Niners Ready for Season Opener
ACRHA September 23rd, 2004 at 6:49AM September 23rd, 2004 6:50AMThe Charlotte 49ers Roller Hockey Team will get their season underway October 2nd and 3rd at the Charlotte Sports Center in Charlotte, NC. The team will hold its season opener against Davidson College on Saturday at 10:00am and then play rival East Carolina at 6:30pm.
This years team could potentially be one of the best Charlotte teams that has ever played at the school due off season recruiting. This year the club picked up five solid transfer students, two of which were from rival schools.
Chris Cashion (Appalachian St.) and Greg Hartley (Elon) have joined the front court attack this season and should put up some solid numbers for a second and third forward line that the team was lacking last season. Mike Iannucci (CPCC) will also return this season after a two year absence and will pair up with Hartley on an offensive line.
The 49ers also picked up Peter Allen (CPCC) and Jesse Olson (NC State) in the backcourt. These additions will provide the team with size and experience, also something the team has lacked in previous years.
Returning players will also play a major role this season. Joe Lefebvre and Mike Lorusso, two of the nations leading scorers, will once again play together on the starting forward line. These guys are looking to put up some big numbers again this season. Jim Costello has also been moved up from defense to play with Cashion on the second forward line which should provide the team with two solid forward lines. Cole Gatewood will once again hold down the ?3rd Line? this season.
Defensively, Mike Costello and Jason LaVere will play together again this season in the Charlotte backcourt. They should provide the team with plenty of physical play and experience. Andy Tendler and Trevor Zimmer will return as goaltenders. They need to have solid seasons in order for the team to contend for the ACRHA Championship.
Team President Jason LaVere adds, ?The new transfers were great additions to our team, but we still need to keep working hard this season. Last season we thought we were better than we actually were and ended up getting smoked in the end.?
Charlotte will play South Carolina at 10:30am on Sunday followed by Elon at 7:00pm. These are the only home games scheduled for the club this season.