Athletics > Weekly Lyon > 2003--04 > October 13, 2003
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Field Hockey (6-7, 0-3) Drops Three Games, Falls to Nationally-Ranked Springfield
The Wheaton College field hockey team dropped three games on the week, including a hard-fought 2-1 overtime loss to nationally-ranked Springfield College in Saturday's New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) action. Earlier in the week, the Lyons fell to Clark University, 1-0 on Tuesday and Gordon College, 3-0 on Thursday.
Against Clark, play in the opening half was nip-and-tuck between the two teams, until the Cougars picked up the eventual game-winning goal with 17:38 to play. Clark outshot the hosts, 8-4 in the opening stanza, carrying the 1-0 lead into the intermission. Both teams battled to a scoreless period in the second stanza, with the Cougars holding an 8-6 edge in shots. Wheaton's best scoring opportunity came in the final three minutes of regulation, when freshman Elizabeth Reimers (Wareham, MA/Tabor Academy) received a penalty corner and rifled her shot towards the cage, only to see the ball sail wide right. Sophomore Emily Fiskio (Branford, CT/Branford) registered 12 saves in the loss. Wheaton held an 11-6 advantage in penalty corners, but was outshot 16-10.
At Gordon, play was even in the first half, as the Fighting Scots edged the Lyons, 5-4 in shots with penalty corners identical at four apiece. With 15 minutes to play in the opening half, Gordon posted an unassisted goal past goalkeeper Mary Catherine Boll (Columbus, IN/Miss Porter's School) for the 1-0 edge. The Fighting Scots quickly added to their lead early in the second stanza and later added extra insurance with 19:10 remaining. Boll and Fiskio finished with three saves apiece in splitting halves. The Blue and White outshot the Scots, 9-8 with an 11-8 edge in penalty corners.
Wheaton and Springfield played an extra session of field hockey for the third straight season, but this time it was the Pride that came away victorious. The Lyons had beaten the Pride in their last two outings. Following an evenly played first half that saw Springfield hold a 10-7 shot advantage, the Pride didn't waste any time breaking the scoreless tie in the second stanza. Springfield registered an unassisted goal just 54 seconds into the frame to give the visitors a 1-0 edge. Wheaton found the equalizer with 20:48 on the clock, when junior Mary Alice Capello (Newton, MA/Newton North) posted her first goal of the season. Fiskio was solid in the cage, keeping the Pride off the board in the remaining 20 minutes of play. Fiskio accounted for 10 saves in the second half alone and 17 for the game. Springfield outshot Wheaton, 23-11 with a 17-6 advantage in penalty corners.
Men's Soccer (10-3-0, 2-1-0) Wins Fourth Straight with Wesleyan and Babson Victories
The Wheaton College men's soccer team extended its winning streak to four games with a pair of victories on the week. Ranked seventh in New England according to the National Soccer Coaches Association (NSCAA), the Lyons edged Wesleyan University, 2-1 in a non-conference game on Wednesday and defeated Babson College, 2-1 in Saturday's NEWMAC contest at Keefe Field.
Versus Wesleyan, the two teams played nip-and-tuck in a scoreless opening half. Junior Matt Ristuccia (Newton, MA/Newton North) broke the stalemate and posted the game's first goal in the 62nd minute of the second half. The Lyons doubled their lead at the 80:35 minute mark, as senior Matt Mancini (Westford, MA/Westford Academy) managed to escape the Wesleyan defense for a one-on-one situation with the Cardinal goalie. In the 82nd minute, the visitors cut into their deficit, successfully converting on a penalty kick after a Cardinal player was taken down from behind in the box. Wesleyan had multiple opportunities to tie the contest, but freshman goalkeeper Matt Pachniuk (Newtown, CT/Newtown) made a pair of point-blank saves to preserve the Wheaton victory. Pachniuk was impressive the entire day, holding the Cardinal attack at bay with eight saves on Wesleyan's 11 shots.
Against Babson, senior George Thomas (Canton, MA/Canton) posted his third game-winning goal of the season. The outset of the game had every indication that a high-scoring affair would ensue, as both Wheaton and the Beavers tallied a goal within the first four minutes of regulation. The Lyons opened the scoring just 45 seconds into the contest, as senior Andrew Hench (Marblehead, MA/Marblehead) was the recipient of a cross from Mancini. Hench headed home the game's first goal by placing his shot off the post and into the back corner of the net. Babson countered at the 3:49 minute mark, knotting up the contest on the Beavers only shot of the contest. Wheaton continued to control play after a 1-1 deadlock at the half, as the Lyons stormed the goal with two shots that hit the crossbar and left goal post. Wheaton finally found the game winner in the 81st minute, when Thomas used a header off a Barry Finnerty (Milton, MA/Beaver Country Day) corner kick to give Wheaton the 2-1 edge. Pachniuk went virtually untested in picking up his ninth win of the season. The Lyons held a considerable 15-1 advantage in shots while having an impressive 16 corner kicks on the day.
Women's Soccer (13-1-0, 4-0-0) Continues to Roll with Two More Conference Wins
The Wheaton College women's soccer team continued to roll by winning its ninth straight game this week, which included conference road wins at Clark University and Springfield College. The Lyons blanked Clark, 3-0 on Tuesday and then cruised past Springfield, 6-1 on Saturday. Ranked fifth nationally and first in New England according to the NSCAA, Wheaton has won an astounding 32 straight conference games (including conference tournament games) dating back to the 2000 season.
At Clark, senior Tracy Prihoda (Needham, MA/Needham) posted her first hat-trick of the year and junior Erin Brennan (Mesa, AZ/Xavier College Prep) reached the 100-point milestone, as Wheaton extended its win streak to eight games. Despite outshooting the Cougars, 11-3 with a 5-1 advantage in corner kicks, the Lyons were held scoreless through the opening half of play. Prihoda broke the stalemate in the 53rd minute on an assist by freshman Jordan Pouliot (Manchester, NH/Trinity). Midway through the second stanza, Prihoda struck again, this time off of a corner kick from Brennan. Brennan's point off the assist gave her exactly 100 career points in only her third season with the Lyons. Brennan joins Prihoda and senior Christy McHugh (Salem, MA/Bishop Fenwick) for current players in the 100-point club. Prihoda completed the hat-trick just over three minutes later to give Wheaton a commanding 3-0 advantage with 14 minutes to play. McHugh was credited with the assist. Senior goalkeeper Jessica Broomhead (Barrington, RI/Barrington) earned her ninth shutout of the season with five saves.
It took the Lyons nearly 13 minutes to crack the scoring column at Springfield, as Brennan gave Wheaton a 1-0 advantage on a goal assisted by Pouliot. Prihoda tallied Wheaton's next two goals on assists by Brennan and junior Erin Duffy (East Longmeadow, MA/East Longmeadow). Freshman Maggie Falkenreck (Seattle, WA/Bishop Blanchet) played a part in the Lyons' final two goals of the stanza, scoring the first at 38:50 while assisting on the second at 42:30. McHugh picked up the assist on Falkenreck's goal, while junior Christy Schneider (Jonesboro, GA/Jonesboro) added Wheaton's fifth tally of the afternoon. After the break, sophomore Kate Miller (Williamstown, MA/Mt. Greylock) continued the torrid scoring pace with a goal at the 46:39 minute mark. Pouliot landed her second assist of the afternoon. Wheaton used two goalkeepers in the victory, as Broomhead posted two saves and allowed the lone goal in 77 minutes. Sophomore goalie Emily Lipsky (Whitestone, NY/Sacred Heart Academy) had one save in the final 13 minutes of play.
LeBel is Second Wheaton Defensive Player to Garner NEWMAC Weekly Honor
Women's soccer standout Teresa LeBel (Middleton, MA/Northfield Mount Hermon) became the second Wheaton defensive player this season to garner NEWMAC Player-of-the-Week honors. Her award was given for the week ending on Sunday, October 5. LeBel played a significant role in leading the Lyons to a 2-0 week. In a 1-0 victory at regionally-ranked Amherst College, LeBel was credited with the game-winning goal. Against conference foe Coast Guard, she spearheaded a defense that held the Bears' leading scorer to only one shot on net en route to a 9-0 shutout.
Women's Tennis (9-3, 6-2) Posts 1-1 Record to Finish Regular Season Dual Match Play
The Wheaton College women's tennis team posted a 1-1 record to finish its regular season dual match play this week. The Lyons completed their conference slate with a 7-2 victory over Springfield College on Saturday. On Sunday, Wheaton fell to Bowdoin College, 7-2 in a non-league match.
Versus Springfield, the Lyons posted wins at the first and third doubles positions to put them in front 2-1 heading into singles play. Sophomore Mia Mathias (Boxford, MA/Pingree School) and partner Ashley Kriwinsky (Munson, OH/Hawken) teamed up for a solid 8-3 win in the first position, while senior Emily Dana (Hamilton, MA/Governor Dummer Academy) and junior co-captain Caitlin Amaral (Glocester, RI/Ponaganset) combined for an 8-5 victory in the third slot. Wheaton took control early in singles play, as Kriwinsky upended her Springfield counterpart 6-1, 6-1 at first singles. Fellow freshman Jamie Weiss (Chicago, IL/Francis W. Parker) had a bit of trouble with her opponent, but still managed a 6-1, 7-5 win at second singles.
Mathias and Kriwinsky was Wheaton's lone bright spot at Bowdoin, as the tandem sided for an 8-6 victory at first doubles. Kriwinsky later picked up the Blue and White's second point of the day, as she defeated her opponent in straight sets 6-2, 6-4. Weiss and first-year Darby McDermott (Briarcliff, NY/Hackley School) suffered an 8-3 setback at second doubles, while Dana and Amaral lost 8-2 at third doubles. Dana put up a strong fight at sixth singles before falling 6-4, 6-3 to her opponent.
Women's Volleyball (12-12, 2-3) Records 4-2 Week, Reaches Semifinals of Crabtree Classic
The Wheaton College women's volleyball team recorded its most successful week of the season, as the Lyons defeated Coast Guard, 3-1 (30-26, 30-28, 27-30, 30-27) in Tuesday's NEWMAC match, followed by a strong showing at Eastern Connecticut State University's 23rd annual Crabtree Classic over the weekend. At the Crabtree Classic, Wheaton posted a 3-2 record and advanced to the semifinal round before falling to host Eastern. On Friday, Wheaton defeated Endicott College, 3-1 (18-30, 30-20, 30-21, 30-24) and swept Lasell College, 3-0 (30-22, 30-15, 30-17). In day two, the Lyons fell to eventual champion Brandeis University, 3-1 (29-31, 22-30, 30-25, 20-30) in pool play, swept Babson College, 3-0 (30-25, 30-16, 30-18) in the elimination round and lost to Eastern, 3-2 (23-30, 30-21, 30-24, 21-30, 10-15) in the semifinal round.
Versus Coast Guard, senior Bree Bessette (Charlestown, RI/The Prout School) and sophomore Marriah Vengroff (Storrs, CT/E.O. Smith) were impressive in the middle, leading the Lyons with 16 and 12 kills, respectively. Bessette also recorded 13 blocks, which tied the fourth highest block total in school history, while Vengroff contributed nine blocks. Sophomore Elizabeth Reagh (Seattle, WA/Seattle Lutheran) and senior Anna Kratky (St. Louis, MO/Villa Duchesne) spearheaded the defense with 23 and 22 digs, respectively, while senior Darcey Vertuca (Boulder, CO/Boulder) posted a double-double with 17 digs and 32 assists.
On Friday, Bessette and Rey led the way against Endicott with 12 kills apiece, as Bessette also recorded a team-best eight blocks. Vertuca posted a double-double with 16 digs and 26 assists, while Kratky had 14 digs. In Wheaton's sweep over Lasell, Vengroff paced the offense with eight kills. Vertuca contributed a team-high nine digs and 26 assists, while Kratky added eight digs. Freshman Ashley Emerson (Ashford, CT/E.O. Smith) posted four blocks in the victory.
On Saturday, Vengroff and Bessette registered 14 and 11 kills, respectively versus Brandeis. Vertuca notched another double-double with 11 digs and 35 assists, while Kratky spearheaded the defense with 20 digs. Against Babson, Emerson and classmate Katie Dooley (Carpinteria, CA/Cate School) were the offensive leaders with eight and seven kills, respectively. Kratky recorded a team-best 14 digs, while Vertuca added 31 assists, five service aces and five digs. In the final match with Eastern, Kratky posted the sixth-highest dig total in school history with 36 digs. Vengroff contributed 13 kills, eight blocks and seven digs, while Bessette accounted for 12 kills, 13 blocks and six digs. Vertuca was solid with 20 digs, 46 assists and six service aces. At the conclusion of the Crabtree Classic, Vengroff was selected to the All-Tournament team.
Women's Cross Country Remains Perfect with Third Consecutive Championship, Men Finish Second Overall at James Earley Invitational
The Wheaton College men's and women's cross country teams continued their successful campaigns at the James Earley Invitational Saturday afternoon. Hosted by Westfield State College, the women remained perfect on the season with their third consecutive championship, while the men weren't far behind in posting a second place finish among 18 competing teams. The Lyon women posted 36 points, a mere point ahead of New York University, and the men totaled 60 points, 19 points behind champion Susquehanna University.
Leading the way for the women was senior Kim Spence (Barrington, NH/Dover), who captured her second invitational of the year by a convincing 23 seconds. Spence covered the 5,000-meter course in a time of 18:46, while sophomore Kendra Leith (Holden, MA/Wachusett Regional) earned the bronze in 19:11, just two seconds off the pace of the second place finisher.
Wheaton had four of the top nine runners on the day, including a seventh place showing from sophomore Christina Langevin (Wilbraham, MA/Minnechaug Regional) and a ninth place standing from junior Erin O'Brien (North Easton, MA/Oliver Ames). Langevin finished in 19:46, while O'Brien was on her heals at 19:57. Junior Lindsey Degon (Palmer, MA/Palmer) placed 17th in 20:11, while classmate Emily Doenges (Milford, CT/St. Joseph) was 26th in 20:25.
On the men's side, junior Stan Pyle (S. Portland, ME/S. Portland) was three seconds shy of the individual title, as he covered the 8,000-meter course in 25:27, a full 50 seconds faster than the next closest competitor. The Lyons had four runners among the top 15 finishers, including senior Terry Panetta (Hicksville, NY/St. Anthony's) in 10th in 27:18, sophomore Eric Richardson (East Walpole, MA/Bishop Feehan) in 14th in 27:51 and senior Brian Donoghue (Holyoke, MA/Holyoke Catholic) in 15th in 27:53.
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