The Wildcats are scheduled to open their season with a nonconference match on Saturday at Susquehanna University.
Last season: 14-5 overall, 4-2 all United East Conference, 3-1 UEC regular season.
Coach: Jordan Williams, sixth season. Career record: 48-31.
Top returnees (last season’s stats): Sophomore attack Elliot Dotson, of Wilmington, Delaware (96 points 43 goals, 53 assists); sophomore attack Owen Kupsey, of Chadds Ford (58 points, 54 goals, 4 assists); senior attack AJ Dotson, of Wilmington, Delaware (67 points, 28 goals, 39 assists); junior midfielder Aidan McFalls, of Gilbertsville (39 points, 26 goals, 13 assists); junior midfielder Will Ehret, of Basking Ridge, New Jersey (37 points, 23 goals, 14 assists); junior goalie Ryan Twist, of Great Meadows, New Jersey (175 saves, 146 goals allowed, 9.83 goals-against average, 13-5 record); senior long stick middle Austin Callahan, of Beaver Dams, New York; sophomore faceoff Levi Borkowski, of Norristown (142-216 – 65.7%); sophomore faceoff Antonio Santora, of Haskell, New Jersey (127-189 – 67.2%); junior defender Ian Stambaugh, of Red Lion; junior midfielder Jake Small, of Bloomsbury, New Jersey (42 points, 19 goals, 23 assists).
Key losses: Walt Heiser, Mason Nestor and Gage McClune.
Top newcomers (all freshmen): midfielder Tate Renaud, of Stevens; defender Charlie Monsell, of Pittstown, New Jersey; defender Collin DePace, of Hillsborough, New Jersey; long stick middle Ryder Palubinski, of Media; midfielder Quinn Smith, of Oakton, Virginia; attack Chase Kaplan, of Fort Myers, Florida; midfielder Isaiah Sensenig, of Lancaster.
Season/UEC outlook: Led by Elliot Dotson, the United East Offensive Player and Rookie Player of the Year as a freshman, Penn College is coming off a season in which it won a program-record 14 matches to finish with the best record in program history, placed second in the United East, and had a program-best six Wildcats elected to the all-conference first team, while a conference-high 12 were honored overall: first-teamers Elliot Dotson, Kupsey, McFalls, Callahan, and Twist, along with second-teamers AJ Dotson, Ehret, Small, Stambaugh, and Borkowski (Norristown).
“The expectations are high, and our ceiling is to be determined,” Williams said. “We lost a few four-year starters to graduation, but we return a bulk of our production in all phases of the game, while also welcoming a strong freshman class that will be fighting to contribute right away. We have once again made our schedule tougher to challenge us early and often to prepare for a conference championship push.
“Our theme as a program for this season: Not Satisfied – we want more, and we as a program are expecting more from everyone to continue to work on themselves to make us better as a whole. The question we pose with this theme: What would a conference champion do today? We aren’t competing for the championship today … but we can prepare and work toward that goal daily, which would earn us the opportunity to do just that.
“The focus and skill from this group is another step up from last year, and they have set extremely high goals as a group. This group is becoming closer each day with practices, community service, and team events. All the work we put in during the offseason on and off the field is starting to show with the chemistry, the relationships, and the on-field skill. It is an exciting thing to see.
“Schedule-wise, we have a lot of familiar teams, but as mentioned, we added a few new teams to really see where we could be. Our first half of the season will be grueling, but that is what our young men have asked for – meaningful games against strong opponents week-in and week-out. Heading into conference play after testing ourselves will make sure we are prepared for the teams we see and for the games that matter for our postseason chances.
“We are excited for the opportunity to set a new standard again this season as ‘team six’ makes its mark, reflecting on past lessons, and moving our program forward in a positive direction.”
Inside the UEC: The conference will have a different look this season as Notre Dame (Md.) University and Pitt-Bradford replace Bryn Athyn and Rosemont, who have left. St. Mary’s (Md.) College is the four-time defending champion and will be challenged by them, along with the Wildcats and Cairn University. The top four teams in the regular season will compete in the semifinals on April 29. The championship is set for May 2.
UPCOMING MATCHES
Saturday, Feb. 14 – at Susquehanna University, 1 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 18 – host Juniata College, 7 p.m.
For additional information about Wildcat Athletics, visit pctwildcats.com. For more about the United East Conference, visit gounitedeast.com .