CGA FALL PREVIEWS
MEN’S SOCCER
Coach: Chris Parsons (17th year) Key returnees: Sr. D Noah Harper, Sr. D Greg Burnham, Jr. D Brock Hassett, So. D Daniel Taglianetti, Jr. D. Wilson Nichols, Sr. D/MF Garrett Magill, Jr. D/MF Pryor Miller, Sr. G William Bragaw, Jr. Dakota Harich, So. G James Morrison, Sr. MF Patrick Palermo-Re, So. MF Noa Pagatpatan, Jr. MF Nicholas Gibbs, Sr. MF Landon Klopfenstein, Sr. MF Quintin Parsons, Jr. MF Taka Lendon, So. MF Seth Anderson, Sr. F Alex Hall, Sr. F Griffin Klages, Jr. F Gio Ottomanelli. Top newcomer: Fr. F Robert Fugett.
Outlook: Coast Guard returns 23 players from a team that won 10 games for the first time since 2014 and reached the semifinals of the New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference tournament, and Parsons his hopeful that kind of depth and experience leads to another strong season. “I know this team will compete in every game,” said Parsons, whose Bears open the 2018 season on Friday against Thomas (Me.) in the Southern Maine tournament. “It is a quicker preseason for us, but I am looking forward to the season. The guys are in good shape and they have out on strength in the off season.” Coast Guard allowed only 11 goals (a .058 goals against average) in 2017, and welcomes back Harper, Burnham and Hassett, who have combined to start 119 games. The Bears have three experienced goalies, led by East Lyme’s Bragaw, while Palermo-Re will anchor a quick midfield and Hall had five goals and 11 points a year ago, both career highs. Klages, Ottomanelli and Fugett are also scoring threats.
WOMEN’S SOCCER
Coach: Susan Grant (12th year) Key returnees: Sr. G Anna Niedermeyer, Sr. D Riley Cassidy, Jr. D Valerie Hines, So. D/MF Kate Retz, So. D/MF Lizzie Miller, Jr. MF Madeleine Khoilian, Jr. MF Rachel Samotis, Jr. MF Lydia VanWinkle, So. MF Sabrina Robertson, So. MF/F Kylee Ballard, Jr. F Claire Hurley, So. F Felicia Lombardi, Sr. F Kali Borden. Top newcomers: Fr. G Katharina Commins, Fr. D/MF Abigail McGuire, Fr. D/MF Katie Roys, Fr. D/MF Kate Barnett, Fr. MF Brielle Pearce.
Outlook: Coast Guard won a program record nine matches in 2017, finishing 9-9 overall and falling a win short of making the NEWMAC tournament. Grant, however, is confident the Bears can return to the postseason for the first time since 2014 with the return of experienced players throughout the lineup and a group of newcomers who will provide an immediate impact. Coast Guard returns all four starting defenders in tri-captain Cassidy, Hines, Retz and Miller, with Retz and Miller anchoring the middle with the added threat of moving up into the midfield and producing offensively. They should help Commins, a freshman transfer from South Carolina-Aiken, get comfortable in goal quickly. Tri-captain Khoilian, Samotis, VanWinkle, Robertson and Ballard bring experience and depth to the midfield (Grant also expects freshman Pearce to have an impact). Hurley, the ex-Waterford High star, is back to lead the attack after scoring a team-high 17 points (7 goals, 3 assists) a year ago. “We are hoping Claire finds her scoring touch early in the season and gets contributions from the players around her,” said Grant, whose Bears open on Saturday at home against Fredonia at 3 p.m. “I think Felicia (Lombardi) gained confidence towards the end of the season and I hope Kali (Borden) bounces back after battling injuries during her junior season.”
VOLLEYBALL
Coach: Mike Bynon (4th year)
Key returnees: Jr. OH Angelou Dunton, So. OH Bridget Boyle, Jr. S Makenna Martin, So. L/DS Veronica Hine, So. L/DS Heather Miller, Jr. L/DS Kassidy Whitney, Sr. L/DS Mackenzie Everett Top newcomer: Fr. S Nikki Sefcik.
Outlook: Coast Guard, which begins its season on Friday at the Clarkson tournament, posted its ninth straight winning season (16-14) in 2017 and qualified for its 20th straight NEWMAC tournament. The Bears are certainly in a position to add to both streaks in 2018 thanks to return of some key veterans, led by a pair of All-NEWMAC performers in Dunton and Boyle. Dutton had 271 kills, 274 digs and 33 aces a year ago while Boyle led all freshman with 328 kills while adding 261 digs and 33 saves. “Lou (Dunton) and Bridget really set the bar for what is expected in our program,” Bynon said. “If you want to be successful you will have to match what those two bring every single day, and those are the type of players we need to be successful.” Sefcik has opened eyes during the preseason as a setter along with Martin (677 assists last year), but Coast Guard has six other freshmen who will add depth and talent to the roster. “I thought our freshmen didn’t just survive Swab Summer, but I really thought they thrived and did a really good job of being leaders within their groups,” Bynon said. “They have already been pushing the returnees in practice and that is exciting.” Hine, Miller, Whitney and Everett will all be in the mix to start at libero and all four can also be relied upon as defensive specialists, too.