With the AU sports teams preparing for another season of action, let’s take a look at some of the impact athletes for the coming year.
Troy Brewer, Senior Guard, Men’s Basketball
Brewer is the lone returning starter from last season’s team that finished 22-9. Last year, he averaged 11.5 points per game, 4 rebounds per game and 24 steals. Expect his scoring numbers to go up — a lot.
Last season, the Eagles benefited from having two of the best forwards in the Patriot League, leaving Brewer as the third option. But with Vlad Moldoveanu and Stephen Lumpkins gone, the offensive workload will fall on Brewer and the team’s other guards.
Lisa Strack, Senior Guard, Women’s Basketball
Despite then-freshman Alexis Dobbs being the primary ball handler on last year’s team, Strack led the team in assists during her junior year. Having appeared in 90 games in her AU career, Strack’s experience will be key throughout the season as the Eagles welcome in four freshmen. In addition to her leadership, Strack will command a defense that ranked 15th nationally in points allowed per game.
Alassane Kane, Junior Forward, Men’s Soccer
In spite of being a mere sophomore in 2010, Kane led the team in points and goals scored. As he enters his junior season, the expectations will only rise.
Despite a balanced scoring attack, the Eagles were not as offensively proficient as one would have hoped. Kane will be the focal point of the AU offense this year, and has the talent and ability to reach the next level after garnering Second Team All-Patriot League honors last season.
Ryan Flores, Senior Heavyweight, Wrestling
It’s hard to figure out which was a bigger blow: All-American Steve Fittery graduating or head coach Mark Cody leaving for the University of Oklahoma. Even with the departure of Fittery and Cody, the wrestling team is still in good shape.
Earning All-American status for the first time in his career, Flores became AU’s second NCAA finalist and helped lead the Eagles to a program-best fifth-place finish at the 2011 NCAA Championships. With the heavyweight back on board, the Eagles are in a good position to make another deep run, as Flores hopes to add a national championship to his résumé.
Gina Hofmann, Junior Defender, Field Hockey
As a sophomore, Hofmann finished second on the team in points and third in goals scored. With two-time All-American Christine Fingerhuth graduating, added emphasis will be placed on offense. Look for Hofmann to be a key player in setting up the Eagles’ offensive attack.
Tony Wroblicky, Sophomore Forward, Men’s Basketball
With Moldoveanu graduating and Lumpkins pursuing a pitching career with the Kansas City Royals, the Eagles are looking for two new forwards. The most likely to fill one of those spots is Wroblicky. Despite a lean frame, Wroblicky possesses the length to be a good defender around the rim. He is still developing his offensive game, but should provide the Eagles with an immediate upgrade on defense.
Bernadette Maher, Senior Midfielder, Lacrosse
Maher showed her offensive capabilities in 2011 by leading the team with 35 goals and finishing second on the team with 38 points. The team returns most of the starters from last season, so Maher’s scoring should continue to increase as the Eagles look to improve on last season’s 9-8 record.
Juliana Crum, Sophomore Outside Hitter, Volleyball
Despite playing on a senior-laden team in 2010, Crum still found a way to make an impact. She is the returning team leader in kills and second in assists, and has big shoes to fill as several of the key contributors from last season have graduated. Crum will be one of the veterans on a team slated to welcome in eight freshmen, and is in a position to lead the Eagles in most offensive categories in 2011.
sports@theeagleonline.com
