March 23, 2005 -
AQUINAS
Aquinas
was the first champion of the newly formed GRALL league with
a record of 5-1 (9-7 overall). The Little Irish were seeded
in the number 2 spot in the Class B tournament but lost to
Victor, the number three seed in a close 10-9 game.
Seven players made the all GRALL team with senior goalie Jeff
Walker named "Player of the Year". Also on the list
were senior attackmen JP Gorman and Bob DeFreze. At midfield
were senior John Contestabile and sophomore Connor Burgasser
and at defense was senior Josh Kacprzak. Coach Alex Ewing
was GRALL coach of the year.
JP Gorman was named to the All Tournament Team in Class B.
Aquinas graduated eleven seniors in 2004 including Walker
(Binghamton), Gorman, Kacprzak, DeFreze and Contestabile.
Losing a goalie as good as Walker will be tough for the Little
Irish as will be attackmen like Gorman and DeFreeze and in
fact the returners will need to step up with leadership help
from players like senior defenseman Don Bringley and senior
goalie Jason LaShomb (who has committed to Mercyhurst). Junior
David Schmandt returns to the attack and senior midfielder
Pat Eyre and junior Pat King will help offensively. Coach
Ewing has brought up three freshmen; Marc Brandon and Michael
Gray at midfield and Alex Gray at defense. Aquinas will play
non league games with St. Francis of Buffalo, Pittsford, Penfield
and Geneva each of which would be big wins for the young team.
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BATH Bath
tied for second in the first year of the GRALL league in 2004
with a record of 3-3 (10-9 over all).
Seeded 6th in the Class C Tournament, the Rams lost to 3rd
seeded Geneva 16-2 in the quarter final round.
Juniors Liam Glover (att), Jeremy Suffin (mid) and Alex Durham
(def) received first team all league honors.
Bath lost five seniors in 2004 including goalie Dustin Smith.
The defense will be to reset with the loss of Smith in the
goal, but a number of productive midfielders return including
seniors Liam Glover, Richie Zajac, Jeremy Sutfin and junior
Kyle Benesh. Senior Alex Durham returns in the defense and
Greg Gleason will run as a long stick midfielder. Senior Ryan
Finney returns to the attack. The Rams will open with Corning
West from Section Four and will end with Hamburg from Section
6 and should be competitive in the GRALL. Depth may be a problem
but if they stay healthy and can fill the goalie spot, the
Rams have some experienced players who could win close games.
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