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Western New England College - Athletic News
MANDEE SIGNOR AND E.J. CZAJKOWSKI HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Volleyball tri-captain Mandee Signor (East Haven, CT) and golf standout E.J. Czajkowski (Burlington, CT) were honored Tuesday (Sept. 23) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Signor, a junior setter, had 45 assists with seven aces and four blocks in victories over Emerson College and Southern Vermont College. A sport management major, she leads the squad in both assists (267) and aces (32).
Czajkowski, a freshman, tied for 11th among 119 players at the Williams Invitational on September 20-21 with a two-day score of 152. He fired rounds of 79 and 73 over the challenging Taconic Golf Course to help the Golden Bears place 13th in the 22-team field. Czajkowski is an accounting major.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SET TO MEET FITCHBURG STATE COLLEGE IN HOME FOOTBALL OPENER ON SATURDAY
Game moved to Springfield because of wet field on Falcons' campus
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College will open its home season with a New England Football Conference (NEFC) non-division game starting at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, September 20, against Fitchburg State College at Golden Bear Stadium.
Fitchburg was scheduled to host the contest during its homecoming weekend, but a wet field caused by heavy rains forced the move to the WNEC campus and the AstroPlay surface at the two-year-old facility.
WNEC opened its season with a 26-3 loss at Westfield State College last Friday night. The Owls jumped to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter in capturing their third straight President's Cup Trophy. The Golden Bears gained only 195 yards but didn't commit any turnovers.
"There were some good things we took out of the game," said WNEC coach Gerry Martin. "Our offense is getting better each day and we look to continue that trend Saturday. On defense, we are going to fine tune a couple of things and probably move some players around."
Junior running back Mike Laroche (Kensington, CT) made the weekly NEFC honor roll after gaining 112 yards on 28 carries (4.0 avg.). It was the third 100-yard game of his career and second best performance.
Freshman quarterback Jim Kantany (East Longmeadow, MA) completed 8-of-11 passes for 53 yards in his collegiate debut, but was sacked four times. "Overall, he had a good day against a good team," Martin stated. "Jim will improve with more playing time and he can be an exciting player or us."
Freshman strong safety Brent Dube (Lewiston, ME) also enjoyed a successful collegiate debut with seven tackles.
Senior linebacker and team captain Jeff Pinney (Westfield, MA) suffered a broken right hand, but received clearance to play against Fitchburg.
Fitchburg State has a 0-1 record after dropping its season opener at home against Curry by the score of 23-5.
"Fitchburg State has a big, strong, physical team and we are going to have a battle with them," noted Martin. "They were among the most improved teams in the conference last year and they expect to contend for their division title this year."
This will be the 11th meeting between the schools with WNEC holding a 5-4-1 lead in the series that started in 1986. Fitchburg State scored in the final 1:20 last year to claim a 26-25 victory.
SOCCER PLAYERS JANA LOPER AND ROB OSTREM HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Soccer players Jana Loper (Glastonbury, CT) and Rob Ostrem (West Islip, NY) were honored Tuesday (Sept. 16) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Loper, a junior, compiled six points after scoring two goals with two assists in a 6-0 victory over Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on September 10 that was the first win of the season for the Golden Bears. Loper is a psychology major.
Ostrem, a freshman, scored his first two collegiate goals in a 6-0 victory over visiting Emmanuel College on September 13 in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) opener for both teams. Ostrem is a computer science major.
TENNIS PLAYER CHRISTINE REICHLIN SELECTED THE FIRST 2003-04 WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK
Casey Kasenetz gains volleyball honor
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Freshman tennis player Christine Reichlin (Westport, CT) was honored Tuesday (Sept. 9) as the first Western New England College Athlete-of-the-Week for the 2003-04 school year.
Reichlin, a psychology major, made an impressive collegiate debut winning both her No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles matches in a 7-2 victory over Springfield College on September 5. It was the first win for the Golden Bears over the Pride in five meetings.
In other news, Western New England College junior women's volleyball player Casey Kasenetz (Torrington, NY) was named to the Plymouth State Super 8 Invitational All-Tournament Team on September 7. A biology major, Kasenetz had 24 kills with 16 digs, six service aces, and five blocks in three matches.
OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM VETERAN JEFF PINNEY SETS SIGHTS ON SUCCESSFUL FOOTBALL SEASON AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College senior football captain Jeff Pinney of Westfield was second on the team last year with 61 tackles, but that was nothing compared to the assignment he had to tackle this past spring.
Pinney, a linebacker, spent almost three months participating in Operation Iraqi Freedom as an Air National Guard member of the 104th Fighter Wing based out of Westfield-Barnes Airport.
An aircraft electrician, Pinney helped maintain the lights, wires, and environmental systems on the powerful A-10's that saw considerable action in the conflict.
Pinney enlisted in the Air National Guard in April 1999 and has spent two weeks each summer and a weekend every month learning his trade. When his unit left for overseas shortly after Valentine's Day, Pinney was confident his group would succeed after their initial training and drills.
"We were well-prepared," Pinney said. "We had a job to do and we did it. I spent a lot of time thinking about my family and friends. I thought about Western New England College all the time, especially my teammates. I worried about getting back in time for the football season."
Because of security reasons, Pinney couldn't disclose where he was stationed, but did say that the conditions where he lived were tolerable despite daily temperatures reaching 100 degrees. "I worked at night, so it was tough sleeping in a tent during the day," he stated.
Pinney was relaxed at the team's picture day last week. He is anxious to continue his life as a student-athlete and earn his undergraduate degree as a history/education major.
WNEC coach Gerry Martin noted, "Jeff is a great leader of men. His teammates and coaches are proud of the service he performed for our country. As a war veteran, he has the admiration and respect of everyone. As an athlete, Jeff has improved every year and should be one of the top linebackers in the New England Football Conference this season."
Ironically, Pinney will make his 2003 debut in his hometown when the Golden Bears visit Westfield State College at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 12. That day is also his 23rd birthday and you can bet there will be a lot fans in the stands that evening cheering for number 46.
Western New England College will scrimmage Freedom Football Conference opponent Plymouth State College at 4:00 p.m. Friday, September 5 in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
YOUNG WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE FIELD HOCKEY TEAM CHALLENGES FOR NORTH ATLANTIC CONFERENCE TITLE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's field hockey team will have a young look in 2003 with 10 freshmen and six sophomores on the 25-player roster.
WNEC posted a12-10 record last fall that was a school record for wins and placed second in the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament for the first time.
Although All-NAC performers Kara Acken (school's all-time leading scorer with 92 points) and Teresa DeLuca (top defender) graduated, first-year coach Sarah Kelly has one of the best players in the region in sophomore Alyssa Katz (Cortlandt Manor, NY) who led the Golden Bears in scoring as a rookie with 33 points (11 goals, 11 assists) in gaining all-conference recognition.
WNEC also returns a couple of experienced performers in senior Nicole DeRosa (Utica, NY) who compiled 14 points (6 goals, 2 assists) and junior Adrienne Guay (Enfield, CT) who tallied 12 points (5 goals, 2 assists).
DeRosa and senior Whitney Boucher (Tyngsboro, MA) will serve as the team co-captains.
The Golden Bears have a solid goalie in sophomore Jillian Brown (Plymouth, MA) who compiled a respectable 85.5 save percentage and had a 1.64 goals-against-average in her rookie season.
Freshmen Stephanie Gildart (Portland, ME) and Allison Jameson (Brattleboro, VT) could make an immediate impact.
"We're looking forward to another successful season and getting a shot at winning the NAC Tournament title," said Kelly.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL TEAM LOOKS TO CONTINUE WINNING WAYS IN 2003
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Fresh off a record-breaking season, Western New England College women's volleyball team hopes to continue its winning ways in 2003 with 12 returning letter-winners. The Golden Bears open their campaign September 5-6 at the Plymouth State College Tournament.
WNEC posted a 21-13 record last fall that was a school record for wins and the program's fourth consecutive winning season. The Golden Bears also tied for first place in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) during the regular season and advanced to the semifinals of the conference tournament for the third straight year.
The top performer was outside hitter Brenda Post (Groton, CT) who became the first person in school history to receive GNAC Player-of-the-Year honors. A three-year All-GNAC selection, she led the squad in hitting percentage (.337), kills (425), and service aces (130). Post also set 11 school records, including career kills (1,224).
"Although Brenda graduated, we start the new season with excitement, anticipation, and high expectations for another great year," says seventh-year coach Greg Poole.
The only senior on the team is outside hitter Katie Habernig (Kingston, NY) who will serve as a team captain with junior outside hitter Erin Dearing (Wilbraham, MA) and junior setter Mandee Signor (East Haven, CT). Signor led the Golden Bears in assists and was an All-GNAC selection.
Junior middle blocker Jenn Kuehl (Middleton, NH) is another player to watch this season.
Top freshmen include middle blockers Kathryn Keyes (Wilbraham, MA), Amanda Martin (Ludlow, MA), and Teddy Woeppel (Cooperstown, NY), and outside hitter Amy Lorinovich (Pinkerton, NH).
"We have 14 new players and while that may seem like too many players, we have a strong junior varsity program, so there is a spot for everyone on our rosters," noted Poole.
FOUR FORMER WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE STANDOUTS, A COACHING LEGEND, AND SOCCER TEAM NAMED TO DOWNES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
Fifth Induction Ceremony Scheduled for October 18, 2003
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Four former outstanding student-athletes, a coaching legend, and a championship soccer team will be inducted into the fifth annual Western New England College Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 18, during Homecoming Weekend.
The Class of 2003 features Tony Aguiar '69, soccer; Peter Harris '79, basketball; Roma St. George-Knapton '83, basketball/softball; Brian Kelliher '94, football; former men's tennis coach Phil Sweeney, and the 1998 Golden Bears women's soccer team.
Aguiar, a forward, is the school's all-time leading scorer in men's soccer with 175 points (60 goals, 55 assists) in three seasons. He also holds several other school marks including goals in a season (26 in 1966) and assists in a game (5 vs. Franklin Pierce in 1968). With Aguiar leading the way, the Golden Bears captured the 1967 New England State College Conference Tournament and placed second at the NAIA New England Regional Championship. He resides in Richmond, Virginia.
Harris, a guard, led the Golden Bears in scoring during the 1977-78 and 1978-79 seasons with averages of 21.3 and 21.6 points. He is a member of the school's 1,000-point club and ranks fifth on the school's all-time list with a 21.4 average. A native of Manchester, Connecticut, Harris was named to the All-New England Division III First Team his senior year and received an honorable mention on the NCAA Division III All-America Team.
Knapton, a native of Chicopee, Massachusetts, was the first player in Golden Bears women's basketball history to score 1,000 points; she is now sixth on the all-time list (1,260 points in three years). A center, she had one of the greatest seasons in school history in 1979-80 averaging 20.8 points and 22.1 rebounds. Knapton also is the school's only two-time honoree on the Verizon (now GTE) Academic All-America Team. Knapton played second base in softball and compiled a .350 career batting average. She was the first .400 hitter in school history with a .437 average in 1980.
Kelliher, a strong safety, was a two-time captain and Eastern Collegiate Football Conference (ECFC) selection. He was selected to the All-ECFC First Team and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England All-Star Second Team his senior season. A native of Rockland, Massachusetts, Kelliher compiled 244 tackles and had 11 interceptions during his career.
Sweeney, 86, served as the head coach of the Western New England College men's tennis squad for 18 years, amassing nearly 100 career victories. More importantly, he is credited with saving the program from elimination in the 1980's. Sweeney also was an adjunct faculty member teaching tennis for 10 years at the College. One of the top players in the area, he was the 1949 New England Public Parks singles and doubles champion. He also represented the United States against Canada in the Gordon Cup Championship (the senior equivalent to the Davis Cup) in the 1980's. Sweeney won tournaments in every decade from the 1930's to the 1990's. A native of Springfield, he is a former principal at both Commerce High School and Classical Junior High School in the city. In 1981 the City of Springfield honored Sweeney by naming the Commerce athletic fields in his honor.
The 1998 Western New England College women's soccer team established a school record for wins with a 20-2 mark and captured the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Championship for the program's first post-season tournament title.
Team members: Dianne Baron (Chicopee, MA), tri-captain Jennifer Bonafede (Troy, NY), tri-captain Kate Brunelle-Roman (East Longmeadow, MA), Molly Burke (Westfield, MA), Kristen Ogulewicz-Cunningham (Springfield, MA), Callie Durbrow (Washington, VT), Lisa DiTaranto (Hubbardston, MA), Kristy Eppolitto (West Springfield, MA), Tapleigh Fallon (Springfield, MA), Kate Farry (Pittsfield, MA), Lilliam Guerra (Springfield, MA), Megan Halloran (Waldwick, NJ), tri-captain Carrie Hoffman (Naperville, IL), Deanna Partlow (Northfield, VT), Alison Reseigne (Agawam, MA), Marissa Stawasz (West Springfield, MA), Stephanie Szajna (Sutton, MA), Stephanie Wordell (Little Compton, RI), team manager Travis Wolf (Midland Park, MD), and assistant coach Ryan Kelly.
Brunelle-Roman led the team in scoring with 87 points (34 goals, 19 assists), followed by Burke with 74 points (33-8), Ogulewicz with 48 points (9-30), and Fallon with 45 points (17-11).
Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and present men's golf coach William Arthur (Red) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.
HOT WEATHER GREETS WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE FOOTBALL TEAM ON FIRST DAY OF PRACTICE THURSDAY AT GOLDEN BEAR STADIUM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — With 90 players expected back for the first day of practice and 90 degree weather in the forecast, Western New England College football coach Gerry Martin will keep a close eye on the heat when team members participate in their first workout from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 21, at Golden Bear Stadium.
"The first day of practice is always exciting and we're happy to begin another season," said Martin. "However, we are concerned about the heat and the effect it can have on our players. We will work closely with our athletic training staff to monitor the heat index on the field and if it goes beyond the safety level, we will stop practice.
"The first two days our players will wear helmets with no pads, and I'm sure we will have more water breaks," Martin noted.
According to WNEC head athletic trainer Kim O'Leary, keeping a careful eye on the hot and muggy weather is always a top priority. O'Leary has published a Heat Illness Emergency Plan that she has distributed to all of the College's fall sports coaches. The report contains risk factors associated with signs and symptoms of various heat illnesses like dehydration, heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
O'Leary and her staff will use a sling psychrometer to keep a close watch on the heat index. The psychrometer checks the air temperature and humidity, and determines the danger zone if the temperature and humidity are too high.
For example, if the number is border line, then team members will require more water breaks, and less equipment use at practice. If the number is over the norm, then practice is either canceled or moved to another time during the day.
"This year, because of recent football deaths on the high school, collegiate, and professional levels, the NCAA requires that players acclimate themselves to the weather and their conditioning drills by participating in a single workout the first five days of pre-season," said O'Leary who is in her sixth season on the Golden Bears staff.
"We don't like the heat," added O'Leary. "We will have plenty of water and ice on hand just in case we run into any problems."
O'Leary, assistant athletic trainer Mike Valle, and Springfield College athletic training students Kelly Klein of Adams and Trinity Harrington of Beverly will handle the athletic training needs for the Golden Bears this season.
WNEC opens its 23rd season at 7:00 p.m. Friday, September 12 at Westfield State College.
Items of Interest: John Caverly of Wilbraham has been named the Golden Bears' offensive coordinator. Caverly was the head football coach at East Longmeadow High School the last six years. He will continue to serve as the dean of students at the high school. A native of Bath, Maine, Caverly is a 1992 graduate of Springfield College where he played center for four years. Caverly was the head coach of the West team at the 2003 Shriners All-Star Game that was played June 28 in Springfield... WNEC will scrimmage Freedom Football Conference member Plymouth State University starting at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 5, in Plymouth, New Hampshire.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S SOCCER TEAM HAS BIG SHOES TO FILL IN 2003
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's women's soccer team will have a new look this fall as it challenges for a third straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title. The Golden Bears open their 20th season on Tuesday, September 2, at perennial regional power Keene State College.
Last year, Western New England College posted a 16-7 record for its eighth consecutive winning season and second highest win total in its history. The Golden Bears also as GNAC Tournament champions and participated in the NCAA Division III Championship for the third time in four years losing its opening round match on penalty kicks at Bridgewater State College.
"We have a difficult non-conference schedule and are on the road for our first four matches, including a trip to New Jersey for the Drew Fall Classic," said coach Ron Dias who is in his 10th season. "Obviously, we need to pull things together very quickly. "This is going to be an interesting year because we have some big shoes to fill after losing five seniors and starting goal keeper Jessica Vital," he stated.
The Golden Bears' biggest loss is forward Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) who ended her sensational career eighth on the all-time NCAA Division III scoring list with 242 points (100 goals, 42 assists). She also was a first-team All-New England performer and two time GNAC Player-of-the-Year. Four-year starter and two-time All-GNAC midfielder Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) graduated after scoring 70 career points (sixth on the WNEC list). She also was a Verizon Academic All-America selection in 2002. Vital (Ludlow, MA), a two-time All-GNAC selection, compiled a 0.48 goals-against-average (14th nationally) with 14 shutouts. She had a 0.56 goals-against-average and 18 shutouts in 40 matches during her two years with the program.
"Those individuals were great players, but we have several returning veterans along with some promising newcomers who could help us immediately," Dias noted.
Senior co-captains Jessica Hulsey (Springfield, MA) and Elaina Johnson (Sandgate, VT) anchored the Golden Bears defense that was 10th nationally last year in goals-against-average (0.47). Johnson is a two-time All-GNAC player. "Both individuals are proven defenders who will provide excellent leadership," said Dias.
Also returning are junior Jana Loper (Glastonbury, CT), a two-time All-GNAC performer who was third on the team in scoring last year with 22 points (8 goals, 6 assists), and sophomore Liz Eldridge (Westboro, MA) who enjoyed a solid rookie campaign with 16 points (6 goals, 4 assists).
Dias was pleased with his recruiting class that included keepers Marisa Sullivan (Halesite, NY) and Jacqueline Boychuk (Avon, CT). Sullivan played on the Long Island Junior Select UnderÐ17 team while Boychuck was the starter on the two-time Avon High School Division I state championship squad. Another freshman to watch is midfielder Kristin Thornton (Bedford, NH) whose older brother Scott is a junior tri-captain on the WNEC men's soccer team. "Kristin understands the game very well and could be an impact player with our program," noted Dias.
Items of Interest: Dias is the winningest women's soccer coach in school history with a 122-62-4 record (65.4%)É Matt Gour (East Longmeadow, MA) is the new assistant coach this season. "Matt graduated from St. Leo University in Florida and played for me on several Western Massachusetts United Teams. He will be a great addition although I hate to lose my son Mike who moved to Boston after coaching here the last two season," said Ron DiasÉ The Golden Bears all-time record is 172-148-8 (53.7%).
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND MEN'S SOCCER TEAM HOPES TO CHALLENGE FOR GNAC TITLE IN 2003
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's men's soccer team hopes to challenge for the 2003 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title with nine starters among 15 returning lettermen along with a promising group of newcomers.
The Golden Bears begin their 38th season at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, September 4, against regional powerhouse Wheaton College at Supernant Field.
Last year Western New England College posted a 13-7-3 record that was the third highest win total in school history. The Golden Bears also captured the regular season conference crown and participated in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship for the second straight year. WNEC recorded a school record 13 shutouts that ranked 18th nationally.
In 2001, Western New England College posted a 14-8-1 mark and placed second in the GNAC Tournament.
Fourth-year coach Erin Sullivan returns his top three scorers from a year ago led by sophomore forward Mike Schnepp (Feeding Hills, MA) who compiled a team high 21 points (8 goals, 5 assists) as a rookie. All-GNAC junior midfielder Kevin Lutter (Downingtown, PA) added 11 points (4 goals, 3 assists) while junior midfielder Scott Thornton (Bedford, NH) contributed 10 points (3 goals, 4 assists).
Thornton will serve as a team tri-captain with senior midfielder Michael Till (Farmington, CT) and junior defender Pat Danby (Cheshire, CT).
Also returning are junior goalkeeper Jay Martyn (Poughkeepsie, NY) who compiled a respectable 1.44 goals-against-average in eight matches with two shutouts last fall and sophomore defender Scott Meikle (Bethel, CT) who was named to the 2002 GNAC All-Tournament Team.
Three freshmen to watch are midfielders Scott Bullis (Barre, VT) and Tim Larocca (East Longmeadow, MA), and goalkeeper Kevin Koch (Chester, NY). Bullis was a two-time Vermont All-State selection while Larocca was a two-time All-Western Massachusetts honoree. Koch was the keeper for the Eastern New York State Olympic Development Team.
"With only one returning senior, much of the leadership responsibility will fall on our captains as well as on an experienced group of juniors and sophomores," said Sullivan. "The character and determination shown by our players during the past two seasons has been tremendous. We feel that we are in a strong position to contend for our conference title and be one of the most competitive teams in the region."
Items of Interest: WNEC will play five teams that participated in the 2002 NCAA Division III Tournament (Amherst, Babson, Johnson & Wales, Keene State, and Worcester State). "Without question, our schedule has improved each year and it has forced us to elevate our level of play each and every game," Sullivan statedÉ Sullivan also announced that former captain Nathan Soucy (Gilford, NH) will serve as his assistant coach this season. Soucy, a senior mechanical engineering major, was a three-time All-GNAC defender for the Golden Bears. "Nate was a tremendous coach on the field and mentor off the field," noted Sullivan.
SARAH KELLY NAMED NEW FIELD HOCKEY COACH AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Aug. 12, 2003) — Sarah Kelly has been named the new field hockey coach at Western New England College, athletics director Mike Theulen announced Tuesday (Aug. 12). She succeeds Aimee Klepacki who is expecting her first baby later this month. Klepacki will remain as the Golden Bears' women's lacrosse coach.
"Sarah will be a welcome addition to our coaching staff," said Theulen. "She has enjoyed tremendous success as a player and coach, and will continue to make our program one of the best in the North Athletic Conference."
A native of Enfield, New Hampshire, Kelly is a 2000 graduate of Springfield College where she earned her bachelor of science degree in athletic training. She was a three-time National Field Hockey Coaches Association (NFHCA) Division III All-American and a three-time NFHCA Academic Team selection. Kelly scored 75 points (22 goals, 31 assists) during her four-year career. In May 2002, she received her master of education degree in strength and conditioning at SC.
Kelly joined the Golden Bears athletic staff last September as the College's head strength and conditioning coach, assistant athletic trainer, and Wellness Coordinator. Kelly served as head coach of the Springfield College junior varsity field hockey team in 2001 and recruited several players on the Pride's nationally ranked varsity squad.
Western New England College opens its 23rd season at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, September 3, at Eastern Connecticut State University.
Last year Western New England College posted a 12-10 record that was a school record for wins and the team's best mark since 1987. The Golden Bears also placed second in the NAC Tournament after finishing fifth in the league during the regular season.
TOM BURTON GUEST OF HONOR AT THE FIFTH ANNUAL WESTERN NEW ENGLAND GOLF TOURNAMENT SEPTEMBER 15
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College Board of Trustees chairman Tom Burton will be the guest of honor at the fifth annual WNEC Athletics Department Golf Tournament Monday, September 15, at the Crestview Country Club in Agawam.
Burton, a 1970 graduate of Western New England College, serves as president and chief executive officer of Hampden Bank. He is a member of numerous community and professional organizations, including the Affiliated Chambers of Commerce of Greater Springfield and the Springfield Library and Museums Association.
"During Tom's six years as board chairman, our program has enjoyed unprecedented success on the playing fields and in the classroom," said WNEC athletics director Mike Theulen. "It is only fitting that we honor Tom for his overall contributions to the growth and success of the College."
For the first time, there will be two starting times at 8:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the scramble format event.
Prizes will be awarded for the low gross and low net winners, closest to the pin, straightest drive, and longest drive. Players will be able to purchase raffle and mulligan tickets. The raffle and auction follow the tournament.
All proceeds from the tournament benefit the Western New England College athletics department.
For further information, please contact the WNEC athletics department at (413) 782-1202.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SENIOR GOALIE PATRICK DABROWSKI NAMED PILGRIM LEAGUE WEST DIVISION CO-PLAYER-OF-THE-YEAR
Four players selected to Pilgrim League West Division All-Star Team
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Ñ Western New England College senior goalie Patrick Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD) has been named the 2003 Pilgrim League West Division Men's Lacrosse Co-Player-of-the-Year.
Dabrowski led the league with a 66.8 save percentage that was ninth nationally among NCAA Division III players. He also recorded a 9.29 goals-against-average. Dabrowski shared the award with sophomore Louis Luchetti of Lasell College.
Dabrowski also was selected to the Pilgrim League West Division All-Star Team with classmates Tim Cinque (Lynbrook, NY) and Dan Gildart (Portland, ME), and junior Marco Le Gette (Severna Park, MD).
Le Gette, an attack player, led the Golden Bears in scoring with 37 points (26 goals, 11 assists) while Cinque, a midfielder, was third with 35 points (14 goals, team high 21 assists). Gildart anchored the defensive unit that allowed only 8.82 goals a game.
Cinque and Dabrowski also were selected to the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division III All-Star Second Team while Gildart received an honorable mention on the NEILA squad.
Dabrowski and Gildart made the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England All-Star First Team.
Western New England College posted an 8-9 record this past spring after playing several nationally ranked teams. The Golden Bears repeated as Pilgrim League West Division champions and placed second in the Pilgrim League Tournament.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE'S ATHLETICS TEAMS ENJOY ANOTHER WINNING SEASON IN 2002-03
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 19, 2003) — Western New England College's athletics program enjoyed another successful season during the 2002-03 school year by compiling an overall record of 209-152-5 for a 57.8 winning percentage. The College's five spring squads led the way with an 85-44 mark for a 65.9 winning percentage.
The Golden Bears had two teams participate in NCAA Division III Championships (women's soccer and softball) and four squads qualify for ECAC Division III Tournaments (baseball, men's golf, women's lacrosse, and men's soccer).
WNEC sponsors 19 varsity sports, although the men's and women's cross country teams and men's golf squad don't have won-lost records. Twelve of the 16 teams had winning records with women's volleyball (21), field hockey (12), and men's tennis (12) establishing school records for wins in a season.
Western New England College captured Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament titles in men's cross country (first time), women's soccer, softball, and men's tennis. The Golden Bears won regular season conference crowns in women's soccer, softball, and men's tennis.
WNEC tied for regular season GNAC honors in men's soccer and women's volleyball. The baseball, women's basketball, women's swimming, and women's tennis teams all finished second at their respective GNAC Tournaments. The baseball squad also took second at the ECAC Division III New England Regional Tournament.
WNEC's softball team captured its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship and was ranked 10th nationally in the final Division III poll that was the highest ranking ever by a Golden Bears squad in any sport.
Western New England College's field hockey team placed second at the North Atlantic Conference (NAC) Tournament for the first time.
The men's lacrosse team repeated as Pilgrim League West Division champions and placed second in the Pilgrim League Tournament. In women's lacrosse, the Golden Bears took second during the regular season in the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) and finished second at the conference tournament.
Ron Dias (women's soccer), Jennifer Kolins (men's and women's tennis) and Brian Walsh (men's cross country) received GNAC Coach-of-the-Year honors.
Numerous students received athletic and academic awards for their performances on the playing fields and in the classroom.
Senior Molly Burke (Westfield, MA) was the GNAC Women's Soccer Player-of-the-Year for the second straight season while senior Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) received her second consecutive GNAC Softball Pitcher-of-the-Year award and was the ECAC Division III New England Pitcher-of-the-Year.
Senior Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT) was the GNAC men's cross country individual champion and the GNAC Men's Tennis Co-Player-of-the-Year.
Senior Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) became the school's first women's soccer player named to the Verizon Academic All-America Team (she was a third-team selection). Junior Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) was the recipient of her second consecutive NEWLA Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year award and was selected to the Verizon Academic All-America Second Team.
FOUR WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE PLAYERS NAMED TO IWLCA DIVISION III ACADEMIC HONOR ROLL
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 17, 2003) — Four Western New England College players were named Tuesday to the 2003 Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division III Academic Honor Roll.
They were seniors Anna Adair (Castleton, NY), elementary education, and Sarah Lerz (Wolcott, CT), marketing communications/advertising, and juniors Tina Amarante (Cheshire, CT), computer information systems, and Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY), finance.
Western New England College also received a Merit Squad award from the IWLCA for having a team grade-point-average of 3.00 or better.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE JUNIOR SHANNON PIZZINGRILLI NAMED TO NATIONAL VERIZON ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (June 12, 2003) — Western New England College junior lacrosse standout Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) added another impressive award to her collection Thursday (June 12) when she was named to the 2003 Verizon Academic All-America College Division Women's At-Large Second Team.
Pizzingrilli was among six New England Division II/III student-athletes voted to the 45-member academic squad by the nation's college sports publicists. Colby senior Eleanor Boyce (rowing) made the first squad while third-team honors went to Brandeis senior Tracy Marien (fencing), Franklin Pierce senior Kelly Henry (field hockey), New Haven senior Kelley Delaney (lacrosse), and Wesleyan senior Betsy Masiello (field hockey).
Pizzingrilli has a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point-average in finance. She was voted the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year the past two seasons and was a repeat selection on the All-NEWLA First Team. She also made the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England All-Star First Team and was the 2003 WNEC Most Valuable Player.
A center/defensive wing, Pizzingrilli is the second WNEC lacrosse player to receive this prestigious national honor. Former captain Laura Sturgis '01 was a first-team selection in 2001.
Pizzingrilli led the Golden Bears in scoring this past spring with a school record 97 points (55 goals, 42 assists). She led the team in ground balls (88) and draw controls (35), and was second in caused turnovers (47). Pizzingrilli was 14th nationally in assists per game (2.33 avg.) and 17th in points per game (5.39). She is the school's all-time leading scorer with 179 points (111 goals, 68 assists).
Western New England College posted an 11-7 record for the program's fourth consecutive winning season. The Golden Bears placed second in the NEWLA Tournament and advanced to the semifinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Championship.
Student-athletes from 1,644 Division II/III programs in 12 sports (fencing, field hockey, golf, gymnastics, ice hockey, lacrosse, rifle, rowing, skiing, swimming, tennis, and water polo) are eligible for the Verizon Academic All-America College Division Women's At-Large Team.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE JUNIOR SHANNON PIZZINGRILLI AGAIN NAMED NEWLA SCHOLAR-ATHLETE-OF-THE-YEAR
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 30, 2003) — Western New England College junior Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year for the second consecutive season.
Pizzingrilli, a center/defensive wing, has a perfect 4.0 cumulative grade-point-average in finance. She led WNEC in scoring this past spring with a school record 97 points (55 goals, 42 assists). She also led the Golden Bears in ground balls (88) and draw controls (35), and was second in caused turnovers (47). Pizzingrilli is the school's all-time leading scorer with 179 points (111 goals, 68 assists). She was a repeat selection on the All-NEWLA First Team, a member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England All-Star First Team, and the WNEC Most Valuable Player.
Also gaining All-NEWLA First Team honors were seniors Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA) and Brenna Plutino (Pitman, NJ), sophomore Sarah Cunningham (LaGrangeville, NY), and freshmen Tara Cushman (Scituate, MA) and Alyson Nowell (Feeding Hills, MA). Senior Anna Adair (Castleton, NY) made the All-NEWLA Second Team.
Carney, a defensive wing/center, contributed 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists) and led the team in caused turnovers (60 that was sixth nationally).
Plutino, an attack player, scored 42 points (31 goals, 11 assists) with 51 ground balls. She finished her career with 118 points (80 goals, 38 assists).
Cunningham played the cover point position and was second on the team in ground balls (82) and third in caused turnovers (37). She also scored five points (2 goals, 3 assists).
Cushman, a goalie enjoyed a solid rookie season compiling a 7.59 goals-against-average (that was 19th nationally) and 54.5 save percentage in 16 contests (12 starts).
Nowell, a right attack wing, had a successful rookie season finishing second on the team in scoring with 47 points (25 goals, 22 assists).
Adair, a defender and team tri-captain, compiled 26 ground balls and 14 caused turnovers while scoring seven points (5 goals, 2 assists). She also was the recipient of the WNEC Coaches Award for dedication and leadership.
In other news, sophomore attack player Kristin Pimental (Tiverton, RI) was selected the WNEC Most Improved Player after scoring 27 points (14 goals, 13 assists). Senior attack player and tri-captain Christie Pfister (East Greenbush, NY) was third on the team in scoring with 43 points (31 goals, 12 assists). She ended her outstanding career second on the school's all-time scoring list with 177 points (school record 135 goals, 42 assists).
Western New England College posted an 11-7 record for the program's fourth consecutive winning season. The Golden Bears placed second in the NEWLA Tournament and advanced to the semifinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Championship.
THREE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE PLAYERS NAMED TO ALL-GNAC BASEBALL TEAM
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 29, 2003) — Western New England College sophomore catcher Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT), sophomore outfielder Jeff Maurutis (Milford, CT) and freshman pitcher/second baseman Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA) have been named to the 2003 All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Team.
Hackney and Maurutis earned spots on the All-GNAC First Team while Connelly was an All-GNAC Second Team honoree and the GNAC Rookie-of-the-Year.
Hackney was second on the team in hitting with a .333 average and first in doubles (13) and RBI (39). He also was tied for the team lead in triples (4) and second in hits (48) and slugging percentage (.521). Hackney was an All-GNAC Second Team selection last year.
Maurutis led the Golden Bears in hitting (.385), hits (57), runs (32), stolen bases (18 in 19 attempts), homers (4), slugging percentage (.574), and on-base percentage (.450). He also was named to the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) Division III Third Team.
Connelly led the pitching staff with a 5-3 record and 3.17 earned-run-average. He allowed 52 hits in 48.1 innings with 30 strikeouts and only eight walks. Connelly also hit .266 with 28 runs (second best on team), nine doubles, and a homer.
Western New England College finished with a 22-18 record for its third consecutive 20-win season. The Golden Bears also placed second in both the GNAC and Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Tournaments.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SOFTBALL TEAM RANKED 10TH IN FINAL USA TODAY/NFCA DIVISION III POLL
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 28, 2003) — Western New England College softball team completed its "Silver Anniversary" in fine fashion by being ranked 10th in the final USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll that was released Wednesday.
There are 385 NCAA Division III softball teams in the country.
"This is a great way to finish the season," said an elated WNEC coach Lori Mayhew. "I thought we deserved to be a top 10 team based on our showing in the regionals."
Western New England College compiled a 32-7 record this spring that was the second most wins in school history and the program's second straight 30-win campaign. The Golden Bears were 34-9-1 last year.
WNEC also repeated as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions and captured its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship to earn an invitation to Salem, Virginia for the championship finals.
At the NCAA Division III Final Eight Championship, Western New England College lost to national champion Central College (Iowa), 7-0, and Cortland (N.Y.), 2-0.
Still, it was a season to remember as the Golden Bears ended the year with the school's highest ranking ever in any sport.
KRIS HEBERT, JACQUIE BAILEY, TOM MICHAUD, AND JAMIE CARNEY WIN MAJOR ATHLETIC AWARDS AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Basketball captain Kris Hebert (Chicopee, MA) and soccer captain Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) were named the Western New England College Male and Female Senior Scholar Athletes-of-the-Year at the school's recent Honors Convocation.
Hebert, an accounting major with a 3.60 cumulative grade-point-average, was named to the Verizon Academic District 1 College Division Team. A forward, he was the Co-Player-of-the-Year in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) after leading the Golden Bears in scoring (20.4 avg.) and rebounding (7.5). He also was selected to the All-GNAC First Team, the GNAC All-Tournament Team, and the ECAC New England Division III All-Star Team. Hebert finished his career with 1,004 points for 16th place on the all-time WNEC scoring list. WNEC compiled a 16-11 record for its fifth consecutive winning season.
Bailey, a psychology/elementary education major with a 3.88 GPA, became the first WNEC women's soccer player named to the Verizon Academic All-America College Division Team. A midfielder, Bailey was second on the Golden Bears in scoring with 26 points (7 goals, 12 assists) and was selected the team's Offensive MVP. She was named to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Second Team and the All-GNAC Tournament squad. Bailey was an All-GNAC First Team choice in 2001. WNEC posted a 16-7 record for the program's eighth straight winning season.
Men's tennis and cross-country captain/MVP Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT) and three-sport standout Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA) were honored as the WNEC Coca-Cola Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Year at the school's Spring Sports Banquet.
Michaud was the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) men's cross country champion last fall in leading the Golden Bears to their first conference championship. In tennis, he captured the No. 2 singles and was the No. 1 doubles finalist at the GNAC Tournament this spring to help the squad repeat as conference champions. He led the Golden Bears with an overall record of 24-7 (77.4%) and had a 71-35 (67.0%) career-record. With Michaud leading the way, WNEC compiled a 12-3 record that was a school record for wins and the program's 13th consecutive winning season. Michaud is a economics major.
Carney was a team captain in basketball and cross-country, and among the top players on the lacrosse team. The cross-country program is only four years old and Carney was the only four-year runner on the team. In basketball, she led the Golden Bears to an 18-10 record and the championship finals of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament for the first time in school history. A four-year starter at forward, she was second on the team in scoring (12.5 avg.) and first in rebounding (10.5) in gaining All-GNAC First Team honors. Carney finished her career second in rebounding (948) and eighth in scoring (1,165 points). In lacrosse, Carney was a repeat selection on the All-New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) First Team. She scored 31 points (17 goals, 14 assists) from her defensive position and finished her three-year career with 55 points (32-23). Carney is a biology major.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE MEETS CENTRAL COLLEGE (IOWA) IN OPENING GAME OF THE 2003 NCAA DIVISION III SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 13, 2003) — The stage is set for the 2003 NCAA Division III Softball Championship.
Western New England College (32-5) will meet Central College, Iowa (35-4-1) in the first game of the double elimination tournament at 11:00 a.m. Friday (May 16) at the James I. Moyer Sports Complex in Salem, Virginia.
WNEC, ranked 21st nationally, advanced to the National Championship round after winning its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship with victories over Keene State (1-0), Tufts (5-0), and host Wheaton (3-1, 2-1). The Golden Bears qualified for their second straight national tournament after repeating as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions.
In other games Friday, Salisbury (Md.) plays Cortland State at 1:30 p.m., Muskingum (Ohio) meets Illinois Wesleyan at 4:00 p.m., and Emory (Ga.) plays Wartburg (Iowa) at 6:30 p.m.
"We are obviously very excited and happy to be playing in this tournament," said WNEC coach Lori Mayhew who has directed her squad to back-to-back 30 win seasons for the first time in the program's 25-year history.
"We won a lot of close games this year and came up with big hits and tight defense, especially in our tournaments," noted Mayhew. WNEC was 7-1 in one-run games this season.
Western New England College has a 32-5 record for its second straight 30 win season. Last year the Golden Bears set a school record with their 34-9-1 mark
Central, ranked fifth nationally, won all three of its regional tournament games in Tacoma, Washington. The Dutch upset top-ranked Pacific Lutheran twice (2-1, 2-0) to earn its 12th trip to the national tournament finals. Central also captured the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title.
WNEC will challenge for the national crown with senior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) leading the way. The hard-throwing right-hander has a 20-3 record (her second straight 20-win season) and 0.76 earned-run-average. She has allowed only 87 hits in 147.2 innings with 179 strikeouts and 27 walks. Bruder, an international studies major, is the two-time GNAC Pitcher-of-the-Year and a 2002 Verizon Academic All-America Third Team selection.
The Golden Bears also have three .400 hitters Ñ senior designated player Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) (.411); sophomore second baseman Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT) (.404), and freshman first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows falls, VT) (.402). Blake had the game winning RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh in a 2-1 win over Wheaton in the regional championship on Sunday. Her twin sister June Blake is the starting shortstop on the team.
If WNEC wins, they will play the Cortland-Salisbury winner at 4:00 p.m. Saturday. The losers of games one and two meet at 11:00 a.m. Saturday.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SOFTBALL TEAM WINS FIRST NCAA DIVISION III NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL TOURNAMENT
Golden Bears prepare for National Championship May 16-20 in Salem, Virginia
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 12, 2003) — Western New England College's softball team, ranked 21st nationally, celebrated its "Silver Anniversary" season in fine fashion by capturing its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship with four straight victories against a top-notch field this past weekend.
Seeded fourth in the six-team regional field, WNEC defeated fifth-seeded Keene State (1-0), top-seeded Tufts (5-0), and second-seeded Wheaton twice (3-1, 2-1) to gain a spot among the eight finalists. WNEC advances to the 2003 National Championship May 16-20 in Salem, Virginia. The Golden Bears open play Friday in the double elimination tournament. With three regional championship games scheduled for Monday, pairings and times for the championship finals will be announced Tuesday.
Western New England College has a 32-5 record (its second straight 30 win season) entering Friday's action. The Golden Bears repeated as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions earlier this month to qualify for its second national tournament.
Senior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) had the best week of her career with four consecutive complete game victories (two shutouts) allowing no earned runs and only 17 hits in 28 innings with 30 strikeouts and four walks. The hard-throwing right-hander has a 20-3 record (her second straight 20 win season) and a 0.76 ERA with 179 strikeouts and only 27 walks in 147.2 innings. The two-time GNAC Pitcher-of-the-Year; Bruder has a 61-18 career record with 529 strikeouts in 510 innings.
Several other players came through with clutch performances in the regional tournament.
Freshman left fielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT) had one of the biggest hits in school history with a three run walk-off homer with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning in a 3-1 win over Wheaten in a winners bracket game on Saturday.
Senior designated player Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) had the game winning RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the seventh in a 2-1 win over Wheaton in the regional championship on Sunday.
Freshman first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) had the game-winning single against Keene State on Friday (May 9).
Bruder, Piorkowski, Blake, Whitcomb, and senior right fielder Ashley Koch (Annville, PA) all made the 2003 NCAA Division III New England Regional All-Tournament Team.
Western New England College had a team meeting on Monday to discuss the upcoming tournament. The Golden Bears will practice Tuesday afternoon before flying out early Wednesday morning.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE'S BASEBALL AND WOMEN'S LACROSSE TEAMS SELECTED FOR ECAC CHAMPIONSHIPS
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 6, 2003) — Western New England College's women's lacrosse team will host Colby-Sawyer College at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday (May 7) in quarterfinal round game of the 2003 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Tournament. The Golden Bears are seeded fourth while the Chargers are seeded fifth.
WNEC has a 10-6 record after finishing second in the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament.
Junior center Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) leads the team in scoring with 82 points (46 goals, 36 assists). She is third on the school's all-time scoring list with 164 points (102 goals, 62 assists). Pizzingrilli passed the 100-goal mark against Bridgewater State College in the NEWLA Tournament championship game last Saturday.
This will be Western New England College's third appearance in a post-season tournament in the last four years. The Golden Bears participated in the ECAC New England Division III Tournament in 2000 and the NCAA Division III Championship last year.
In other news, Western New England College's baseball team will meet Salve Regina University at 3:30 p.m. Friday (May 9) in a quarterfinal round game of the 2003 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) New England Division III Tournament in Wellesley. The Golden Bears are seeded seventh while the Seahawks are seeded second.
WNEC has a 20-17 record after placing second in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament.
Sophomore centerfielder Jeff Maurutis (Milford, CT) leads the team in hitting (.397), hits (54), runs (32), homers (4), and stolen bases (18). This will be Western New England College's third consecutive appearance in a post-season tournament. The Golden Bears participated in its first NCAA Division III Championship in 2001 and finished second in the ECAC New England Division III Tournament last year.
Western
New England College Spring Sports Banquet
Sunday, May 4, 2003
List of Award Recipients
Appreciation
Award
Thomas R. Burton '70 - Chairman, Western New England College Board of
Trustees
WNEC
Coca-Cola Athletes-of-the-Year
Male - Senior Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT), cross-country, tennis
Female - Senior Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA), basketball, cross-country,
lacrosse
Baseball
Silver Slugger Award - Sophomore Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT)
Cy Young Award - Freshman Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA)
10th Player Award - Sophomore Jeff Maurutis (Milford, CT)
Men's
Golf
Co-Most Valuable Players - Senior Kevin Bennison (Cobleskill, NY)
and senior Paul Winkler (West Springfield, MA)
Men's
Lacrosse
Most Improved Player - Sophomore Doug Collyer (Glens Falls, NY)
Unsung Hero - Freshman Mark Bergey (Ambler, PA)
Joel Castleman Coaches Award - Senior Dan Gildart (Portland, ME)
Women's
Lacrosse
Most Valuable Player - Junior Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester,
NY)
Most Improved Player - Sophomore Kristin Pimental (Tiverton, RI)
Coaches Award - Senior Anna Adair (Castleton, NY)
Softball
Highest Batting Average - Sophomore Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT)
Rookie-of-the-Year - Freshman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT)
Golden Bear Coaches Award - Senior June Blake (Dalton, MA)
Men's
Tennis
Most Valuable Player - Senior Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT)
Unsung Hero - Sophomore Dave Stelmach (Raynham, MA)
Coach Philip Sweeney Award for Dedication & Determination - Senior Aaron
DiNoto (Webster, NY)
Bowling
Most Valuable Player - Sophomore Joe Trippconey (Westbrook, CT)
Most Improved Player - Freshman Norm Major (Enfield, CT)
Coach Richard Burns Team Award - Junior Rich Regnier (Enfield,
CT)
Martial
Arts
Most Valuable Player - Sophomore Yudelka Rodriquez (New York, NY)
Most Wins - Sophomore Mark Farquharson (Meriden, CT)
Rookie-of-the-Year -Sophomore Chris Barger (Bristol, CT)
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETICS DEPARTMENT LITERACY AND MENTORING PROGRAM OFF TO FAST START
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 30, 2003) - Western New England College's new Golden Bear Literacy and Mentoring Program is off to a fast start with student athletes from all 19 varsity sports teams involved with various projects in the Greater Springfield area.
The next athletics department event will be the "Kids Cup Challenge" on May 3 at the Basketball Hall of Fame. This event, sponsored by the Springfield Day Nursery, features gas powered cars that kids race along with fire truck tours, fire safety, and police dog demonstrations. Our student-athletes will set up the racetrack perform sports clinics, and distribute children's books. The Golden Bear mascot will make an appearance.
In addition, the College's "RAD Kids Program" will teach children's safety to the participants.
Western New England College student-athletes planted flowers at Parker Street and Wilbraham Avenue in the city following a request from the Sixteen Acres Civic Association to help beautify the neighborhood. The athletics department will maintain the plot of land.
Earlier this year, Western New England College men's golf team members provided free clinics for six weeks for children from the Springfield Dunbar Community Center. The Massachusetts Golf Association sponsored the clinics.
Student-athletes are serving as volunteers on an ongoing basis at the White Street Elementary School in Springfield, working with children in areas promoting literacy and encouraging continuing education. For many children at this school, English is a second language. More than 100 student athletes are involved with this program that will soon include sports clinics.
Coaches and student-athletes from all nine Western New England College women's teams provided free clinics and discussed what it's like being a college athlete at our fourth annual Girls and Women in Sports Day February 15 in the Alumni Healthful living Center. Approximately 250 girls took part in the program that included a free ticket to a women's basketball game.
Last fall, over 700 books were collected from College students and staff at Midnight Madness. The books will be distributed to the Springfield Public Schools classroom libraries.
"I am overwhelmed at the response of our students and their enthusiasm in being involved in the community," said Jennifer Kolins, the athletics department community outreach coordinator. "With the help of our Student Athlete Advisory Committee, over a third of our team members have been positive role models to local youth. We are looking forward to expanding the program next year."
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SOFTBALL TEAM RANKED 25TH IN USA TODAY/NFCA DIVISION III POLL
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 30, 2003) — Western New England College's softball team was ranked 25th in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll released Wednesday.
This is the first time in school history that the Golden Bears have appeared in the national rankings.
Other regional teams in the poll were Wheaton (7th) and Western Connecticut (16th). Tufts and Springfield also received votes. Pacific Lutheran (Wash.) is the top-ranked team in the nation with a 30-1 record.
WNEC (28-5) is the two-time Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions. The Golden Bears will participate in their second consecutive NCAA Division III Tournament next week.
SENIOR JUNE BLAKE AND SOPHOMORE DAVE STELMACH SELECTED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Shannon Pizzingrilli receives NEWLA Award
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 29, 2003) — Softball tri-captain June Blake (Dalton, MA) and tennis standout Dave Stelmach (Raynham, MA) were honored Tuesday (April 29) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Blake, a senior shortstop, hit .391 in eight games (9-for-23) with seven runs and a pair of doubles. She went 4-for-7 in a doubleheader sweep over Albertus Magnus College and batted .300 in four Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament games to help the Golden Bears captured their second straight conference title. Blake also handled 18 chances without making an error. A management major, Blake is fifth on the team with a .349 average entering the NCAA Division III Tournament. Western New England College (28-5) placed first in the conference during the regular season with a 19-2 mark.
Stelmach, a sophomore, captured the No. 5 singles and No. 2 doubles titles to help the Golden Bears win their second consecutive Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament crown. A computer engineering major, Stelmach compiled an overall record of 27-5 record (13-3 singles, 14-2 doubles) this spring for a team best 84.3 winning percentage. With Stelmach helping to lead the way, Western New England College posted a 12-3 record this spring, which was a school record for wins. The Golden Bears also placed first in the GNAC during the regular season with a perfect 5-0 mark.
In other news, Western New England College junior Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Week for the second time this season. She had seven ground balls, seven caused turnovers, and five draw controls in a 13-9 win at Manhattanville College. Pizzingrilli, a finance major, leads the Golden Bears in scoring (69 points), goals (38), assists (31), ground balls (82), and draw controls (29).
KRIS HEBERT AND JACQUIE BAILEY NAMED WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SCHOLAR-ATHLETES OF THE YEAR
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 27, 2003) — Basketball captain Kris Hebert (Chicopee, MA) and soccer captain Jacquie Bailey (Easthampton, MA) were named the Western New England College Male and Female Senior Scholar Athletes-of-the-Year Sunday at the school's Honors Convocation.
Hebert is an accounting major with a 3.60 cumulative grade-point-average. In March he was named to the Verizon Academic District 1 College Division Team.
A forward, Hebert was the Co-Player-of-the-Year in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) after leading the Golden Bears in scoring (20.4 avg.) and rebounding (7.5). He also was selected to the All-GNAC First Team, the GNAC All-Tournament Team, and the ECAC New England Division III All-Star Team. Hebert finished his career with 1,004 points for 16th place on the all-time WNEC scoring list.
Western New England College posted a 16-11 record for its fifth consecutive winning season and advanced to the semifinals of the GNAC Tournament.
Bailey has a 3.88 cumulative grade-point-average in psychology/elementary education. Last fall she became was the first WNEC women's soccer player named to the Verizon Academic All-America College Division Team.
A midfielder, Bailey was second on the Golden Bears in scoring with 26 points (7 goals, 12 assists) and was selected the team's Offensive MVP. She was named to the All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Second Team and the All-GNAC Tournament squad. Bailey was an All-GNAC First Team choice in 2001.
Western New England College posted a 16-7 record for its eighth consecutive winning season and second highest win total in the program's 19-year history. The Golden Bears also repeated as GNAC regular season and tournament champions, and participated in the NCAA Division III Championship for the third time in four years.
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WINS SECOND STRAIGHT GNAC MEN'S TENNIS TOURNAMENT CROWN
BARRINGTON, R.I. (April 26, 2003) — Western New England College's men's tennis team captured its second straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title Saturday by 10 points over Emerson College.
WNEC finished with 18 points followed by Emerson (8), Johnson & Wales (6), and Suffolk (4). The Golden Bears won five of the nine individual titles and had finalists in eight of the nine flights.
Senior tri-captain Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT) captured the at No. 2 singles title, sophomore Dave Stelmach (Raynham, MA) No. 5 singles, and senior tri-captain Aaron DiNoto (Webster, NY) No. 6 singles. Stelmach and freshman Ed Fallon (Springfield, MA) captured the No. 2 doubles title while DiNoto teamed with sophomore Dan Matis (East Lyme, CT) to win the No. 3 doubles crown.
Michaud and graduate student tri-captain Chris Gutwaks (Springfield, MA) placed second at the No. 1 doubles position.
WNEC posted a 12-3 record this spring, including a prefect 5-0 mark for first place during the regular season. The 12 victories was a school record for wins in a season and the team's 13th consecutive winning season (and third under coach Jennifer Kolins).
WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE'S BASEBALL AND SOFTBALL TEAMS HOST GNAC TOURNAMENT GAMES ON FRIDAY
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's baseball and softball teams will host opening round games of their respective Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournaments on Friday (April 25).
WNEC's baseball squad will meet Norwich University at 3:30 p.m. at Suprenant Field. The Golden Bears (17-12) are seeded fourth in the tournament while the Cadets (11-13) are seeded fifth. The teams split a doubleheader on April 18. The GNAC Tournament continues Saturday and Sunday in East Providence, Rhode Island.
In softball, top-seeded WNEC will entertain eighth-seeded Johnson & Wales University at 3:30 p.m. at the field located adjacent to the Alumni Healthful Living Center. The Golden Bears (24-5) captured their first regular GNAC title with a 19-2 record. WNEC, the defending tournament champion, defeated Johnson & Wales (10-16) twice on April 10. WNEC will host the remainder of the GNAC Tournament Saturday and Sunday with a victory.
FRESHMEN JASON CONNELLY AND ERIN WHITCOMB SELECTED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Marcie Bruder, Jamie Carney, and Ed Fallon also honored
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 22, 2003) — Freshmen Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA) and Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Connelly, a second baseman/pitcher, hit .313 (5-for-16) in five baseball games, including a 2-for-5 performance with four RBI in the first game of a doubleheader against Norwich University. He then earned a save in the second game against Norwich. Connelly had a complete game win at Albertus Magnus College and had the game-winning homer in the top of the seventh in the 3-2 victory.
A sociology major, Connelly also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Rookie-of-the-Week.
Whitcomb, a first baseman/designated player, hit .455 (10-for-22) in eight softball games with four homers, 12 runs and 15 RBI. She just missed hitting for the cycle with a double, triple, homer (her team best eighth of the season), and five RBI at St. Joseph, Connecticut.
A business major, Whitcomb also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Rookie-of-the-Week for the second time this spring.
In other news, Western New England College senior pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Co-Player-of-the-Week. She posted a 4-0 record with a 0.00 ERA after allowing only three hits in 23 innings with 38 strikeouts and three walks. Bruder had three shutouts, including a five-inning perfect game against Southern Vermont College that was the third no-hitter of her career. She also had a two-hit shutout at Norwich for her 50th career victory and a one-hitter at Suffolk University. Bruder is an international studies major.
Western New England College senior Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Week. She had 15 ground balls with 19 caused turnovers in three games. Carney, a biology major, had eight ground balls at Mount Holyoke College along with seven caused turnovers against Salem State College and six at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Western New England College freshman Ed Fallon (Springfield, MA) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Tennis Rookie-of-the-Week. Fallon, an engineering major, went undefeated in four conference matches playing the No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles positions.
CHRIS GUTWAKS AND CHRISTIE PFISTER SELECTED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Women's lacrosse players gain NEWLA honors
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 15, 2003) — Tennis captain Chris Gutwaks (Springfield, MA) and lacrosse captain Christie Pfister (East Greenbush, NY) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Gutwaks, a graduate student, went undefeated in both singles (3-0) and doubles (2-0) to help the Golden Bears to three victories. One of his wins was a hard-fought three-set singles decision over Todd Cabral of UMass-Dartmouth. Gutwaks has an overall record of 13-7 (7-4 singles, 6-3 doubles) for a 65.0 winning percentage. He earned his bachelor of arts degree in government last spring, and is presently attending Law School at Western New England College.
Pfister, a senior, scored two goals against Castleton State College to become the school's all-time leading scorer with 156 points (122 goals, 34 assists), breaking the old mark of 155 set by Joyce Neilson who graduated last year. She also had a team high three goals in a win over Western Connecticut State University and a career high 12 ground balls against Castleton State. A marketing/communications major, Pfister is fourth on the team in scoring with 22 points (18 goals, 4 assists) in 10 games.
Pfister also was selected the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 14).
In other news,
Western New England College junior Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) was selected the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Week. She had 11 ground balls (including seven against Western Connecticut State University), six draw controls, and three caused turnovers in two games. Pizzingrilli leads the Golden Bears in ground balls (62) and draw controls (17), and is third in caused turnovers (15). She is the team's top scorer with 51 points (30 goals, 21 assists). Pizzingrillis is a finance major.
Western New England College freshman Lindsey Burns (Fairport, NY) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Rookie-of-the-Week. She had the best game of her rookie season with a goal (her second of the year), assist, ground ball, and caused turnover against Castleton State College. Burns also had four caused turnovers and two ground balls against Western Connecticut State University. She is an engineering major.
FRESHMEN LACROSSE PLAYERS RYAN BERGER AND ALYSON NOWELL NAMED WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Erin Whitcomb selected GNAC Softball Rookie-of-the-Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 8, 2003) — Freshmen lacrosse standouts Ryan Berger (Farmington, CT) and Alyson Nowell (Feeding Hills, MA) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.
Berger, a midfielder, scored the first three goals of his career in a victory over Norwich University in the Golden Bears' Pilgrim League opener. He had an assist in games against Tufts University and Wheaton College earlier this season.
Nowell, an attack player, had two goals and three assists in back-to-back wins over Elms College and Lasell College. She is second on the team in scoring with 25 points. A marketing communications major, Nowell also was a repeat selection as the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Rookie-of-the-Week.
In other news, Western New England College freshman first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Rookie-of-the-Week Award on Monday (April 7).
Whitcomb went 3-for-6 (.500) in two games to raise her hitting streak to six games. She was 2-for-3 with two runs, a double, and a RBI in a win over Emmanuel College. Whitcomb also slugged her team high third homer of the season in a loss against Norwich University. A business major, Whitcomb is second on the team with a .444 average (12-for-27) in nine games.
SENIORS MARCIE BRUDER AND TOM MICHAUD HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
Alyson Nowell named NEWLA Rookie-of-the-Week
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 1, 2003) — Softball pitcher Marcie Bruder (Keene, NH) and tennis tri-captain Tom Michaud (Manchester, CT) were honored Tuesday as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Bruder, a senior, tossed a one-hitter with seven strikeouts and no walks in a 2-0 win at Fitchburg State College. In her next start, she fired the second no-hitter of her career against Simmons College (an 8-0 win) with two strikeouts, including the 400th of her career, and only one walk.
An international studies major, Bruder leads the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) with a 4-2 record and 1.52 earned-run-average in 41 1/3 innings. She was named the GNAC Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week on Monday (March 31).
Michaud, a senior, was undefeated at No. 2 singles (3-0) and No. 1 doubles (2-0) in victories over Gordon College, Suffolk University, and Castleton State College. An economics major, Michaud has an overall record of 10-3 (76.9%) in seven matches.
In other Western New England College news,
Western New England College freshman Alyson Nowell (Feeding Hills, MA) was honored Monday (March 31) as the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Rookie-of-the-Week. Nowell is off to a fast start scoring at least one goal in her first six games. She had three goals and one assist in her collegiate debut against Montclair State University (a 12-6 win) and added three goals and an assist in a victory over Smith College. A marketing communications major, Nowell is second on the team in scoring with 15 points (11 goals, 4 assists).
Western
New England College Winter Sports Banquet
Saturday, March 29, 2003
List of Award Recipients
Men's
Basketball
Most Valuable Player — Senior Kris Hebert (Chicopee, MA).
Bill
Downes Coaches Award for Hustle and Desire — Senior Tony Mazzarella
(Braintree, MA). Rookie-of-the-Year Award — Freshman Jon Godbout
(Bristol, CT).
Women's
Basketball
Most Valuable Player — Senior Jamie Carney (Orleans, MA).
Golden
Bear Award for Leadership — Senior Lindsey Black (Bernardston,
MA).
Rookie-of-the-Year Award — Freshman Lisa Masella (Newtown,
CT).
Men's
Ice Hockey
Most Valuable Player — Sophomore Kevin Leonard (Tewksbury,
MA).
Defensive
Player-of-the-Year — Sophomore Matt Cassaro (East Bridgewater,
MA).
Offensive
Player-of-the-Year — Sophomore Mike Szmeiter (Plainville,
CT).
Women's
Swimming
Most Valuable Swimmer — Senior Suzanne Monahan (Madison, NJ).
Most
Improved Swimmer — Sophomore Kelly Doherty (Poughkeepsie,
NY).
Coaches
Award — Freshman Kathryn Meade (Chicopee, MA).
Wrestling
Most Valuable Player — Freshman John Oko (Baldwinsville, NY).
Most
Improved Wrestler — Freshman Garvin Headley (Springfield,
MA).
Joe
Leto Award for Team Effort — Freshman Angel Marquez (Springfield,
MA).
JOYCE BLAKE AND PATRICK DABROWSKI HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 25, 2003) — Softball tri-captain Joyce Blake (Dalton, MA) and lacrosse standout Patrick Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD) were honored Tuesday (Mar. 25) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.
Blake, a senior catcher/designated player, hit .545 in seven games (12-for-22) at the Disney Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena, Florida with seven runs, six RBI, three doubles, and a homer. She went 6-for-7 in a doubleheader sweep over Cumberland University (Tenn.).
A sport management major, Blake hit safely in every game as the Golden Bears won four of seven games during their visit to the Sunshine State.
Dabrowski, a senior goalie, compiled a career high 30 saves in a 10-7 loss against Tufts University. He has a 67.8 save percentage in four games along with a 9.75 goals-against-average. Dabrowski is an industrial engineering major.