All-American soccer player Eric Kusseluk (in white) pushes the action against Harvard last year. Tim McKinney
One year ago, Cornell's fall sports teams won an outstanding 65 percent of their games, including wins in 76 percent of their Ivy League contests and this year's teams don't appear to be letting up. With a number of experienced letter winners combined with a wealth of freshman talent, all of the Big Red squads are looking to better last year's marks.
Here's how each team shapes up:
Four of last season's top five runners return to coach Lou Duesing's men's cross country team, led by senior captain Jeff Nason and classmates John Steed and Larry Gosse, the squad's top finisher at the Heptagonals. Juniors Dan Sherry and Zach Woodmansee and sophomores Josh Novak and Jim Wolfe will also contribute to a squad that finished seventh at last year's Heps.
Senior captain Kate Walker will be a key part of the success of Duesing's women harriers this fall after finishing fifth at last year's Heps. Joining her will be classmates Becky Dennison and Megan Kilbride and sophomores Miranda Kaye, Clair Ryan and Heather Haupt. Junior Laura Audette will also contribute.
Cari Hills, first-team All-Ivy a year ago, gives strong offensive support for the field hockey team. Tim McKinney
Coach Shelby Bowman's field hockey team looks to build on last season's ECAC appearance with 11 returning letter winners. Junior Cari Hills and sophomore Emily Robb scored 13 goals apiece last fall and will provide much of the offense, while senior co-captain Heather McCormick leads an experienced midfield. Classmate and co-captain Molly Kauffman will start in goal after allowing 1.82 goals per game and compiling an .852 save percentage last season.
Senior running back Chad Levitt, who gained 1,428 yards as a junior and led the Ivy League with 142.8 rushing yards per game, leads coach Jim Hofher's varsity football team, a squad that was on the brink of an Ivy League championship last fall. Juniors Scott Carroll and Brian Opre will compete for the chance to start at quarterback, where the mission will be to get the ball to an experienced group of receivers led by senior captain Steve Busch and junior Eric Krawczyk.
Seven starters return on defense led by senior defensive tackle and captain Seth Payne, who had four sacks last year. Junior Dave Ahouse and sophomore John Hanson, who was second on the team with 74 solo tackles and 27 assists, return at linebacker, while junior Chris Allen has earned the start at free safety in a secondary that has three starters returning, including junior Justin Bird and sophomore Tom Nunes.
Coach Dick Costello's golf team has five lettermen returning, including senior Chris Simms, who qualified for last fall's ECAC championship. Classmates Adam Simon and Dave Zinkand and juniors Keith Brenan and John Totolis also will see plenty of action.
Although 34 lettermen return to the lightweight football team, coach Terry Cullen needs to fill holes at quarterback and running back. Competing for signal caller are junior Tim Hedges, a converted tight end, and sophomore Craig Ginsberg. All-ELFL senior wideout Nolan Hecht, who led last year's squad with 415 yards, leads the receivers, while classmate Michael Matays is the most experienced running back. First-team All-ELFL senior center Kurt Sommerhoff bolsters the offensive line, while two-time All-ELFL senior linebacker Brian West heads the defense.
Coach Dave Sarachan has high hopes for the men's soccer team, despite the loss of five starters to graduation. Coming off an NCAA appearance last fall, the squad brings back 14 lettermen led by senior co-captain Eric Kusseluk, who earned first-team All-Ivy honors for his 18 goal output last season. Senior Rob Elliott, who had eight goals and 10 assists last year, and co-captain Marc Thorne lead the midfielders, while seniors Donny Megliola and Adam Schoner provide leadership at defense. Junior Dave Wolfe and senior Hemant Sharma will compete to start in goal.
Despite the loss of all-time leading scorer Lori Penny to graduation, coach Randy May's women's soccer team looks strong led by first-team All-Ivy senior goalie Marybeth Bell, who compiled a .97 goals against average and an .878 save percentage last year, while posting seven shutouts. Senior co-captain Karyn Anderer and first-team All-Ivy classmate Jen Daly will lead the backfield, while first-team All-Ivy senior co-captain Becky D'Aleo heads the midfielders. Sophomore Genna Terranova heads the forwards after a five goal, three assist output last year.
Senior Tom Brownlie will make the move to No. 1 for coach Barry Schoonmaker's tennis team. Classmates Brian Kintz and Hans Nichols add experience to the lineup, while sophomores Josh Benjamin and Peter Stahl will see plenty of action.
New women's tennis coach Katherine Bernard needs to find replacements for the holes left by the graduation of last year's No. 1 and No. 3 singles players. Senior Mo Bertsch probably will play at No. 1 after posting a 16-6 record at No. 2 during the spring. Other top returners include sophomores Rebecca Cannom and Michelle Degen, along with junior Kelly Molloy.
Coach Sue Medley's volleyball team shapes up well despite the loss of three starters to graduation. Six letter winners return, led by second-team All-Ivy junior middle blocker Carol DeZwarte, who led the Ivy League with 1.23 blocks per game last fall. Senior co-captain Stacey Champion, who had 211 digs and 36 service aces last year, also will provide leadership.