By wpengine
After dominating their respective fields in the Cornell Challenge this past week, the Red men’s and women’s squads seem poised to continue their prowess at the annual Cornell/Harvard/Brown tri-meet tomorrow in Massachusetts. As both squads continue to accumulate victories on their way to a hopeful Heps championship, finishing well tomorrow against these rivals will be a top priority. Men “Both Harvard and Brown have six or seven very high quality athletes,” coach Nathan Taylor said. “Brown won its first Heptagonal championship ever during cross country this year so their distance kids are very strong. They also have the defending outdoor champ in the high jump as well as some strong sprinters and hurdlers. “Harvard’s main strengths are in the jumps and [they] will go head to head with Cornell in those events.” While clearly acknowledging the tough competition the Red will face this week, Taylor is supremely confident that the effort will certainly be there from his stars. “We are trying to train through many of the midseason meets and this week will be no exception,” added Taylor. “I still expect the guys to go after it in every event.” Taylor confirmed after last week’s Cornell Challenge that senior Tyler Kaune and junior Ryan Schmidt, who met the IC4A qualifying standards with their jumping performances, were able to lead the squad and excel in competition. When asked for his thoughts on who would step it up in Boston, he mentioned that excellence must come from a variety of sources. “The pole vaulters and hurdlers have the most to prove this weekend and our younger distance runners need to get on the ball,” said Taylor. On the field performance is certainly important, but Taylor understands that to be a truly successful track program — one that is very competitive year-round — a team must have charismatic and rallying leaders. “Each one of our captains does a good job of rallying the guys in his event area,” Taylor explained. “The guys that work hard gain the respect of their teammates even if they are not the most outstanding performers.” Women “I would expect a very spirited and competitive meet, since it has been that way every year we’ve done it,” said coach Lou Duessing, referring to this weekend’s matchup. The women’s squad has been in control all season. A first-place finish at the Cornell Challenge, a second-place spot at Penn State, and numerous other victories are what Duessing and his girls hope will build up towards a championship season. Yet, Duessing knows that this week’s meet will not be a cakewalk. “Each team has strengths and weaknesses, strong events and weak events,” said Duessing. “In the case of Brown and Harvard, their strengths are different — so the challenge in each event will come from one or the other team, if not both. Brown has won many indoor titles and has some tremendous strength in events where we feel we’re pretty strong — so they will be very challenging. “The same can be said for Harvard. They have excellent throwers, a strong mid-distance group, the league champion in the hurdles — so they will present numerous challenges as well.” Duessing admitted that he certainly relies on his captains to provide the crucial leadership down the stretch of the season. “The four captains do an excellent job,” said Duessing. “Merili Mosley and Hannah Garrity work with the sprint hurdle group, Stacey Nadolny with the throws group and Ann Hansgate with the middle distance and distance group. The jumpers are not left out of the formula and spend a great deal of time with the sprinters and hurdlers. “Communication and camaraderie are real strengths of this team — and has been for several years.” The women’s squad is still looking to build on the successes of the past few weeks and work their way to a title. This weekend, they will need a team effort to be executed throughout the day. However, with the confidence of their successful coach, tremendous on the field leaders, and experience of past success, this team seems poised to put the required effort needed for a victory. Archived article by Josh Fox
By wpengine
In a season where the women’s hockey team has compiled a 3-12-1 overall record, including 1-9-1 in ECAC play, it would be easy to dismiss the Red early and start planning for spring break. But talk to any member of the embattled squad and it’s readily apparent that not one of these tough ladies is willing to write off the season just yet. In fact, don’t expect them to stop giving a maximum effort until the final buzzer of the final game echoes through Lynah. Coming off a weekend in which the Red experienced both a breakthrough victory and a heartbreaking loss, the team is looking for some relief at home tomorrow and Sunday, as old foes Quinnipiac and Sacred Heart come to town. In early season matchups, the Red went undefeated against the two teams, giving it an ideal opportunity now to build some confidence heading into the final stretch of the ECAC schedule. “We’re all really excited about this weekend,” senior forward Sarah Carter said. “We’re looking forward to our first four-point weekend of the year.” Head coach Melody Davidson will need consistent play from every position heading into the final month of the season, beginning with sophomore goaltender Flora Vineberg. The netminder has posted a 2-9-1 record, 3.44 goals against average, and .898 save percentage at this point in the year, numbers good enough to rank her eighth among ECAC goalies. The Red’s defense has been chipping in on the offensive front, led by junior Jamie Ramenofsky (one goal, seven assists on the season). Classmate Pearle Nerenberg leads all Red players in scoring with 13 points (five goals, eight assists), while freshman Halina Kristalyn continues to make an immediate impact (six goals, five assists), even on special teams. The Bobcats (6-17-2) are trying to get back on track after being dismantled by Mercyhurst in two games last weekend, having been outscored 10-1 in the series. Freshman sensation Vicky Graham leads the Bobcats in scoring with 21 points, while feisty junior forward Gillian Gallagher has tallied 10 goals on the year. “We have tied Quinnipiac and beat Sacred Heart (in the past),” Davidson said. “We are looking to build on our last three games… (we need to) play two 60 minute hockey games, minimize our mental mistakes and maximize our chances, especially offensively.” Both the Red and the Bobcats will be looking to settle the score at Lynah tomorrow, the two teams having tied 4-4 in the first game of the home-and-home series at Northford Ice Pavilion on Nov. 22. Red sophomore Vicki Hodgkinson was a key component in the game (two goals and an assist), and Davidson will be looking for her to contribute again tomorrow. “We need to continue playing strong, consistent hockey and focus more around the net — something we have been inconsistent at since returning from break,” said Davidson. The Red easily dispatched the Pioneers (6-6-0) 11-1 on Nov. 21 in Milford, Conn. and hopes to continue the destruction Sunday at Lynah. Sacred Heart’s main weapon is freshman forward Michelle Panella, a Marlboro, N.J. native who is averaging nearly a goal per game. The puck drops at 2:00 p.m. for both games. Archived article by Kyle Sheahen
