49ers Finish Season At 17-18
November 30, 2005
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The Record: Long Beach State finished the 2005 season at 17-18 overall and 1-7 in the MPSF. The 49ers fell in the 7th place game at the MPSF Tournament to Pepperdine 9-7 to close out their campaign. The 49ers played numerous close games, dropping 12 games this season by two goals or less.
The Coach: Ricardo Azevedo finishes his 49er men's coaching career at 107-96 (.527). He picked up win No. 100 on September 24 in an 11-3 win over Air Force.
Azevedo Takes National Team Job: United States Water Polo announced on November 16 that they will hire Ricardo Azevedo as its next men's national team coach and director. Azevedo, who served as the 49ers men's coach for seven seasons and spent six years with the women, moved both programs firmly into the national rankings, winning over 100 games on both sides, while competing in the nation's toughest conference. "U.S Water Polo made it very difficult to say no," said Azevedo. "In my sport, it's what you look for. I'm a professional and to be with great athletes, in the international community and at the highest level of competition, it's like going to the NBA for basketball coaches," said Azevedo. "There's only been 16 coaches in 100 years of history, and as much thought that I gave to it, over and over again, I just couldn't turn it down." An interim women's coach will be named sometime in December and the men's position will open in January.
School Records: The 49ers set a new school record for goals scored in a season. This year Long Beach has scored 347 total goals, breaking the previous mark of 313 set by the 1985 and 1981 clubs. The 49ers are averaging 9.91 goals per game, a mark which just missed breaking the record of 10.00 goals per game set in the 1989 season (290 goals in 29 games).
All-MPSF Honors: Two 49ers earned All-MPSF honors this season. Senior Brett McCleave (Lake Forest) and junior Jay Gerardi (Long Beach) both were named third team All-MPSF.
Brett McCleave: Senior Brett McCleave (Lake Forest) paced the 49er offense this season recording a team-high 73 goals, an average of 2.09 goals per game. He ranks ninth in the MPSF in goals per game and his 73 total goals leads all players. McCleave scored in 31 of the 35 games this year and multiple-goals 22 times. McCleave finished his two-year 49er career tied for No. 13 on the 49er career goals scored chart with 123 goals. His 73 goals this season ranks No. 4 on the 49er single season chart.
Jay Gerardi: Junior Jay Gerardi (Long Beach) had a great season finishing second on the team with 61 total goals. Gerardi finished with a flurry, scoring 25 goals in the final nine games of the year. At the MPSF Tournament he scored 10 goals in the three games, including a career-high tying four goals against both USC and Pepperdine. With 99 career goals scored, he now ranks No. 21 on the 49er chart with one full season left to play at Long Beach State.
Thomas Onyshko: Senior goalie Thomas Onyshko (Simi Valley) took over the No. 1 spot in career saves at the NorCal Tournament (October 15 against Cal) and finished his career with 846 saves, breaking the previous mark of 724 set by Brian Flint (1984-86). Onyshko tallied 280 saves this season, a new 49er single season record, breaking the old mark of 276 set by James Makshanoff in 1987. Onyshko hit double digits in saves 11 times this season, including 12 saves against three opponents (UC San Diego, California and UCLA).
Brad Scoles: Senior Brad Scoles (Ashland, OR) has played in every game in his four years at Long Beach State, 127 appearances in the pool. He has been in the starting lineup in 111 of those contests. Scoles scored 41 goals this year, fourth-best on the team, and concluded his 49er career with 111 goals (No. 18 all-time). He had 12 multiple-goal games this season, including a career-high tying four goals against UC Davis.
Erik Geoffroy: Senior Erik Geoffroy (Rossmoor) finished his 49er career No. 3 all-time with 180 career goals. Geoffroy finished third on the team this year with 43 goals. A two-time All-American (2002, 2003), Geoffroy missed last year due to surgery on his right knee in the summer of 2004. He sat out last year, but came back strong his final season. Geoffroy had a season-high four goals against UC Davis and Stanford.
Joe Sherrin: A true freshman out of Long Beach Wilson High School, Joe Sherrin made quite an impact in his first year at LBSU. Sherrin appeared in all 35 games, starting 32 times. He recorded 13 goals on the year, including two against UC San Diego. Sherrin was one of 10 true freshman to come into LBSU this year, but only he and goalie Derek Weibe-Bailey saw any playing time.
Eight Seniors: Eight seniors closed out their careers at the MPSF Tournament. This years senior class is: Riley Brady, Erik Geoffroy, Stefan Ludecke, Brett McCleave, Thomas Onyshko, Satoshi Sakata, Brad Scoles and Ian Wenger.
MPSF Stats: In the final MPSF stats the 49ers ranked third in the league in scoring at 9.91 goals per game and ninth in goalkeeping at 8.26 goals allowed per game. Individually, Brett McCleave ranked ninth in goals per game at 2.09, Jay Gerardi was 11th at 1.74, Erik Geoffroy 17th at 1.30 and Brad Scoles tied for 20th at 1.17. Goalie Thomas Onyshko finished second in saves per game at 8.00. | LBSU CAREER GOALS SCORED | | 1. 231, Kyle Kopp (1987-89) | | 2. 205, Mike Burke (1988-91) | | 3. 180, Erik Geoffroy (2001-03, 05) | | 4. 174, Jeff Coyler (1995-98) | | 5. 165, Chris Segesman (1998-01) | | 6. 162, Grant Jeffries (1979-81, 83) | | 7. 160, Bob Dolan (1978-81) | | 8. 154, Kip Parsons (1992-93, 95) | | 9. 142, Scott Weir (1976-78) | | 10. 128, Chi Kredell (1989-91, 93) | | 11. 126, Reid Tomassi (2003-05) | | T13. 123, Brett McCleave (2003-05) | | 18. 118, Brad Scoles (2002-05) | | 13. 99, Jay Gerardi (2003-05) |
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