Sports Preview: Rye 2010 Fall Sports

It's the fall sports season in Rye and teams are gearing up for competition. From football, field hockey, soccer, volleyball, tennis and cross country, here's a rundown of each team's wins and losses, upcoming games and a sneak peak of what to expect this season.

Rye Garnets

Team: Boy's Football

Coach: Dino Garr

Rye enters its second season in Class A after moving up from Class B and winning six straight Section One titles. The objective this season will be to make it to another Class A championship after falling short in last season's semi-final against Poughkeepsie. Third year starting quarterback Connor Eck will lead the Garnet offense along with Jack O'Callaghan, Brian Pickup and Anthony Vittello.  

Team: Girl's Volleyball

Coach: Jason Friesen

The 2010-2011 Rye Garnets' varsity volleyball team looks to improve on last season's 9-7 Class B record and 4-2 second place division finish. With six sophomores on Coach Freisen's team, many players will have to step up in order to help seniors Rachel Gould and Indeia Scarfone.

Team: Boys and Girls Cross Country

Coach:  Boys- Craig Sandhaus, Girls- Charles Carman

Cross Country has three meets before the section one league meet October 12. Therefore, it will be vital for each player to qualify for the that meet in upcoming competitions, which include Briarcliff on Tuesday, Byram Hills September 28, and Port Chester October 5.

Team: Boys Soccer

Coach: Jared Small

A senior-laden Garnets' boys soccer team will be expected to lead through five weeks of competition. Games include an away contest at Blind Brook High School, home games against Ossining and rival Harrison before a slate of road games including one against a good Port Chester squad on October 6.

 Team: Girls Soccer

Coach: Rich Savage

Garnets' girls soccer should also be well-equipped this season with 16 seniors along with five juniors. Savage's team should have a successful season and advance far into the playoffs thanks to their depth and experience. Upcoming games include three non-league matches to start the season before an away game at Fox Lane, which starts league play on September 23.

Team: Field Hockey

Coach: Emily Fitzgerald

Fans should be in for some excellent competition on the field hockey turf this season considering the eight seniors and 11 juniors that make up Coach Fitzgerald's squad. Freshman Alexandra Bennett is the lone freshman. Pivotal upcoming games include a road game at Suffern on Monday, Briarcliff on Wednesday, before a home contest against Valhalla September 21 to finish non-league action.  Crosstown rival Harrison is the first league game, which creates for a must-win situation for the Garnets.

Team: Rye/Blind Brook Girls Swimming and Diving

Coach: Shannon Bolger

The Rye/ Blind Brook Girls Swimming and Diving team looks to have the same success in 2010 as in 2009 when they went 7-0 and became league champs and divisional champs with a second place sectional meet finish. Six girls qualified for states. The merged team opens the season Monday at Harrison. Croton-Harmon is up next on Wednesday followed by a meet at SUNY Purchase against Byram Hills Monday, September 27.

Team: Girls Tennis

Coach: Cari Caulway

Upcoming games for Garnets' girls tennis include a season-opening match against Ossining, followed by Keio Academy, and Byram Hills. Every match will be important for competitors, especially those playing qualifying matches to advance to sectional play.

Rye Country Day School

Team: Football

Coach: John Calandros

Wildcat football looks to improve on their 5-4 record last season, beginning with Long Island Lutheran on September 25. Each win early on is pivotal to the squad's success in post-season play. FAA rival St. Luke's is up next on October 2 followed by a home game against Hackley the following Tuesday. A new set of leadership will need to step up and replace 16 seniors, including Brian Glazewski.

Team: Boys Soccer

Coach: Christiano Pereira

The main goal for the RCDS boys soccer team this season will be to win the Fairchester Athletic Association championship after struggling to repeat as league champions last season. With six seniors who recently graduated, a new set of players will be depended upon to take on new roles as FAA rival King School is first on the schedule at home on Wednesday, followed by Mamaroneck on September 25, and conference foe Hamden Hall September 29.

Team: Girls Soccer

Coach: Dick Pike

Wildcat Girls Soccer looks to impress more people this season after moving up to tie for second place; the first and highest finish in three years thanks to a great end of season performance. Success in post-season play will also be vital if the Wildcats have intentions of capturing another league or state championship. It all starts with conference opponent Hamden Hall on Wednesday.

Team: Varsity Coed Cross Country

Coach: Ethan White

The outlook is great for the RCDS Varsity Coed Cross Country team. The girls team looks to improve upon their 7-13 record while the boys look to maintain and improve their 14-9 overall record. Runners will have seven opportunities to qualify for FAA championships on November 8 at Waveny Park in New Canaan.

Team: Field Hockey

Coach: Georgette Summers

2009 NYSAIS Champions Wildcat Field Hockey will have to be on their feet and ready to play as well in their home season-opener against FAA conference opponent Holy Child Thursday. The squad looks to match and improve upon their 11-4 record last season and gain another state title.   

Team: Girls Tennis

Coach: Gary Solem

RCDS girls tennis, which finished 4-4 last fall, opens the 2010 campaign Wednesday against Poly Prep. Fieldston on Monday September 20 could be another win, since the Wildcats beat them (7-6, 7-5) last season.

Blind Brook High School

Team: Football

Coach: Joe Rinello

Blind Brook Trojan football looks to improve on their 5-3 second place finish last season. The early part of the season should be easy for the Trojans before two back-to-back games against Port Chester (October 2) and Pawling (October 8). The regular season ends at home against Albertus Magnus on October 23, in another tough game. It will be interesting to see how the Trojans fare late into the season.

Team: Volleyball

Coach: Justin Goldstein

It will be a significant season for the Blind Brook Varsity Volleyball squad, who enter the 2010 campaign with a dismal 0-8 record last season. The Trojans begin the new season with a home match against Pleasantville Tuesday before four away games against Sleepy Hollow, Somers, Briarcliff, and Port Chester making for a true test early on.

Team: Boys Soccer

Coach:  Jozef Pomoryn

After a 12-6 2009 season, Trojans boys soccer opens the season on the road Tuesday at Horace Greeley followed by a game against a tough Port Chester team. The Garnets come to town Thursday to play against the Trojans. Early season success is prominent to post-season positioning.

Team: Girls Soccer

Coach:  Michael Martino

The Blind Brook Trojans need to rebound from a 1-11 season in 2009. Their season begins Wednesday at home against Peekskill before the Trojans travel for a game against Hendrick Hudson High School on Thursday.

Team: Boys and Girls Cross Country

Coach: Judy Mella

Trojan runners have their first opportunity to prepare for the Westchester League Meet at Valhalla High School Tuesday at Briarcliff. With the league meet scheduled for October 14, the Trojans will have two more opportunities at Valhalla and then again the week after at Briarcliff to improve themselves as much as possible.

Team: Girls Tennis

Coach:  Trudi Davis

With boys tennis competing on the court in the spring, the Blind Brook girls tennis program will be looked upon to represent the Blind Brook tennis world when they begin their season on the road at Harrison Monday. The Trojans then have two home matches against Byram Hills on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. and North Salem Thursday also at 4:30 p.m.