The Bears finished the 2001 season in third place in the SUNYAC conference with a 4-2 record. This years conference champion will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament and the Bears feel good about their chances for a first ever NCAA appearance.

ATTACK

Leading the Bears attack this season will be Jedidiah Hammill (Brasher Falls,NY) a senior who has amassed 96 goals and 38 assists in his career at Potsdam. Hammill, a legitimate All-American candidate this year, was a first team SUNYAC selection and second team ECAC pick during his junior year. Juniors Erik Lemelbaum (Syracuse, NY 33g 3a) and Josh Hickey (Carthage, NY 35g 9a) also return for the Bears after starting every game as sophomores. Lemelbaum is regarded as the Bears top shooter and plays a big role on the man-up team while Hickey is an excellent all-around attackman.
Also returning to the Bears attack are sophomores Pete Kolson (Canton, NY) and Chris Minei (Fairport, NY) two players who will push for a starting position this year.
"The attack unit returns all three starters in Hammill, Hickey and Lemelbaum and I expect them all to have big years," Coach Berkman commented.

OFFENSIVE MIDFIELD

The offensive midfield unit lost some key veterans, including `01 All-American and SUNYAC player of the year Brian Austin, but the Bears have added some strong recruits who will look to fill the void left by last years seniors. Leading this unit will be junior Eric Lehman (Lowville, NY) who has been on the Bears top midfield line for the past two years. He was a second team SUNYAC selection a year ago and is an excellent midfielder at both ends of the field. Also returning is Kevin Keegan (Cortland, NY) a very good athlete who will look to join Lehman on the Bears top midfield unit.

The newcomers include four transfers and are led by Rob Peters (Canton, NY) who had a great fall season for the Bears. He is a very big midfielder at 6'3" and 210 pounds who should cause problems for this years opponents who try to match-up with him. The other transfers at midfield are Jason Bressett (Brasher Falls, NY), Casey Swamp (Hogansburg, NY) and Matt Hosmer (Lancing, MI). All three of these middies join the Bears from Canton Tech where they each were starters a year ago. Bressette and Swamp were both Regional All-Stars and Bressette was the teams leading scorer.

This years midfield also has four very good freshman in Brad Halladay (Carthage, NY), Trevor Arquiett (Brasher Falls, NY), Jon-Mike Passerino (Watertown, NY) and Mark Muskopf (Orchard Park, NY). Each of the freshmen had strong high school careers and will push the upper classmen for playing time.

DEFENSIVE MIDFIELD

The defensive midfield unit will be led by senior captain Bubba Ayrassian (Canton, NY) who was a second team SUNYAC selection a year ago at long stick middie. He is an outstanding athlete and perhaps the toughest player on the team. Bubba, who has great speed and checks, will look to lead the Bears into the SUNYAC tournament this Spring.

Also returning to this unit is senior John Herriman (Rochester, NY) who is a very steady one on one defender. He is also the Bears top returning face-off man who won over 60% of his draws a year ago.
"I am very happy with the development of Ayrassian who looks to be the leagues premier long stick middie," observed Coach Berkman.

CLOSE DEFENSE

The Bears close defense returns its entire starting unit and will be led by senior Mike Sergi (Canton, NY) who was a first team SUNYAC selection during his junior year. Sergi is an excellent cover defender who has great stick skills and dominates the ground balls. Joining him will be juniors Andy Ewing (Endicott, NY) and Brandon Webster (Vestal, NY) who have both started every game since joining the program. Ewing is blessed with great stick skills and Webster is an excellent one on one defender.
Also vying for time will be juniors Andrew Rizzi (Niskayuna, NY), Tyler Comins (Hogansburg, NY) and Dan Klapprodt (Vestal, NY) along with freshman Josh Cecot (Massena, NY).
"Defensively I am very confident we can improve on our goals against average from last years team," Coach Berkman noted.

GOAL

The starting position for goalkeeper may go to senior Terry Roehm (Liverpool, NY), but he will face position challenges from several teammates. Junior Brian Albanese (Minoa, NY), along with freshmen Ryan Hanretty (Williamsville, NY), Nate Brown (Watertown, NY) and Mike Riggall (Syracuse, NY) are also interested in goal.
"Roehm will lead a strong group who will be pushing him to be at his best all year," added Coach Berkman.