Sports

The Record
Page 7 bscrecord.com Aug. 20 - Sept. 10, 2013

Chris Dierken Sports Editor

dierken.record@live.com
Leif Reigstad Associate Sports Editor

reigstad.record@live.com

M en s S occer

New coach Howlett brings culture change to mens soccer program

Joe Sarro
Reporter

Buffalo State mens soccer has experienced its fair share of struggles over the past couple of seasons. After totaling six wins over the last two seasons, the Bengals needed to shake up their program dramatically. That change began when Buffalo State hired Mark Howlett to fill the vacant head coaching position. I want to bring my own culture within the program, Howlett said. Im the kind of coach that demands discipline, and its a year-round commitment. Howlett also said he wants his players to improve not just on the field but off the field as well. Academically, I want to make sure they are strong in the classroom, giving us a good name, making good decisions socially, and making sure were good citizens on campus and off campus, Howlett said. Senior defender Brandon Simoncelli was second on the team in minutes played last season, and became one of the

Bengals most reliable defenders. He sees Howletts presence as a positive for the team, which is looking to get back to winning form after back-toback subpar seasons.

Im the kind of coach that demands discipline, and its a yearround commitment.
Mark Howlett
Head Coach

He is going to be very tough on us and expect a lot, Simoncelli said. Going through Spring Season, I already see a lot of improvements such as the team attitude and the team image. (A) new coach means new styles and new things to learn, which is always helpful in sports. Senior defender Anthony Appiani also likes what Howlett has brought to the

team so far. He is energetic and very positive, which helps with the transition, Appiani said. He is extremely organized and committed. I couldnt be happier with the choice. This organization needed a shake up and I think we will surprise a lot of people this year. Buffalo State is returning 12 seniors this fall, which should help ease the transition and provide stability, even with a new coach coming in. Appiani is one senior that has stepped into a bigger role this offseason. He has taken younger teammates under his wing, and the rest of the players are noticing Appianis efforts. (Appiani) has taken a leadership role this past spring, said Simoncelli. He helps out coach with everything and gets the guys to be places on time and to work hard. Appiani is grateful that his teammates appreciate his leadership, but said that the leadership needs to come from throughout the program. I just want to set a good example alongside Brett (Lanham), C.J. (Scirto), and all of

our other seniors, he said. We all want to win and play well, but I want to leave a foundation for this program. The Bengals will return their top six scorers from last season, to compliment Appiani and Simoncelli on defense. Scirto, a senior midfielder, looks to lead Buffalo States offense, which managed to score just 15 goals in 17 games last season. To further the programs turnaround, the Bengals have a large number of new faces looking to make an impact this season. According to Howlett, Buffalo State has at least 18 players coming into the program this year to try to be a part of the team in the fall. In order to find success this year, and improve upon the one win Buffalo State had last season, Appiani knows the team has to start with the basics and build from there. Winning starts with good habit, Appiani said. It will help start the restoration of this storied program at Buffalo State. Joseph Sarro can be reached by email at sarro.record@live. com
Buffalo State Sports Information

Senior defender Brett Lanham will help anchor what could be a stingy Bengals back four

Footba l l

Bengals return key offensive pieces

From BENGALS page 8
feet on their neck and close out games, and Im pretty sure well be just fine. Some players believe that the momentum from winning their final four contests of the 2012 season will help them build consistency at the beginning of this season. Wide receiver Rya n Carney trusts that the Bengals put it together at the end of last season and will reap the benefits in 2013. Winning our last four games definitely gives us a ton of confidence going into this year, Carney said. A lot of the games we lost, we felt like we should have won, and then to pull it together as a team at the end of the year really helps us go forward. Boyes agreed, and even went a step further, saying that Buffalo State needs to carry over the momentum gained at the end of last season into the beginning of this year. It has to, he said. As a returning group of guys, they have to hit the field running, and not be making mistakes that we made last season, particularly in the early parts. There cannot be any mental mistakes. The Bengals will begin their season at Cortland on Sept. 7. The home opener at Coyer Field is Saturday, Sept. 14, against Brockport. Chris Dierken can be reached by email at dierken.record@live.com or on Twitter @cdierken.

Wom en s S occer

New players have big shoes to fill

From LADIES page 8
well-knit group of girls and the hours weve put into the weight room and on the field in the off season is really going to push us to be successful, Banfield said. We also have a lot of promising recruits coming to camp in August so I think our upcoming season is going to be a winning season with the opportunity of making it to the final round in SUNYACs. DeMarsh also hopes the Bengals can improve their record and on-field performance by being more thorough and organized in teaching his system to the players. The Bengals play their first game on the road on Friday, Aug. 30, at noon against the Farmingdale State Rams in the opening game at the Farmingdale State Classic in Farmingdale, N.Y. They will then follow with a matchup against Emmanuel, Aug. 31, at the classic. Their first home game is Saturday, Sept. 14, at 9:30 a.m. against the University of Pittsburgh-Bradford. Chris Losey can be reached by email at losey.record@live.com.

Junior Rich Pete had 7 rushing TDs last year.

Buffalo State Sports Information

Vol l ey ba l l

Moore will anchor Bengals defense

From V-BALL page 8
far, and the disappointment that came with not getting a bid into the NCAAs was just so heartbreaking for us, Bashore said earlier this summer. But we didnt let it get us down. It just made us want it that much more. With almost everyone from last years roster returning this season, the Bengals have high expectations that things will end on a higher note this time around. I expect us to be really strong this year, said Bashore, who is entering her senior season. We have some good recruits coming in and were very excited to work with them. I have a feeling that were going to come in ready to win this year. Bashore, the reigning SUNYAC West Division Player of the Year, headlines a stacked group of returnees, joining senior libero Chelsea Moore (First Team AllSUNYAC), junior middle hitter Sam Parente (First Team), and sophomore outside hitter Hannah Renaldo (Second Team and West Division Rookie of the Year). I have high expectation. I think were going to be really good, Parente said. I think everyone has been doing their summer workouts, and its going to be a great season. Its been an exciting summer for Bashore, who was selected for a competitive internship position with Under Armor, and has taken advantage of the athletic apparel companys expansive complex in Baltimore, using it to train for the upcoming season. They have a court at the headquarters that we are allowed to use, she said. Ive been using their workout facilities, and there are beach volleyball courts along the harbor, which is fun as well. Third-year head coach Maria DePeters expects Bashore to once again embrace the leadership role she took on last year. Were going to look to (Bashore) and (Moore) to be the team leaders for us again, she said. Moore led the team with a program-record 811 digs last season and also holds the career digs record for Buffalo State. She and Bashore will form the nucleus for a Buffalo State team that enters the season as one of the teams to beat in the SUNYAC. This is the first time in a long time weve been a preseason favorite in the conference, DePeters said. Probably not since Monica Polka (played). Polka holds seven individual records at Buffalo State and last suited up for the Bengals in 2002, which was the last time the Bengals made the SUNYAC playoffs until DePeters took over in 2010. Despite making the playoffs each of the three seasons under DePeters, the Bengals have not made the NCAA Tournament, something no Buffalo State volleyball team has ever done. Bashore, a Polka-esque talent, may be the one to take the Bengals there this season, with help from an already strong roster. My main focus this year is on being a great team leader for the girls, Bashore said. I have more team goals than I do personal ones. I just want to take my girls as far as they can go. Leif Reigstad can be reached by email at reigstad.record@live.com or on Twitter @LeifReigstad.

Kelsey Bashore won the SUNYAC West Player of the Year award in 2012

Buffalo State Sports Information