High Expectations as Pioneers Start 2018 Season
The Alfred State lacrosse team has high expectations as they head into the 2018 season. The 2017 squad finished 7-2 in their final nine games, won the USCAA Classic, and was the runner-up in the AMCC Showcase.
Five of the top six scorers from the 2017 team return led by Teddy Alvarado (Hilton). Alvarado scored 62 goals and passed out 22 assists on his way to being named a 1st team All-AMCC and All-ECAC North. Joe Johnson (Churchville Chili) returns for his junior season after scoring 55 goals and passing out 16 assists, AJ Soto (Churchville Chili) enters his sophomore season after recording 33 points (14 goals and 19 assists) last year, and Branden Dickson (Bath Haverling) is back after passing out 19 assists (22 total points) as a junior transfer. Ian Grana (Greece Odyssey) also returns after scoring 11 goals and passing out eight assists.
The midfield and defense also returns a great deal of experience as seven players return to the midfield, three on the defense, and one in goal. Chris Williams (Watertown/South Jefferson), Scott Fingar (Penn Yan), Joe Wittmeyer (Hamburg), and Jared Tegler (Churchville Chili) will be counted on to be key contributors.
Coach Jonathan Hoover will also look to a solid group of newcomers. Eric Passeck (Thomaston, CT) and Nathan Crowley (West Irondequoit) will be in the mix in the middle of the field while Matt Cob (Churchville Chili) and Noah Teator (Grand Island) will battle returner Nate Gardner (Newark) for time in between the pipes.
Hoover is excited about the mix of his team. "This team has worked hard during the offseason and the preseason to be competitive from day one. We have a solid nucleus of experience players that will be able to quickly get the newcomers up to game speed. I look forward to seeing the fruits of their hard work in action. We want to be in the mix for a spot in the AMCC Showcase again this year."
The 2018 season starts on Saturday when the blue & gold host Keuka at Pioneer Stadium at 1 p.m.
