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Section5Soccer
05-17-2012, 09:31 AM
Nice to see a local kid in NCAA athletics expected to make an impact...

CUBA- Daemen College is preparing for a significant rise and looked to Cuba-Rushford’s most prolific scorer to help with the transition.
Holmes has signed with Daemen College to play soccer starting this fall and pursue a Ph.D in physical therapy. Daemen is moving from the NAIA to the NCAA and Holmes is part of the school’s first-ever Division II soccer recruiting class.
One thing Holmes can do is score — which he did at a record pace at Cuba-Rushford. Holmes holds the school records for career goals (70), assists (60), and points (200). as a five-year varsity starter for the Rebels.
Holmes led all of Section V this past fall in scoring with 70 points and his 26 goals trailed only Webster Schroeder’s Anthony Rozzano (29) in 2011.
However, making the transition from high school to college athletics is an adjustment in any sport.
“The speed of the game, by far, and the physicality,” said Holmes on what he expects the biggest adjustments to be at the college level.
Holmes, though, doesn’t see himself simply as a scorer.
“I’m versatile,” said Holmes. “I think I can fit into whatever spot they want me to fit into.”
He also isn’t just a great soccer player.
Holmes is Cuba-Rushford’s National Honor Society president with a grade point average of 99.4 and enrolled in five advanced placement courses. He also is a youth court judge and will go to Daemen with two academic scholarships (tuition exchange and presidents’ award), along with the soccer scholarship.
“I really chose Daemen because of their physical therapy program,” said Holmes. “They have a doctorate program and they have NCAA Division II soccer now, so it’s a good opportunity.”
Holmes also felt right at home in his first time around the team.
“The coach and the guys on the team, they’re all great guys,” said Holmes. “When I went to stay with them in recruit camp it was a really good experience.”
Holmes is a three-time team MVP and the reigning Allegany County Player of the Year. He has made the Section V All-Tournament team twice and been an Allegany County 1st-team All-Star three times and a 2nd-team selection once. He also has been a Big 30 All-Star and a two-time Brock Young Memorial Award winner.
Holmes was a part of one of the highest-scoring teams in Section V last season. Cuba-Rushford had three of the top five scorers in Section V, including Caleb Holmes’ younger brother, Carl, who was tied for third in goals (23) and was third in scoring (60). Rob Wight had 57 points (21 goals) for the Rebels last season, good for fifth in Section V last fall.
According to the Daemen men’s soccer roster, Holmes will be the fifth Section V player to play for the Wildcats, joining Brandon Hank (Greece Athena), Devin Kinney (Hinsdale), Zach Blum (Churchville-Chili), and Max Drexler (Greece Olympia).

Picture: http://www.wellsvilledaily.com/sports/x1942560265/C-Rs-Holmes-signs-with-Daemen?photo=0

wcountyalum
08-19-2012, 03:09 AM
Always good to see Section V representing!

exlaxer78
08-19-2012, 07:28 AM
It's good to see the kid is going to Daemen for all the right reasons, the PT program is outstanding. The soccer is on the other end of the spectrum though. Just plain awful.

Section5Soccer
08-20-2012, 12:08 PM
It's good to see the kid is going to Daemen for all the right reasons, the PT program is outstanding. The soccer is on the other end of the spectrum though. Just plain awful.

We'll see about the awful part. I've been looking into their program and with a new coach they are definitely turning it around. I think this kid will help with that. It'll be a process however... due to the very competitive schedule that they've drawn up for the 2012 season.

wcountyalum
08-20-2012, 01:23 PM
We'll see about the awful part. I've been looking into their program and with a new coach they are definitely turning it around. I think this kid will help with that. It'll be a process however... due to the very competitive schedule that they've drawn up for the 2012 season.

Going from where he played...to a division II squad will be quite an adjustment. he may not make an impact as a freshman but in a year or two i bet we hear his name.

Section5Soccer
10-01-2012, 09:26 AM
AMHERST, NY - Freshman Caleb Holmes (Cuba, NY/Cuba-Rushford HS) already has a signature moment in front of the home fans. The diminutive midfielder, just five games into his collegiate career, found the back of the net in the 88th minute to snap a 1-1 tie and deliver a 2-1 win for the Daemen Wildcats over the SUNY-ESF Mighty Oaks in the Wildcats' home opener today. The win is the second straight for Daemen (2-3-0) while the Mighty Oaks, ranked #6 in the latest USCAA National Poll, suffer their first setback of the season (3-1-0).

Holmes let his shot go from the middle of the box, beating Mighty Oaks goalkeeper Adam Belkadi inside the right post after a beautiful setup. Junior striker Kyle Clifford (West Seneca, NY/St. Francis HS) sent a crossing feed from the far left wing to the top of the box where it was headed by freshman midfielder Jordan Dean (Greece, NY/Greece Olympia HS) onto the awaiting foot of Holmes who buried the game-winner.

Holmes' heroics came after Daemen surrendered their 1-0 lead on a goal by SUNY-ESF's Patrick Alcott in the 71st minute. Alcott chased down a headed pass from Dillon Buchberg and flicked it past Daemen goalkeeper Daniel Romer (Amsterdam, Netherlands/St. Nicholas Lyceum HS) who came charging out of his goal.

Junior midfielder Trevor Hill (Courtice, ON/Holy Trinity Catholic SS) had given Daemen a 1-0 lead in the 48th minute after a scoreless first half. Holmes broke free up the left sideline and dropped a pass to Clifford near the top of the box who found Hill streaking in from the right wing. Hill's low grounder shot then beat Belkadi to the far post.

Romer picked up the win between the pipes for Daemen after relieving starter Matt Daddario (Amherst, NY/Sweet Home HS) in the 34th minute. Daddario was credited with one save while Romer saved a pair of Mighty Oaks attempts in his first action of the season.

Belkadi made five saves, several of outstanding quality, in a losing effort for the Mighty Oaks.

Daemen looks to make it three in a row when they travel to face the Point Park Pioneers in suburban Pittsburgh, PA tomorrow.

gvcsjag2000
10-01-2012, 12:00 PM
good job Holmes, keep up the good work kid.

sectionvguy1
10-01-2012, 04:28 PM
It's good to see the kid is going to Daemen for all the right reasons, the PT program is outstanding. The soccer is on the other end of the spectrum though. Just plain awful.

Agree the soccer program is not very good. They could be in trouble. Everyone know that the D2 move is nothing different from what they already are. Only happening because there are no NAIA teams around