Jim Mandelaro

ROC

The sophomore from Greece awaits word from NCAA

Rotolo figures to battle senior Jordan Ruby for time

Tigers open season at home vs. St. Lawrence on Friday

The RIT men’s hockey team could be without goaltender Mike Rotolo for this weekend’s season-opening games — and perhaps much longer.

The sophomore from Greece is sidelined because of an NCAA question regarding his eligibility. RIT officials have made their case with college athletics’ top governing body and are awaiting a decision.

The Tigers open the season at the new Gene Polisseni Center on Friday against St. Lawrence and Saturday against Clarkson.

“I haven’t got anything new,” RIT coach Wayne Wilson said Wednesday. “Everything has been sent into the NCAA. It’s an eligibility issue that is being debated. The ball is in their court now to let us know what will happen.”

Rotolo emerged as RIT’s starting goalie early last season and set program records by winning his first five starts and going unbeaten (5-0-1) in his first six games. He was 9-9-3 with a 2.77 goals-against average on the year.

Rotolo did not play in last Saturday’s 5-2 exhibition win over Brock (Ontario) University. Wilson said he can see the NCAA’s decision going one of two ways.

“One, he’s not going to be eligibile until the second half of the year, or two, he could be eligible right away and possibly be able to go this weekend,” he said.

Wilson is prepared to play senior Jordan Ruby and junior Kenny MacLean in goal this weekend. He’s not sure who will start Friday but said they each would start a game.

“If Mike is eligible — and he’s been practicing — we’ll try to get him in, too,” Wilson said.

JMAND@DemocratandChronicle.com

Twitter.com/jmand1