery (early to Lehigh).
   

Penfield won the Monroe County-1 division and was undefeated in 2004 until the last game of the regular season, when they lost to Pittsford 10-7. The Patriots were seeded second the Class A tournament and after beating Thomas 18-7 in the quarter finals won in an overtime game with Irondequoit (10-9). In the Championship game, they lost to Canandaigua by a score of 10-7. They finished 10th the final NYS poll and their average 10.5 goals per game placed them 4th in Section Five scoring in 2004.

Midfielder Kelly McKenna, goalie Brian Dell, and defensemen Luke Prattico and Dan Clay each received All Tournament recognition. Making the all league list were attackmen, Trevor Rice and Tim Pfeffer, midfielder Mike Thon, and defenseman Dan Clay who was also named to the All America Team.

Sixteen players graduated, including Clay (Brockport), midfielders Aaron Civalier (Nazareth), Dennis Bell (Cabrini), Clay Rice (MCC), and Dan Serron. Among the attackmen lost were Kevin McGuigan (Cortland) and Ryan O'Donnell and in the defense, graduates included Dylan Zobkiw (Oswego) and reserve goalies Shawn Sullivan and Adam Mutch.

Although the Patriots lost more than half the team to graduation, they still have plenty left to start the 2005 campaign and are seen by many coaches as one of the best teams in the section. The attack will see the return of seniors Trevor Rice, Tom Pfeffer and Jason Knerr and the midfield will contain among the best in Section Five with senior Mike Thon and juniors Kelly McKenna and Mike Arvan. In defense, seniors Luke Prattico and John Butt will return along with long stick middie, Evander Wilson. Junior, Brian Dell will return to the goal. Penfield is solid in every position and will have plenty of players looking to break into the starting lineup, but in a strong Class A environment and a competitive Monroe County league they will need to focus on every game.
   

Penn Yan tied for second with Victor in the Finger Lakes 1 League and finished the year at 17-6 over all.

The Mustangs were seeded 1st in the Class C Tournament and won with convincing scores of 20-1 over Greece and 12-5 over Livonia before beating Geneva 12-10 in the Championship game. After beating Canton (Section 10) 5-4 in the NYS out bracket, Penn Yan won games with Gowanda (Section 6) 8-4 and Lafayette (section 3) 5-4 in overtime before losing to Manhasset (Section 8) 13-5 in the State Finals. They finished the year ranked number two in the NYS final poll.

Six players were named to the All Tournament team including senior attackman, Kyle Eakens . Fellow senior, Brendan Hamm (mid), and sophomores, Dan Mesler (mid) and Dan McGuffie (att) were named along with freshmen, Michael Manley (def) and R.J. Wickham in the goal.

Making the all League list were Eakins, John Van Houten (att), Derek Christensen (def) and Hamm.

Penn Yan lost only five players to graduation, but all five have continued their lacrosse careers in college. Kyle Eakins is at Stony Brook, Derek Christensen (Keuka), Adam Bacher (FLCC), Jason Braman (Elmira) and Brendan Hamm is at Navy Prep.

There is little doubt by anyone that Penn Yan is once again strong in Class C and should complete well with the much larger team from Canandaigua in Finger Lakes competition. Although the Mustangs only have one returning attackman (junior Dan McGuffie) they are loaded in the defense and midfield with seven players who bring three years of varsity experience to the season.

In the midfield expect important performances by Van Houten, Mesler, junior Steven Carlson and senior Kyle Jensen. In defense watch Manley and juniors, Preston Christensen and Tristan Keas. Sophomore goalie RJ Wickham will return in the goal.

More than half the coaches voting in the preseason poll picked the Mustangs as one of the best teams in the section and second year coach, Brian Hobart has made it clear that he expects to compete. His out of league games this season are against some of the best teams in the State and include the defending Class A State Champions from West Genesee, as well the as the defending Section Four Champions from Ithaca (Class A), the defending Section Three Champions from Lafayette (Class C) and the Class B stronghold from Section Three, Carthage.

Teams will find home games at Penn Yan tough this season, as their normal home field is being replaced with synthetic turf. The Varsity games will be played up the hill on the field the Mustangs call the "Dog Pound", but home or away, Penn Yan will provide many hours of exciting lacrosse action this year.