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(05/08/19 1:09pm)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Following three consecutive wins in the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament, the softball Lions have been crowned champions for the first time since the 2000 season. The tournament’s fourth and final match was canceled due to weather, but automatically propelled the College to the tournament win due to conference policy.
The Lions’ first opponent was Stockton University on April 30. In the previous two meetings against the team this season, the College outscored Stockton by a combined tally of 15-0 dating back to their doubleader matchup on April 2.
Both offenses came out of the gate hot, scoring a run in each of the first two innings. Senior catcher Jess McGuire’s RBI sacrifice fly knotted the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the first. After surrendering a run in the top half of the second frame, the College scored in the bottom half of the inning on a fielder’s choice by junior infielder Megan Mayernik to tie the score again.
While sophomore pitcher Alanna Namit struggled to command her pitches, sophomore pitcher Eliza Sweet stepped up for the team, providing four scoreless innings in relief.
A clutch home run from sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy in the bottom of the fifth gave the Lions a lead that they refused to surrender, as the club went on to win 3-2 and advanced to the second round.
Sweet’s dazzling performance earned her the start in the tournament’s second game, as the Lions took on Ramapo College on Friday, May 3. Sweet did not disappoint, as she hurled 4 1/3 innings while allowing no runs and striking out five batters. Senior outfielder Gaby Bennett knocked in the first two runs of the game in the fourth and sixth innings with RBI groundouts.
An RBI single from junior infielder Annalise Suitovsky and an RBI double from Conroy in the sixth and seventh innings provided insurance for Namit, who bounced back from her rough start with 2 2/3 innings in relief. She ultimately earned her second save of the year, securing a win for the Lions as they looked to top their rival, Rowan University, the next day.
Rowan, second to the Lions in NJAC standings, proved to be no match for the College either, as the Lions went on to win 5-2 on Saturday, May 4.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lions found themselves in a 2-2 tie. Suitovsky led off the inning with a double to right center. A productive out from sophomore infielder Elyse Nardozza moved her over to third with just one out in the inning, allowing Mayernik to score her on a squeeze bunt.
Sophomore outfielder Allie Immerso followed with an RBI infield single, while sophomore outfielder Katie Winchock had an RBI groundout of her own. With a comforting three-run lead in the top of the seventh, Namit closed out the game and earned her 15th win of the season.
The Lions currently await their opponent for the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament.
(04/30/19 3:01am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Ending its season on a seven-game winning streak, the softball team is poised for a deep postseason run boasting a 17-1 conference record at the end of the season. Sitting at the top of its conference, the College will serve as the host site for the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament.
A trio of doubleheaders against NJAC opponents closed out the regular season for the Lions, beginning with the University of Rutgers-Newark on April 23. This also served as the club’s senior day, which recognized the outstanding Lions that are looking to contribute to a national championship at the end of this season.
Among them, senior catcher Jess McGuire showed out, going 3 for 3 at the plate while collecting an RBI. McGuire accounted for half of the Lions’ hits in a game that lacked significant offensive output for the Lions.
Sophomore pitcher Eliza Sweet started for the Lions, surrendering just one run over five innings. Sophomore pitcher Alanna Namit came in relief and earned her first save of the season in a 4-1 win.
Just a few minutes later, Namit assumed her regular starting pitching role and dominated Rutgers-Newark, as she hurled seven shutout innings while collecting 12 strikeouts.
Namit allowed just one hit in the top of the second inning before she retired 18 consecutive batters to end the game. Ultimately, the Lions would win by the final score of 5-0, defeating Rutgers-Newark for the 13th time in their last 14 games against the team.
On Thursday, April 25, the Lions hit the road to take on New Jersey City University in a makeup doubleheader from five days prior. The College won both games by the mercy rule, winning the first and second games by the final scores of 13-0 and 20-3, respectively.
The bulk of the offense in the first game came in the fifth and final inning, as the Lions led off the frame with five consecutive hits.
An RBI double from sophomore outfielder Katie Winchock scored the first run, followed by an RBI single and a two-run double from sophomore outfielder Allie Immerso and sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy.
An RBI double from junior infielder Annalise Suitovsky and an RBI single from Gaby Bennett closed out scoring for the game in an offensive explosion. Namit earned the win on the mound.
The Lions relentlessly turned around and put up 20 runs and 18 hits in the next game with 16 runs coming from the second and third innings. Conroy and Bennett nearly mirrored each other at the plate, both going 3 for 4 with four RBIs each. Each player also homered in the game, with Conroy’s coming in the third and Bennett’s in the fourth. Sweet earned the win in the shortened game, allowing just two runs over five innings of work in the lopsided victory over NJCU.
The season’s final games were held on the road against William Paterson University on Saturday, April 27. The first game of the doubleheader began as a pitcher’s duel, as the Lions found themselves up 2-1 entering the top of the sixth frame. The Lions would tack on four insurance runs to secure the win.
Suitovsky’s one-out RBI single would score the first run of the inning. Sophomore infielder Elyse Nardozza laced a single through the right side to plate a pair. Immerso responded with an RBI infield single to give the Lions a 6-1 lead, which would ultimately hold as the final score. Namit went on to win her 14th game of the season in a 15 strikeout performance.
The Lions would go on to win their final regular season game by a score of 11-3. Conroy led the team in hits and RBIs with three each, as Sweet earned her 13th win of the season.
(04/22/19 3:00pm)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Riding a 13-game winning streak dating back to March 22, the Lions finally fell to Rowan University in their match against the New Jersey Athletic Conference rival this season.
Coming into the doubleheader on April 16, Rowan had a 7-2 record against conference opponents this year. It came up clutch with late game heroics in the first match to secure a 5-4 victory.
In the bottom of the second inning, sophomore outfielder Kaitlin Kocinski lifted a homerun to center field to give her team and sophomore starting pitcher Eliza Sweet an early 1-0 lead. In the top half of the next frame, Rowan responded with two runs off of an error by senior catcher Jess McGuire and a sacrifice fly to put itself back on top.
McGuire would make up for her mistake in the bottom of the fourth. Following a leadoff single from sophomore outfielder Katie Winchock and a sacrifice bunt from sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy, McGuire knotted the game at 2-2 with an RBI double to left center.
The College would add two more insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth frame, entering the final inning with a two-run lead.
Sweet surrendered a walk and a single to the first two batters. A dropped pop up in foul territory by sophomore infielder Elyse Nardozza extended the at-bat, as Rowan capitalized with a game-tying two-run double.
A sacrifice bunt gave Rowan the lead one batter later. Despite a one-out double in the bottom of the inning for the Lions, the rally came up short as they ultimately lost 5-4.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Lions would find themselves on the opposite end of a one-run victory, as the team bounced back for a 4-3 win.
On a day where sophomore starting pitcher Alanna Namit was not her usual dominant self, she still gave her team a chance to win by only allowing three earned runs on three hits and three walks over 4 1/3 innings. She was relieved by freshman pitcher Tori Aguilar in the fifth inning, followed by junior pitcher Kristen Barrera pitching the sixth and seventh innings. Aguilar and Barrera would go on to earn the win and the save, respectively.
The Lions’ offense refused to lay down despite Rowan’s steady stream of runs throughout the game. Down 1-0 in the third inning, the Lions jumped back on top when Conroy laced a two-out, two-run double to center field, scoring sophomore outfielder Allie Immerso and junior infielder Megan Mayernik.
In another 3-2 deficit in the bottom of the fifth inning, McGuire blasted a go-ahead two-run homer to left field to put the Lions on top 4-3, which would hold as the final score, sending Rowan home with a series split against the conference’s first-place club.
The Lions return to the field on Saturday, April 27, when they play William Paterson University on the road.
(04/16/19 3:41am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
After winning 13 straight games, including 10 consecutive conference victories, the softball team looks poised to make a deep playoff run in its 2019 season.
Most recently, the Lions dominated the University of Rutgers-Camden and Montclair State University in a pair of doubleheaders, holding their opponents to no runs over the course of the four games. This marks the team’s fifth consecutive shutout for the College’s dominating pitching staff, which was anchored by sophomore starting pitchers Eliza Sweet and Alanna Namit.
The doubleheader against Rutgers-Camden was held on April 10 following postponement due to rain just one day prior. In the first match, Sweet tossed another complete game shutout in a game where the Lions’ offense was relatively stagnant.
The team’s first runs weren’t posted until the bottom of the third inning. Senior catcher Jess McGuire scored junior infielder Megan Mayernik with an RBI single up the middle. Just one inning later, senior outfielder Gaby Bennett crossed home plate as an insurance run to extend the lead to 2-0. This would prove to be the final score as the Lions captured the first of two games.
In the second match, a two-run single from sophomore infielder Elyse Nardozza in the bottom of the fourth was more than enough support for Namit. Namit allowed just two hits in her complete game shutout, sending Rutgers-Camden back home with just five hits over its two games against the College.
Montclair State couldn’t find an answer for the dynamic duo of Sweet and Namit in its doubleheader against the Lions on Saturday, April 13 either.
The Lions struck early in the first game, scoring their first run off the bat of sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy. Her RBI double in the first inning set the table for McGuire’s two-run homerun one batter later. Before Sweet took the mound for the first time, she found herself on the right side of a 3-0 score.
Insurance runs were added in the fifth and sixth innings, but Sweet was locked in, as she allowed just four hits over seven innings and struck out five. She improved her record to 10-2 on the season, as the Lions won by the final score of 5-0.
Namit followed with a gem of her own, tossing another complete game shutout while striking out eight.
The bulk of the offense came in the fifth inning to provide some late support for the team’s starting pitcher. A two-out rally was ignited with back-to-back singles from Mayernik and sophomore outfielder Katie Winchock.
Conroy ripped a two-run triple to center field to bring them home followed by an RBI single to right center field from McGuire to score the fourth run of the game — 4-0 was the final score, marking the 13th consecutive victory for the Lions.
Next up for the team is a road matchup against the New Jersey Athletic Conference’s basement dweller New Jersey City University on Saturday, April 20.
(04/09/19 3:21pm)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Following a slow start to the season, the women’s softball team seem to be hitting their mid-season form as the group finds itself in the midst of a nine game winning streak dating back to March 22.
In the second doubleheader of New Jersey Athletic Conference play on the season, the Lions shut out Stockton University in both matches on April 2.
In the first game, sophomore starting pitcher Eliza Sweet tossed a complete game shutout, only allowing four hits over her seven innings of work. Offensively, the Lions gave her nine runs of support despite not scoring in the first two frames.
In the top of the third, sophomore outfielder Kaitlin Kocinski put the game’s first run on the board with an RBI single to right. Two innings later, she laced an RBI single to left to contribute to the Lions’ lead, and by the end of the game, the College won by the final tally of 9-0. Sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy had five hits to go along with two runs and three RBIs.
Sophomore starting pitcher Alanna Namit impressed on the mound in the second game against Stockton as well. Only allowing one hit and no runs through the game’s five innings, Namit improved her record to 8-2 on the year.
The Lions spread out their offense throughout the game, scoring at least one run in every inning.
Senior catcher Jess McGuire came up big for her team, scorching an RBI double to left field in the first inning and hitting an opposite field two-run home run in the third. Ultimately, the College went on to win 6-0.
On Saturday, April 6 the team would return home to Ewing, New Jersey to take on NJAC opponent Kean University in a doubleheader. Kean entered the day sporting a 2-2 conference record despite being 22-3 on the season.
The College got off to a hot start, scoring a run in the first on a Kocinski hit-by-pitch. A four-run second inning began with a single up the middle from sophomore outfielder Allie Immerso who would come around to score just one batter later on an RBI double from junior infielder Megan Mayernik.
Back-to-back doubles from sophomore outfielder Katie Winchock and sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy would stretch the lead to 4-0. Senior outfielder Gaby Bennett tacked on a run with an RBI groundout.
The early deficit didn’t phase Kean as the players forced themselves back into the game with a two-run sixth and a four-run seventh.
Kean tagged Sweet for four earned runs over 6 1/3 innings, chasing her from the game in the seventh inning. Freshman pitcher Tori Aguilar secured the final two outs of the inning and gave her team a chance to win in the bottom of the seventh inning with the game knotted at 6-6.
With two outs and the bases loaded, Conroy continued her hot streak by driving in junior infielder Annalise Suitovsky and winning the game for the Lions. Aguilar earned the win, improving to 2-1 on the season.
Namit thwarted all of Kean’s hopes for redemption in the second game as she tallied another complete game shutout on the season. Namit struck out eight batters and only surrendered two hits. Ultimately, the Lions would improve to 19-5 overall on the season and 6-0 in conference play.
Facing NJAC opponents for the remainder of the regular season, the next doubleheader will be held on Saturday, April 13 at Montclair State University.
(04/03/19 3:24am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Following the conclusion of the Sunkissed Games in Plant City, Florida, the Lions returned home to take on DeSales University and Ramapo College in a pair of doubleheaders. In the four games, the Lions outscored their opinions by a tally of 30-2 and propelled themselves to the top of the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings.
The first doubleheader came against DeSales University on March 27. Sophomore starting pitcher Alanna Namit took the mound in the first game for the Lions and put forth a dominating performance, hurling a no-hitter while striking out 10 batters. Namit now sits at 6-2 on the season.
The Lions’ offense shelled DeSales’ starting pitcher for four runs and nine hits, chasing her from the game after just three innings of work. Sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy laced RBI singles in the first and third innings to provide her team with an early source of offense. Later in the third inning, she would come around to score on an RBI double from junior infielder Megan Mayernik. The College would add another run in the third and two more in the fifth, eventually winning by the final score of 6-0. DeSales found a weak pulse at the plate in the second game of the doubleheader, but had no answer for the Lions’ offensive attack.
Already up 4-1 after the top of the fourth inning, a six-run rampage proved to be too much for DeSales’ lifeless bats. Sophomore outfielder Katie Winchock knocked in the fifth run on a fielder’s choice. Conroy followed by pulling a two-run single through the right side of the infield. A two-run single from senior outfielder Gaby Bennett and an RBI single from sophomore infielder Elyse Nardozza brought the Lions’ total tally to 10 runs. Sophomore pitcher Eliza Sweet allowed just one run on the mound, as the team went on to win 10-1 in five innings.
In the team’s first NJAC game of the season, the Lions took on Ramapo College in Mahwah, New Jersey on Saturday, March 30. The College wasted no time getting the game’s first runs on the board, as it took advantage of Ramapo’s deficient defense. Mayernik scored on a throwing error Bennett laced an RBI single to right center four batters later to bring home senior catcher Jess McGuire. The Lions wouldn’t strike again until the fifth inning. Despite the first two batters getting out to begin the frame, McGuire’s two-out single set the table for a two-run home run by sophomore outfielder Kaitlin Kocinski to put her team up 4-0. The insurance proved to be a moot point, as Sweet once again went the distance and surrendered just two hits over her complete game shutout.
Momentum was carried into the second game of the doubleheader, as the Lions won by a score of 10-1 for the second time in four days. In the first inning, despite only posting two hits in the frame, the Lions drew five walks –– three of which scored runs for the club. Ramapo’s starting pitcher couldn’t escape the first inning, as she allowed five runs while only recording two outs.
The rest of the runs came in the second inning, as Conroy got things started by reaching on a throwing error. Following a sacrifice fly and a line out from the next two batters, Bennett doubled to left-center. Junior infielder Annalise Suitovsky then walked and two runs would come in to score on another throwing error. Mayernik tacked on the ninth and 10th runs with a two-run single to right field. Before Ramapo came to bat in the second inning, they found themselves in an insurmountable 10-0 hole. The game ended after just five innings due to the mercy rule.
The Lions will take the field in a doubleheader against Kean University on the road on Saturday, April 6.
(03/26/19 4:58am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
While a majority of the College’s campus benefitted from a spring break, the softball team took advantage of a trip to Lakeland and Spring City, Florida, where it won nine of its 10 games after a shaky 2-4 start to the season.
The Lions now sit at 11-5, good for fourth in the New Jersey Athletic Conference standings.
A trio of doubleheaders on March 16, 17 and 19 against Babson College, New York University and Stevens University yielded consecutive sweeps for the Lions. They earned six straight wins to start their hot streak. In these victories, the College outscored its opponents 50-10 in large part due to dominant pitching and timely hitting.
Reliable pitching and hitting was also the name of the game against Oswego State on Thursday, March 21, as the Lions secured a 9-0 win in five innings.
The offense exploded for six runs in the bottom of the third beginning with an RBI infield single from junior outfielder Helena Coppola.
Following a run-scoring wild pitch, sophomore catcher Marissa Devincenzo scorched a two-run single down the left field line. Sophomore outfielder Allie Immerso followed with an RBI double of her own before sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy knocked in the frame’s sixth run with a sacrifice fly.
Sophomore starting pitcher Alanna Namit mowed down Oswego’s lineup, striking out seven batters in four innings. She earned the victory and improved her record to 5-2 on the season.
Shortly following the game’s last out, the Lions faced Messiah College in what would be the team’s second and final contest of the day.
Messiah posted an early run in the bottom of the first but the College would respond with five unanswered runs to support sophomore starting pitcher Eliza Sweet’s commanding performance.
The Lions took the lead in the top of the third after junior infielder Megan Mayernik led off the inning with a walk. Senior outfielder Gaby Bennett tied the game with a sacrifice fly and Conroy put her team on top with an RBI single to left center.
Conroy’s RBI walk and senior catcher Jess McGuire’s two-run single in the top of the seventh extended the lead to four. Ultimately, four runs were more than enough insurance for Sweet, as she struck out seven batters in her complete game performance.
Sweet winds up to pitch during the team’s eight game win-streak. (Photo courtesy of the Sports Information Desk)The lone loss at the Sunkissed Games would come in the team’s first match on Friday, March 22. Sophomore outfielder Kaitlin Kocinski was the sole source of offense for the Lions against NYU, as a pair of doubles scored two in the second inning and one in the fourth.
However, NYU tagged freshman pitcher Tori Aguilar for eight hits and five earned runs in her five innings pitched. In the end, the College fell by a score of 8-3, halting its winning streak at eight games.
Luckily for the Lions, their final game in Florida against Oswego paralleled the same result as it did just one day prior. The College breezed past Oswego by a score of 9-0.
McGuire sent a two-run single to left center to open scoring in the first inning. In the third, Conroy’s two-run triple to right and Mayernik’s RBI single to left added three more. Bennett joined in on the scoring in the fourth, as she contributed an RBI double down the left field line.
She would come in to score on Conroy’s two-out RBI single three batters later before freshman infielder Camryn Davies added an RBI single of her own.
Sweet went on to pitch her second complete game in two days, sending the Lions back home with newfound confidence.
The softball team’s next two games will be a doubleheader at home today at 2:30 p.m. against DeSales University.
(03/12/19 7:37am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Following a 1-1 start to the 2019 season, the softball team dropped three of four games at the Salisbury Invitational in Salisbury, Maryland.
The College played four games in a pair of doubleheaders beginning with Salisbury University, ranked No. 17 in the nation, on Saturday, March 9.
The Lions put the first run on the board with a walk from senior outfielder Gaby Bennett.
She eventually came in to score courtesy of a sacrifice fly from sophomore infielder Lauren Conroy, which put her team up early 1-0.
Starting pitcher Alanna Namit struggled to maintain the early lead and coughed up two runs in the bottom half of the inning.
She eventually surrendered two more in the bottom of the third, giving up a two-run home run to the second batter she faced in the inning.
Namit managed to go all six innings, but was ultimately charged with four earned runs while walking seven batters.
The Lions attempted a late comeback in the seventh inning. Down 4-2, the College scratched out a run after a Conroy hit a double down the left field line and reduced the deficit to one run. Following a walk from senior catcher Jess McGuire, junior infielder Annalise Suitovsky lined out to second base to end the game, giving the College a 4-3 loss.
The offense exploded in the second game of the first doubleheader, posting nine runs on eight hits. Salisbury scored the first run of the game in the second inning, but the Lions responded with nine unanswered runs in large part due to a five-run fourth inning.
Following a groundout from sophomore catcher Marissa Devincenzo to start the inning, six consecutive Lions reached base.
By the end of the frame, the Lions had a comfortable 6-1 lead and went on to win with a final score of 9-1.
The second doubleheader was held a day later against the University of Lynchburg, which bested the College in its two games and won by a score of 5-3 in the first leg of the doubleheader and 15-3 in the second game.
In the first game, seven innings were not enough to settle the score –– the game was knotted at two runs each.
Namit bounced back from her rocky start against Salisbury by only giving up one earned run over her first eight innings of work.
Entering the bottom of the ninth inning with a 3-2 lead, courtesy of an RBI groundout from Devincenzo in the top half of the frame, Namit surrendered a game-tying double and a walk-off two-run home run to back-to-back batters to give Lynchburg the 5-3 win in extra innings.
In the second game, the Lions were once again held to three runs and were no match for the Lynchburg offense. Sophomore starting pitcher Eliza Sweet was lit up for eight earned runs in three innings. Junior pitcher Kristen Barrera came in for relief, allowing four earned runs in two innings.
Senior pitcher Sara Bielamowicz followed her and surrendered three runs without recording an out. Ultimately, Lynchburg compiled 15 runs on 19 hits in a weak game for the Lions, sending them home with a 2-4 record through six games.
The Lions will travel to Plant City, Florida for the 2019 Sunkissed Games taking place from Saturday, March 16 to March 22. The first doubleheader is scheduled against Babson College.
(03/05/19 6:24am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Just three days following its dominating 16-0 blowout against Neumann University, the College hit its first stumbling block of the season when it suffered a 12-10 loss against Haverford College on Feb. 26.
The Lions, coming into the game ranked No. 3 in the nation, began the game by giving up their first goal of the season with 28:39 to play in regulation. True to its resilient form, the College responded with four unanswered goals to take an early lead.
The Lions’ first goal came off the stick of junior attacker Kasey Donoghue, who scored her fourth goal of the season off of a free position attempt. The next three came within a 23-second stretch beginning with junior attacker Talia Bouzakis. Senior midfielder Erin Harvey and sophomore midfielder Kaela Sierra accounted for the third and fourth goals, putting the Lions up 4-1 with 23:53 left on the clock in the first half.
Haverford responded with its second goal 2 minutes later.
Junior midfielder Alexandria Fitzpatrick answered by netting her fifth score of the season. With 13:52 left on the scoreboard, the Lions surrendered their slim lead when Haverford netted a goal to tie the game at six a piece.
The College would not lead for the remainder of the day as Haverford went into halftime with a 9-7 lead. A defensive matchup ensued in the second half, as Haverford looked to preserve its narrow lead. Haverford netted two more goals early to put the team up by a score of 11-7 with 27:17 to play. Following 10 minutes of play without scoring from either side, the Lions bounced back with goals on back-to-back possessions to reduce the deficit to two.
Haverford added an insurance goal with 5:10 remaining. The Lions only managed to scratch out one more goal with less than a minute left to play, but their efforts came up short as they ultimately were sent home with their first loss of the season.
The game against Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham scheduled to be held on Friday, March 1 was postponed due to inclement weather, leaving the Lions with a 1-1 record on the season. The College’s next game will be held on Saturday, March 9 against Dickinson College at home.
(02/26/19 5:33am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
One season past the Lions’ 13-9 loss in the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Tournament, the team is looking to advance to the final round in 2019. For the third year in a row, the College began its journey with a blowout win at home against Neumann University on Saturday, Feb. 23.
The Lions’ dominance began shortly after the first whistle, as the season’s first goal was scored off the stick of junior midfielder Alexandria Fitzpatrick who was assisted by junior attacker Olivia Cleale. Less than two minutes later, Fitzpatrick found herself on the other side of the exchange, assisting sophomore midfielder Kaela Sierra on her first goal of the season.
The College relentlessly peppered the back of the net with goals in the early portion of the game. With 26:37 remaining in the first half, Cleale assisted Fitzpatrick on her second goal of the season followed by another assist to junior attacker Kasey Donoghue less than 30 seconds later.
The Lions continuously secured draw control, which provided scoring opportunities on almost every possession. In a 2:17 span in the first half, the College scored five goals from four different players to put the team on top 9-0 with 21:25 left in the first half. By halftime, the Lions compiled an insurmountable 11-0 lead.
In the end, the Lions won by a final score of 16-0. Cleale led the team in points with nine following her eight assists and one goal. Fitzpatrick finished the day with four goals and three assists as well.
The Lions’ next game will be held at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham in Madison, New Jersey on Friday, March 1 at 4 p.m.
(02/26/19 5:25am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
The phrase “third time’s a charm” proved to be true for the University of Rutgers-Newark women’s basketball team. Despite falling to the Lions twice earlier in the regular season, Rutgers-Newark bested the College in the second round of the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament by a final score of 52-45. Both teams traded blows early, starting with a layup from Rutgers-Newark less than 30 seconds in the game to open scoring. On the next possession, junior forward Jen Byrne drained a three-pointer to give the Lions an early lead.
Two possessions later, a bucket in the paint from sophomore forward Shannon Devitt put the Lions up by three; however Rutgers-Newark refused to go away. With 1:35 remaining in the first quarter, the score was knotted at nine. A timely steal and fastbreak score from Rutgers-Newark freshman guard/forward Dorian Capurso put her team up by two, but she gave the points back after committing a late foul on Lions’ senior guard Sam Famulare. Famulare sank two free throws to tie the game up at 11 at the first quarter’s buzzer. The second and third quarters proved to be the downfall for the Lions, as they were outscored 31-16 in the middle portion of the game.
The College found itself with a 16-15 lead after Byrne scored down low with 4:51 remaining in the half until a three-pointer from Rutgers-Newark junior guard/forward Hannah Ashby sparked a late run. Ultimately, Rutgers-Newark outscored the Lions 9-2 in the final 4 minutes of the quarter, sending the players into the locker room with a comfortable nine-point lead.
Despite the intermission, the Lions had no offensive answer in the beginning of the second half. A short-lived bucket off the fastbreak from Devitt put the College behind by seven, but Rutgers-Newark showed no mercy, as the lack of scoring for the Lions kept them out of contention. Another late 13-5 run for Rutgers-Newark put the proverbial nail in the coffin for the Lions, burying them by 15 with just one quarter remaining. The Lions did not go down without a fight, though. A three-pointer from senior guard Nicole Shatsky inspired hope. A few minutes later, another bucket in the paint from Devitt closed the gap to 10 points.
With 27 seconds left in the game, the College fought back to a slim four-point deficit, but clutch free throws from Rutgers-Newark put the game on ice. In the end, a poor offensive outing proved to be the Lions’ downfall, withholding them from back-to-back NJAC Championship appearances.
In the end, the Lions’ season was no disappointment. A late seven-game winning streak propelled them to the top of conference standings. The women’s basketball team ultimately finished with a 17-9 overall record and a 15-3 conference record, which was tied for its best conference record since the 2008-2009 season.
(02/19/19 12:00pm)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Despite already earning a first round bye in the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament, the Lions refuse to ease up on their opponents.
On the heels of double-digit-point performances from sophomore forward Shannon Devitt, senior guard Sam Famulare, junior forward Jen Byrne and junior guard Lauren Barlow, women’s basketball dominated conference opponent William Paterson University in the regular season finale by a final score of 64-48 on Feb. 13.
Famulare opened up scoring for both sides by drilling a three-pointer following several empty possessions. After an offensive board on the next possession, she drained one more to tally the sixth of her 11 points on the day.
For the remainder of the quarter, Devitt asserted her dominance on the court, scoring the next 10 points for the College while grabbing five boards in the process.
Barlow sank a three-pointer in the closing seconds of the quarter to put her squad on top 19-7.
William Paterson held close midway through the second quarter, reducing its deficit to as few as eight points with 6:28 remaining in the half. Any attempt at a comeback was quickly thwarted by a hot stretch from freshman guard/forward Rachel Gazzola.
Gazzola drilled a three-pointer 15 seconds later to stretch the Lions’ lead to 11. After a layup from Byrne on the next possession, Gazzola followed up with a mid-range jumper and another three-pointer on back-to-back possessions to go ahead by 14. Another late three from Barlow sent the Lions to the locker room with a 17-point advantage.
A closely contested second half was not enough to bring William Paterson back from a deep deficit.
In the end, Devitt, Famulare, Byrne and Barlow collectively scored 54 of the team’s 64 points. Barlow’s 16 points were good for her season high while Devitt also topped her season high mark in rebounds with 20.
Coming up for the Lions is the semifinal round against University of Rutgers-Newark tonight at home at 7 p.m. Rutgers-Newark is coming off of a 65-47 win over University of Rutgers-Camden in the first round of the NJAC tournament, while the College is looking to defeat Rutgers-Newark for the third time this season following previous wins at home on Dec. 1 and on the road on Jan. 28.
(02/12/19 7:01am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
In large part due to the Lions’ current six-game winning streak, the women’s basketball team has earned itself a first-round bye in the upcoming New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament.
Following last week’s play, the College’s conference record sits at 14-3 on the season, more than two games better than the team in second place, Montclair State University. With only one game remaining in the regular season, the Lions are poised and prepared for a deep playoff run.
The Lions began their week on Feb. 6 with a win against the NJAC’s basement dweller, New Jersey City University. After trading buckets with NJCU in the early part of the first quarter, a lay up from sophomore forward Shannon Devitt with 6:10 remaining gave the Lions a lead that they would hold for the rest of the game.
Senior guard Sam Famulare drained a three-pointer less than two minutes later to ignite a 12-0 run. After two consecutive Lions’ turnovers, junior forward Jen Byrne drilled a three of her own and laid in two more buckets to close out the quarter with the College ahead 22-13.
A shot from beyond the arc off the fingertips of junior guard Lauren Barlow put her team ahead by 14 with 8:43 remaining in the second quarter. However, a late run from NJCU cut into the Lions’ lead, as last second mid-range jumper beat the buzzer and sent both teams to the locker room with the Lions on top 35-29.
The College used the third quarter to extend its lead to as many as 13 points. Devitt scored the first bucket off a fast break jumper to put the Lions ahead by eight.
Following an NJCU layup, Famulare sank her fourth of five three-point baskets to extend the Lions’ lead to nine. Free throws from senior guard Kate O’Leary and a bucket in the paint from Devitt tacked on four more points and stretched the lead to 13 with 5:47.
By the time the quarter’s buzzer sounded, NJCU had dug a deep 12-point deficit that ultimately led to the program’s 21st consecutive loss against the Lions as the scoreboard’s final tally read 69-54.
Senior Day on Saturday, Feb. 9 against Kean University proved to be no match for the Lions as well.
Offensively, the team exploded in the first half, beginning with an early bucket from Devitt to put the game’s first points on the board. Back-to-back threes from senior guard Nicole Shatsky and junior guard Cailey Gibson gave the squad a nine-point lead with 4:03 to play.
A lay up from Devitt and a jump shot from Famulare contributed to the Lions’ ultimate 12-0 point run. Gibson buried another three-pointer for good measure to put the College ahead by 10 at the end of the first quarter.
The third quarter yielded similar results. Early points from Byrne and Devitt extended the lead to 15 followed by another three-pointer from Famulare after a Kean layup. At the half, the seniors found themselves up 20 in their second to last regular season home game.
Despite being outscored in the third and fourth quarters, the Lions won by a final score of 73-64.
The team’s last regular season game will be held at home tonight at 6:00 p.m. against William Paterson University.
(02/05/19 6:55am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
With less than two weeks remaining in the regular season, the women’s basketball team knows that a New Jersey Athletic Conference loss has significant postseason implications.
The team responded by winning four consecutive games against NJAC opponents, which propelled the Lions to the top of the conference standings after a win at Ramapo College on Saturday, Feb. 2.
The College began the week with a dramatic 45-43 win at Rutgers University-Newark on Jan. 28. The match was rescheduled following the postponement of the original date originally intended for Jan. 19.
The closely contested match had Lions ahead 17-15 at the end of the first half. Following a three-pointer from junior forward Jen Byrne to put the Lions ahead by eight with 7:04 left in the third quarter, Rutgers-Newark responded with a 10-0 run before junior guard Lauren Barlow sank a free throw to break the streak. The Lions entered the fourth quarter down 32-28.
Rutgers-Newark extended the lead to 38-30 with 4:42 remaining on the clock, but the College refused to roll over. A three-pointer on the next possession from senior guard Nicole Shatsky cut the lead down to five.
The Lions found themselves down by four with a minute left. Byrne scored a bucket in the paint to cut the lead in half. With 10 seconds left on the clock, a clutch and-one conversion from sophomore forward Shannon Devitt put the game on ice and secured the victory for the team.
The College returned home on Jan. 30 to take on Rutgers University-Camden. The Lions rode the momentum from their previous game and glided past their opponent, dominating the floor in an assertive 76-47 victory.
The Lions scored at will in the first quarter, which set the tone for the rest of the game. Senior guard Sam Famulare opened scoring with a three-pointer within the game’s first minute.
In dominating fashion, the College’s offense scored on almost every possession in the first quarter. The team posted 27 points and commanded an 11-point lead just after the first quarter.
After out scoring Rutgers-Camden 25-21 over the next two quarters, the College thwarted any attempt at a comeback by dropping another 24 points in the final quarter of regulation. By the time the final buzzer sounded, Famulare, Byrne and Barlow had over 10 points each, putting up 19, 11 and 11 respectively.
The last game of the week came at Ramapo, who had a 4-11 conference record on the season. Finding themselves down by one point after the end of the first quarter, the Lions exploded for 25 points following a 12-0 run to open the quarter, which was ignited by Shatsky’s two early three-pointers. Byrne contributed one of her own, followed by freshman guard/forward Rachel Gazzola with 1:50 remaining in the half. A late three-pointer closed out the half as the Lions never looked back on their 14-point halftime lead, eventually emerging with an 84-70 victory.
Now boasting a 14-8 overall record and 12-3 conference record, the Lions look to keep the top mark in the NJAC in their final three regular season games. The Lion’s final three games will not be against teams in the half of the conference, beginning with a road game at New Jersey City University tonight at 6 p.m.
(01/30/19 2:59am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
In the midst of winter break, the women’s basketball team ventured into the heart of its schedule, yielding a 7-5 record since Dec. 5 and ultimately bringing the team to an 11-8 overall record for the season.
The Lions rode the tail end of a six-game win streak on Dec. 5, winning the fourth consecutive game in the stretch. The last three games of the win streak came against New Jersey Athletic Conference opponents University of Rutgers-Camden, Montclair State University and New Jersey City University.
The team quickly found itself in a slump, dropping four of its next five contests beginning on Dec. 29. In a poor offensive affair against Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the team lost 56-46. Smith College continued the trend by handing the Lions a 72-67 loss on Dec. 30.
The Lions started the new year with a 71-53 victory over NJAC rival Ramapo College on Jan. 5, but dropped the next two games to William Paterson University and Kean University.
It took an overtime win against Stockton University to get the team back on track on Jan. 16 in an attempt to shift the momentum. Following a postponement against University of Rutgers-Newark, the squad managed to win two of its next three games, beginning with a one-point victory against Hunter College on Jan. 21.
The College found itself on the wrong side of a one-point margin just two days later at home against Rowan University on Jan. 23. The first matchup against the conference opponent resulted in an overtime victory for the Lions earlier in the season on Nov. 28.
The defensive tone for the game was set in a first quarter that yielded only 15 combined points from the two teams, giving Rowan an 8-7 advantage after the first period.
The Lions responded offensively in the second quarter, in large part due to junior forward Jen Byrne, who scored the first three field goals to keep the College in the game.
Despite being down five points with less than three minutes remaining in the half, a three-pointer from junior guard Cailey Gibson and free throws from senior guard Nicole Shatsky tied the game at halftime
With 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, the Lions found themselves up by one point after Byrne’s missed free throw. A pair of clutch late free throws by Rowan put them back on top while the College could not find the bottom of the bucket as the final buzzer sounded, ultimately handing the Lions their eighth loss of the season.
On Saturday, Jan. 26, the team responded by putting up its most dominating defensive display of the season.
Against conference rival Montclair State, the Lions held their opponent to just 33 points. Following a slow offensive start by both teams in the first half, an offensive explosion in the third quarter set the tone for the remainder of the game on the back of sophomore forward Shannon Devitt’s 16-point second half performance.
A seven-point halftime lead was blown open in the third quarter. The Lions took advantage of a two-for-one opportunity at the end of the third quarter to go up by 16 points and essentially seal Montclair State’s fate. The game’s final tally was 54-33 in favor of the Lions.
On Monday, Jan. 28, the team topped Rutger University-Newark by a score of 45-43. With the regular season finale two weeks away, the College looks to create momentum in the final stretch of the season against a slew of conference opponents.
The Lion’s next game will take place tonight at 6 p.m. as the they takes on Rutgers University-Newark.
(12/04/18 10:40am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Coming off a slow 1-3 start to open the season, the Lions bounced back to win their next two games, beginning with their overtime road win against conference rival Rowan University. The College left Glassboro, New Jersey with a 79-70 win, earning the team its second New Jersey Athletic Conference win of the year.
Senior guard Sam Famulare, the game’s leading scorer with 23 points, sank the first bucket with 9:51 to play in the first, claiming her first three points of the night. A back-and-forth first quarter ended with the Lions ahead by one and an early tally of 16-15.
Rowan outscored the Lions in the second quarter, finding themselves on the positive side of the game’s largest scoring lead after a fast break lay up with 1:34 remaining in the half. The Lions retaliated quickly, getting a bucket in the paint from junior guard Lauren Barlow and a pair of free throws from junior guard Samantha Bialoblocki, reducing their deficit to four points by halftime.
The second half was heavily contested, providing the fans with an entertaining match up from two of the best teams in the conference.
The College tied the game in the third quarter on Barlow’s first free throw and took command of a one-point lead with her second. Rowan answered on the next possession, draining a three-pointer to go ahead by two. The remaining 7:22 of the quarter saw four additional lead changes, until Famulare tied the game at 53 with a three-pointer and with five ticks left on the shot clock.
Rowan went ahead by six with just 4:02 to play in the game’s final quarter, but the Lions refused to back down. Following a timeout with 4:00 remaining, sophomore guard Elle Cimilluca ignited the passionate comeback with a three-pointer and with a little over three and a half minutes left in regulation.
Senior guard Kate O’Leary responded with a three-pointer of her own to tie the game at 63 with 2:31 remaining. Sophomore forward Shannon Devitt put the Lions on top with a close jumper, but Rowan eventually tied the game at 65, sending the Lions to their first overtime match of the year.
Unfamiliar territory did not phase the Lions, as they exploded offensively for 14 points in the five-minute overtime period.
The Lions ultimately sank six of their seven free throws in overtime to put the game to rest, outscoring Rowan 14-5 in the final period while improving to 2-3 on the season.
In large part to a dominating second quarter by the Lions, the next game demanded a little less drama as the team took on Rutgers-Newark at home.
Finding themselves down 13-8 after the first quarter, the Lions held Rutgers-Newark to five points in the second quarter while putting up 20 of their own.
Bialoblocki sank a three-pointer only a little over a minute and a half into the second quarter. O’Leary added a three of her own, followed by a jump-shot from junior forward Jen Byrne after an offensive rebound. Freshman guard/forward Rachel Gazzola drained a three of her own, putting the Lions up by six halfway through the quarter.
When the dust settled, the College entered halftime with a commanding 10-point lead and never looked back, as they went on to win by a final score of 61-52.
The team continued its winning streak on Monday, Dec. 3, defeating Morivian College 80-56.
(11/27/18 1:54am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
After a dominating regular season highlighted by top-tiered performances and a number of individual accolades, the women’s cross country season met its end at the NCAA Division III Championships in Oskosh, Wisconsin on Nov. 17. The team earned 19th place out of 32 teams.
The squad exceeded expectations entering the meet ranked 28th but ultimately earned the best finish for the College at this event since the 2008 season.
True to her consistent form, senior Natalie Cooper crossed the finish line first for the Lions for the last time, placing eighth out of 279 runners with her time of 21:14.3.
For the second consecutive year, Cooper earned an NCAA All-American honors to add to her unforgettable senior campaign. Cooper becomes the first repeat All-American since alumna Noel Whitall in the 1998-1999 season.
Earlier in the season, Cooper also earned her third consecutive New Jersey Athletic Conference Runner of the Year award, as well as her third consecutive First Team All-NJAC honors.
Familiar runners finished behind Cooper, beginning with senior Erin Holzbaur. Holzbaur completed her final collegiate 6k event in 63rd place, crossing the finish line in 22:17.1. Also racing in her final meet was senior Madeleine Tattory with her mark of 22:50.5, good for 139th.
In a first NCAA Championship appearance, freshman Kelsey Kobus earned 215th place with her time of 23:25.1.
Joining closely behind in 250th was freshman teammate Emily Prendergast, earning a mark of 23:57.7. Juniors Hannah Fay and Gabby DeVito rounded out the day for the Lions, respectively coming in 257th and 260th with their times of 24:06.1 and 24:13.8.
All in all, the College placed 19th with an average time of 22:44 marking the end of its season.
As the cross country season comes to a conclusion, the team prepares for the start of indoor track and field which begins on Saturday, Dec. 1. The Lions will travel to New York City to host the TCNJ Winter Opener.
(11/27/18 1:48am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Coming off a second round exit to the Rochester Institute of Technology in the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championships last season, the College got a shot at revenge, opening its 2018-2019 season against Rochester Institute of Technology on Nov. 16.
However, the Lions fell victim to the same fate, losing at home by a final score of 64-51. Junior forward Jen Byrne and senior guard Sam Famulare led the team by contributing 11 points each.
The College was no match for RIT’s defense in the first quarter. The team mustered only five points in the first 10 minutes of regulation, finding themselves down 13 points before the start of the second quarter.
In the third quarter, the Lions made a brief run to close the gap and outscore RIT 20-13. The team entered the fourth trailing by only six points. The Lions could not hold on in the final quarter, however, and ultimately dropped the first game of the season.
The team returned to the court on Nov. 20, traveling to Pomona, New Jersey to battle Stockton University in its first New Jersey Athletic Conference game. An overall dominating performance on both sides of the court yielded an 82-54 victory, putting the Lions in the win column in the team’s second game.
Sophomore guard Elle Cimilluca put the first points on the board with a jump shot seven seconds into the contest. A flurry of three-pointers helped the Lions pull away just a few minutes later, beginning with senior guard Kate O’Leary who was followed by Byrne and Cimilluca on three consecutive possessions.
After leaving Stockton in the dust with a 20-8 margin in the first quarter, the victory-deprived Lions slipped defensively in the second quarter, allowing 23 points, but they bounced back in the second half.
The Lions dropped 42 points while holding their opponents to just 23. In the final quarter, the squad thwarted any attempt at a miraculous comeback.
Byrne opened the fourth quarter scoring for the Lions with buckets in three successive offensive series. Junior guards Cailey Gibson and Samantha Bialoblocki added three-pointers to stretch the Lions lead with 6:55 to play. All in all, the women’s team found themselves winning by 28 behind Byrne’s 24-point performance.
The West Coast did not treat the Lions well at the David Wells Classic in Claremont, California as the team suffered losses in both of the games it played.
The first was suffered at the hands of Pomona-Pitzer, which resulted in a final score of 60-71. Eighteen points from sophomore forward Shannon Devitt were not enough, as a shaky second and third quarter proved detrimental for the College.
Entering the second quarter up by two, the Lions added points from Famulare and junior guard Lauren Barlow to grab hold of an eight-point lead. The lead was short-lived as Pomona-Pitzer came roaring back in the last half of the quarter, sinking a three-pointer with 18 seconds left of the half to put the team up by four. The third quarter was more of the same as the Lions’ opponents found themselves ahead by 13 with 2:17 left. The Lions could not find their way out of the deficit, eventually falling to a 1-2 record.
Just a day later, the women returned to the court against Claremont McKenna College and lost by a score of 52-87 on the heels of a poor performance on both sides of the court. Offensively, the Lions’ lack of ball security generated 24 points off of turnovers for Claremont McKenna. Famulare was the only Lion who scored over 10 points, contributing 11 points as her team fell to 1-3.
The Lions hope to get back on track against a familiar opponent as they travel to Glassboro, New Jersey to take on Rowan University on Wednesday, Nov. 28. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m.
(11/13/18 2:48am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
Coming off a bye week used to celebrate a New Jersey Athletic Championship title, both the men and women’s teams returned to action on Saturday, Nov. 10 to participate in the Atlantic Region Championship in Glassboro, New Jersey.
The women once again dominated their opponents, earning fourth place in a field of 44 teams. Rival opponent and event host Rowan University was left in the dust in 13th place.
Senior Runner of the Year recipient Natalie Cooper showed no signs of late-season fatigue in the 6k event as she claimed second place in 21:54.8, sandwiched between senior Elise Ramirez and junior Genny Corcoran from State University of New York at Geneseo in first and third places.
Among 305 other runners, senior Erin Holzbaur raced her way into 15th place with her time of 23:04.3, followed by senior teammate Madeleine Tattory clocking in 24th in 23:17.0. Breaking the streak of senior finishers was freshman Kelsey Kobus who crossed the finish line in 50th place with a time of 24:01.02.
Sliding into 69th was junior Gabby DeVito in 23:21.8. Rounding out the day for the Lions were freshman Emily Prendergast and junior Hannah Fay in 84th and 86th, respectively finishing in 24:35.4 and 24:38.4.
The women’s team ultimately punched its ticket to the Division III Championships in Oskosh, Wisconsin on Nov. 17. This marks the College’s second straight trip to nationals. Fay attributes the team’s success to its aggressive mindset.
“Going into the race we knew it would be close. Our top five raced really well and we were aggressive from the start,” she said. “Luckily they were able to push through and knock off a bunch of Rochester girls near the end of the race. Going into Wisconsin we’re all really excited to see what we can do.”
The team also received a number of honors prior to the Region Championship. In addition to the Runner of the Year award, Cooper also received First Team All-NJAC honors along with Holzbaur, Tattory and DeVito. Earning Second Team recognition were Fay, Kobus and Prendergast. Head coach Justin Lindsey was also named Coach of the Year.
The men did not earn a nationals appearance, but the squad achieved a 13th place finish.
Finishing first for the men was senior Quinn Wasko, earning 54th place in the 8k event with his time of 27:33.2. Coming in 73rd was freshman William Mayhew in 27:53.0, followed immediately in 74th by sophomore Pelle Nogueira in 27:54.4. Sophomore Robert Abrams claimed 82nd place with his time of 27:58.8.
The final three competitors for the Lions were freshman Nick Falk in 87th, sophomore Matt Kole in 90th and senior Luke Prothero in 194th.
The men’s season ended early, but the women are giving the College something to root for. On Nov. 17, the women’s team will put it all on the line to secure an NCAA championship title.
(10/30/18 1:00am)
By Malcolm Luck
Staff Writer
The Lions defeated Rowan University and won New Jersey Athletic Conference titles on Saturday, Oct. 27 when both the men and women’s cross country teams traveled to Glassboro, New Jersey to conclude the regular season. Many squads battled for first place, but the Lions brought the trophy home.
The women earned the school’s 32nd conference title in dominating fashion by claiming the first four spots in the 6k event. Senior star Natalie Cooper continued her jaw-dropping season by leading the charge for the Lions and crossing the finish line in 22:47.22, more than 30 seconds before any other competitors. Following behind in second was senior teammate Erin Holzbaur with her time of 23:19.10.
Senior Madeleine Tattory claimed third place in 23:28.18, followed by junior Gabby DeVito who claimed fourth place for the Lions, crossing the finish line in 23:33.30.
Freshmen Emily Prendergast and Kelsey Kobus led the next wave of finishes for the Lions, respectively earning 10th place in 24:15.81 and 12th place in 24:23.32. Junior Hannah Fay raced to 14th place and ultimately contributed the final points to the College’s total as she was the seventh Lion to complete the race. The women’s team totaled 20 points, surpassing the home-field beneficiaries of Rowan by 35 points.
Fay contributes her team’s performance to collective preparation and focus.
“We went in with a really positive attitude and everyone really worked together,” Fay said. “We knew the conditions were bad but we put that aside and just focused on winning the meet. It was definitely a team effort and everyone has been working so hard. It was exciting to finally see the hard work pay off.”
The men’s 29th conference title was won in a more dramatic fashion as the College managed to slip past Rowan University by just one point.
The top finisher for the Lions was freshman Nick Falk, completing the 8k run in 26:34.52. Sophomore Pelle Nogueira claimed seventh with his time of 26:57.71, followed by four consecutive teammates beginning with freshman William Mayhew in 27:04.78.
Sophomore Robert Abrams followed closed behind in 10th with his time of 27:10.99. Senior runner Quinn Wasko’s mark of 27:13.35 was good for 11th place, while senior teammate Luke Prothero pulled into 12th place less than a second later in 27:13.82. Sophomore Matt Kole was the last participant to contribute points to the Lions’ total, claiming 18th place in 27:22.98.
With its 40 total points, the College edged past Rowan University and Ramapo University, who respectively earned second and third places with 41 and 47 points.
The cross country squads will now shift their focus to the NCAA Atlantic Regional Championships that will be held at Rowan University on Nov. 10. The action is set to begin at 11 a.m. for the women and 12 p.m. for the men.