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(09/05/17 4:30am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Editor
The field hockey team dominated against Catholic University in their season opener, proving why the Lions were ranked sixth coming into the season. The Lions built a 4-0 lead in the first half and did not look back from there, ending the game 7-1.
Junior forward Taylor Barrett scored first for the Lions, earning the lead just 11 minutes into the game. Barrett then scored for a second time only two minutes later off of a rebound, putting the Lions out to a 2-0 lead.
In her freshman debut, forward Tori Tiefenthaler scored twice. Her first goal came when senior forward Elizabeth Morrison fed her a perfectly timed ball and she knocked it in for a Lions’ score. Tiefenthaler scored again in the first half when junior defenseman Jackie Schwartz gave her the assist off of a penalty corner.
Junior midfielder Sidney Padilla also had a noteworthy game with two assists and a goal of her own that came late in the second. She was assisted by sophomore forward Cayla Andrews. It was skillfully played long shot. Morrison also claimed a goal of her own in the second half as well, capping the College’s scoring in the game and extending the lead to seven.
The College outshot their opposition 24 to seven and 17 shots on goal to Catholic’s four. Senior goalie Christina Fabiano made three saves to preserve the Lions lead and eventual win. The College also had 15 corners to Catholic’s five.
The College travels to Hoboken, New Jersey to battle against Stevens Institute of Technology on Thursday, Sept. 7. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. They then travel to Juniata College on Sept. 9, to play a 2 p.m. game.
(09/05/17 3:10am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Editor
The night of the annual “3 For Free” comedy show was full of laughs, one liners and relatable stories. Comedians Ramy Youssef, Ricky Velez and Anna Drezen really brought the house down with their jokes and crowd interactions. The night of Thursday, Aug. 31, was a night to remember.
Youssef has starred in movies such as “Why Him?” with Robert De Niro and was on “The Late Show” with Stephen Colbert.
Youssef kicked the night off in a subtle but comical way when he joked about modern events, his life experiences and a few of his own failures in a very straight-forward yet subdued manner.
The comedian made the night go from good to great when he began interacting with the crowd. A student walked into the show 20 minutes late, soldered his way into the front row and sat in front of Youssef, shortly after Youssef had joked about risk takers. Youssef could not keep quiet.
“What’s up man how have you been,” he said to the audience member. “You don’t care. You walk in 20 minutes late and you walk right up to the front row. I wanna be you. You don’t give a shit. I wish I could do something like that.”
Velez’s approach to comedy was a little more aggressive than Youssef’s.
While Youssef kept the laughs going with his audience banter, Velez cracked very different jokes during his time onstage. Velez, known for his work on “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” on Comedy Central, does not pull punches. He knows how to poke fun at himself — if his jokes about racism and being a paranoid stoner were any less funny, they would fall far too close to home.
Drezen is a different beast altogether. She is known for being one of the “50 funniest people in Brooklyn,” according to Brooklyn Magazine. Drezen is also a writer for “Saturday Night Live.”
She draws lots of laughs with her ability to almost catch you off guard with her jokes about herself and situational awareness.
She also makes awkward gestures and movements on stage while performing that draw laughs all on their own. All three acts were funny and memorable.
The attendance was a little sparse, but it was not due to lack of talent between the three comedians. They prepared well, and were really worth the time they put on stage.
The audience laughed at almost every joke cracked by the three comedians.
There were a few moments that invoked a little sympathetic emotion from audience members, but overall the night was enjoyable.
Sophomore physics major Allison Glantzberg enjoyed the show immensely and was glad that she went.
“I thought it was cool how he (Youssef) interacted with the audience,” she said. “He was able to make personal experiences funny without being degrading, and it made the performance engaging and relatable.”
(09/05/17 3:04am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Editor
The football team showed promise in its season opener on Friday, Sept. 1, against Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham at Lions Stadium, but the team ultimately lost, 38-24.
The Lions drove the ball well in the first half, dominating the opposition, but once senior quarterback Trevor Osler left the game with an apparent injury, the wind left the Lions’ sails. Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham made it rain with their passing game, dropping multiple 40-plus-yard bombs down the field, but the game was much closer than the stat sheet infers.
In the first quarter, the Lions built a 10-7 lead. Their first drive was very methodical, keeping the Lions ahead of the chains. Senior tight end Chase Vena caught the first touchdown of the game over the middle of the endzone.
The crowd went wild as the Lions scored their first touchdown on their first drive of the season. But the Devils answered with a touchdown late in the first quarter on a similar approach that depended heavily on their short-ranged passing attack.
The Lions went into halftime with a 17-10 lead. It looked liked the Lions were going to pull away in the second half as long as they stayed on course. Unfortunately for the Lions fortunes changed when Osler went down with an injury. The rushing attack was still clicking, but the momentum of the game had shifted to the Devils and their aerial attack.
However, there were some standout performances on the field. Senior running back Khani Glover had 75 yards on 10 touches and a pair of touchdowns. Junior running back Connor Owen also punished the Devils defense with his bruising running style and gained 65 yards of his own. Following the game, Glover maintained a positive outlook for the season.
“It felt great to back out here, first game under the lights,” Glover said. “I just did what I do best, run. I knew it going to be a battle and we had to come up with something on offense. We just have to fix our mistakes, look at the film and get better for next week.”
Stepping in for the injured Osler was freshman quarterback Andrew Donoghue. Donoghue was a tad rusty, but he showed glimpses of true athleticism and poise. He totaled 98 yards through the air and 11 on the ground.
Head coach Casey Goff showed confidence in his young quarterback in the case that Osler did not recover for the next week.
“If (Osler) doesn’t come back next week, Andrew’s our guy,” Goff said. “I think the youngster did a great job. He made a few young guy mistakes but his progression has been what we thought it could be. He’s a hell of a football player. If we have to get him out there earlier than anticipated, then so be it.”
Though the Lions defense allowed 593 yards in the air, they did manage to hold the FDU rushing attack to only 13 yards.
Senior linebacker Kevin Hennelly intercepted a pass over the middle in his second play in the game and made a decent return. The Lions could do little with the ball after Osler’s injury though.
Junior linebacker Max Busca led the Lions with 10 tackles and sophomore defensive followed closely with nine tackles. Senior defensive lineman Shane Kelley also posted three tackles, and one of them for a loss. Still, none could stop the aerial attack that FDU demonstrated.
The Lions ultimately fell 38-24. The Lions were clearly disappointed about the loss. Goff spoke about his thoughts on how his team did in the loss.
“I thought effort was there,” Goff said. “I just thought we made some fundamental mistakes, being out of position at times or poor angles to the ball and just missed tackles. I also harp on no big plays on the defensive side. I know they had some dudes, some matchup problems but some people in position have to make plays. We have to take a look at what we are doing and that’s on me.”
There were many positives to take away from the game for the Lions. Their defense will need to work moving forward, but the offense showed the ability to score this year. In their first game, the Lions scored more points than they did in the first six games of last season.
The Lions travel on Saturday, Sept. 9, to play Frostburg State University in Frostburg, Maryland. Frostburg is a fierce opponent that the College has struggled with before. Frostburg is heavily favored in the matchup, but Goff and his Lions seem up to the challenge.
(08/29/17 2:46am)
With a new coach and some key veterans, the College’s football team is looking to bounce back from a tough 2016 season.
Last season, the Lions went 2-8 and were outscored 291-100 in their 10 games. The Lions did end the year on a positive note, winning two of the last three games, which included a 42-28 win over William Paterson University during Homecoming.
This year the Lions will play six games at home and are projected to be 10th in the NJAC, even though they beat two of the teams last year that are projected to be ranked above them — William Paterson and Southern Virginia University.
The Lions also have a good number of veterans coming back to play on both sides of the ball. On defense All-Conference honorable mention senior defensive end Shane Kelly is returning along with linebackers Troy Domenick and Kevin Hennelly. Other returning veterans are juniors Max Busca and Jesse Streb. Kelly will also be joined on the defensive line with sophomore defensive lineman Erik Graham.
The offense has seniors at key positions like quarterback Trevor Osler, tight end Chase Vena and wide receiver Gabriel Rios. Vena and Rios will be primary targets while the rushing attack will be lead by senior running backs Chad Scott and Khani Glover.
Casey Goff, a 14-year veteran coach for college football, is the Lions’ new head coach. Last year, he led Defiance College to a 5-5 record. He joined the College in late July.
As head coach he hopes to turn the Lions’ fortunes around and get back to our winning traditions. “The first steps are to get the team on our page and secure the 2017 staff,” Goff told The Signal. “I’m eager to reach out to everyone and let them know about me and my expectations and obviously answer any questions they have to make this process as seamless as possible. I’m also eager to get rolling with (assistant coach Rocky Hager) and make sure that we do everything in our power to prep this team to win ball games this fall.”
The NJAC is skeptical of the Lion’s ability to turn things around this season, but with last season behind them and under a new regime, the Lions can look to the future with cautious optimism. With a stacked schedule with three ranked teams early on, the Lions need to keep games close to stay competitive.
The season kicks off on Sept. 1 at 7 p.m. at home for the Lions. Then they travel to ranked Frostburg State University on Sept. 9. The game is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start. The Lions’ homecoming game will be on Oct. 21 at 2 p.m. at home and their Senior Day is Nov. 11 at noon, also at home.
The playoffs may be a challenge for the Lions, but a change of regime may be the refresher that the football team needs.
(08/29/17 2:44am)
The women’s field hockey team is looking for another dominant year in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The team enters this season on a 20-game regular season conference winning streak.
The lady lions may be young this year, but they still count on key returning defensive players. Under legendary coaching of Sharon Pfluger, the College’s women’s field hockey team has won the NJAC 22 times in 28 seasons since its conception in 1985. Pfluger has led the team to a historic record of 198-16-1 in the NJAC. In her 31 years of coaching field hockey at the College, her overall record is 564-86-5.
The team hopes to repeat as NJAC champions. The Lions top preseason NJAC polls, but they will need freshmen to step into important roles as they try to replace alumnae Jaclyn Douglas (’17) and Lexi Smith (’17), both former All-Americans.
The team still has plenty of weapons like senior Elizabeth Morrison and sophomore Cayla Andrews, both of whom scored 12 goals last year, contributing greatly to the offensive performance of the team.
On defense, seniors Jackie Schwartz and Christina Fabiano both look to build off last year’s progress. Schwartz started in 15 of the last 19 games last season. Fabiano started in 12 of the last 12 games posting a .718 save percentage, four shutouts and only allowed 0.77 goals per game.
The new-look Lions begin the season on Saturday, Sept. 2, against the Catholic University of American in Washington D.C. After three road games, the team opens up at home against Drew University on Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. — the first of five straight matches at Lions Stadium, where the team was undefeated last season.
Their toughest test should come from defending national champions Messiah College at home on Sept. 16, at 6:00 p.m. Messiah was one of three teams to beat the Lions during last year’s regular season, but the Lions now have a chance to strike back on their home turf.
(05/02/17 7:09am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
Coming into the week, the softball team’s playoff dreams were still alive. They swept the New Jersey City University Gothic Knights in a doubleheader on Friday, April 28, winning the first game, 9-4, and the second, 3-0. Unfortunately for the Lions, their dreams were crushed when sixth-place Montclair State University swept them in a doubleheader the following day on Saturday, April 29. The Lions lost the first game, 6-1, and lost the second, 14-6.
“We need to come out with same focus we had against Kean,” said head coach Sally Miller. “Today and tomorrow. I know that when we bring our complete talent offensively, defensively and on the mound, we can be hard to beat. When crucial plays occur, pitches or hits that need to be made, we need to make them.”
The Lions came into their match against the Gothic Knights very confident. The team knew they had a shot at the postseason if they remained perfect for the remainder of the season.
In the first game against the Gothic Knights, the Lions had an early misstep on defense, but were able to recover. The Gothic Knights climbed to a 3-0 lead in the first inning after senior first baseman Brittany Paulikas crushed a three-run home run out of the park.
Luckily, the Lions offense came alive in the second inning. Freshman infielder/outfielder Annalise Suitovsky got on base with a walk.
She then stole a base and scored on an overthrown ball. Sophomore infielder/outfielder Danielle Marino then hit an RBI single to keep the inning going.
Sophomore infielder Megan Hevey crushed an RBI triple for another Lions score. Freshman infielder Megan Mayernik capped off the inning with another RBI infield single for the Lions to take the lead.
In the fifth inning, the Lions capitalized off of two miscues by the Gothic Knights. They stole two bases and scored on a series of mistakes. Sophomore outfielder Gaby Bennett took advantage off another error for another RBI late in the game for the Lions 9-4 victory.
Junior pitcher Sam Platt struck out six batters in a complete game victory which was her seventh game of the season.
In the second game, sophomore pitcher Sara Bielamowicz dominated the Gothic Knights. She allowed no runs on four hits and struck out six batters to earn her a second shutout victory of the season.
Hevey ripped an RBI single past the Gothic Knights infielders in the third inning to give the Lions an early 1-0 lead. Junior catcher Jenna Schwartz sealed the victory with a two run RBI single.
In the doubleheader against Montclair State University, the Lions’ playoff hopes ended before the second game. The Lions offense failed to come alive and the defense could not stop the Red Hawks from sealing a 6-1 victory in the first game.
The Lions got off to an early lead when junior infielder/catcher Danielle Carey drove in a run on a sacrifice fly. After that, the Red Hawks took a firm hold of the game and responded at the bottom of the inning with three runs.
The Red Hawks offense erupted in the fifth inning, scoring another three runs and sealing the Lions fate for the season.
Sophomore infielder/outfielder Jess Santelli managed to have a stand out game. She hit a single and a triple and stole a base. However, her rallying effort was not enough to help the Lions win the game.
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Red Hawks mercied the Lions as they ran the score up to 14-6. The Lions struggled to keep pace, but only managed to score six runs on eight hits.
The Lions ended their season at 14-17-1. It was a rough season, but many players will be coming back next year with more experience, having learned from the perils of this past season.
“We have learned a lot and have taken some tough losses along the way,” assistant coach Tiffany Rhea said. “The positive spin on such losses is that our players have not given up and that they will fight until the end.”
The Lions hope to carry a fighting spirit into next year and make the College proud.
(05/02/17 6:56am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
The Lions baseball team snapped their three-game losing streak by winning their last three games. Their late push clinched the top seed in the New Jersey Athletic Conference Tournament.
The Lions started off the week with a 10-5 loss against Gwynedd Mercy University on April 24. They then conceded another loss to Arcadia University, 9-3, on Wednesday, April 26.
They returned home and defeated the William Paterson University Pioneers, 2-1, on Thursday, April 27. Then the Lions traveled to Wayne, N.J. and outlasted the Pioneers, 6-5, on Friday, April 28. The team ended the regular season at home against Kean University and swept the Cougars, 14-1 and 9-4.
In the first game of their exhaustive week, the Lions fell to Gwynedd Mercy University, 10-5. They played a solid game with several standout solo performances, despite the score.
Junior infielder Patrick Anderson recovered from his injury and went 3-for-5 with a solo homer and went six for his last eight at-bats.
After the team strung together three hits in the first inning, junior utility Austin Lindsay hit an RBI and allowed freshman outfielder Thomas Persichetti to score the Lions first run. Junior infielder Zachary Shindler reached base safely for the 23rd straight game after ripping a hit to right field. In the midst, sophomore infielder Ryan Fischer increased the Lions lead to two.
The Lions then traveled to Arcadia University on Wednesday, April 26 and lost a rough game, 9-3. The Lions started flat, giving up seven runs in the first three innings. The loss marked the first time in the season that the Lions dropped three consecutive games.
During the loss, freshman catcher David Cardona III hit his first career home run as a Lion in the fifth inning. The Lions offense did not produce too much, only scoring three runs in the game.
Playing against William Paterson University at George Ackerman Park on Thursday, April 27, the Lions held off the Pioneers in a tight defensive game. The Lions took the lead in the ninth inning, 2-1, but it was a nail-biter all the way to the end.
Junior pitcher Brandon Zachary had another strong outing for the Lions, striking out four batters and allowing only three hits. Junior pitcher Matt Curry wrapped the game up and shutted down the last two batters, giving him his sixth save of the season.
Shindler put the Lions on board in the third inning with an RBI-single. Sophomore infielder Tommy McCarthy pulled a clutch walk-off hit to win the game for the Lions in the ninth inning.
The Lions and Pioneers continued to play until the last pitch on the following day. McCarthy came through in the second straight day with a double to score two runs in the eighth inning for the Lions 6-5 win.
The Lions to started to manufacture runs to earn an early lead in the first inning. The Pioneers answered by scoring twice in the fourth and fifth inning. McCarthy tripled and then scored on a heads-up play when the Pioneers pitcher threw a wild pitch to put the Lions ahead.
Freshman pitcher Nickolas Kleftogiannis pitched two scoreless innings and earned the victory. Curry came into the game to wrap it up and managed to lower his ERA to 0.23.
The Lions came home on Saturday to wrap up the regular season against Kean University. The Lions swept the Cougars in the doubleheader, helping them clinch the top seed in the NJAC.
There were three standouts in the doubleheader. Junior infielder Patrick Anderson had a big weekend, going 6-for-9 and batting with two RBIs and three runs. Junior outfielder Mike Follet scored four RBIs and four runs while batting 4-for-8. Freshman outfielder Jacob Simon also stood out among batters with five RBIs, four hits, and two runs.
The first game was nothing short of a blowout. The Lions won 14-1 with a stellar performance from junior pitcher Joe Cirillo. Cirillo threw his fifth complete-game victory, striking out three batters. The win puts his season record at 5-0 and his career record at 19-3, giving him the sixth highest overall record in Lions history.
The first game was blown open in the fifth inning when the Lions rallied for 6 runs and 7 runs in the seventh inning. Only one run was allowed by Lions defense, allowing the 14-1 score to hold for a major conference win.
In the second game, the Lions secured a 9-4 victory and sophomore pitcher Michael Fischer got his sixth win of the season.
The game was highly contested until the seventh inning when the Lions rallied for five runs, blowing the game open for a win. Shindler hit his sixth triple of the season. It was his twelfth triple of his career, making him the third overall triples hitter. Curry wrapped the game up by striking out the last two batters.
The baseball team now hopes to continue their success into the postseason. The Lions play William Paterson University at home on Tuesday, May 2, for their first NJAC Tournament game.
(04/25/17 7:17am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
The softball team had another rough week, dropping two games, tying one and winning their last home game of the season. The Lions traveled to Stockton University on April 18 for a doubleheader, losing 2-1 and tying at 5. The Lions split their Senior Day doubleheader on Sunday, April 23, against Kean University, losing, 9-3, and winning, 3-2.
The Lions lost their first game against Stockton University in a fierce defensive game, 2-1. Junior pitcher Sam Platt allowed one run in seven innings, forcing the game into an extra inning.
Sophomore infielder/outfielder Jess Santelli hit a double at the bottom of the sixth to get on base. Sophomore outfielder Gaby Bennett then hit an RBI double to bring Santelli home for the Lions only run of the game.
The Lions fell in the eighth when the Ospreys drove the winning run. The Lions earned eight hits and one run. Freshman infielder Megan Mayernik managed to get three of those hits.
The second game started the same way as the first. The Ospreys scored in the first and launched to an early lead. However, the second game did not result in a win nor a loss. Both teams answered each other’s runs in the fourth inning. Bennett scored for the Lions. Meanwhile, pinch runner and sophomore infielder Francesca Pugliese scored on an errant throw, dashing across the plate.
In the eighth, both teams scored three runs and kept the game tied. Freshman infielder/outfielder Annalise Suitovsky hit a lead off RBI-single. Bennett and Sophomore catcher/infielder Jess McGuire both hit RBI-singles to push the Lions to a 5-2 lead. Stockton University tied the game at 5.
The Lions played Kean University on Senior Day at Dr. June Walker Field. The Lions split the doubleheader, losing the first game, 9-3, and winning the second, 3-2.
In the first game, the Cougars scored early the first and second innings. McGuire responded with a booming homer over the center field wall.
The Cougars then silenced the Lions by scoring two runs in the fourth inning and three runs in the in the sixth. The Lions tried to rally and scored two runs in the seventh inning, but they lost, 9-3.
In the second game, the Lions flipped the script and came out triumphant. Santelli scored to put the Lions in a 2-0 lead with a booming hit.
In the second inning, freshman outfielder Helena Coppola and junior infielder/catcher Danielle Carey both hit singles. Coppola scored a run on a sacrifice fly ball.
Kean University fought back in the fourth and the fifth innings and scored one run in both. Sophomore pitcher Sara Bielamowicz closed the door on their offense, restricting them from scoring anymore. Junior pitcher Sam Platt closed the game out, ensuring the victory.
The Lions currently sit in seventh place in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. They are four points behind sixth place Stockton University. The Lions record is currently 12-15-1.
The team will play its last games of the season in a doubleheader at Montclair State University on Saturday, April 29.
(04/25/17 7:13am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
The baseball team started the week off on April 18 at Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham and ended it at home on Sunday, April 23, with a doubleheader against New Jersey City University. The Lions won three games, while dropping two closely contested home games to the Gothic Knights and Rowan University.
The Lions won their first game on April 18 against the Devils, 7-5. Freshman pitcher Nickolas Kleftogiannis stood tall on the mound, earning his first win of the season. Junior pitcher Matt Curry came in the ninth to earn a save and keep the Lions on top.
During the third inning, junior infielder Zachary Shindler earned his 100th career hit, driving a ball directly over the pitcher and into center field for an RBI-single. The Lions continued to rally, scoring in the following two innings.
The Devils battled back and kept the score close, 5-4, by the end of the fifth inning. The Lions scored two more times and gave up a run in the ninth, securing the victory 7-5. The team had eleven players hitting during the game and allowing only one error.
The Lions traveled to Rowan University on Thursday and won by landslide, 9-2. The offense scored nine runs on 14 hits. Junior pitcher Brandon Zachary pitched six innings and allowed only one run on four hits en route to a win. It was Zachary’s third win, which evens up his record at 3-3 this season.
Juniors utility player Austin Lindsay and outfielder Mike Follet each knocked in three hits, helping the Lions blow the game to 7-0 by the sixth inning. The Profs answered the Lions back with two runs in a desperate attempt to get back.
On Wednesday, April 21, the Lions hosted the Profs in a heated rivalry game. Both teams had nine hits and forced each other into a plethora of errors, totaling 7. The Profs ultimately came out on top, handing the Lions a tough loss at home, 5-4.
In the third inning, Shindler hit an RBI-double, trying to spark the Lions explosive offense. Senior catcher CJ Gearhart captured some of the spark, hitting a RBI-triple in the same inning.
In the seventh inning, the Profs extended the score to 5-2. The Lions clawed their way back with two runs, but they could not get over the deficit. The loss put a blemish on freshman pitcher Michael Walley’s record, handing him his first loss of the season.
Fast forward to Sunday, the Lions hosted a doubleheader against New Jersey City University. The Lions splitted the series, thrashing the Gothic Knights in the first game shutout and losing in the closely contested second game.
Junior pitcher Joe Cirillo dominated the first game with his pitching performance. Cirillo struck out for a career-high 10 batters for the third time this season. He only allowed four hits and walked one batter. In his last 36 innings on the mound, Cirillo has proved to be invaluable ace for the Lions, allowing only two earned runs and striking out 37 batters.
Gearhart geared the Lions offense to a solid start by ripping a two-run single. Lindsay also scored two runs on a single later in the game. The Lions only ran away with the score from their while Cirillo silenced the opposing offense, earning the Lions a 7-0 shutout victory.
The Lions then lost a close game, 6-4, putting a second blemish on sophomore pitcher Michael Fischer’s record and making it 5-2.
After hitting a solid triple, freshman outfielder Thomas Persichetti scored on a wild pitch that got away from the opposing catcher. He dashed to home plate and put the Lions on the board from the Gothic Knight error.
The Gothic Knights countered aggressively and commandingly with four straight runs in the second inning. The Lions then manufactured a run in both the fourth and fifth innings. The Gothic Knights immediately answered and scored one run in the sixth and seventh innings. The Lions tried to mount a rally, scoring in the eighth, but ultimately fell short.
The Lions have improved their record to 23-8, maintaining their high status and flexing their muscles in the New Jersey Athletic Conference.
The Lions will return to George Ackerman Park to play against conference rival William Paterson University on the Thursday, April 27, at 3:30 p.m. The Lions then travel to William Paterson University for a second game on Friday, April 28. The team ends their season at home on Saturday, April 29, against Kean University for a doubleheader starting at 11:30 a.m.
(04/18/17 7:55am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
The Lions had a rough week, losing all four of their conference games in two doubleheaders. The Lions were swept at home on April 11 against the No. 6 Rowan University Roadrunners, 3-1 and 12-1. The team then endured two more losses at Ramapo College, 3-0 and 8-2, on Saturday, April 15.
Junior pitcher Sam Platt took three tough losses to her pitching record. The Lions also suffered one shutout, scrapping together runs in the other games.
After being swept last week by William Paterson University, Platt was pumped to get back on the field at home against Rowan University.
“We are excited to get back out in the NJACs on Tuesday and start a new week,” Platt said. “It is awesome that even after tough losses from the weekend, we are able to get back out there already on Tuesday on our home turf and start off on a good note.”
Platt’s optimism was not enough to help the Lions prevent a sweep at home against Rowan University.
Platt managed to keep the Profs to three runs in the first game, but the Lions offense could only manage one run against the fierce pitching of the Profs.
Profs freshman pitcher Jesse DeDomenico limited the Lions to only four hits. Junior infielder/catcher Danielle Carey scored the Lions lone run. After that, the Lions offense could do little to stop the Profs from winning the game, 3-1.
In the second game, the Lions had a rough outing, giving up six runs and 10 hits in the third and fifth innings. Meanwhile, Profs freshman pitcher Lauren Shannon shunned the Lions, giving up only one hit. She currently holds an undefeated 13-0 record.
The game ended early, handing the Lions a tough mercy rule 12-1 loss on their home field.
At Ramapo College, the Roadrunners steamed rolled Lions in two crushing losses.
In the first game, Platt held the Roadrunners to three runs, but the Lions offense could not stop the Roadrunners from running away with the victory. The Lions remained scoreless for the first time this entire season, managing eight hits, but no runs. Meanwhile, the Roadrunners snuck in three runs.
In the second game, the Lions showed a breath of life in the sixth and seventh innings, scoring two runs on six hits. However, their efforts were too late. The Roadrunners ran away with the score, winning 8-2.
Over the four-game losing streak, the Lions fell to 11-13 on the season. With four conference doubleheaders remaining, the Lions will need to rally in order to qualify for the New Jersey Athletic Conference tournament.
The Lions return home to face Kean University on the College’s senior day on Saturday, April 22, starting at 1 p.m. at Dr. June Walker field.
(04/17/17 7:13pm)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
“Coming (to the College) was like a culture shock. Coming from a very diverse high school, it was a little intimidating.”
Sarah Sleiman, a sophomore management major, came from a North Brunswick high school where so-called “minorities” were the majority. In high school, she felt at home. When she came to the College, she initially felt misplaced and found it difficult to make friends.
As of 2015, the College has an ethnic population of only about 30 percent, with the rest being white, according to collegeportrait.org.
Over the last few years, the minority population at the College has grown. College President R. Barbara Gitenstein is dedicated to inclusion and creating a diverse environment.
“Over the last decade or so, there has been an increase in the number of students and faculty from underrepresented groups at TCNJ,” Gitenstein said. “Surely more representation is necessary, but also it is important to participate in difficult discussions across difference, not within silos of sameness. Such discussions can become the foundation for a community welcoming to all students, faculty and staff.”
While some students feel they blend in well — regardless of their race — other students like Sleimen initially had a harder time becoming accustomed to the College’s lack of diversity.
Some ethnic students feel divided from their peers due to race, appearance and cultural preconceptions. Sometimes there are breakdowns in communication in which students feel a palpable detachment due to their peer’s lack of understanding.
“Coming here was not too different from what I already knew,” said Theresa Fineza, a sophomore nursing student. “Over time, there has been a slight divide between me and some of my peers that stems from a couple of things. Primarily it stems from not understanding each other fully, but that goes both ways.”
While Fineza has never felt discriminated against, at times, she has felt a lack of understanding between her and her peers due to their cultural differences.
Through its plethora of different clubs, organizations and programs — such as the Korean Student Association and the Peer Mentoring Program — the College tries to help students of all creeds feel safe and comfortable to express themselves, and help ethnic individuals find their place.
For students like Jen Piserchia, a sophomore biomedical engineer major, the College helped to transform the campus into a home.
“I never felt out of place,” she said. “I feel very included here at TCNJ. TCNJ has helped me find my identity.”
Despite the College’s efforts, some students still had a hard time adjusting to the College’s culture.
For Sleiman, the College felt more like home once she connected with a group of understanding peers. Feeling a part of the College's culture, she was able to get over her initial culture shock.
“It was very difficult for me at first,” Sleiman said. “But everyone was so nice and friendly, so I got used to it.”
While the College tries to create a welcoming environment for its students, white students are still the majority, Sleiman said. As a community, she feels students and faculty at the College can create a sense of unity by getting involved in organizations, creating a diverse group of friends and keeping an open mind.
(04/11/17 7:27am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
The Lions had a few rough outings this week. On Wednesday, April 5, they split a doubleheader against Rutgers University-Camden, winning 4-1 and losing 7-6. Later on Saturday, April 8, the team dropped both games in a doubleheader against William Paterson University, losing 2-7 and 4-5. Junior pitcher Sam Platt was the only pitcher in the week to pull out a win.
In the doubleheader against Rutgers University-Camden, the Lions struck first in game one. Freshman infielder/outfielder Annalise Suitovsky hit an RBI single, putting the Lions on the board early. The Scarlet Raptors responded and tied the game at 1 in the top of the fourth inning.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Lions rallied and scored three runs, which extended their lead to 4-1. Junior outfielder Madison Levine started the rally with a single to left field to get on base. Freshman infielder Megan Mayernik followed with a single to right field.
“We came out ready to swing and hit the ball hard,” head coach Sally Miller said. “Our approach in the box to their pitchers were really good and focused. We had many good swings and took the ball deep. Their outfielders were camped on us, otherwise we would have a few more extra bases.”
Sophomore infielder/outfielder Jess Santelli then hit a sacrifice bunt to bring both runners in. Junior infielder Danielle Carey kept the inning alive with another single to right field. Senior infielder Colleen Phelan dropped a well-placed squeeze bunt, driving another run with the Lions fifth hit of the inning.
Platt allowed just two hits in the complete game victory.
“Platt is a real competitor,” Miller said. “She struggled at Cabrini University and to her credit we worked through some mechanical issues. She is throwing more and continuing to work through tough hitters.”
In the second game of the doubleheader, the Lions defense fell apart early. The Lions were in disarray by the top of the fifth inning.
The Lions gifted the Scarlet Raptors four runs on a series of four walks, a hit-batter, two singles and a wild pitch.
The Lions did respond, though, scoring three runs with an RBI double to left field by Santelli. The Scarlet Raptors scored two more at the top of the second. Junior infielder/catcher Danielle Carey answered with a two-run single at the bottom of the third, but the Lions comeback was not enough. The Lions ultimately fell, 6-7.
The Lions skid continued into the doubleheader against William Paterson University. The team only two runs in the first game. Junior catcher Jenna Schwartz and freshman infielder Megan Mayernik scored off of RBIs in the fifth inning.
The Pioneers scored steadily throughout the game, giving the Lions a 7-2 loss.
The second game started similarly to the previous game with the Pioneers scoring a run in the first and adding two more in the bottom of the third. At the top of the fifth, the Lions hit Santelli and sophomore infielder/catcher Jess McGuire hit back-to-back doubles and got a run on the board.
After a walk, Levine hit the team’s third double of the inning to tie the game at 3. The score was tied until the top of the seventh when Suitovsky ripped an RBI to give the Lions a 4-3 lead. At the bottom of the ninth inning, the Pioneers won the game with a two-run walk off homer to earn them the sweep.
“Conference play is real high level of play,” Miller said. “(We) can’t take a game off which is the toughest part of it. Sometimes, it could be letting one game slip away that decides if a team make the conference tournament.”
The Lions look to rebound on at Dr. June Walker Field on Tuesday, April 11, at 3 p.m., where they will play Rowan University in a doubleheader. Later on Saturday, April 15, the Lions play Ramapo College at a doubleheader in Mahwah, N.J.
(04/04/17 4:43am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
The Lions softball team played Cabrini University and Rutgers University-Newark this past week in two doubleheaders. On Wednesday, March 29, the Lions fell to the Cavaliers, 9-6, allowing 7 runs in the sixth inning after leading 5-2. The second game was a different story as the Lions held to their lead and won, 8-2.
The Lions then swept Rutgers University-Newark, winning the first game, 3-1, and the second game, 11-4, on Sunday, April 2. Junior pitcher Sam Platt earned the win for both games, completing a full game, getting a total of five strikeouts and pitching a total of 10.2 innings.
In the first game, the Lions allowed two runs early. Trailing by two runs in the fourth inning, the Lions blew up the scoreboard with five runs. Freshman infielder Megan Mayernik opened the inning with a double and scored with a hit by sophomore outfielder Gaby Bennett.
Junior catcher Jenna Schwartz tied the game, walking with a bases loaded. Freshman infielder Danielle Carey pulled a two-run RBI double, driving the score to 4-2. Sophomore outfielder Arielle Couso brought the fifth run in with a fielder’s choice.
Cabrini University rallied in the sixth, scoring seven runs. The team scored an unearned run in the seventh inning, bringing the score a little closer. The Lions ultimately could not pull it out in the end. The game ended in a 9-6.
The second game had a far different outcome. Sophomore outfielder/infielder Jess Santelli sparked the Lions fire early in the first inning, belting a two-run homer and giving the Lions an early lead. From there, the Lions asserted their control of the game. Freshman pitcher Kristen Barrera also won her third game of her rookie season.
In the second inning, the Lions scored six runs. Couso hit a double, putting runners at second and third base. Junior outfielder Madison Levine hit a sacrifice fly to bring senior outfielder Nerylix Cerda for a run. Cabrini University got one run back at the bottom of the inning.
Sophomore infielder/catcher Jess McGuire then drove in a run in the third inning with an RBI-single. Freshman infielder/outfielder Annalise Suitovsky batted in a run in the sixth inning, pushing the score to 8-1. The Cavaliers countered in the bottom of the sixth inning, but the Lions held onto the victory.
In the start of the doubleheader against Rutgers University-Newark, Suitovsky blasted a two-run homer to put the Lions on board. The Scarlet Raiders responded later in the inning with a run of their own. After the earned run, Platt dominated at the mound, not allowing any runners into scoring position for the remainder of the game.
In the fifth inning, Suitovsky popped up a sacrifice fly ball to score Levine for the third run. The Lions won 3-1.
In the second game against the Scarlet Raiders, Santelli ripped a two run double in the bottom of the first, later to score another run when Carey popped up a sacrifice fly ball. At the top of the second, the Scarlet Raiders answered with a two runs off a single and tied the game at the top of the fourth, 4-4.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Lions ripped the game open. Freshman shortstop Megan Mayernik hit a RBI-single to break the tie and Suitovsky followed with a two-run double to break the game open. The game ended 11-4.
The Lions go into their next game with a record of 10-6, against Rutgers University-Camden in a doubleheader at home, starting at 3 p.m. After that, the Lions have a doubleheader against William Paterson University at Wayne, NJ. The games are scheduled to start at 1 p.m.
(04/04/17 4:31am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
Few games boast a world as immersive as the one in “Tom Clancy’s Ghost Recon: Wildlands.” The game offers many stunning environments for the player to traverse while trying to complete missions in any way they see fit.
This tactical shooter by Ubisoft Paris was promised to be the best and most realistic installment in the “Ghost Recon” franchise. Graphically, the game exceeded my expectations. The atmosphere is realistic and textured.
Players can fully customize their characters, too, making them look as serious or goofy as possible. The characters tell jokes and share some hilarious dialogue on long journeys that make the game pretty enjoyable. Some jokes are so absurd they can leave the player in stitches.
While the game does have many hours of explorable content, its mechanics quickly grow frustrating. The game has a huge variety of weapons, but there’s a backbreaking catch: The players must find each weapon and weapon part or accessory while they travel through the game’s enormous map.
In order to save time, players can pay to unlock the weapons and attachments through the Ubisoft shop. It will save the player hours of exploring and fighting enemies to get better weapons, but the price gets really steep once all the crates add up. When will big game companies realize that gamers aren’t made of money?
What makes this game stand out is its missions. The game will not force players into any kind of linear combat since each mission is open-ended. This means that players can partake in missions whenever and however they want.
Some missions do require precision and stealth, so be warned that the game cannot be played like a western shoot ‘em up movie.
Unlike all the other “Ghost Recon” games, this game trades futuristic for more realistic and modern settings. Set in Bolivia, the game feels like a more modern third-world country experience. That being said, the game does offer the player technologically advanced gadgets, like drones, to use in combat.
This installment in the “Ghost Recon” series has proven to be a great gaming experience. With the content it comes with, it is worth the $60 price tag, however, you may need to set aside another $20 if you’re planning on unlocking any weapons to save time and avoid endlessly searching for them yourself.
(03/29/17 2:10am)
By Maximilian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
Despite poor critic reviews and a not-so-spectacular Rotten Tomatoes score, “The Belko Experiment” was not a bad movie. The movie does not hold back the gore nor does it spare the viewer’s emotions — it is not for the faint of heart.
Set in Bogota, Columbia, the movie follows 80 American workers who find themselves trapped in a corporate high-rise office. They are ordered to kill each other by an unknown voice through an intercom system. The employees were warned about the consequences of not complying with orders, which are explosively gory to say the least.
Though this movie does not have any A-list actors, there are some recognizable faces within the movie. The acting in this movie is better than most thriller movies, relying on the actors’ talents to drive emotional moments and bring home the comical ones.
The movie’s plot is reminiscent of the Japanese film “Battle Royale” with its kill or be killed attitude. Both movies make it very clear from the beginning that next to no one will be spared and that, for the most part, things will be a bloodbath. There are some very stark differences, but in both movies the survivor is obvious in an ironic manner.
“The Belko Experiment” does bring up some compelling questions of human nature during its hour-and-a-half run time. There are questions of morality, sanity and groupthink, but those questions are sidelined each time a character dies onscreen in a cringe-inducing manner.
The movie is gripping at some points, but hilarious in others. The film mixes unexpected twists with a few disappointing turns. That being said, “The Belko Experiment” will really test your ability to watch a gory thriller movie with a cheap excuse for a love story thrown into it.
The thriller and action aspects of the movie are good. The love story is not even worth mentioning since it was dry and the characters spent most of the time angry with each other due to moral disputes. The love story was intended to humanize characters, but it turned into an annoying part of the movie.
The movie was good overall, but not worth spending the money for theater tickets and concessions. It is best to wait until the movie hits Netflix to watch it from the safety of your bed or couch, as some of the gory details are cringeworthy.
(03/28/17 5:21am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
The Lions softball team split a doubleheader with the State University of New York-Cortland Red Dragons. The first game was closely contested until the Red Dragons scored in the eighth inning to win the game, 2-1. The second game was more one-sided with the Lions winning, 5-1.
In the first game, junior pitcher Sam Platt took a tough loss at the hands of the Red Dragons. The loss put Platt’s season record at 3–3. She pitched a solid game, ultimately surrendering two runs on eight hits, but striking out five batters.
The Red Dragons got out to an early league by scoring in the second inning. They led the game until fifth inning when freshman infielder/outfielder Annalise Suitovsky tied the score with a booming home run that cleared the middle field fences. The homer was Suitovsky’s first as a Lion.
Platt worked her way out of a tough jam in the sixth with runners in scoring position. She induced two infield pop-ups and struck out another batter to end the threat. In a bout of tough luck, the Red Dragons got the go-ahead run in the eighth, giving them the victory.
“Before each game, the team studies the stats of the other team, and we make sure to pay close attention to what the pitchers are like,” said Jess Santelli, sophomore infielder/outfielder. “Something Coach (Sally) Miller is good at is providing us and preparing us with information about what kind of pitching we are likely to see from each pitcher, and we capitalize on that during the practices leading up to the game.
The Lions came out hungry for a victory in game two. Freshmen pitcher Kristen Barrera, sophomore pitcher Sara Bielamowicz and Platt worked together to put the lid on the Red Dragons offense in the second.
The Lions scored three runs in the third inning and established a commanding lead. An RBI single by sophomore infielder/catcher Jess McGuire put the Lions on the board followed by a fielder’s choice by Santelli, putting the Lions out ahead, 3-0.
In the fifth, McGuire hit another RBI-single to put the Lions out to a 4-0 lead. The Lions gave up a run in the sixth, but got it back when junior outfielder Madison Levine blasted a homer over the center field fence. Platt returned in the seventh to secure the win and earned her first save for the season.
In the end, Levine, McGuire and Santelli all had three hits on the day. Levine and Suitovsky both hit home runs. Bielamowicz earned the win for the second game, but Platt earned the save.
The Lions next game is a doubleheader on Wednesday, March 29, at Cabrini College. The team later returns to Dr. June Walker Field on Saturday, April 1, for a conference doubleheader against Rutgers University-Newark starting at 1 p.m.
“There’s definitely a difference playing a non-conference versus a conference team,” Santelli said. “While our approach going into each game remains constant, it is easier to go into a game when you know more about the opposing team.
“Since we know more about conference teams’ strengths and weaknesses, there is no excuse about not knowing what to expect when playing them,” Santelli added. “Out of conference teams are a little bit more challenging to prepare for since we don’t play them as frequently as we play conference teams.”
(03/21/17 5:05am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Sports Assistant
The College concluded its wrestling season on March 11 in La Crosse, Wis., at the NCAA Division III Wrestling National Championships. The team finished 35th out of 68 teams in the competition with freshman Dan Kilroy earning All-American honors.
Kilroy, who weighs 174 pounds, is the second active Lion to place eighth nationally next to senior Doug Hamann.
Kilroy’s season has been a truly successful one, leading the team with 29 wins and 12 pins. He now joins the legacy of Lions achieving All-American status. The team has had at least one All-American during the past 47 seasons.
“My season has been about dreaming big, working hard and taking advantage of opportunities,” Kilroy said. “I have countless people to thank for helping me to be successful. It is an amazing feeling to achieve my goal.”
After an opening round loss, Kilroy won two straight matches to earn his All-American status. Ultimately, Kilroy lost to senior Mike Labell of Johnson & Wales University in the seventh-place match. Kilroy fought hard, but finished eighth in the end.
Head coach Joe Galante’s confidence in his wrestlers never wavered. Before the NCAA D-III Eastern Regional Tournament, he told The Signal the Lions were the team to look out for, and he had no doubt that his wrestlers will move on to the National stage.
His confidence was repaid by Kilroy’s eighth place and All-American finish.
“Having a freshman All-American is important to the growth of our program,” Galante said.
The Lions have a lot of young talent that have the potential to gain an All-American status in the future. The Lions finished a turbulent year with a record of 12-13, marking the first time the wrestling team has finished a losing record under Galante.
The team aims to improve for next year, however, the Lions effort is never a question. With 47 consecutive years with an All-American wrestler, the Lions have a strong legacy to tap into in the coming years.
(02/28/17 7:34am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Correspondent
The Lions traveled to Rocky Mount, Va., on Friday, Feb. 24, and Saturday, Feb. 25, to wrestle in the NCAA Eastern Regional tournament. The team took ninth place, scoring 56.5 points in a heated and competitive tournament. Three Lions placed in the top three spots of their respective weight classes.
The three wrestlers will go on and wrestle in the NCAA Division III National Championships. Senior Nick Herring, freshman Dan Kilroy and senior Doug Hamann all placed second in their weight classes. Sophomore JT Beirne finished sixth at the 149, falling short of qualifying for the national championship.
Going into the weekend, the Lions were confident. Head coach Joe Galante expressed nothing short of confidence in his wrestlers’ abilities.
“We are ready for the challenge,” Galante said. “We will place high and have multiple qualifiers.”
At the end of the first day, three Lions finished 2-0, one win away from qualifying for nationals. Among those three wrestlers was returning All-American Hamann, who moved up to the 184 weight class this year. At the end of the first day, he was undefeated at his higher weight, winning his first match with a technical fall, 16-0, in 1:27 and his second match with a major decision, 13-1.
The following day, Hamann took second place, falling only in the finals. He qualified for the Championships at the 184 weight class. Additionally, he is in contention for his second consecutive All-American status.
Herring was also undefeated in the first day of competition. He won his matches in a 3-2 decision. Herring later won a 6-1 decision over King’s College’s junior Howard Kilpatrick. Herring then advanced to the finals, where he took second at 165 and qualified for the national championships.
Kilroy exceeded expectations for a freshman, winning his semi-finals match, 4-1, as he took second overall at 174 in the tournament. His only loss came to seventh-ranked New York University’s senior John Messinger. Kilroy also qualified for the national championships.
Sophomore JT Beirne and junior Kyle Cocozza both finished the first day 2-1. They needed to wrestle a perfect 3-0 record to take third and advance to the national championships. Cocozza had a rough second day, losing his first match and missing out from the national tournament.
Beirne fought hard, wrestling seven matches throughout the tournament. He ultimately placed sixth and did not qualify for the national championships.
The three remaining Lions look forward to the finals. Galante believes in their ability to represent their school proudly.
The NCAA D-III National Championships will take place in LaCrosse, Wis., from March 10 to March 11.
Last year, Hamann took eighth place in the tournament and continued the team’s 46-year streak of having at least one wrestling All-American. Galante and his Lions intend to keep the tradition alive this year.
(02/14/17 7:17am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Correspondent
The Lions traveled to Doylestown, Pa., to wrestle Delaware Valley University on Friday, Feb. 10. The Lions won a tight 21-19 match. Senior Pat Schinder clinched the narrow victory with a winning decision.
The weekend was bittersweet as the Lions suffered a tough home loss against Messiah College, 37-6, on Saturday, Feb. 11.
The Lions were confident hitting the mat Friday night.
“We tied last year, winning on criteria,” head coach Joe Galante said. “We have some great matchups, and it should be another great match this year.”
Galante wasn’t wrong.
Delaware Valley University had a lot of ups and downs this season. Coming into Friday’s match, the Delvals were 8-8, having lost a close match to Camden County College on Feb. 4. Meanwhile, the Lions were coming off a tough loss to Wilkes University a week prior.
The Lions got off to a quick start with an opening victory from sophomore Luis Rivera. Afterwards, sophomore Ryan Erwin got a pin at 141. The win stretched the Lions advantage to 12-5.
After a close loss at the 157 bout, the Lions won two in a row thanks to sophomore Kyle McIntyre and senior Nick Herring at 165 and 174, respectively. With his victory, Herring extended his seasonal record to 19-1. Herring is also currently ranked No. 9 in the latest National Wrestling Coaches Association poll.
With a final win coming from Schinder, the Lions secured the victory, 21- 19. Overall, the Lions won five matches by decision. The win improved the Lions season record to 12-12, leading into Saturday’s home match against Messiah College.
The 16-3 Falcons came into Saturday off a flurry of victories. The day prior, the No. 8 Falcons beat Elizabethtown College, 29 -20, adding to their dominant 11 game winning streak. Before the match, three graduating seniors for the Lions were honored. Galante had faith in his wrestlers coming against the mighty Falcons.
“They are a great team,” Galante said. “Wrestling them gives us a chance to knock off a top tournament team. It gives us a chance to wrestle against highly seeded opponents. If we can catch them off guard, it can help us in future tournaments.”
Messiah College flew across the floor mat and overwhelmed the Lions. The Lions initially came out with a quick victory by Rivera. The Lions managed to tie the match with a hard fought victory from Erwin, and Erwin’s win was the last for the Lions. The team endured loss after loss, leading to a final score of 37-6. All the losses came at the hands of ranked Falcons wrestlers. The loss dropped the Lions season record to 12-13, marking Galante’s only losing season.
The Lions now look forward to the 2017 NCAA Eastern Regional Championships at Ferrum College and Franklin County High School in Rocky Mount, Va. The Championships are scheduled to start at 9 a.m. on Feb. 24 and Feb. 25. The top three finishers from each weight class in the tournament will automatically qualify for the NCAA Division III Championships.
(02/07/17 10:18am)
By Maximillian C. Burgos
Correspondent
The wrestling team traveled last weekend to Wilkes University on Friday, Feb. 3, and then to the Messiah College Open on Saturday, Feb. 4. The Lions ultimately fell to the Wilkes University Colonels, and the team’s record fell, 11-12.
Some standouts from this weekend are sophomore Ryan Erwin, who took fifth place at the Messiah College open, followed by junior Kyle Cocozza who finished third place at the Messiah College open.
Cocozza also won his match at the Wilkes University dual, along with senior Nick Herring, freshman Dan Kilroy, who won his match at the dual, and senior Pat Schinder.
Other noteworthy mentions include senior Sigala Fosam, who took seventh place at the Messiah College Open, freshman Marcus Sherrod, sophomore Kyle McIntyre and freshman Sean Tonry who also garnered places.
The Lions fell 27-16 to Wilkes University on Friday night. They won four of their 10 bouts, struggling early in the match. Herring posted the first Lions win of the night at 165, and Kilroy followed that up with a major decision, 11-0 at the 174. Kilroy’s win shortened the Lions deficit, 12-7.
Following a technical fall at 184, the Lions rebounded and won two straight bouts. Schinder won by decision, 5-4, and Cocozza won by a pin in two minutes and 22 seconds. The rest of the night didn’t go as planned for the Lions, but they came out strong the next morning.
Cocozza’s third in the heavyweight class was the highest place for the Lions at the Messiah College Open on Saturday. Cocozza managed to go 4-1 on the day, en route to the bronze. Erwin took fifth place at the 141 weight class, ending the day at 3-2.
Fosam took seventh in the heavyweight bracket, though he had to fight his way through four-straight matches in the consolation bracket to earn his seventh place finish, ending the day 5-2. Other notables include Sherrod, earning eighth place at the 157 weight class, McIntyre, taking eighth place at 165 and Tonry, seizing eighth place at 184.
Overall, it was a tough weekend for the Lions, but they are confident heading to this weekend’s matches. The Lions travel to Doylestown, Pa., on Friday, Feb. 10, to wrestle Delaware Valley University. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m.
The Lions also have a home match on Saturday, Feb. 11, against Messiah College. The Falcons are 15-3 in dual meets. They are coming off a flurry of recent victories and two first-place rankings in recent tournaments. The match is scheduled to start at noon.