November 16, 2025 • 42 mins
We celebrate a packed weekend across the Mohawk Valley, from Utica’s postseason hopes and Section 3 football titles to a frank conversation with Utica men’s hockey coach Gary Heenan and a culture masterclass from RFA field hockey coach McKenzie Welter. The throughline is identity under pressure and how strong programs turn talent into standards.
• Utica football’s bubble watch and key local results
• Section 3 championship highlights across A, B, C, D and eight-man
• National college football shake-ups and playoff implications
• Utica men’s hockey schedule strategy and early-season reset
• Building a heavy, possession identity and accountability
• Goaltending depth, late additions and freshman upside
• RFA field hockey’s three-peat and team unity
• Young core impact and late-game composure
• Goalkeeper leadership and shared defensive trust
• Ten-year program growth and aligned youth pipeline
🎙️ Thanks for tuning in to The Rock Pile!
Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe so you never miss an episode of your favorite Rock Pile shows — including:
- Inside Utica University Football 🏈
- Chalk Talk with Coach Little C 🎓
- The Weekly Huddle 💬
- Beyond the Game Podcast 💼
- The Mohawk Valley Sportswatch 📰
📺 Subscribe on YouTube:
👉 youtube.com/@TheRockPilePodcast
📲 Follow Coach Little C & The Rock Pile on social media:
- Facebook: facebook.com/rocky.corigliano
- X (Twitter): twitter.com/TheRockPileShow
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/the-rock-pile-podcast
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Rocky (00:35):
Good morning.
Welcome to the Mohawk ValleySports Watch.
Thanks for making us part ofyour Sunday morning here, bright
and early with Coach myself,Rocky Craig Landle.
I'm excited to bring in anotherlocal fun show.
Good to have the Mohawk ValleySports Watch back.
This morning, in a little bitin just a few minutes, we'll
talk to head men's hockey coachat Utica University, Coach Gary
Heenan, coming off a 5-2 winlast night at home at the odd.
(00:58):
We were there.
My wife and I and the kids wereat the game last night.
They won 5-2 against Brockport.
And hats off to Coach Foz.
I watched that entire game onmy phone last night.
They came from behind the beatBrockport at Brockport in a
heavy rain, rainstorm lastnight, 28-20.
So I'm waiting to see.
(01:19):
I've heard some things onTwitter that they might be on
the outside looking in, or theydidn't get into the field.
It would be an awful shame ifUtica didn't find their way into
the NCAA tournament.
But I'll wait and see.
I'll see if it's official.
I'll see if I can get a hold ofCoach Foz today.
But hats off to him.
What a great season.
And I'll be looking forward totalking to him again next week,
right here on the Mohawk ValleySports Watch.
(01:42):
So at the bottom of the hour,we're going to talk some RFA
field hockey with Coach McKenzieWelter.
I'm excited to talk to her.
I always say this if there'sprobably another sport I know
the most, but I still don'tunderstand all the whistles,
it's field hockey.
So it's got a special place inmy heart.
Of course, I watched my sisterplay at RFA here, who um they
(02:03):
have the undefeated.
I think it was either 20-0.
She probably correct me.
It was either 20-0, 22-0, andthey went on to win a state
championship.
Um, I don't remember exactlyhow many wins it was, but I'm
sure she'll correct me at somepoint if she's listening here
this morning.
Um, but it was a great year forCoach McKenzie and the girls.
We'll talk to that, talk to herat the bottom of the hour.
(02:25):
They finished 18-1.
It was their third consecutiveSection 3 title.
Uh so congrats to her.
We'll talk more to her.
I want to give a shout-out tosome of the local guys here for
uh for high school football.
Um, games in action on Fridaynight, the eight-man
championship, Morrisville Eaton.
I don't know if I would call itan upset, but I'm gonna call it
(02:46):
an upset.
They spoiled FrankfurtSchuyler's chance for a
back-to-back.
Frankfurt Schuyler last yearwon a state championship.
Morrisville beat him 40-36 inthe eight-man.
In class D, Lowville finishes11-0.
They'll move on to theregionals.
They beat Powerhouse Dodgeville38-20.
(03:06):
And then our guy, Coach Schmidthere in Whitesprill, we'll have
him on again next week.
Uh they beat East SyracuseManoa 21-7 on Friday night uh in
the Class A finals.
And then yesterday in the ClasC, we'll start with that.
General Brown beat Kaz.
Those two teams have playedeach other so many times in the
(03:27):
Class C finals, but GeneralBrown 51-49 over Kaz in Class C.
In Class B, hats off the friendof the show, Coach Jim Kramer,
the new Hartford Spartans.
They finished a regular season11-0.
They beat Institute ofTechnology 37-14.
So they will play next week aswell.
(03:48):
These games, I believe, are inVestal.
I think I saw that Coach Krameris going to play Owego.
Um, I did see that, I believe,and then I do believe
Whitesgirls, Whitesboro playUnion Endicott.
Um, I believe one of them isFriday night.
I'll have to look.
I think Whitesboro is Fridaynight, and I want to say New
Hartford is Saturday.
Um, but I'll get all that andI'll post it up on the page
(04:11):
later this afternoon.
In class double A, no surprisehere.
I don't think anybody'ssurprised to see CBA, no offense
to Liverpool, who had a greatseason.
They finished 9-2, butChristian Brothers Academy, they
finish undefeated again inanother Section 3 title.
They win 27-6.
So congratulations uh to theSection 3 champions as they move
(04:34):
on.
They'll play down in Vestalnext week.
Top 25 scores in collegefootball.
On Friday night, Oregon 42-13.
I think many are forgettingabout Oregon and the Ducks and
Dan Lanning.
I think they got a really goodshot to make a deep run.
They beat PJ Fleck 42-13.
Tip your hat to Dabbo Sweeney.
I know a lot of people don'tlike him.
This Clemson team could havefolded midway through the year
(04:57):
not many times.
You look up and look at Clemsonand the box score and see 5-5.
But they beat Louisville 20-19at Louisville.
Louisville had some missedextra missed field goals, I'll
say, uh, in that one.
Ohio State cruises uh 48-10over UCLA.
Ohio State really probablywon't get challenged, I don't
think, until the Michigan game,if that.
(05:18):
Um, and then they'll playIndiana in the Big Ten
championship game, which will bea really good football game as
Indiana won again, 31-7 overWisconsin.
Texas AM, I could not believemy eyes.
This game was 30-3.
South Carolina at halftime, andthey ended up losing 31-30.
(05:41):
Oklahoma, big win for Oklahomaand Brent Venables on the road
at Alabama, 23-21.
We'll see what that does in theSEC standings.
Uh, we'll see what that does tothe um the playoff rankings
when they'll come out, Ibelieve, on Tuesday night.
Georgia at home over Archmannonin Texas, 35-10.
Texas Tech 48-9 over UCF.
(06:03):
Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin.
All he does is win footballgames.
But tip your hat, Floridaplayed hard.
Florida was in this game, uh,much of this game.
Um, Ole Miss had two touchdownslate in this game to seal it.
Um, so Ole Miss will get a byeweek next week, and then they
will get the eight bowl uh for achance to finish 11-1, and more
(06:23):
than likely they could be inthe SEC Championship game.
Notre Dame cruised over Pip37-15.
Notre Dame will play Syracusenext week.
Notre Dame more than likely isin the college football playoff,
but we'll see what thecommittee decides.
If Miami and Notre Dame areboth sitting there at 10-2,
(06:44):
Miami beat Notre Dame head tohead.
So we'll see what the committeedoes there.
BYU over TCU 44-13.
Utah Cruises, they beat Baylor55-28.
As I just said, Miami that's8-2.
They win 41-7 over NorthCarolina State.
Georgia Tech on a last-minutefield goal beats Boston College
(07:04):
36-34.
It seems like a lot of thecoaches that are up for these
jobs were in close games thispast weekend.
Uh Brent Pry, or I'm not BrentPry, I'm sorry.
I'm thinking Brent Pry, theVirginia Tech coach, because
there's been rumors that hemight be the defensive
coordinator for James Franklinat Virginia Tech, who just got
(07:24):
fired by Virginia Tech.
So we'll see how that playsout.
And then USC, not many, I don'tthink, paying attention to
Lincoln Riley.
I'm going to pay attention toLincoln Riley because I think
USC's got a really good chanceto beat Oregon next week and go
to the uh football playoff asthe fourth team out of the Big
Ten.
They beat Iowa 26-21.
Michigan had to overlook fiveturnovers to beat Northweston.
(07:48):
Uh Zavada hit a game-winningfield goal late in that game.
Michigan 24-22.
Virginia 34-17 over Duke.
Tennessee over New MexicoState, 42-9.
And how about the midshipman ofNavy as they beat South
Florida, who was my pick out ofthe non-power four to make it to
(08:08):
the playoffs?
So now we'll see how what thecommittee does there.
Navy 41-38 over South Florida.
And rounding out the top 25,Cincinnati falls to Arizona
30-24.
So Syracuse will be back inaction next week.
They'll be at Notre Dame.
We'll see how the how theOrange recover after a um a bye
(08:31):
week.
And uh the the Cordica jug,excuse me, the Cordica jug two
yesterday.
Ithaca beats Cortland lastnight.
Uh Cortland had a shot at theend.
Uh, I believe it was aninterception in the end zone,
and Ithaca held on.
I'm not sure Ithaca's gonna getin.
Cortland's in the NCAAtournament after winning uh the
Empire 8.
(08:52):
They get the automaticqualifier.
I think Ithaca, Utica, and afew other teams are on the
bubble.
And again, I didn't I didn'tsee the official announcement
released.
I'm hoping we'll see thatsometime later today.
But as of right now, I lookedUtica and Ithaca would be on the
outside looking.
If that's the case, uh, we'lllook to see if Utica gets at
ECAC bowl game.
But it would be a shame becauseI told Coach Foz this past week
(09:14):
on the show, if they got intothe NCAA tournament, I think
they should be in.
Um, they would be a tough outfor anybody that they see Utica
on the line.
So without further ado, let'sbring on Coach Heenan now.
What's going on, Coach?
Coach Gary Heenan (09:31):
What's going on, guys?
Headed to the rank this morningthat uh got a recruit in.
We're really pumped about, butuh the work doesn't stop, and
obviously we've got a lot ofwork to do.
So uh work in progress.
Rocky (09:46):
Yeah, coach.
Last year I think I think lastyear, coach, I caught you on the
uh you were just getting donewith a workout, getting off the
bike, I think, last year.
So this year I get you in thecar.
Coach Gary Heenan (09:57):
Well, you're probably staring at the double
chin, so I better get out thebike to come.
Yeah.
Rocky (10:01):
Well, coach, let's talk quickly.
First, congratulations lastnight.
My uh my wife and I and thekids were at that game against
Brackport.
So congratulations to you andthe team on the win last night
and getting off to a good startin conference play.
But coach, I I was fouling youguys to start this season.
Man, you came right out of thegate with some tough
non-conference games.
Coach Gary Heenan (10:22):
Yeah, I mean, I I think it's you know, we're
pretty lucky to have thatschedule.
Um we've done Adrian forever uhto start the year, and we'll go
up there again next year.
And Hobart just called andsaid, you know, we we changed
conferences, we're looking for acouple new games, and we did a
three-year deal with them, notknowing we play them in the
national championship uh lastyear.
(10:43):
So they're great games.
Uh people are saying, Are younuts?
But uh, you know, we it's ourgoal to be right in those groups
and be a top five team and notbe afraid of those games, but
love them.
So on the wrong side of those,I think we could have stolen one
or two of them.
I think we could have won allfour, but I don't think we
should have won any of them uhbased on our performance.
(11:05):
Um but it is what it is, andnow we've got a climb out of a
hole.
Um we're calling it the climbwithin our group.
Uh we've started that climb.
We're starting to see probablybeing there, starting to see a
little bit of Utica and who wewe're usually are, our identity.
13 new players has been achallenge.
We're not at a point that um Iassumed we'd be a lot better uh
(11:29):
at this point with the transferscoming in.
Um so work in progress, not ata pace that I like right now.
Uh, we're learning at a slowerpace than than we normally do,
but that's the challenge aheadof us.
And uh when we get there, Ithink we will.
Um we've got a lot of work todo.
Rocky (11:48):
Coach, and you guys obviously I know your
expectations is to compete andwin a national championship.
You've been to the game, you'vebeen to the final four, and
last year's team was special,and all your teams are are so
different.
I know I ask you this questionevery year.
I talk with you, but how isthis team different?
Because last night when I'm atthe game, I think you're
starting lineup, a lot offreshmen in that lineup last
night.
So, how is this team differentthan the past year's teams?
Coach Gary Heenan (12:10):
Yeah, I think I think we have three freshmen
uh you know in our in ourstarting 21.
And we started both we startedall three for for both games
this weekend as uh as really abarp, you know, to to to to
stick it to our upperclassmenwho uh who I think are playing
really soft.
Um I think that's been ourmajor issue this year is that
(12:31):
we're a soft team.
Um maybe it's coming off thehangover um of a successful
season, but we have zero forcheck.
Uh we'll put the puck in andthe puck's right out.
And and so you're there's noflow to the game, there's no
chemistry, there's no heavy uhozone time.
Um, and that's who we are apossession to play low, uh play
(12:53):
heavy hockey.
And so I don't know, you mightbe right.
Uh, we may have to play asofter style.
Boy, would that really irk me,but uh we may have to go uh, you
know, uh a little quote unquotetraditional European style and
open up, but uh I don't thinkthat beats the heavy teams.
And you know, Hobart beats avery good Plattsburgh team 3-0
(13:13):
last night.
I watched most of that game anduh in the afternoon, and uh uh
I mean they're the standard.
So um we've got to harden thisteam up, and that's that's what
we're in the process of doing.
Rocky (13:24):
Coach, you do bring back some some scores from last year.
Uh you bring back someveterans, and what are you gonna
need from those veteran guysthis year to help you get back
um not only to the NCAAtournament, win your conference,
and and make a deep run?
Coach Gary Heenan (13:38):
Yeah, and I think you're spot on.
I mean, without without those,there's so few of them, but uh
without those guys playing likehorses, um you know, it it's
just not gonna happen, you know.
And I think those first fourgames, um, those horses we have
were playing like donkeys, andum, you know, it's been a lot of
(13:58):
player meetings, it's been alot of video.
Um, and shame on us as coaches.
We really just thought um wewould be a lot better day one.
Um and in the exhibition games,I mean, we played a Morseful
team.
We looked like a heavyweightcontender.
I think it was more because ofa weak opponent.
Uh Skidmore really humbled us.
(14:18):
I thought we were flat, um,just just didn't show, which is
incredible.
Second game of the year athome.
Um so you know, it's it's it'sa lot of sleepless nights right
now.
We're we're not even close towhere we're gonna need to be if
we're if we're gonna even starttalking about the NCAs.
Um so we're molding this team,and and hopefully we can mold
(14:41):
them into a unica team that uhmakes this area proud.
Rocky (14:45):
And coach, talk to us a little bit about the goaltenders
last night.
Kyle was in that for you guys.
You had a couple seniors andyou got a young guy and and
Frank Murphy, the freshman, buttalk to us about the goaltender,
some experience back and ayoung guy.
Coach Gary Heenan (14:57):
Yeah, you know, uh disappointing.
Piros obviously with a familysituation, um, didn't come back.
Uh he's obviously off to agreat start, and and he's just a
phenomenal goaltender.
Um so that's called sportstoday.
Like you never know, things aregonna change.
And um we actually had anotherkid committed and and he bagged
us a week before school started,a Quebec kid.
(15:19):
And so Kyle had had found outthat there was a spot available
at Utica and jumped over, andwe're lucky to grab him at the
11th hour.
Um, and uh he's a veterangoalie that in his experience
has beaten uh he has beatenHobart.
Uh, you know, he's beaten theheavyweights when he was playing
with Elmira, he's beaten uswhen he was with Elmira.
(15:40):
So he was a welcome addition,uh a senior guy.
Um so I think he's gonna carrythe load.
We do we are high on FrankMurphy, um, a freshman out of
the Toronto area.
He's a real big kid.
Um Adam Decker's gotta justkind of shape up some of the
little things with him.
He's got a bit of a sloppystick, um, but a big body that
(16:01):
uh that that can be a blocker.
And um, you know, I thinkgoaltending should be should be
a positive for us.
Didn't love them in our inthose first four games.
Um, but but same is with ourteam.
Uh they're getting there.
Rocky (16:15):
Coach, always a great day to be a pioneer.
Yesterday the the football teamwent down to Brackport, had a
really big road win.
Hoping Coach Faz they get intothe tournament.
I I I saw a few posts thismorning saying they might be on
uh the outside looking in, butyou had a great football season.
Men and women's hockey shouldbe right there.
Basketball season starts too.
Um great, great time to be apioneer.
Coach Gary Heenan (16:38):
Yeah, I think there's uh we watched the whole
football game, afternoon game.
We had that one on a screen aswell in our in our office and uh
come from behind.
Great stuff by Blaze.
And um, you know, Sean Coffee'sgonna do a great job.
We've uh flipped the script onour women's basketball team, um,
same as our hockey team withnew coaches.
So those women, I'm sure, willget those programs going.
(17:01):
And um, and a lot of questionsaround the college, right?
And it's it's it's financialand well-being, and and I assure
you, uh, you know, leadershipwill get that on the right
track, and and we will remain ayou know, a strong presence in
this community and beyond.
So a lot of exciting thingshappening, and and I sure hope
we can continue to carry a flagfor the institution this year.
Rocky (17:22):
Coach, I know coaches don't like the individual
accolades, but I did read acolumn saying you're pretty
close to uh to 400 wins, whichthere's only 49 coaches across
all the NCAA that have gottenthat number.
You've had 12 conferencechampionships, five conference
tournament titles, six NCAAappearances, three Final Fours,
one national championshipappearance.
(17:43):
I know coaches don't like theindividual accolades coach, but
that's pretty special.
Coach Gary Heenan (17:49):
Yeah, I mean 400, uh it keeps coming up, and
and so maybe that's why it is,and longevity and um, you know,
it's just the one win I careabout.
You know, it really is.
And uh, you know, beingovertime last year and and being
a post away, fractions of aninch away, uh, really, really
drives you.
I mean, those are the games youwant in.
(18:11):
And we've been in thattournament a lot lately, and
it's gotta be our goal everyyear, just with who we are and
what we can offer.
And um, so you know, 400, we'lltip our cap to that.
I'm sure I'll polish off acouple silver bullets that night
and enjoy it.
But uh, but it's to get back inthat game and get the one win.
And um, you know, it's aboutchampionships.
(18:32):
So um, you know, hopefully wecan continue to compete for
those.
Rocky (18:35):
Well, coach, love having you on.
I can't wait.
We'll talk again during theseason.
Best of luck to I know thisteam's gonna get better as the
year goes.
You always do, and you alwayshave these kids ready to play.
So I appreciate it and best ofluck, and uh, we'll be following
you.
Coach Gary Heenan (18:48):
I appreciate it.
Thanks for bringing the familydown.
Look forward to seeing you hereagain.
Rocky (18:52):
Awesome, coach.
Thank you.
Coach Gary Heenan (18:54):
All right, take care.
Rocky (18:56):
So that was Coach Gary Heenan and uh coach is all coach
has been on coming on with usfor God, I think probably at
least 10 years or more sincewe've been doing the Mohawk
Valley Sports Watch.
And uh, he'll have those guysright.
It's a lot like football, thenon-conference.
Coach Fawes played a reallytough non-conference schedule.
Um, Coach Heenan's doing thesame thing, and he's right.
I mean, they could have easilywon all four.
(19:17):
Um, I think they took Hobart toovertime again, and then they
lost another one-goal game umdown there here at the odd, and
Adrian they play every year.
That's always really good.
There were two really closegames there, too.
So they'll be back.
It was a great atmosphere lastnight at the garden.
The weather wasn't greatdriving down to the odd.
Um, but uh it was a greatatmosphere there.
(19:37):
They always get a good crowdthere.
And I always say, and I alwaysask Coach Heen in this too, is a
recruiting tool.
If you're a hockey player andyou get the opportunity to, you
get you have the Nexus Centerright there, you get a chance to
play at the odd, where, youknow, obviously uh we have the
AHL team there, um, you know,with the comets uh there as
well.
It's it's just a great facilityfor football.
(19:58):
You got the dome there that's agreat facility.
It's one of the, I think one ofthe only indoor facilities um
in the country for for DivisionIII.
Um, and it's really, reallygood hockey.
Really, really, really, reallygood hockey.
And they're looking to punch, Ithink it'd be their ninth
consecutive um conferencechampionship if they can win
again this year.
And uh I think they'll be rightback there as well.
(20:20):
So thanks to uh Coach Heenan.
I think we got Coach Walter onhere.
Let me let me bring her on.
Coach, you surprised me.
You're a little early.
I like it.
I like it.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (20:30):
That's all good.
I'd rather be early than late.
Rocky (20:33):
I'm looking.
I'm like, she's got to listento us talk hockey, which I'm I'm
I'm not the greatest at talkingice hockey.
I can't break ice hockey down.
I probably can break fieldhockey down because I've been
around it my entire life.
I still don't understand thewhistles, but but I've been
around it my entire life.
But coach, thanks for coming onwith me this morning.
I appreciate it.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (20:51):
Thanks for having me on board.
I love this.
This is great.
Rocky (20:54):
Yeah, no, I I appreciate it.
We've been doing uh the localshow here now for about 10
years.
So I uh everybody's saying,You're gonna get McKenzie on us.
I'm gonna get her on.
I had to finish football lastweek, so I didn't want to jinx
you guys were playing earliertoo, so that's why I didn't have
you on in the morning.
So, but I appreciate it.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (21:11):
Yeah, absolutely.
Happy to be here.
Rocky (21:13):
So, coach, let's start.
This was the the third, Ibelieve your third sectional
title in a row.
Um, I know every team, and Iwas just talking to Coach
Heaney, and I always asked thisquestion every team is
different, right?
You know, going into apreseason as a coach, you
probably got a chance to dosomething special with the group
of girls that you had, but howwas this team different than
some of the past year's teamsfor you?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (21:35):
Oof.
Um, well, I think that theiron-field unity and the way that
they played together as a teamwas probably the reason why we
were able to go as far as we didand be as successful as we
were.
Um, those we returned every umplayer from last year's team,
other than the seven seniorsthat had graduated, and we added
(21:56):
one newcomer in eighth graderto our team.
So we had a lot of experiencein terms of that postseason
pressure and what to kind ofexpect once you get through the
regular season.
Um, and the girls after goingto the state tournament last
year, they wanted to get backthere.
They had that hunger and theyhad that drive.
Um, and every day they came topractice and they worked, they
(22:17):
worked for each other, theyworked with each other.
Um, and that's why it paid offfor them in the games.
Rocky (22:23):
And coach, when you when you when you win a sectional
title, everybody comes for youand they're gonna give you their
best shot.
You're you're the teameverybody wants to beat, right?
So coming into this season,winning a sectional title, get
into the state tournament, wasthere any extra pressure on and
on you as a coach and your staffand even the girls coming into
this season?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (22:42):
I think the pressure's always there, but
it's whether or not you want topay attention to it or you want
to just focus in the moment onwhat you're doing and what
you're trying to achieve.
Um, and yeah, I mean, we feltthe pressure.
We were like, what if?
But that was a fleetingthought.
And then it was just get towork.
So, you know, right from dayone of preseason, what do we see
within the girls?
Um, you know, what are thestrengths we have that we can
(23:05):
put together to put the bestteam on the field at any given
moment?
Um, you know, how could weutilize different strengths for
different lineups based onwhat's being presented towards
us in the games?
But then it was, you know, whatdo we need to work on?
And and really it was about thejourney and the process to get
us from where we were on day oneand just keep growing
individually and as a team sothat, you know, our weaknesses
(23:26):
got stronger and we could addmore tools to our toolbox.
Rocky (23:31):
And coach, the rich tradition too, with with Rome
Free Academy with Field Lockegoes back a long time.
And I know you've been you'vebeen part of some of those teams
from from the past.
And what's it like for you?
You you you played here, right?
And now you're coaching, you'vewon sectional titles.
What's that mean to you?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (23:48):
Um, it's, you know, honestly, it's
very humbling.
Um, and I was fortunate to haveCoach Harjung as my coach when
I came through.
She instilled so many lifelessons and, you know, really
talked about the tradition ofRFA field hockey, and that has
always stayed with me.
Um, so even though I went offand played at UVM and then
coached at Hamilton for a bit,my my goal was always to come
(24:10):
back and coach for RFA Fieldhockey, to continue on the
legacy that she had started.
Um, and you know, with KateMostraco on the team, Rihanna
Zappa Vigna on our staff, CherylSalt, like they've all been a
part of that.
Um, and Kelly Reese, you know,even though she didn't come up
through Rome, um, you know, sheplayed against Rome when she was
at New Hartford.
And um, so, you know, that thattradition and that culture, the
(24:34):
legacy that was started so manyyears ago, um, just to continue
that on and and to be a part ofit, not only as a player, but
now as a coach, um, you know, itmeans a lot.
And I have never wanted to letCoach Hardjump down, you know,
when I took over and she leftbig big shoes to fill.
But um, you know, it's it'sbeen great to be able to stay in
(24:54):
touch with her and and just tobe reminded of like, you know,
why are we here?
Why are we doing this for thegirls, for the program?
And I'm happy just to keep thetradition alive.
Rocky (25:04):
Well, coach, talk to us about because I was looking
through the roster and then andI was asking my sister sister
earlier in the week, and I'mlike, Shann, she returns
everybody again next year.
Like our fate, like she's notgoing away.
Like, I always joke with theNord Dame basketball coach, and
his name slipped in my mindbecause I always say, I got to
get on that basketball staffbecause like Notre Dame girls
(25:24):
basketball is so young, andthey're they're winning, they're
winning state championships.
And I'm looking like your team,you only had two seniors on
this team, I think, right?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (25:32):
Yep, we did.
Rocky (25:33):
So you have one sophomore, you had two freshmen,
you had eighth graders.
Um, very young team comingback.
But I want you, if you can,take a moment, talk to us a
little bit about um some of theyoung girls on this team that
really made this team go.
I know Sloan Sistito was one ofthem.
Josie Suma was on that team,and then a sophomore, Alexa
Richie,'s on that team as well.
But talk to us about that younggroup.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (25:54):
Yeah, they are young, but you know,
they are experienced.
Um, other than Josie, they'vethey've been through tough
times.
They've had to battle toughteams and opponents, um, and
they're hungry.
And, you know, that hunger, itshows in practice and their work
ethic.
It shows in their commitment tothe team, it shows in their
(26:15):
discipline.
Um, yeah, I mean, our future issuper bright.
We, you know, they all bringdifferent skills and different
assets, and we need all of them.
Um, you know, Josie, she knowshow to find the back of the net,
right?
She she knows where to be atthe right place, the right time
in that circle to get that ballon her stick.
Um, Sloane, she's a playmaker.
She can distribute the ball.
(26:36):
We need that offensive pushfrom her.
She's the start of ouroffensive transition.
We come up with the balldefensively to get that ball
back up the field, which is whyour attack was so quick this
year.
Alexa Ritchie, um, you know,versatile player, but she just
has the stick skills in thosetight spaces, especially as that
center forward, to be able totip the ball around and to get
that ball that she's fed intothat circle for us to capitalize
(26:59):
on.
Um, I mean, who else do we got?
Chloe Reese, you know, shetypically a forward, but we
dropped her back to mid thisyear because she was so fit,
that hustle that she has, thenever give up attitude.
Um, you know, she really workedon her individual defense and
she was creating opportunitiesfor us in the midfield, both
offensively and defensively.
Um, I mean, honestly, I couldgo on.
(27:20):
Like it's just this the thingsthat they can do.
Um, really, it's more of theintangibles that allow them to
be the types of players thatthey are.
Rocky (27:29):
And coach, talk to us a little bit too.
So you, you know, most of yourgames in the regular season, you
had some lopsided games, andthen late in the year you
started to play some reallyclose games.
And obviously, you know, youget into the sectionals, you
beat Liverpool four to three.
I think that was an overtime.
You had a close one againstBeeville, and then the Bethlehem
game was one-nothing.
So talk to us a little bitabout you.
Had the games where they're alittle lopsided, but your your
(27:51):
team found ways when it was aclose game, they never seemed to
panic.
And that that's somethingspecial because with a young
group, you would think the younggroup would panic, but as you
said, coach, they had theexperience.
Does that help them late in theyear like that?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (28:04):
100%.
100%.
And at the end of the day, youknow, you can't compare regular
season to postseason becausepostseason is a whole new season
to begin with.
Um, and teams come outhungrier.
So at the beginning of theyear, you know, we played
Beaville and FM and Liverpool,and typically those are stronger
teams compared to some of theteams we might play in the TVL.
But, you know, they were stilltrying to figure themselves out.
(28:25):
We had a we had a leg on thembecause we came in pretty fit to
begin with.
Um, you know, we had theexperience returning.
We had an idea for the mostpart of where our players were
going to fit into their lineups.
We didn't have a ton to figureout early on, um, where other
teams did.
So we could capitalize on thatin the games.
But then towards the end of theseason, you know, teams are
figuring it out.
They've got their role,they're, you know, peaking at
(28:47):
the right time.
So we had some closer gamesbecause teams were able to then,
you know, take away some of ourstrengths.
They were able to put a type ofdefense against us that forced
us to have to make adjustments,which we had been practicing
throughout the year to get readyfor it.
But until you're actually facedwith it, you know, you're not
really sure what's what's gonnahappen.
Um, so were those close gamesnerve-wracking?
(29:10):
Not really.
Um, you know, for the team andfor the coaching staff, we knew
we'd find a way in the end.
The question was at what pointin the game?
Um, and hats off to the girlsfor for not letting that, you
know, tight atmosphere in thegame and that environment to
really affect them.
They stayed focused, theystayed disciplined, they kept
doing the things we were askingof them, and they never gave up
(29:32):
on each other.
So that's why we were able topull away in those close games
because it was because of them,not because of us as coaches,
but what they did together as ateam.
Rocky (29:42):
And coach, I always say in any hockey or any sport,
really, you need it, you need agoalie that can make some saves
for you in key moments.
And your your junior goalie,Brooke Benson, was was
phenomenal all year for you.
Talk to us about the type ofgoalie she is, the type of
player she is, type of personshe is, um, because she was big
for you guys.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (30:00):
She was huge, absolutely huge.
Um, you know, she had somereally big saves and critical
moments against tough opponents.
She had huge saves in thepostseason that kept us in um in
the game, um, kept us eithertied or up by one.
And you know, for Brooke, sheshe's hungry to win.
She she wants that next level.
She's always pushing herself,she's always hard on herself,
(30:23):
probably too hard as an athlete,um, doesn't give herself enough
grace.
But, you know, she she wants tostop every single ball.
She wants to, she wants to bethe reason why, you know, that
ball doesn't go in the net.
And that hunger and that drivein her um really feeds into our
backfield.
So it's not just, yes, she canmake these phenomenal saves and
these reaction saves, um, orstop a second or a third shot,
(30:47):
but it's just how her presenceradiates out into you know our
backs and into our sweeps andour mids so that we have all the
confidence in the world.
We know that if we break downdefensively and you know,
somebody gets beat that rookieB's back there and she's she's
gonna be there for us.
Um, and I think thatleadership, even though it's
quiet, um, you know, it it meansa lot for our team because it
(31:10):
means that we can play strongteam defense, that we don't have
to rely on just one player oranother player to get the job
done.
Because at the end of the day,like, yeah, there were some
saves that, you know, that shewanted to have back for sure.
But if that ball was rightthere on the line behind her,
one of her defenders was thereto knock it away and get that
defensive save.
So it really was a team effort.
(31:31):
And I think that for her,starting that and being that
presence um and that leader backthere, it's it's what we needed
in tough times, but it's also aI think a testament to her
character um and just where shewants to go with her career.
Rocky (31:46):
So I hope I did my math right.
And you, I know you'll correctme if I'm wrong because most
coaches will always correct mewhen I'm wrong.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (31:52):
Probably not.
I don't pay attention to stats.
Rocky (31:54):
I I think this was your what 11th year as the head
coach?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (31:58):
This one was 10.
Wait, okay, 10, 10.
Rocky (32:01):
Was 2016 your first year?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (32:04):
Yes.
Rocky (32:06):
That's what I had to do.
So I let's just say 10 or 11years.
All right.
We'll just we'll just go withthat.
Math wasn't always my specialtyin school, but I'm looking, I
went through all your numbersand I'm sitting here saying in
2016, your first year, you guyswent 11-7.
And now I look and I see 18 and1, 19 and 2, 17 to 2.
(32:27):
It's like the expectations whenyou're on top is like you can't
lose a game.
But it's like take yourselfback to when you first got this
job and to where you guys are atnow and see how far this
program has come since your yourfirst year.
How special is that?
And is it set in your head tosay, I've been here for this
many years?
You're not the new coachanymore.
(32:47):
You're the veteran coach now.
Yeah.
But have you given that sometime to think about that?
How, you know, time you've beenhere and where you were your
first year to where you guys areat now.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (32:58):
I mean, it's been a special journey,
that's for sure.
Um, have I thought about it?
Yes.
Um, you know, Kelly and I,since coming in together is day
one, you know, we've we'vereally grown together.
Um, and we've supported eachother through tough times and
high times.
And um, but I honestly Iwouldn't be where I am without
(33:18):
her.
So I like to think of think ofus as like a duo, so to speak.
Um, but you know, we reminiscea lot about the beginning.
Remember when, you know,remember those challenges that
we faced early on, but there'sstill challenges now with a
winning program.
Um, you know, the expectationsthere, the the the players
wanting to be on that field.
Um, you know, there's there'sdifferent aspects of it.
(33:41):
There's always a challenge toface.
But I think that, you know,what we've really tried to
instill is just the culture thatwe want in this program.
Um, and it's not so much awinning culture, like that's not
the focus.
Yes, you want to win yourvarsity sport in high school,
your job is to win.
But that's not what we look atevery day.
(34:01):
We're not going in being like,we have to win this game or we
have to have a, you know, awinning season, so to speak.
For us, it's about the journey.
It's the development of theplayers, it's the development of
them as people and giving themlife skills, communication
skills, leadership skills, um,you know, confidence.
You know, so many high schoolgirls don't feel confident in
(34:22):
what they can do.
And we want to we want toinstill that in them.
And yeah, that translates ontothe field, right?
Because then they believe inthemselves and they can achieve
things and they can go throughtough moments and come out
winners, you know, notnecessarily on the scoreboard,
but winners in terms ofcharacter on the field.
But it's, I mean, there's awhole journey.
I mean, I could tell I could behere for 20 minutes talking
(34:43):
about, you know, how we started10 years ago and where we are
now.
But at the end of the day, it'sa team effort.
Um, it's not about me, it's notabout Coach Reese, it's not
about Coach Zap or CoachMistraco or, you know, Coach
Sulse.
It's about what we do togetherin this program and starting the
starting girls young with ayouth program and then having
them get to modified andunderstand that this is the
(35:05):
culture of the program.
Like Coach Sulse really, youknow, takes the things that
we're trying to instill at thevarsity level and she starts it
at modified.
So it's not a culture shock, soto speak, or a surprise when
all of a sudden you get tovarsity and now things are
different.
No, this is just theexpectation.
Um, and because we have highstandards, because we, you know,
expect discipline and goodsportsmanship and working on
(35:28):
those leadership skills anddeveloping players for the
future, you know, they knowthat's what's expected.
Um, and it's not because we'rebeing mean, it's because we
really care about them and wewant them to be successful in
life.
Rocky (35:40):
Well, you hit my last question.
It was good to be on the was onthe youth, um, the youth level.
And I know your modified girlshad a really good season this
year.
I was over there because I wasthe football coach.
I got a chance to see themevery day.
And then, you know, even likeat the in the summertime, like
at the youth level, you know,the little girls.
I mean, my daughter's um nineyears old, and I see a lot of
younger girls now with sticks,and it's great to see they got
(36:02):
their R Fay shirts on, which iseven even better to see.
But, you know, I feel likefield hockey's gotten so much
bigger, you know, over theyears.
I mean, especially in Rome.
When you talk about Rome, itwas always our faith, and this
is just me growing up, it wasalways our Fae football and our
Fay field hockey.
Like those were the two sports.
And when I played, we used tocompete with the girls because
we'd always say, who was gonnabe the first team to lose on
(36:25):
that turf?
Because we never lost on thatturf.
So we always had the friendlycompetitions with the field
hockey girls.
But coach, it's so nice to seethe little girls now, you know,
with sticks in their handsbecause I think that's really
cool.
And I think, like you said,that that starts the program.
Like that's the future of yourprogram as they get older.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (36:42):
Yes, it is.
And, you know, we run stuff inthe summer.
We have our week-long camp inthe summer.
We do a little bit in the fall.
Um, you know, like this year,we had, you know, some of the
youth girls be our ball girls athome games.
Um, we had a couple differentlike play opportunities for them
to come out at like a halftimeof the JV game to just play
around for eight, 10 minutes.
(37:03):
Um, you know, we try to do ourplay day every year in the fall.
And then in the off season, um,you know, Coach Kate's done a
great job of doing some likesmaller six skills and
developing small game umawareness and things in the
offseason with our our K6 girls.
So it's it's really starting tocome into more of like a full
year opportunity, you know,obviously not as consistent like
(37:25):
you would with a with a highschool sport, but just the fact
that they can have a stick intheir hand more um and they're
hungry, they want to play, theythey want to be out there, even
if it's just coming to practice.
Like they wanna, they want tobe with each other and and they
wanna they wanna learn theseskills and they and they just
they want to have a stick andball.
Um, and so we're providingthose opportunities the best
(37:45):
that we can within our ownschedules and the season.
But um, yeah, we're not theonly program that's doing that.
It's definitely a culture shiftaround here in central New
York, which is great to seebecause we all want to grow the
game.
You know, we we want to getmore players involved because
that's gonna make all of ourteams stronger, um, which is
gonna make our section stronger,and then it's gonna make us
stronger within the state.
So um it's yeah, it's it'sabout growing the game for these
(38:08):
girls, giving thoseopportunities.
And in the end, yes, it's it'sgonna benefit us within the RFA
field hockey program.
Rocky (38:14):
I was really hoping that my daughter would pick up a
stick.
She did for a little bit.
She's uh she's Kelly's umdaughter's age, Caroline's age.
And uh, you know, she she had astick in her hand.
My sister was really excitedsaying she may have a field
hockey person in the family.
So I'm still trying um to get astick in my daughter's hand,
(38:35):
but uh it's so nice to see theseyoung girls uh in the future of
the program.
And I'm happy to be at RFA alumto follow you, follow your
success and and the team'ssuccess.
And you guys will get thatstate championship.
You guys will make a run.
You're you're set up for it,you're built for it.
So I'm excited to uh continueto see the progress.
And uh I know everybody inRome, including myself, coach,
(38:56):
we're proud of you.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (38:57):
Thank you so much.
It means a lot.
A real lot.
Thank you.
Rocky (39:00):
You're welcome.
Well, coach, listen, thanks forcoming on.
I had to try to hunt you down.
My sister gave me your number.
So hopefully you're not you'renot mad at me uh for that.
But I had to hunt you down, butnow I got your info, so I know
we'll do it again soon.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (39:12):
That sounds great.
Thanks so much.
I appreciate it, Rocky.
Rocky (39:15):
Thanks, coach.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (39:16):
All right, take care.
Rocky (39:18):
So that was our fake coach Mackenzie Welter.
For uh, I want to thank her forcoming on.
And uh, I mean, it's so cool tosee the young girls, and I say
the young girls, my daughter'snine.
I was really hoping my daughterwould have a stick in her hand,
which she did for a little bit.
Um, but she likes soccer, soI'm not gonna not gonna argue
with her.
But uh it's nice to see theprogram start at that age and
(39:39):
kind of continue on um as theyget older.
Because as coach said, that'sthat's the program.
I mean, that's that's theprogram as they get older.
Um, and to see them start atthat age um is is pretty cool to
see.
So thanks to um thanks forCoach Um for coming on.
I want to thank Coach GaryHeenan too um for coming on with
me this morning.
(40:00):
Um it's nice to uh to talk toCoach Heenan.
Coach Heening's been on with mefor a long time.
Um probably for the last 10years, I would say he's been
he's been jumping on with me.
Um so I want to make sure thatI that I thank him for uh for
jumping on with me here thismorning.
So on behalf of the entire crewhere, which I I promise you,
one of these shows, we will haveall the crew on here.
(40:23):
We'll have the stat man, we'llhave coach Peggs, we'll have
Coach Medisas, we'll haveeverybody on here.
I promise you it's it's toughto try to get um everybody on
here.
Uh everybody's got their ownschedules and stuff with with
the family.
So um I know it's tough, butum, I'll let you know on the
next Utica University podcastwill be next week.
We'll talk to Coach BlazeFaziano.
(40:45):
Again, I'm hoping they canpunch their ticket to the NCAA
tournament.
Every poll I saw on Twitterlast night says they're kind of
the outs on the outside lookingin, but we'll wait to see.
We'll cross our fingers.
Um we'll talk to him.
I'll let you know what day thatwill be.
So, on behalf of the entirecrew here at the Mohawk Valley
Sports Watch, Coach Pags, CoachMedisas, and the stat man,
(41:05):
appreciate everybody tuning intoday on the Mohawk Valley
Sports Watch.
Have a good weekend, everybody.
Good morning.
Welcome to the Mohawk ValleySports Watch.
Thanks for making us part ofyour Sunday morning here, bright
and early with Coach myself,Rocky Craig Landle.
I'm excited to bring in anotherlocal fun show.
Good to have the Mohawk ValleySports Watch back.
This morning, in a little bitin just a few minutes, we'll
talk to head men's hockey coachat Utica University, Coach Gary
Heenan, coming off a 5-2 winlast night at home at the odd.
(00:58):
We were there.
My wife and I and the kids wereat the game last night.
They won 5-2 against Brockport.
And hats off to Coach Foz.
I watched that entire game onmy phone last night.
They came from behind the beatBrockport at Brockport in a
heavy rain, rainstorm lastnight, 28-20.
So I'm waiting to see.
(01:19):
I've heard some things onTwitter that they might be on
the outside looking in, or theydidn't get into the field.
It would be an awful shame ifUtica didn't find their way into
the NCAA tournament.
But I'll wait and see.
I'll see if it's official.
I'll see if I can get a hold ofCoach Foz today.
But hats off to him.
What a great season.
And I'll be looking forward totalking to him again next week,
right here on the Mohawk ValleySports Watch.
(01:42):
So at the bottom of the hour,we're going to talk some RFA
field hockey with Coach McKenzieWelter.
I'm excited to talk to her.
I always say this if there'sprobably another sport I know
the most, but I still don'tunderstand all the whistles,
it's field hockey.
So it's got a special place inmy heart.
Of course, I watched my sisterplay at RFA here, who um they
(02:03):
have the undefeated.
I think it was either 20-0.
She probably correct me.
It was either 20-0, 22-0, andthey went on to win a state
championship.
Um, I don't remember exactlyhow many wins it was, but I'm
sure she'll correct me at somepoint if she's listening here
this morning.
Um, but it was a great year forCoach McKenzie and the girls.
We'll talk to that, talk to herat the bottom of the hour.
(02:25):
They finished 18-1.
It was their third consecutiveSection 3 title.
Uh so congrats to her.
We'll talk more to her.
I want to give a shout-out tosome of the local guys here for
uh for high school football.
Um, games in action on Fridaynight, the eight-man
championship, Morrisville Eaton.
I don't know if I would call itan upset, but I'm gonna call it
(02:46):
an upset.
They spoiled FrankfurtSchuyler's chance for a
back-to-back.
Frankfurt Schuyler last yearwon a state championship.
Morrisville beat him 40-36 inthe eight-man.
In class D, Lowville finishes11-0.
They'll move on to theregionals.
They beat Powerhouse Dodgeville38-20.
(03:06):
And then our guy, Coach Schmidthere in Whitesprill, we'll have
him on again next week.
Uh they beat East SyracuseManoa 21-7 on Friday night uh in
the Class A finals.
And then yesterday in the ClasC, we'll start with that.
General Brown beat Kaz.
Those two teams have playedeach other so many times in the
(03:27):
Class C finals, but GeneralBrown 51-49 over Kaz in Class C.
In Class B, hats off the friendof the show, Coach Jim Kramer,
the new Hartford Spartans.
They finished a regular season11-0.
They beat Institute ofTechnology 37-14.
So they will play next week aswell.
(03:48):
These games, I believe, are inVestal.
I think I saw that Coach Krameris going to play Owego.
Um, I did see that, I believe,and then I do believe
Whitesgirls, Whitesboro playUnion Endicott.
Um, I believe one of them isFriday night.
I'll have to look.
I think Whitesboro is Fridaynight, and I want to say New
Hartford is Saturday.
Um, but I'll get all that andI'll post it up on the page
(04:11):
later this afternoon.
In class double A, no surprisehere.
I don't think anybody'ssurprised to see CBA, no offense
to Liverpool, who had a greatseason.
They finished 9-2, butChristian Brothers Academy, they
finish undefeated again inanother Section 3 title.
They win 27-6.
So congratulations uh to theSection 3 champions as they move
(04:34):
on.
They'll play down in Vestalnext week.
Top 25 scores in collegefootball.
On Friday night, Oregon 42-13.
I think many are forgettingabout Oregon and the Ducks and
Dan Lanning.
I think they got a really goodshot to make a deep run.
They beat PJ Fleck 42-13.
Tip your hat to Dabbo Sweeney.
I know a lot of people don'tlike him.
This Clemson team could havefolded midway through the year
(04:57):
not many times.
You look up and look at Clemsonand the box score and see 5-5.
But they beat Louisville 20-19at Louisville.
Louisville had some missedextra missed field goals, I'll
say, uh, in that one.
Ohio State cruises uh 48-10over UCLA.
Ohio State really probablywon't get challenged, I don't
think, until the Michigan game,if that.
(05:18):
Um, and then they'll playIndiana in the Big Ten
championship game, which will bea really good football game as
Indiana won again, 31-7 overWisconsin.
Texas AM, I could not believemy eyes.
This game was 30-3.
South Carolina at halftime, andthey ended up losing 31-30.
(05:41):
Oklahoma, big win for Oklahomaand Brent Venables on the road
at Alabama, 23-21.
We'll see what that does in theSEC standings.
Uh, we'll see what that does tothe um the playoff rankings
when they'll come out, Ibelieve, on Tuesday night.
Georgia at home over Archmannonin Texas, 35-10.
Texas Tech 48-9 over UCF.
(06:03):
Ole Miss and Lane Kiffin.
All he does is win footballgames.
But tip your hat, Floridaplayed hard.
Florida was in this game, uh,much of this game.
Um, Ole Miss had two touchdownslate in this game to seal it.
Um, so Ole Miss will get a byeweek next week, and then they
will get the eight bowl uh for achance to finish 11-1, and more
(06:23):
than likely they could be inthe SEC Championship game.
Notre Dame cruised over Pip37-15.
Notre Dame will play Syracusenext week.
Notre Dame more than likely isin the college football playoff,
but we'll see what thecommittee decides.
If Miami and Notre Dame areboth sitting there at 10-2,
(06:44):
Miami beat Notre Dame head tohead.
So we'll see what the committeedoes there.
BYU over TCU 44-13.
Utah Cruises, they beat Baylor55-28.
As I just said, Miami that's8-2.
They win 41-7 over NorthCarolina State.
Georgia Tech on a last-minutefield goal beats Boston College
(07:04):
36-34.
It seems like a lot of thecoaches that are up for these
jobs were in close games thispast weekend.
Uh Brent Pry, or I'm not BrentPry, I'm sorry.
I'm thinking Brent Pry, theVirginia Tech coach, because
there's been rumors that hemight be the defensive
coordinator for James Franklinat Virginia Tech, who just got
(07:24):
fired by Virginia Tech.
So we'll see how that playsout.
And then USC, not many, I don'tthink, paying attention to
Lincoln Riley.
I'm going to pay attention toLincoln Riley because I think
USC's got a really good chanceto beat Oregon next week and go
to the uh football playoff asthe fourth team out of the Big
Ten.
They beat Iowa 26-21.
Michigan had to overlook fiveturnovers to beat Northweston.
(07:48):
Uh Zavada hit a game-winningfield goal late in that game.
Michigan 24-22.
Virginia 34-17 over Duke.
Tennessee over New MexicoState, 42-9.
And how about the midshipman ofNavy as they beat South
Florida, who was my pick out ofthe non-power four to make it to
(08:08):
the playoffs?
So now we'll see how what thecommittee does there.
Navy 41-38 over South Florida.
And rounding out the top 25,Cincinnati falls to Arizona
30-24.
So Syracuse will be back inaction next week.
They'll be at Notre Dame.
We'll see how the how theOrange recover after a um a bye
(08:31):
week.
And uh the the Cordica jug,excuse me, the Cordica jug two
yesterday.
Ithaca beats Cortland lastnight.
Uh Cortland had a shot at theend.
Uh, I believe it was aninterception in the end zone,
and Ithaca held on.
I'm not sure Ithaca's gonna getin.
Cortland's in the NCAAtournament after winning uh the
Empire 8.
(08:52):
They get the automaticqualifier.
I think Ithaca, Utica, and afew other teams are on the
bubble.
And again, I didn't I didn'tsee the official announcement
released.
I'm hoping we'll see thatsometime later today.
But as of right now, I lookedUtica and Ithaca would be on the
outside looking.
If that's the case, uh, we'lllook to see if Utica gets at
ECAC bowl game.
But it would be a shame becauseI told Coach Foz this past week
(09:14):
on the show, if they got intothe NCAA tournament, I think
they should be in.
Um, they would be a tough outfor anybody that they see Utica
on the line.
So without further ado, let'sbring on Coach Heenan now.
What's going on, Coach?
Coach Gary Heenan (09:31):
What's going on, guys?
Headed to the rank this morningthat uh got a recruit in.
We're really pumped about, butuh the work doesn't stop, and
obviously we've got a lot ofwork to do.
So uh work in progress.
Rocky (09:46):
Yeah, coach.
Last year I think I think lastyear, coach, I caught you on the
uh you were just getting donewith a workout, getting off the
bike, I think, last year.
So this year I get you in thecar.
Coach Gary Heenan (09:57):
Well, you're probably staring at the double
chin, so I better get out thebike to come.
Yeah.
Rocky (10:01):
Well, coach, let's talk quickly.
First, congratulations lastnight.
My uh my wife and I and thekids were at that game against
Brackport.
So congratulations to you andthe team on the win last night
and getting off to a good startin conference play.
But coach, I I was fouling youguys to start this season.
Man, you came right out of thegate with some tough
non-conference games.
Coach Gary Heenan (10:22):
Yeah, I mean, I I think it's you know, we're
pretty lucky to have thatschedule.
Um we've done Adrian forever uhto start the year, and we'll go
up there again next year.
And Hobart just called andsaid, you know, we we changed
conferences, we're looking for acouple new games, and we did a
three-year deal with them, notknowing we play them in the
national championship uh lastyear.
(10:43):
So they're great games.
Uh people are saying, Are younuts?
But uh, you know, we it's ourgoal to be right in those groups
and be a top five team and notbe afraid of those games, but
love them.
So on the wrong side of those,I think we could have stolen one
or two of them.
I think we could have won allfour, but I don't think we
should have won any of them uhbased on our performance.
(11:05):
Um but it is what it is, andnow we've got a climb out of a
hole.
Um we're calling it the climbwithin our group.
Uh we've started that climb.
We're starting to see probablybeing there, starting to see a
little bit of Utica and who wewe're usually are, our identity.
13 new players has been achallenge.
We're not at a point that um Iassumed we'd be a lot better uh
(11:29):
at this point with the transferscoming in.
Um so work in progress, not ata pace that I like right now.
Uh, we're learning at a slowerpace than than we normally do,
but that's the challenge aheadof us.
And uh when we get there, Ithink we will.
Um we've got a lot of work todo.
Rocky (11:48):
Coach, and you guys obviously I know your
expectations is to compete andwin a national championship.
You've been to the game, you'vebeen to the final four, and
last year's team was special,and all your teams are are so
different.
I know I ask you this questionevery year.
I talk with you, but how isthis team different?
Because last night when I'm atthe game, I think you're
starting lineup, a lot offreshmen in that lineup last
night.
So, how is this team differentthan the past year's teams?
Coach Gary Heenan (12:10):
Yeah, I think I think we have three freshmen
uh you know in our in ourstarting 21.
And we started both we startedall three for for both games
this weekend as uh as really abarp, you know, to to to to
stick it to our upperclassmenwho uh who I think are playing
really soft.
Um I think that's been ourmajor issue this year is that
(12:31):
we're a soft team.
Um maybe it's coming off thehangover um of a successful
season, but we have zero forcheck.
Uh we'll put the puck in andthe puck's right out.
And and so you're there's noflow to the game, there's no
chemistry, there's no heavy uhozone time.
Um, and that's who we are apossession to play low, uh play
(12:53):
heavy hockey.
And so I don't know, you mightbe right.
Uh, we may have to play asofter style.
Boy, would that really irk me,but uh we may have to go uh, you
know, uh a little quote unquotetraditional European style and
open up, but uh I don't thinkthat beats the heavy teams.
And you know, Hobart beats avery good Plattsburgh team 3-0
(13:13):
last night.
I watched most of that game anduh in the afternoon, and uh uh
I mean they're the standard.
So um we've got to harden thisteam up, and that's that's what
we're in the process of doing.
Rocky (13:24):
Coach, you do bring back some some scores from last year.
Uh you bring back someveterans, and what are you gonna
need from those veteran guysthis year to help you get back
um not only to the NCAAtournament, win your conference,
and and make a deep run?
Coach Gary Heenan (13:38):
Yeah, and I think you're spot on.
I mean, without without those,there's so few of them, but uh
without those guys playing likehorses, um you know, it it's
just not gonna happen, you know.
And I think those first fourgames, um, those horses we have
were playing like donkeys, andum, you know, it's been a lot of
(13:58):
player meetings, it's been alot of video.
Um, and shame on us as coaches.
We really just thought um wewould be a lot better day one.
Um and in the exhibition games,I mean, we played a Morseful
team.
We looked like a heavyweightcontender.
I think it was more because ofa weak opponent.
Uh Skidmore really humbled us.
(14:18):
I thought we were flat, um,just just didn't show, which is
incredible.
Second game of the year athome.
Um so you know, it's it's it'sa lot of sleepless nights right
now.
We're we're not even close towhere we're gonna need to be if
we're if we're gonna even starttalking about the NCAs.
Um so we're molding this team,and and hopefully we can mold
(14:41):
them into a unica team that uhmakes this area proud.
Rocky (14:45):
And coach, talk to us a little bit about the goaltenders
last night.
Kyle was in that for you guys.
You had a couple seniors andyou got a young guy and and
Frank Murphy, the freshman, buttalk to us about the goaltender,
some experience back and ayoung guy.
Coach Gary Heenan (14:57):
Yeah, you know, uh disappointing.
Piros obviously with a familysituation, um, didn't come back.
Uh he's obviously off to agreat start, and and he's just a
phenomenal goaltender.
Um so that's called sportstoday.
Like you never know, things aregonna change.
And um we actually had anotherkid committed and and he bagged
us a week before school started,a Quebec kid.
(15:19):
And so Kyle had had found outthat there was a spot available
at Utica and jumped over, andwe're lucky to grab him at the
11th hour.
Um, and uh he's a veterangoalie that in his experience
has beaten uh he has beatenHobart.
Uh, you know, he's beaten theheavyweights when he was playing
with Elmira, he's beaten uswhen he was with Elmira.
(15:40):
So he was a welcome addition,uh a senior guy.
Um so I think he's gonna carrythe load.
We do we are high on FrankMurphy, um, a freshman out of
the Toronto area.
He's a real big kid.
Um Adam Decker's gotta justkind of shape up some of the
little things with him.
He's got a bit of a sloppystick, um, but a big body that
(16:01):
uh that that can be a blocker.
And um, you know, I thinkgoaltending should be should be
a positive for us.
Didn't love them in our inthose first four games.
Um, but but same is with ourteam.
Uh they're getting there.
Rocky (16:15):
Coach, always a great day to be a pioneer.
Yesterday the the football teamwent down to Brackport, had a
really big road win.
Hoping Coach Faz they get intothe tournament.
I I I saw a few posts thismorning saying they might be on
uh the outside looking in, butyou had a great football season.
Men and women's hockey shouldbe right there.
Basketball season starts too.
Um great, great time to be apioneer.
Coach Gary Heenan (16:38):
Yeah, I think there's uh we watched the whole
football game, afternoon game.
We had that one on a screen aswell in our in our office and uh
come from behind.
Great stuff by Blaze.
And um, you know, Sean Coffee'sgonna do a great job.
We've uh flipped the script onour women's basketball team, um,
same as our hockey team withnew coaches.
So those women, I'm sure, willget those programs going.
(17:01):
And um, and a lot of questionsaround the college, right?
And it's it's it's financialand well-being, and and I assure
you, uh, you know, leadershipwill get that on the right
track, and and we will remain ayou know, a strong presence in
this community and beyond.
So a lot of exciting thingshappening, and and I sure hope
we can continue to carry a flagfor the institution this year.
Rocky (17:22):
Coach, I know coaches don't like the individual
accolades, but I did read acolumn saying you're pretty
close to uh to 400 wins, whichthere's only 49 coaches across
all the NCAA that have gottenthat number.
You've had 12 conferencechampionships, five conference
tournament titles, six NCAAappearances, three Final Fours,
one national championshipappearance.
(17:43):
I know coaches don't like theindividual accolades coach, but
that's pretty special.
Coach Gary Heenan (17:49):
Yeah, I mean 400, uh it keeps coming up, and
and so maybe that's why it is,and longevity and um, you know,
it's just the one win I careabout.
You know, it really is.
And uh, you know, beingovertime last year and and being
a post away, fractions of aninch away, uh, really, really
drives you.
I mean, those are the games youwant in.
(18:11):
And we've been in thattournament a lot lately, and
it's gotta be our goal everyyear, just with who we are and
what we can offer.
And um, so you know, 400, we'lltip our cap to that.
I'm sure I'll polish off acouple silver bullets that night
and enjoy it.
But uh, but it's to get back inthat game and get the one win.
And um, you know, it's aboutchampionships.
(18:32):
So um, you know, hopefully wecan continue to compete for
those.
Rocky (18:35):
Well, coach, love having you on.
I can't wait.
We'll talk again during theseason.
Best of luck to I know thisteam's gonna get better as the
year goes.
You always do, and you alwayshave these kids ready to play.
So I appreciate it and best ofluck, and uh, we'll be following
you.
Coach Gary Heenan (18:48):
I appreciate it.
Thanks for bringing the familydown.
Look forward to seeing you hereagain.
Rocky (18:52):
Awesome, coach.
Thank you.
Coach Gary Heenan (18:54):
All right, take care.
Rocky (18:56):
So that was Coach Gary Heenan and uh coach is all coach
has been on coming on with usfor God, I think probably at
least 10 years or more sincewe've been doing the Mohawk
Valley Sports Watch.
And uh, he'll have those guysright.
It's a lot like football, thenon-conference.
Coach Fawes played a reallytough non-conference schedule.
Um, Coach Heenan's doing thesame thing, and he's right.
I mean, they could have easilywon all four.
(19:17):
Um, I think they took Hobart toovertime again, and then they
lost another one-goal game umdown there here at the odd, and
Adrian they play every year.
That's always really good.
There were two really closegames there, too.
So they'll be back.
It was a great atmosphere lastnight at the garden.
The weather wasn't greatdriving down to the odd.
Um, but uh it was a greatatmosphere there.
(19:37):
They always get a good crowdthere.
And I always say, and I alwaysask Coach Heen in this too, is a
recruiting tool.
If you're a hockey player andyou get the opportunity to, you
get you have the Nexus Centerright there, you get a chance to
play at the odd, where, youknow, obviously uh we have the
AHL team there, um, you know,with the comets uh there as
well.
It's it's just a great facilityfor football.
(19:58):
You got the dome there that's agreat facility.
It's one of the, I think one ofthe only indoor facilities um
in the country for for DivisionIII.
Um, and it's really, reallygood hockey.
Really, really, really, reallygood hockey.
And they're looking to punch, Ithink it'd be their ninth
consecutive um conferencechampionship if they can win
again this year.
And uh I think they'll be rightback there as well.
(20:20):
So thanks to uh Coach Heenan.
I think we got Coach Walter onhere.
Let me let me bring her on.
Coach, you surprised me.
You're a little early.
I like it.
I like it.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (20:30):
That's all good.
I'd rather be early than late.
Rocky (20:33):
I'm looking.
I'm like, she's got to listento us talk hockey, which I'm I'm
I'm not the greatest at talkingice hockey.
I can't break ice hockey down.
I probably can break fieldhockey down because I've been
around it my entire life.
I still don't understand thewhistles, but but I've been
around it my entire life.
But coach, thanks for coming onwith me this morning.
I appreciate it.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (20:51):
Thanks for having me on board.
I love this.
This is great.
Rocky (20:54):
Yeah, no, I I appreciate it.
We've been doing uh the localshow here now for about 10
years.
So I uh everybody's saying,You're gonna get McKenzie on us.
I'm gonna get her on.
I had to finish football lastweek, so I didn't want to jinx
you guys were playing earliertoo, so that's why I didn't have
you on in the morning.
So, but I appreciate it.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (21:11):
Yeah, absolutely.
Happy to be here.
Rocky (21:13):
So, coach, let's start.
This was the the third, Ibelieve your third sectional
title in a row.
Um, I know every team, and Iwas just talking to Coach
Heaney, and I always asked thisquestion every team is
different, right?
You know, going into apreseason as a coach, you
probably got a chance to dosomething special with the group
of girls that you had, but howwas this team different than
some of the past year's teamsfor you?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (21:35):
Oof.
Um, well, I think that theiron-field unity and the way that
they played together as a teamwas probably the reason why we
were able to go as far as we didand be as successful as we
were.
Um, those we returned every umplayer from last year's team,
other than the seven seniorsthat had graduated, and we added
(21:56):
one newcomer in eighth graderto our team.
So we had a lot of experiencein terms of that postseason
pressure and what to kind ofexpect once you get through the
regular season.
Um, and the girls after goingto the state tournament last
year, they wanted to get backthere.
They had that hunger and theyhad that drive.
Um, and every day they came topractice and they worked, they
(22:17):
worked for each other, theyworked with each other.
Um, and that's why it paid offfor them in the games.
Rocky (22:23):
And coach, when you when you when you win a sectional
title, everybody comes for youand they're gonna give you their
best shot.
You're you're the teameverybody wants to beat, right?
So coming into this season,winning a sectional title, get
into the state tournament, wasthere any extra pressure on and
on you as a coach and your staffand even the girls coming into
this season?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (22:42):
I think the pressure's always there, but
it's whether or not you want topay attention to it or you want
to just focus in the moment onwhat you're doing and what
you're trying to achieve.
Um, and yeah, I mean, we feltthe pressure.
We were like, what if?
But that was a fleetingthought.
And then it was just get towork.
So, you know, right from dayone of preseason, what do we see
within the girls?
Um, you know, what are thestrengths we have that we can
(23:05):
put together to put the bestteam on the field at any given
moment?
Um, you know, how could weutilize different strengths for
different lineups based onwhat's being presented towards
us in the games?
But then it was, you know, whatdo we need to work on?
And and really it was about thejourney and the process to get
us from where we were on day oneand just keep growing
individually and as a team sothat, you know, our weaknesses
(23:26):
got stronger and we could addmore tools to our toolbox.
Rocky (23:31):
And coach, the rich tradition too, with with Rome
Free Academy with Field Lockegoes back a long time.
And I know you've been you'vebeen part of some of those teams
from from the past.
And what's it like for you?
You you you played here, right?
And now you're coaching, you'vewon sectional titles.
What's that mean to you?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (23:48):
Um, it's, you know, honestly, it's
very humbling.
Um, and I was fortunate to haveCoach Harjung as my coach when
I came through.
She instilled so many lifelessons and, you know, really
talked about the tradition ofRFA field hockey, and that has
always stayed with me.
Um, so even though I went offand played at UVM and then
coached at Hamilton for a bit,my my goal was always to come
(24:10):
back and coach for RFA Fieldhockey, to continue on the
legacy that she had started.
Um, and you know, with KateMostraco on the team, Rihanna
Zappa Vigna on our staff, CherylSalt, like they've all been a
part of that.
Um, and Kelly Reese, you know,even though she didn't come up
through Rome, um, you know, sheplayed against Rome when she was
at New Hartford.
And um, so, you know, that thattradition and that culture, the
(24:34):
legacy that was started so manyyears ago, um, just to continue
that on and and to be a part ofit, not only as a player, but
now as a coach, um, you know, itmeans a lot.
And I have never wanted to letCoach Hardjump down, you know,
when I took over and she leftbig big shoes to fill.
But um, you know, it's it'sbeen great to be able to stay in
(24:54):
touch with her and and just tobe reminded of like, you know,
why are we here?
Why are we doing this for thegirls, for the program?
And I'm happy just to keep thetradition alive.
Rocky (25:04):
Well, coach, talk to us about because I was looking
through the roster and then andI was asking my sister sister
earlier in the week, and I'mlike, Shann, she returns
everybody again next year.
Like our fate, like she's notgoing away.
Like, I always joke with theNord Dame basketball coach, and
his name slipped in my mindbecause I always say, I got to
get on that basketball staffbecause like Notre Dame girls
(25:24):
basketball is so young, andthey're they're winning, they're
winning state championships.
And I'm looking like your team,you only had two seniors on
this team, I think, right?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (25:32):
Yep, we did.
Rocky (25:33):
So you have one sophomore, you had two freshmen,
you had eighth graders.
Um, very young team comingback.
But I want you, if you can,take a moment, talk to us a
little bit about um some of theyoung girls on this team that
really made this team go.
I know Sloan Sistito was one ofthem.
Josie Suma was on that team,and then a sophomore, Alexa
Richie,'s on that team as well.
But talk to us about that younggroup.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (25:54):
Yeah, they are young, but you know,
they are experienced.
Um, other than Josie, they'vethey've been through tough
times.
They've had to battle toughteams and opponents, um, and
they're hungry.
And, you know, that hunger, itshows in practice and their work
ethic.
It shows in their commitment tothe team, it shows in their
(26:15):
discipline.
Um, yeah, I mean, our future issuper bright.
We, you know, they all bringdifferent skills and different
assets, and we need all of them.
Um, you know, Josie, she knowshow to find the back of the net,
right?
She she knows where to be atthe right place, the right time
in that circle to get that ballon her stick.
Um, Sloane, she's a playmaker.
She can distribute the ball.
(26:36):
We need that offensive pushfrom her.
She's the start of ouroffensive transition.
We come up with the balldefensively to get that ball
back up the field, which is whyour attack was so quick this
year.
Alexa Ritchie, um, you know,versatile player, but she just
has the stick skills in thosetight spaces, especially as that
center forward, to be able totip the ball around and to get
that ball that she's fed intothat circle for us to capitalize
(26:59):
on.
Um, I mean, who else do we got?
Chloe Reese, you know, shetypically a forward, but we
dropped her back to mid thisyear because she was so fit,
that hustle that she has, thenever give up attitude.
Um, you know, she really workedon her individual defense and
she was creating opportunitiesfor us in the midfield, both
offensively and defensively.
Um, I mean, honestly, I couldgo on.
(27:20):
Like it's just this the thingsthat they can do.
Um, really, it's more of theintangibles that allow them to
be the types of players thatthey are.
Rocky (27:29):
And coach, talk to us a little bit too.
So you, you know, most of yourgames in the regular season, you
had some lopsided games, andthen late in the year you
started to play some reallyclose games.
And obviously, you know, youget into the sectionals, you
beat Liverpool four to three.
I think that was an overtime.
You had a close one againstBeeville, and then the Bethlehem
game was one-nothing.
So talk to us a little bitabout you.
Had the games where they're alittle lopsided, but your your
(27:51):
team found ways when it was aclose game, they never seemed to
panic.
And that that's somethingspecial because with a young
group, you would think the younggroup would panic, but as you
said, coach, they had theexperience.
Does that help them late in theyear like that?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (28:04):
100%.
100%.
And at the end of the day, youknow, you can't compare regular
season to postseason becausepostseason is a whole new season
to begin with.
Um, and teams come outhungrier.
So at the beginning of theyear, you know, we played
Beaville and FM and Liverpool,and typically those are stronger
teams compared to some of theteams we might play in the TVL.
But, you know, they were stilltrying to figure themselves out.
(28:25):
We had a we had a leg on thembecause we came in pretty fit to
begin with.
Um, you know, we had theexperience returning.
We had an idea for the mostpart of where our players were
going to fit into their lineups.
We didn't have a ton to figureout early on, um, where other
teams did.
So we could capitalize on thatin the games.
But then towards the end of theseason, you know, teams are
figuring it out.
They've got their role,they're, you know, peaking at
(28:47):
the right time.
So we had some closer gamesbecause teams were able to then,
you know, take away some of ourstrengths.
They were able to put a type ofdefense against us that forced
us to have to make adjustments,which we had been practicing
throughout the year to get readyfor it.
But until you're actually facedwith it, you know, you're not
really sure what's what's gonnahappen.
Um, so were those close gamesnerve-wracking?
(29:10):
Not really.
Um, you know, for the team andfor the coaching staff, we knew
we'd find a way in the end.
The question was at what pointin the game?
Um, and hats off to the girlsfor for not letting that, you
know, tight atmosphere in thegame and that environment to
really affect them.
They stayed focused, theystayed disciplined, they kept
doing the things we were askingof them, and they never gave up
(29:32):
on each other.
So that's why we were able topull away in those close games
because it was because of them,not because of us as coaches,
but what they did together as ateam.
Rocky (29:42):
And coach, I always say in any hockey or any sport,
really, you need it, you need agoalie that can make some saves
for you in key moments.
And your your junior goalie,Brooke Benson, was was
phenomenal all year for you.
Talk to us about the type ofgoalie she is, the type of
player she is, type of personshe is, um, because she was big
for you guys.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (30:00):
She was huge, absolutely huge.
Um, you know, she had somereally big saves and critical
moments against tough opponents.
She had huge saves in thepostseason that kept us in um in
the game, um, kept us eithertied or up by one.
And you know, for Brooke, sheshe's hungry to win.
She she wants that next level.
She's always pushing herself,she's always hard on herself,
(30:23):
probably too hard as an athlete,um, doesn't give herself enough
grace.
But, you know, she she wants tostop every single ball.
She wants to, she wants to bethe reason why, you know, that
ball doesn't go in the net.
And that hunger and that drivein her um really feeds into our
backfield.
So it's not just, yes, she canmake these phenomenal saves and
these reaction saves, um, orstop a second or a third shot,
(30:47):
but it's just how her presenceradiates out into you know our
backs and into our sweeps andour mids so that we have all the
confidence in the world.
We know that if we break downdefensively and you know,
somebody gets beat that rookieB's back there and she's she's
gonna be there for us.
Um, and I think thatleadership, even though it's
quiet, um, you know, it it meansa lot for our team because it
(31:10):
means that we can play strongteam defense, that we don't have
to rely on just one player oranother player to get the job
done.
Because at the end of the day,like, yeah, there were some
saves that, you know, that shewanted to have back for sure.
But if that ball was rightthere on the line behind her,
one of her defenders was thereto knock it away and get that
defensive save.
So it really was a team effort.
(31:31):
And I think that for her,starting that and being that
presence um and that leader backthere, it's it's what we needed
in tough times, but it's also aI think a testament to her
character um and just where shewants to go with her career.
Rocky (31:46):
So I hope I did my math right.
And you, I know you'll correctme if I'm wrong because most
coaches will always correct mewhen I'm wrong.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (31:52):
Probably not.
I don't pay attention to stats.
Rocky (31:54):
I I think this was your what 11th year as the head
coach?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (31:58):
This one was 10.
Wait, okay, 10, 10.
Rocky (32:01):
Was 2016 your first year?
Coach Mackenzie Welter (32:04):
Yes.
Rocky (32:06):
That's what I had to do.
So I let's just say 10 or 11years.
All right.
We'll just we'll just go withthat.
Math wasn't always my specialtyin school, but I'm looking, I
went through all your numbersand I'm sitting here saying in
2016, your first year, you guyswent 11-7.
And now I look and I see 18 and1, 19 and 2, 17 to 2.
(32:27):
It's like the expectations whenyou're on top is like you can't
lose a game.
But it's like take yourselfback to when you first got this
job and to where you guys are atnow and see how far this
program has come since your yourfirst year.
How special is that?
And is it set in your head tosay, I've been here for this
many years?
You're not the new coachanymore.
(32:47):
You're the veteran coach now.
Yeah.
But have you given that sometime to think about that?
How, you know, time you've beenhere and where you were your
first year to where you guys areat now.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (32:58):
I mean, it's been a special journey,
that's for sure.
Um, have I thought about it?
Yes.
Um, you know, Kelly and I,since coming in together is day
one, you know, we've we'vereally grown together.
Um, and we've supported eachother through tough times and
high times.
And um, but I honestly Iwouldn't be where I am without
(33:18):
her.
So I like to think of think ofus as like a duo, so to speak.
Um, but you know, we reminiscea lot about the beginning.
Remember when, you know,remember those challenges that
we faced early on, but there'sstill challenges now with a
winning program.
Um, you know, the expectationsthere, the the the players
wanting to be on that field.
Um, you know, there's there'sdifferent aspects of it.
(33:41):
There's always a challenge toface.
But I think that, you know,what we've really tried to
instill is just the culture thatwe want in this program.
Um, and it's not so much awinning culture, like that's not
the focus.
Yes, you want to win yourvarsity sport in high school,
your job is to win.
But that's not what we look atevery day.
(34:01):
We're not going in being like,we have to win this game or we
have to have a, you know, awinning season, so to speak.
For us, it's about the journey.
It's the development of theplayers, it's the development of
them as people and giving themlife skills, communication
skills, leadership skills, um,you know, confidence.
You know, so many high schoolgirls don't feel confident in
(34:22):
what they can do.
And we want to we want toinstill that in them.
And yeah, that translates ontothe field, right?
Because then they believe inthemselves and they can achieve
things and they can go throughtough moments and come out
winners, you know, notnecessarily on the scoreboard,
but winners in terms ofcharacter on the field.
But it's, I mean, there's awhole journey.
I mean, I could tell I could behere for 20 minutes talking
(34:43):
about, you know, how we started10 years ago and where we are
now.
But at the end of the day, it'sa team effort.
Um, it's not about me, it's notabout Coach Reese, it's not
about Coach Zap or CoachMistraco or, you know, Coach
Sulse.
It's about what we do togetherin this program and starting the
starting girls young with ayouth program and then having
them get to modified andunderstand that this is the
(35:05):
culture of the program.
Like Coach Sulse really, youknow, takes the things that
we're trying to instill at thevarsity level and she starts it
at modified.
So it's not a culture shock, soto speak, or a surprise when
all of a sudden you get tovarsity and now things are
different.
No, this is just theexpectation.
Um, and because we have highstandards, because we, you know,
expect discipline and goodsportsmanship and working on
(35:28):
those leadership skills anddeveloping players for the
future, you know, they knowthat's what's expected.
Um, and it's not because we'rebeing mean, it's because we
really care about them and wewant them to be successful in
life.
Rocky (35:40):
Well, you hit my last question.
It was good to be on the was onthe youth, um, the youth level.
And I know your modified girlshad a really good season this
year.
I was over there because I wasthe football coach.
I got a chance to see themevery day.
And then, you know, even likeat the in the summertime, like
at the youth level, you know,the little girls.
I mean, my daughter's um nineyears old, and I see a lot of
younger girls now with sticks,and it's great to see they got
(36:02):
their R Fay shirts on, which iseven even better to see.
But, you know, I feel likefield hockey's gotten so much
bigger, you know, over theyears.
I mean, especially in Rome.
When you talk about Rome, itwas always our faith, and this
is just me growing up, it wasalways our Fae football and our
Fay field hockey.
Like those were the two sports.
And when I played, we used tocompete with the girls because
we'd always say, who was gonnabe the first team to lose on
(36:25):
that turf?
Because we never lost on thatturf.
So we always had the friendlycompetitions with the field
hockey girls.
But coach, it's so nice to seethe little girls now, you know,
with sticks in their handsbecause I think that's really
cool.
And I think, like you said,that that starts the program.
Like that's the future of yourprogram as they get older.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (36:42):
Yes, it is.
And, you know, we run stuff inthe summer.
We have our week-long camp inthe summer.
We do a little bit in the fall.
Um, you know, like this year,we had, you know, some of the
youth girls be our ball girls athome games.
Um, we had a couple differentlike play opportunities for them
to come out at like a halftimeof the JV game to just play
around for eight, 10 minutes.
(37:03):
Um, you know, we try to do ourplay day every year in the fall.
And then in the off season, um,you know, Coach Kate's done a
great job of doing some likesmaller six skills and
developing small game umawareness and things in the
offseason with our our K6 girls.
So it's it's really starting tocome into more of like a full
year opportunity, you know,obviously not as consistent like
(37:25):
you would with a with a highschool sport, but just the fact
that they can have a stick intheir hand more um and they're
hungry, they want to play, theythey want to be out there, even
if it's just coming to practice.
Like they wanna, they want tobe with each other and and they
wanna they wanna learn theseskills and they and they just
they want to have a stick andball.
Um, and so we're providingthose opportunities the best
(37:45):
that we can within our ownschedules and the season.
But um, yeah, we're not theonly program that's doing that.
It's definitely a culture shiftaround here in central New
York, which is great to seebecause we all want to grow the
game.
You know, we we want to getmore players involved because
that's gonna make all of ourteams stronger, um, which is
gonna make our section stronger,and then it's gonna make us
stronger within the state.
So um it's yeah, it's it'sabout growing the game for these
(38:08):
girls, giving thoseopportunities.
And in the end, yes, it's it'sgonna benefit us within the RFA
field hockey program.
Rocky (38:14):
I was really hoping that my daughter would pick up a
stick.
She did for a little bit.
She's uh she's Kelly's umdaughter's age, Caroline's age.
And uh, you know, she she had astick in her hand.
My sister was really excitedsaying she may have a field
hockey person in the family.
So I'm still trying um to get astick in my daughter's hand,
(38:35):
but uh it's so nice to see theseyoung girls uh in the future of
the program.
And I'm happy to be at RFA alumto follow you, follow your
success and and the team'ssuccess.
And you guys will get thatstate championship.
You guys will make a run.
You're you're set up for it,you're built for it.
So I'm excited to uh continueto see the progress.
And uh I know everybody inRome, including myself, coach,
(38:56):
we're proud of you.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (38:57):
Thank you so much.
It means a lot.
A real lot.
Thank you.
Rocky (39:00):
You're welcome.
Well, coach, listen, thanks forcoming on.
I had to try to hunt you down.
My sister gave me your number.
So hopefully you're not you'renot mad at me uh for that.
But I had to hunt you down, butnow I got your info, so I know
we'll do it again soon.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (39:12):
That sounds great.
Thanks so much.
I appreciate it, Rocky.
Rocky (39:15):
Thanks, coach.
Coach Mackenzie Welter (39:16):
All right, take care.
Rocky (39:18):
So that was our fake coach Mackenzie Welter.
For uh, I want to thank her forcoming on.
And uh, I mean, it's so cool tosee the young girls, and I say
the young girls, my daughter'snine.
I was really hoping my daughterwould have a stick in her hand,
which she did for a little bit.
Um, but she likes soccer, soI'm not gonna not gonna argue
with her.
But uh it's nice to see theprogram start at that age and
(39:39):
kind of continue on um as theyget older.
Because as coach said, that'sthat's the program.
I mean, that's that's theprogram as they get older.
Um, and to see them start atthat age um is is pretty cool to
see.
So thanks to um thanks forCoach Um for coming on.
I want to thank Coach GaryHeenan too um for coming on with
me this morning.
(40:00):
Um it's nice to uh to talk toCoach Heenan.
Coach Heening's been on with mefor a long time.
Um probably for the last 10years, I would say he's been
he's been jumping on with me.
Um so I want to make sure thatI that I thank him for uh for
jumping on with me here thismorning.
So on behalf of the entire crewhere, which I I promise you,
one of these shows, we will haveall the crew on here.
(40:23):
We'll have the stat man, we'llhave coach Peggs, we'll have
Coach Medisas, we'll haveeverybody on here.
I promise you it's it's toughto try to get um everybody on
here.
Uh everybody's got their ownschedules and stuff with with
the family.
So um I know it's tough, butum, I'll let you know on the
next Utica University podcastwill be next week.
We'll talk to Coach BlazeFaziano.
(40:45):
Again, I'm hoping they canpunch their ticket to the NCAA
tournament.
Every poll I saw on Twitterlast night says they're kind of
the outs on the outside lookingin, but we'll wait to see.
We'll cross our fingers.
Um we'll talk to him.
I'll let you know what day thatwill be.
So, on behalf of the entirecrew here at the Mohawk Valley
Sports Watch, Coach Pags, CoachMedisas, and the stat man,
(41:05):
appreciate everybody tuning intoday on the Mohawk Valley
Sports Watch.
Have a good weekend, everybody.
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.