Holy Family Looking for Big Season in NCAA Debut

-By Daniel P. Moynihan, Times Sports Editor

Al Hewitt and Chris Weber have many things in common. They were integral members of their high school soccer teams, both earned All-Catholic honors as seniors last year, and both were considering a number of colleges before they graduated from their high schools in the Northeast.

Another thing that Hewitt, a graduate of North Catholic, and Weber, an Archbishop Ryan product, also share is their reasoning behind the decision to attend Holy Family University this fall: familiarity.

Hewitt, a Mayfair native, reunites this fall with former North teammates Joe Rudolph, Matt Stricker, and Pat McKinney. Webber rejoins old Ryan mates Leo Nestico and Kevin Biederman. "We knew who was playing there and who the coaches were," said Hewitt, a three-time Catholic League soccer champion in four years at North. "We played with or against a lot of them, and they're friends."

On Holy Family's 26-man roster, 24 attended schools in the Philadelphia Public and Catholic leagues. Of that total, 10 have won 17 league championships combined.

Head coach John Amorim hopes the Tigers, the Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference champions out of the NAIA a year ago, can benefit from the experience this season. "I would characterize our team as a Philadelphia Catholic and Public league team," Amorim said. "We have players who have experience playing in big games, and enjoy playing in big-game situations."

After spending the past two years as an NCAA probationary program, Holy Family athletics officially becomes a member this month, and the Tigers are prepared for the difficulties they face.

Unlike previous campaigns, when a handful of Division 2 squads were included in the schedule, this season's competition features a former national champion and a number of nationally ranked, perennial powerhouses.

"Our opponents are going to be more organized and faster than before," said Amorim, who assumed control of the program in 2001. "We hoped to improve on depth (during the off-season), and I think we accomplished that. In practice, I demand mobility from my athletes. Hopefully, we'll get in a position to score."

As Amorim points out, recruiting college prospects is virtually a full-time job itself. However, he's been fortunate to look no further than his own back yard to acquire the region's talented athletes since succeeding Joe Stackhouse as head coach.

In his first two years, Amorim received a hefty contribution from defender Nick Colacicco and midfielder Matt Gamble. Gamble, an alumnus of Washington High, and Colacicco, a Ryan grad, were All-Conference stalwarts each of their last two seasons with the team.

Holy Family also received an offensive contribution last season from striker Tim Hamill. Now a senior, the Judge graduate cashed in with three goals and seven assists and is expected to generate more chances this season. Hamill, a tri-captain, will provide the Tigers leadership along with fellow captains, Wendell Barnes (North Catholic) and Joe Garstka. Sophomore Kevin Mackenzie made a big impact in his rookie campaign, recording three tallies while earning five assists.

Holy Family, which opens its home portion of the schedule on Sept. 15 against Shippensburg, faces one if its toughest regular-season schedules in school history. Four teams- Bloomsburg, West Chester, Millersville, and East Stroudsburg-were nationally ranked in the top 20 a year ago. In fact, Bloomsburg previously won the Division 2 national championship. Holy Family salvaged a 0-2-1 record against Bloomsburg, Millersville, and West Chester last season. Two years ago, the Tigers knocked off the Rams of West Chester, 3-1.

"Everyone works just as hard as you do. You just can't show up and expect to win, because if you do that, then you can lose to anybody," the coach added. "Every game, we'll have to out-work and out-desire the other team."

Weber has already noticed the difference between the high school and college game. "The players are faster and stronger; they are much more physical," Weber said.

Amorim likes the assembled talent, and with a roster loaded with savvy and experienced competitors, it's no wonder the coach envisions great things from this year's squad. "First we want to finish the season with a winning record. From there, we hope to win the (CACC) and qualify for the regionals and then reach the national tournament. These are certainly large goals, but there are our goals ever year, and they should be."

Times sports editor Daniel P. Moynihan can be reached at 215-354-3035 or dmoynihan@phillynes.com.