EXPRESS SET TO START 2009 SEASON
Aurora, NY – Led by first year head coach Dan Kane, the Express, who finished 5-9-2 last season and lost in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament, will boast plenty of experience as they return five seniors and four juniors. In total, 13 of the 15 players from 2008, all of which accounted for the Express' 22 goals last season, will return for the 2009 campaign.
The Express will feature NEAC Second-Team All-Conference selection, sophomore Delroy Roberts (Schenectady, NY) and NEAC Third-Team All-Conference selection and captain, senior Mike Birklin (Cicero, NY).
Roberts finished his freshmen year having led the Express with seven goals and three assist for a team leading 17 points in 2008.
Birklin, who has logged over 40 games and 3,500 minutes in net for the Express, will find himself at the stopper position again in 2009. Finishing the 2008 campaign with 86 saves and 1.94 GAA, Birklin will be a key part of the success for a team that will be eyeing their first NEAC Championship in program history.
Accompanying Roberts in the midfield will be senior-captains Derek Wheeler (Ava, NY) andNick Accordino (Hamburg, NY). Both have started a combined 95 games for the Express in their career and will be a vital part of the team's success. Wheeler finished with three goals and one assist on 22 shots while Accordino finished with one goal and tied for the team lead in assist with three last season.
Returning starters junior John Iapoce (Boiceville, NY) and sophomore's Justin Rigney (NY, NY) and Alioune Sene (Dakar, Senegal) will complete the midfield for the Express as they combined for seven goals and 18 points last season. Supporting the midfield and forwards will be sophomore Patrick Arancio (Clinton, NY), senior Toren Reaves (Rochester, NY), and junior Braden Allen (Lowville, NY) all of who combined to appear in 42 games off the bench in 2008. Returning to the Express after a year's absence will be junior Cody Glassman (Sheffield, MA). Glassman finished his freshmen year having started 15 games, finishing with three goals and three assist. Rounding out the offense will be senior Blasdimil Gomez Jr. (NY, NY) and freshmen newcomer Frederick Hutchinson (South New Berlin, NY).
In the backfield, will be returning starters senior Court Carnahan (Rochester, NY), junior Corey Fischer (Phoenicia, NY), and sophomore Ryan Huggins (Cooperstown, NY) all of who combined to start 41 games for the Express in 2008. Sophomore Rob Werbos (Marlton, NJ) and freshmen newcomer Luke Miller (New Hartford, NY) will round out the defense for the Express.
The Express will open up the 2009 season by welcoming Cortland State to Wells on Tuesday, September 1st at 4:00 pm. The Red Dragons defeated the Express 4-0 in their only meeting last season.
