Dave Cousino to lead new co-op between Jefferson, Mason for soccer
Dave Cousino has been playing soccer since he was in the first grade.
But he never had a chance to play the game for his high school.
Cousino graduated in 1995 from Erie Mason, which did not have a soccer team.
His only access to the sport was a travel team.
Cousino joins the varsity coaching ranks this spring and will get to coach Mason athletes who get to play soccer in high school for the first time.
Jefferson and Mason have formed a co-op for girls soccer this spring.
The roster of 14 players is divided evenly between the two schools.
“We’ve got seven girls from Mason and four of them have travel ball experience,” Cousino said.
Cousino is not a newcomer to coaching.
“I coached at St Joe’s in Erie for a couple of seasons then life happened,” he said. “I got married and had kids. When my oldest daughter started playing, I helped coach off and on. Then in 2022, my youngest daughters team needed a coach, so I took over the U-14 Monroe United girls team for two seasons.”
More: Milan's Sylvia Koch leads All-Region Girls Soccer Team
His youngest daughter Camryn will play for Jefferson-Mason this spring. His older daughter McKenzie is an assistant coach at Monroe.
Previews for all of the Monroe County Region girls soccer teams follow.
AIRPORT
Coach: Harold Mendez, third year.
2023 record: 7-10.
Returning players: Seniors Marlie Liggett, Makayla Harrelson, Skylar Gerweck- Myers, Cecelia Ortega, Gwen Nunn, Madilynn Daniels, Leah Labean; junior Olivia Heinze; sophomores Nicole Lambrix, Emily Begeman, Olivia Bucki, Rylee Johnson.
New players: sophomores Payton Toth, Brooke Welch, Autumn Welch, Janessa Ball; freshmen Alexis Heinze, Taylor Johnson, Marissa Chapdelaine, Makenna Haddox, Machenzie Timbrooks, Kaydence Atkinson, Erin Dosert, Maileah Foresman, Lena Lolon-Bogedain.
Season outlook: Ortega had 15 goals and 14 assists last season and Liggett rang up 12 goals and six assists. Daniels made 181 saves last season and 412 for her career.
Coach’s comments: “We have seven seniors and contribution of under classmen to gain experience. We are excited for the 2024 season.”
BEDFORD
Coach: Kellie Grosteffon, second year.
Returning starters: Seniors Libby Ewing, Maddie Helpman, Presley Napier, Madden Mosley, Kam Clifton, Lexi Ripple; junior Fabiana Valdez.
Other players: Seniors Brookelyn Horton, Mariam Saleh, Bre Boros; junior Jordan Whipple; sophomores Gabby Chapple, Haley Lawson, Kamryn Morse, Lily Zornow; freshmen Avry Madalinski, Elizabeth Klocek.
Season outlook: Ripple was an All-Southeastern Conference Red defender last season, while Ewing and Clifton made the Division 1 all-district team.
Coach's comment: “We have an experienced team with a lot of returning veteran players. We've added additional younger talent that will compliment us well. We have a challenging schedule again this year. Looking forward to a great competitive season.”
DUNDEE
Coach: Mark Dotson, fourth year.
2023 record: 4-11-2.
Returning starters: Seniors Sam Schwab, Brianna Cousino; junior Griffin Knapp.
Other players: Senior Brooklyn Guldi; juniors Joni Mitchell, Helena Johnson, Finn Taylor; sophomores Aislyn Waggoner, Ryan Straub, Ava Richards; freshmen Ericka Gumola, Evan Crawford, Mackenzie Doody, Lydia Richards, Vivienne Conklin, Brook Kuzala, Scarlett Trame, McKenna Simpson, Taylor Schneider, Journey Williams, Alison McClendon, Vanessa Crawford, Jocelyn Mitchell.
Season outlook: The Vikings have a freshmen class of 14 players.
Coach’s comments: “Dundee will look for returning players to step into leadership roles, assisting our seniors in leading the largest recruiting class in program history.”
FLAT ROCK
Coach: Craig Stanczyk, first year.
2022 record: 11-7.
Returning starters: Seniors Avery Barron, Mary Bayus, Isabella Thomas, Anna Klein; juniors Courtney Kraszewski, Megan Woelkers, Sarah Harkins, Keola Botts; sophomore Sophia Ellison.
Other players: Seniors Carolina Garcia, Claire Carlman; junior Lillianna Lukasik; sophomores Eva Mouro, Carlee Balogh, Ava Gillum, Layla Holbrook, Riley Chevalier; freshmen Elyse Rogier, Lily Klein, Aileen McNamara, Michelle Crum, Willow Palumbo.
Season outlook: Isabella Thomas led the team in scoring last year with 16 goals and 10 assists. Woelkers and Kraszewski added 10 goals each.
Coach’s comment: "We look to build on last years's success. We were able to set the school record for most wins in a season. I would like to see us play more competitive against the stronger teams in our league.”
GIBRALTAR CARLSON
Coach: Steve Briggs, 13th year.
2023 record: 7-8-4
Returning starters: Seniors Anika Irwin, Dreya Waple; juniors Katie Frommann, Lillian Raines, Alyvia Roll, Morgan Ross, Kassidy Sugarbaker; sophomores Ella Atkinson, Maya Genzel, Allison Gresham, Gianna Majeske,
Other players: Seniors Kylie Brown, Mackenzie Hardy, Mya Oikarinen, Marissa Vloch; sophomores Rachel Burzycki, Noelle Lefko, Piper Pitt Freshman, Josi Farago, Natalie MacBride.
Season outlook: Carlson had its best turnout ever with 48 girls showing up for tryouts. The Marauders need to replace their two leading scorers and several other key contributors. Frommann will start in goal for the third year.
Coach’s comments: “Team is young, but there is a lot of early energy with these players. They are excited about the new changes and starting to work together.”
IDA
Coach: Tim Allen, second year.
Returning starters: Seniors Reagan Horn, Rilee Weatherholt, Lana Nowak; juniors Clare Allen, Klohie Carothers, Paityn Dorlack, Jordan Ludwig, Sophia Nadeau, Rylee Schaffer.
Other players: Senior Leah Ferguson; Juniors Reese Woelmer, Kaylea Hall, Brooklyn Swanbeck, Jamie-Lynn Chambers, sophomore Lizzie Sheerhorn; freshman Maddie Kreps, Starlynn Smith, Alexis Etue, Meira Koepke, Clara Hearl, Lilah Hemmele.
Season outlook: Allen, who also coaches Ida's boys team, has more experience in his second season with the girls. Nine players, who started last spring, are back.
Coach’s comments: “We have some good players returning and looking to filling the gaps with new players. Our team goal is to finish above .500. Our team is excited for the season and looking forward to competing.”
JEFFERSON-MASON
Coach: Dave Cousino, first year.
2023 record: 0-14.
Returning starters: Sophomores Maddy Cox, Baylee Goltowski, Joslynn Harris, Kylee Harvey.
Other players: Juniors Sarah Anderson, Hailey Burt, Dakota Cousino; sophomores Morgan Simota, Camryn Cousino, Alena Schafer; freshmen Aariel Ybarra, Alejandra Garcia, Drea Hochleitner, Jazmyn Castor.
Season outlook: Jefferson has struggled with numbers in recent years. Joining forces with Erie Mason produces a roster of 14 players.
Coach’s comment: “We are a young team coming off a rough season, only one way to go is up.”
MILAN
Coach: Phillip Hayes, second year.
2023 record 12-4-4
Returning starters: Emma Budd, Isabel Fetterolf, Alivia Held, Olivia Henry, Aubree Higgins, Leah Mazei, Kaily McDaniels, Emma Walline.
Other players: Marissa Beck, Layla Chaffee, Marrisa Cicotte, Maya Faro, Elyse McClaran, Audrey McClaran, Abbi Neuhart, Molly Walline, Malea Wourman, Tessa stamper, Trista Hubel, Abigayle Bortles.
Season outlook: Milan lost Monroe County Region Player of the Year Sylvia Koch to graduation, but Budd and Mazei were All-Region players last spring.
Coach’s comments: “I look forward to watching this group excel just as much as they did last year, if, but more. They know they have a huge target on their backs, but are ready for whatever is presented in front of them.”
MONROE
Coach: Scot Chaffin, first year.
2023 record: 8-12-2.
Returning starters: Seniors Rebecca Pace, Brooke Trouton, Chloe Pabin, Emily Eshenroder; juniors Alexis McMahon, Allie Younglove, Zoe Leach.
Other players: Seniors Sydney Cline, Mariah Crisp; sophomores Abigail Dieckmann, Lindsey Klienow; freshmen Jocelynn Aldridge, Lola Cacioppo, Aubrey Cowan, Alle Marcero, Isabella Reed, Gabrielle Willis.
Season outlook: The Trojans expect big seasons from Younglove in goal and Trouton and Eshenroder offensively.
Coach’s comments: “We have a young, talented team. I think we might surprise some people. We have a tough schedule, and the team is excited to get on the field.”
NEW BOSTON HURON
Coach: Matt Lividini, second year.
2023 record: 5-6-3.
Returning starters: Seniors Lily Cholette, Maggie Warden; juniors Rylie Cassette, Addison Dolencic, Callie Eaton, Gabriella Emelian, Riley Humeniak.
Other players: Seniors Melissa Mentzer, Kendyl Sikorski, Danica Lividini; juniors Shaylynn Carpenter, Ava Plackowski, Addison Bozynski, Sarah Stewart; sophomores Maggie Mentzer, Ava Banko, Avery Turk, Nhi Vo, Brooklyn Burke, Madison Wilson; freshman Miley Skamiera.
Season outlook: Emelian and Cassette emerged as offensive leaders last season. Mentzer is strong in the midfield and Worden leads the defense.
Coach’s comments: “This current team is stacked at nearly every position and the amount of power on the bench is so exciting.”
SMCC
Coach: Laura Perry, fourth year.
2023 record: 10-10.
Returning starters: Senior Leah DeSarbo; juniors Alex Wickenheiser, Ana Perna; sophomores Quinn Harrington, Nora Kinsey, Brianna Lynch, Isabelle Morin.
Other players: Junior Juliana Classic; sophomores Isabella Grippi, Lily Menzies, Brianna Lynch, Chloe Orris, Sophia Short, Hailee Willis, Marcelina Anaya; freshmen Addison Welker, Briana Anaya.
Season outlook: The Kestrels have seven returning starters, but still have a young squad with just three seniors and juniors on the roster.
Coach’s comments: “This year is going to be about developing game experience for many of our young players. They are eager to step up to the opportunity, and I couldn’t ask for a better group of female athletes.”
This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: Girls Soccer Previews: Jefferson, Mason join forces under new coach
