By Greg DomorskiPOINT PLEASANT — Sometimes,

teams go into the season with more questionsthan answers and hope for the best.

That is exactly what the Point PleasantBoro boys soccer team isdoing this season.

The Panthers lostplenty of key players lastseason to graduation,

including Jordan LaCour, Mike Cappello,Lou Pazienza, Bryan Brodeur, goalkeeper EdMoran and defenseman Derek Haller.

Tori Remondelli looked ready to pick upthe torch, but his torn ACL further depletedthe Panthers’ roster.

Fortunately, two key senior returners —Shaun Cooke and Michael Henrich — areexpected to take leadership roles, leading thePanthers in an effort to improve upon lastseason’s 12-7 record.

Cooke recently recovered from a sprainedankle injury he suffered during a camp atRutgers University in late June. He returnedto playing soccer in late August.

The starting point guard for the Pantherbasketball team said he will look to transitioninto a leadership role on the soccer pitch.

“I want to be a better leader on and off thefield,” said Cooke. “This is my fourth year

By Greg DomorskiPOINT PLEASANT

BEACH — Head coach RickLill and the Point PleasantBeach girls volleyball team like

t h e i rc h a n c e sthis year.

T h et e a m

returns several players who areexpected to bring consistency,maturity and confidence to thecourt. Among the top returnersexpected to have a big year issenior captain Grace Butow, anoutside hitter.

Lill said Butow can be count-ed on at the net as well as at theservice line, but what reallymakes her a special part of theteam is her leadership.

“Grace is a very good person.She is well-rounded and ener-getic,” Lill said at practice this

SPORTSPage Friday, September 2, 2011

Point PleasantSharks Travel To

Cooperstown

Page 3835

See BORO, page 37

JOSEPH J. DELCONZO, The Ocean StarCoach Shaun Burstein is emphasizing conditioning for the Point Beach Lady Gulls’

2011 season, starting with a rigorous preseason training schedule [above]. Leadingthe way during a recent workout was defenseman Charlie Hesse [below], whoreturns for her junior year with the Gulls.

Boro to replacekey players in ’11

Lady Gulls take onemore step toward title

Beach girls return afterchampionship season

By Greg DomorskiPOINT PLEASANT BEACH — How

does one top a record-making season?This year, the Point Pleasant Beach

Garnet Gulls girls soccer team will try toimprove on its 2010 sec-tional championshipseason with a strongreturning core, key new-comers and an estab-

lished coach.The senior class is filled with talent in

sweeper Maggie Loundy — who head coachShaun Burstein said will be “one of the pre-mier sweepers of the Shore” — defensemanCharlie Hesse and strikers Erin Springsteenand Jessica Crane.

The Gulls also return a strong junior classthat features midfielders Nicole Meyer,Morgan Sartori, Morgan Ludwig andKristen Enoch.

The sophomore contingent of Haley Ray,Kayla Schardien and Morgan LaDuca willprovide strong support.

Burstein said two key

2011Fall Sports Previews

Soccer & Volleyball

See GULLS, page 39

See BEACH, page 37

Photos Courtesy of RICK LILLExpectations are running high for the Point Pleasant Beach Garnet Gulls volleyball team

[above], which will return four seniors and key outside junior Kirby Given [top].

JOSEPH J. DELCONZO, The Ocean StarSHAUN COOKE

JOSEPH J. DELCONZO, The Ocean StarANDY FIXTER, KEVIN MACIVER

BORO BOYS

SOCCER PREVIEW

BEACH

VOLLEYBALL

PREVIEW

BEACH GIRLS

SOCCER

PREVIEW