Change to spare

Coaches face new challenges every year. Sometimes, it’s replacing standout players lost to graduation.

Coaches face new challenges every year.

Sometimes, it’s replacing standout players lost to graduation.

Other times, it’s making adjustments in hopes of returning to the title game.

This winter, Neumann-Goretti boys’ bowling coach Gene Mattioli faces those hurdles and more.

Perhaps most difficult of all, the veteran coach must develop a very young roster that includes seven freshmen. Three returning starters will help relieve some of the pressure. However, the newcomers will still have to contribute if the program is to claim the championship that eluded the Neumann Pirates in their final season at an all-boy school.

"I look forward to the challenge of developing the freshmen for the future of the program as well as this year," said Mattioli, who has never carried more than five freshmen on a roster.

The returning core of senior co-captains Joe Stankiewicz and Steve DiGiovanni, along with junior Chris Pezzano, gives the Saints a strong foundation for their Catholic League title run.

Stankiewicz, a returning All-Catholic, is leading 5-3 Neumann-Goretti with a 199 average. Last season, he played alongside big brother Matt Stankiewicz, who was a four-time All-Catholic selection and a three-time Catholic League champ. Matt tallied a 210 average his senior year — the highest single-season average in Neumann history.

"I am trying to emulate my brother, Matt, who did his best bowling when the pressure was on," said Joe, who was on the 2003 championship team.

Matt now bowls for Holy Family University.

DiGiovanni’s bowling r�sum� includes a position on the Pirates’ 2003 championship squad, for which he tallied a 655 series. The returning All-Catholic has opened the season with a 185 average.

Pezzano is hoping to at least match his performance from a year ago, when he carried a 181 average. He bowled a 616 series in last year’s semifinals.

Filling out the starting five are seniors Nick Rossi and Joe Venuto, who have been promoted from junior varsity. Rossi averaged 175 last season and Venuto bowled 167.

The Saints’ 5-3 record includes a 4-0 sweep of Kennedy-Kenrick and three losses against Cardinal O’Hara.

Even for the veteran players, the changes associated with becoming the Neumann-Goretti Saints have been minimal. Their shirts now reflect their new school colors but, just like in past seasons, the bowlers practice Sunday mornings with their female counterparts at St. Monica Lanes, 16th and Shunk streets. The boys continue to offer the girls bowling pointers.

"We have a good brother-sister bond," Mattioli said.

The starters also are helping their own young teammates, who are expected to be more than just glorified trainees.

Mattioli hasn’t ruled out the possibility that freshmen Levan Walker, Anthony Spino and Jonathan Donnelly, along with sophomores Nick Allegrini and Ray Daddazio, will move up to varsity at some point this season.

Assistant head coach Vince Campolongo is back to provide the young Saints with valuable pointers, as are assistant coaches Frank Ward and Tony Herner.

"The bulk of the 17 kids are relatively new to the program," Mattioli said. "What we are trying to instill in them is the work ethic and tradition the program has had over the years."

The tradition includes two sets of three-peat Catholic League championships, from 1997-99 and again from 2001-03. Last season, the team formerly known as the Pirates lost to Father Judge in the semifinals.

Mattioli expects his team to return to the postseason race with other regulars O’Hara, Roman, Monsignor Bonner and St. Joseph’s Prep.

The Saints are counting on their big three — Stankiewicz, DiGiovanni and Pezzano — to lead the way with a healthy dose of strikes and spares.

"If we are going to get the job done, those three have to bowl consistently," the coach said.

If so, the squad could claim another historic feat — the first Catholic League title for Neumann-Goretti.

"I think we have enough talent," Mattioli said.

Schedule

All matches start at 3:30 p.m. Home matches take place at St. Monica Lanes, 16th and Shunk streets.

Team on a roll

Last season’s semifinal loss to Father Judge ended a Neumann championship run that included three straight Catholic League titles and six titles in seven seasons. With 10 championships since the 1978-79 season, the Pirates established themselves as one of the Catholic League’s top bowling programs. Will the Neumann-Goretti Saints be able to maintain that winning tradition? Here is a look back at the championship years.

Year Result

2003 Defeated St. Joe’s Prep

2002 Defeated St. Joe’s Prep

2001 Defeated Archbishop Ryan

1999 Defeated St. Joe’s Prep

1998 Defeated Conwell-Egan

1997 Defeated Conwell-Egan

1992 Defeated Bishop Egan

1987 Defeated Father Judge

1985 Defeated Bishop Egan

1979 Defeated Germantown*

1979 Defeated North Catholic

*The win over Germantown was for the Philadelphia City Title.