AQUINAS
March 18,2006 - Aquinas tied with McQuaid Jesuit for the GRALL Championship last year with a 5-1 record and ended the season at 11-9. Five players received all league honors including seniors Don Bringley in defense and Jason LaShomb in the goal. Juniors David Schmandt (att), Joe Edd (def) and Pat King (mid) also made the all league team. LaShomb was named an Academic All American and was GRALL “Co-Player of the Year”. The Little Irish received an honorable mention in the final NYS poll.

Aquinas was seeded second on the class C side of the B/C tournament and ended in third place after winning against Bath (10-2) and then losing to Waterloo (15-4) in the semi final round.

Although the Little Irish only lost six players to graduation, the defense will feel the loss of LaShomb (Mercyhurst) and Bringley (Fisher). Also gone are midfielders Kevin Oberst, Pat Eyre, Ian Urquhart and Peter Fornorola.

Coach Ewing has two transfers to the program this year. Playing offensive midfield or attack will be Nick Berkompas, a junior from Webster Thomas and Carroll Kennedy a defensive senior from McQuaid Jesuit.

Returning in defense will be senior Joe Edd, who will anchor the defense with Kennedy. Sophomore Alex Gray returns as well. Joe Dambra and Craig Heston will be competing for the goalie time along with LaShomb’s backup, Alan Antinarelli.

Senior attackman David Schmandt will be key in the attack for the Little Irish.

At midfield, look for senior Pat King who returns and senior defensive midfielder Chris Gionta, who coach Ewings calls “tough as nails and a tenacious defender.” Other midfield returners include sophomore Marc Brondon and seniors Mark Pincelli and Chris Roland.

Replacing LaShomb in the goal and Bringley in defense will be difficult for the Little Irish, and in fact, Coach Ewing has been spoiled over the last two years with extraordinary goalies in LaShomb and Walker (in 2004). Although he will have three goalies from which to choose, it is unlikely that he will be able to expect the same dramatic saves this year as he is used to seeing. Kennedy will help to fill out the defense and Schmandt and King will score goals. This team is not as deep as last years but they have some athletic players and the Little Irish will do well if they can bring it together. There are a number of “easy wins” on the schedule and a number of games that may be tough. They could do well in the Class C tournament by the end of the year.

Top Returners:

David Schmandt - 12 - Att
Joe Edd - 12 – Def
Pat King - 11 – Mid
Alex Gray – 10 – Def
Marc Brondon - 10 – Mid
Mark Pincelli - 12 – Mid
Chris Roland - 12 - Mid/Att

Top New Players:

Carroll Kennedy - 12 – Def (Transfer)
Nick Berkompas – 11 – Mid (Transfer)
Joe Dambra - Goal
Craig Heston – Goal