Athletics

FOR EASTERN BASEBALL, PITCHING FALTERS AGAIN IN 20-8 SETBACK

2010-03-21T01:27:50Z

Defense submits perfect performance, but pitching no match for JHU

CHANDLER, Ariz. -- The Eastern Connecticut State University baseball team continues to be plagued by poor pitching as the Warriors surrendered 20 runs in just four innings in a 12-run loss to No. 25 nationally-ranked Johns Hopkins University Saturday morning at the Snedigar Complex.

At right: Melvin Castillo's 40th career home provided a bright light on a dark day.

After allowing 13 runs and making six errors in a 13-7 loss to Concordia University (WI) Friday in its Arizona opener, No.. 6 nationally-ranked Eastern (2-3) responded with perfect defense against Johns Hopkins (11-3), but the offerings of five hurlers served only as fodder for the Blue Jays' bats. Five of Johns Hopkins 13 hits went for extra bases, and JHU also capitalized on nine walks, a hit batsmen and three wild pitches All nine of the batters who walked, as well as the hit batsmen, came around to score.

By pre-arrangement, the game was stopped at 11 a.m. local time - after Eastern had completed its at-bats in the top of the fifth inning -- to accommodate Johns Hopkins travel plans as it wound up a 12-game Arizona trip with a 9-3 record. The Blue Jays won their final four games - all against Little East Conference teams. Only one of the four was closely contested. Johns Hopkins was coming off a 9-1 verdict over No. 11 University of Southern Maine Friday after sweeping Keene State College Thursday.

The early returns projected this game to be an apparent laugher - for Eastern - as the Warriors bolted to a quick 5-0 lead after their first two at-bats. However, after a 1-2-3 first inning, JHU scored four times in the bottom of the second inning on two hits, three walks and a sacrifice fly, and followed with eight more in both the third and fourth innings. The Blue Jay were 28-16 a year ago, one season after reaching the NCAA Division III national championship game and winning 42 games.

All nine Blue Jay batters drove in at least one run and scored at least one, with leadoff hitter Matthew Bernardi and No. 8 hitter Joe Borrelli each plating four. Number five hitter Dave Kahn doubled, tripled and homered and reached by walk, scored four runs and drove in three.

In Eastern's eight-hit attack, senior third baseman Melvin Castillo (Danbury) was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a run and junior first baseman Andrew Dewing (Swampscott, MA) 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBI. Castillo extended his career record with his 40th home run - a two-run blast which also sent in Dewing in the fourth. Both of Dewing's hits were RBI doubles. He scored after each of them.

Eastern looks for its first Arizona win and to snap a three-game losing streak when it faces MIT Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at Chandler.

EASTERN W-LAX PUTS CLAMPS ON ROGER WILLIAMS IN SECOND HALF

2010-03-21T00:27:14Z

Defense limits Hawks to four second-half goals in 15-11 victory

MANSFIELD, Conn. -- The Eastern Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team dominated the second half to break from a halftime tie and post a 15-11 non-conference victory over Roger Williams University Saturday afternoon at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.

At left: Taylor MacDonald establshed a program record for career draw controls Saturday.

Playing its final game before an 11-game layoff, Eastern (2-3) improved its record to 2-0 againt Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) opponents this year by defeating Roger Williams (1-1) in the first meeting between the programs. The Hawks are coming off a 15-4 season whch resulted in an ECAC tournament berth.

Eastern scored the first four goals of the second half in a stretch of four minutes, outscoring the visitors 8-4 over the final 30 minutes. In that second half, Eastern had advantages of 18-8 in shots and 18-12 in ground balls. The Warriors were successful on eight of nine clears in the second half and converted four of six free-position shots.

Freshman midfielder Daniela Marchitto (Orange) scored three of Eastern's eight second-half goals - the first two coming on free-position attempts. Marchitto led all players in the game with four goals, first-year sophomore attack Ashley Prizio (Brookfield) and senior midfielder Taylor MacDonald (Oak Bluffs, MA) adding three each. MacDonald won three draws in the game to establish a career record of 191, two more than former recordholder Mo Deegan.

In the first half, Roger Williams sandwiched three-goal runs around five in a row by Eastern for a 6-5 lead 15 minutes before the break, but the Warriors never allowed the Hawks to score more than one unanswered goal over the final 35 minutes of the game. Roger Willams was comng off a 17-2 conference road thumping of Nichols College in its 2010 opener.

MacDonald, junior defender Paige Booth (Hollis, NH) and senior midfielder Dana McLaughlin (West Hartford) combined to pick up 18 of the team's 30 ground balls, with MacDonald also caused five of the team's nine forced turnovers and capitalized on three of four free-position shots.

Freshman goalie Nancy Ibrahim (Lindenhurst, NY) made six saves to record her first career win at home.

Eastern hosts Mount Holyoke University March 31 at 4:30 p.m.

RATHBUN'S OPENING SOFTBALL SALVO RESULTS IN A DIRTY DOZEN

2010-03-20T17:31:20Z

Returning All-America sets down 12 batters on strikes in 2010 opener

CLERMONT, Fla. -- Sophomore righty Molly Rathbun (Hebron) began her second softball season at Eastern Connecticut State University in the same way she opened her career -- with a complete-game victory. Saturday, the second-team Division III All-America fanned 12 batters and spaced three hits to record her eighth shutout iin 22 career starts in a 5-0 season-opening victory over Bates College at the National Training Center. Two of Bates' (1-4) hits never left the infield as Rathbun won her 17th career regular-season game in 20 decisions. She walked two in facing only five batters over the minimum. Rathbun registered at least one strikeout in all nine spots in the Bates order. Her strikeout total was just three shy of her personal record and moves her into a tie for fourth place all-time with 218 strikeouts in only 30 career appearances. Seven different batters had one hit for Eastern, which scored twice in the first and fifth and once in the sixth. Three of the Warriors' runs were unearned. Senior centerfielder Ashley Sullivan (Trumbull), first-year sophomore DP Kassondra Silva (Hamden) and freshman pinch hitter Christine Akcer (Milford) all drove in a run for the Warriiors. Akcer's hit came in her first collegiate at-bat and drove in sophomore rightfielder Rosie Manzo (Hudson, MA) with the final run of the game. Batting leadoff, senior shortstop Kim Church (Farmington) reached safely three times, scored twice and stole a base.

Rochester 4, Eastern 2

In Saturday's second game, the University of Rochester (6-7) scored all of its runs in the first inning and UR sophomore righty Sara Hutchinson pitched a complete-game seven hitter in the Yellow Jackets' 4-2 victory.

Eastern freshman righty Christine Akcer (Milford) recovered to pitch four scoreless innings after Rochester roughed her up in the bottom of the first inning on four hits and a walk. Juliana Nicholson and M.C. Wagner had consecutive two-run hits in the inning for Rochester

The Warriors had two chances for big innings but managed only one run in each. In the bottom of the first, Rochester commited two errors but Eastern left the bases loaded after scoring one run when Church came home from third on an infield error. In the fourth, the Warriors strung together three hits but a heads-up play by Hutchinson allowed the Yellow Jackets to escape with only one run scored. With runners on first and second, junior pinch hitter Rachel Soychak (Mahopac, NY) plated freshman third baseman Arielle Cooper (Mystic) from second with a single as freshman pinch runner Courtney Weber (Groton) headed to third. The throw from the outfield sailed over the head of catcher Nicholson, but Hutchinson was backing up the play. She retrieved it and gunned down Yeomans trying to take third base to end the inning.

Making her collegiate pitching debut Acker (0-1) gave up only four hits over the final four innings of her five-inning stint.

Cooper reached safely three times. She had two hits and reached on an infield error.

Hutchinson (5-4) fanned eight and walked only one.

On Sunday, Eastern plays UW-Whitewater at 11:30 a.m. and Allegheny College at 3:30 p.m.

2010: EASTERN SOFTBALL'S ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL

2010-03-20T04:58:04Z

In 2010, the Eastern Connecticut State University fastpitch softball program is coming off consecutive NCAA tournament appearances for the first time in 14 years.

Yet, they do feel that they have not yet arrived. While the Warriors have made great strides toward re-capturing the success that made them the most successful post-season program in New England history throughout the decade of the 1980s and into the mid-90s, they feel that there is still much work to do.

"I think that we're more athletic than we've been in the past - top to bottom," says ninth-year head coach Diana Pepin. "But what I think motivates the players is that they all want to go to the world series. So that's our goal."

Six starting position players and the No. 1 pitcher are among the ten returning letterwinners from last year's club which captured at least 20 victories (26-13) for the fourth straight season and fifth time in the last six years under Pepin, who should become the second-winningest coach in program history before the club returns from its spring trip at the National Training Center in Clermont, FL.

The Warriors made a run for the Little East Conference roses in 2009 for the third time in four years, and although they fell short, their impressive total of quality victories landed them in the NCAA tournament as an at-large qualifier for the second year in a row.

Below is a breakdown of the season ahead.

Battery

With returning second-team NFCA Division III All-America Molly Rathbun (Hebron), sophomore Rosie Manzo (Hudson, MA), first-year sophomore transfer Kassondra Silva (Hamden) and freshman Christine Akcer (Milford), the Warriors may feature their deepest pitching staff in more than 20 years.

Rathbun won 16 of 19 decisions as a freshman last year in the regular season before shin splints limited her effectiveness in conference and NCAA tournament play. Still, Rathbun became only the second Eastern pitcher ever to strike out at least 200 batters in a season, finishing 16-7 with a 0.79 ERA that placed her among the national leaders in strikeouts, wins, ERA and least hits per game.

"You can't even describe what Molly brings to the program," says Pepin. "She's just a quality kid who wants her team to be successful, and that's a tribute to her character. We knew that she was going to be good (last year), that should would push that limit, but her physical abilities are above and beyond what we expected. She's a great kid who listens and applies what is being taught. She's going to do phenomenal things for this program."

Manzo is the only other pitcher on the staff to receive experience at Eastern a year ago, when she accumulated 28 innings behind the 1-2 tandem of Rathbun and graduated Katie Pensiero. Silva, who may also serve as a reserve outfielder, played last year's at Division I Iona University. Akcer may also see time at first base.

Second-year senior transfer Nikki Mustin (Canterbury) is back behind the plate after commiting only one error on a team-high 237 chances last season. Junior Rachel Soychak (Mahopac, NY) and senior utility player Katie O'Toole (Waterbury) will back up Mustin, as will freshman Katie Sokoloski (Eastford).

Outfield

Below: Ashley Sullivan

The outfield should prove to be a source of strength. This year's returning outfielders ranked 1-2-3 in batting: senior centerfielder Ashley Sullivan (Trumbull), junior leftfielder Katie Dinihanian (Stratford), and sophomore rightfielder Priscilla Alicea (Stratford). Alicea and Dinihanian's quickness will be enhanced because they bat from the left side of the plate. The pair will, in essence, be positioned back-to-back in the order, with Dinihanian batting ninth and Alicea returning to her leadoff position. Alicea earned a spot on the all-region team in only her first season with remarkable team-leading .448 batting and .530 on-base averages and team-leading 21 stolen bases. Dinihanian batted .320 and was never thrown out on nine stolen base tries. Sullivan will move from the No. 5 slot in the order into the No. 2 hole this year and should amass numerour RBI when hitting behind Alicea. Sullivan was an all-region selection as a sophomore when her .456 batting average fell just short of a season record, but she much of last year's pre-season with a broken hand before rallying for a final .339 mark that trailed only Alicea.

"Priscilla did exceed our expectations last year," says Pepin of Alicea, "but we have to be careful. We don't want her to think that she has to beat what she did last year. That may not be feasible. You can't expect (a .450 batting average) every year. That was special. But I do think that she'll steal more bases this year. And she can go from first to third on a bunt without a problem, and that's huge."

Outfield depth will be provided by freshmen Katie Stack (Mystic) and Courtney Weber (Groton) and sophomores Tina Brosnan (Preston) and Manzo, and freshman Amanda DiCicco (Somersworth, NH). Stack and Weber were both members of last year's Class "LL" state championship team at Fitch High School.

Infield

Talent abounds here, but it may take time to season. Fourth-year starting senior Kim Church (Farmington) is the only returnee. She will share the left side of the infield with freshman third baseman Arielle Cooper (Mystic), another player from Fitch High's state championship team. When not pitching,Rathbun will replace graduated sure-handed Rachel Denny at first base. Freshman Kelly Paterson (Southington) will be the starting second baseman.

Paterson can also play shortstop, if needed, while sophomore Christine Yeomans (Durham) can spell Cooper at third and Paterson at second. Additional depth will be provided by freshman Jamie Vallarelli (Vernon).at third base, When Rathbun pitches, O'Toole or Akcers may be the starting first baseman. Molly Cole (Wilbraham, MA), one of the team's nine freshman, will also see action in the infield.

Designated Hitter

To utilize their hitting skills, Silva, Akcer and Rathbun may rotate at DH when not pitching or playing a field position.

Batting Order

Joining leadoff hitter Alicea and No. 2 batter Sullivan and No. 9 hitter Dinihanian in the lineup, Rathbun will replace Denny as the No. 3 hitter, with Silva sliding into the cleanup slot. Church may drop from fourth to fifth, with Cooper sixth, Paterson seventh, and O'Toole eighth.

"In the past, our 6-7-8 hitters were kind of 'iffy'", noted Pepin. "But from top to bottom this year, we have a solid lineup.Players like Arielle Cooper and Kelly Paterson (batting in the bottom of the order) make contact and they can do multiple things. They're not those strikeout kinds of kids."

DEFENSE, PITCHING STRUGGLE IN EASTERN BASEBALL SETBACK

2010-03-20T02:15:51Z

Warriors open eight-game Arizona trip with 13-7 loss to Concordia (WI)

CHANDLER, Ariz. - Playing its first games in nine days, the Eastern Connecticut State University baseball team out-hit Concordia University (WI) but committed six errors, threw four wild pitches and hit three batters in a 13-7 loss in the opener of an eight-game, nine-day Arizona trip Friday afternoon at Snedigar Complex.

At left: Travis Bass

In the first meeting ever between the programs, Eastern (2-2) out-hit Concordia but defense and pitching betrayed the Warriors. Eastern collected 12 hits but seven pitchers surrendered 11, walked five batters, hit three and threw four wild pitches. All of the walks, hit batsmen and wild pitches came over the final three innings, when the Falcons scored 12 of their runs. The game was the final one in Arizona for Concordia, which split ten games.

Eastern trailed by only 1-0 before Concordia scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth on four hits, a sacrifice fly and a hit batsmen to take a 5-0 advantage into the late innings.Trailing 8-1 in the top of the eighth, the Warriors pushed across five runs in chasing senior righty Derrick Pankow (3-0) by collecting half of their game total of hits. Senior shortstop Travis Bass (West Hartford) and junior first baseman Andrew Dewing (Swampscott, MA) each contributed two-run doubles in the frame, and sophomore catcher Steve Cammuso (Rutland, MA) drove in another with a single.

Eastern gave the runs right back in the bottom of the inning, however, when the Falcons answered with five of their own on three hits (all coming consecutively and driving in three runs), two walks, three wild pitches and an infield error.

In the game, the bottom two hitters in the Concordia lineup - freshman shortstop Daniel Mueller and junior centerfielder Matt Mayer -- combined to reach base seven times on four hits, a walk, hit-by-pitch, and error. They drove in four runs and scored two.

In his second start of the season, junior righty Jim Schult (Wappingers Falls, NY) surrendered only a single unearned run through five innings. However, he struggled in the sixth and was lifted after the first five batters reached safely. Schult fanned six without a walk and allowed seven hits.

The top six hitters in the Eastern order accounted for ten hits (four doubles), drove in six and scored five. Junior leftfielder Robert Perry (Manchester) had three hits, Bass, senior third baseman Melvin Castillo (Danbury) and Dewing all recording two. Dewing had two doubles, drove in two runs and scored two while Bass plated two and scored one.

Eastern faces No. 25 Johns Hopkins University - the Division III national runner-up two years ago - Saturday at 11:30 a.m. ET at Chandler. Senior righty Will Musson (Wethersfield) is expected to make his second start, looking for his second win.

VASSAR W-LAX STRIKES QUICKLY AFTER BREAK, EDGES EASTERN

2010-03-18T01:29:12Z

Brewers score four goals in four minutes early in second half in 13-11 win

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. - The Eastern Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team kept Vassar College off the board for the first 15 minutes of the game but the Brewers used a quick second-half start to post a 13-11 non-conference victory over the Warriors Wednesday night.

At left: Brooke Wayte

Eastern (1-3) forged the fourth and final tie of the match on senior attack Courtney Bedocs' (Hamden) second goal of the year 74 seconds into the second half, but Vassar (3-1) answered with four in a row in a span of four minutes - with junior midfielder Sarah Warner scoring twice and assisting on one - to take command of an 11-7 lead. The Warriors never go closer than two the rest of the way.

Playing its first game up north after a three-game trip to West Palm Beach, Vassar won its third in a row. Eastern was coming off its first win of the season eight days ago. Three of Vassar's matches have been decided by a total of four goals.

Eastern got out to a quick 3-0 start -- holding the hosts scoreless over the first 15 minutes -- but was never able to connect on as many as three consecutive goals the rest of the way.

Eastern senior attack Brooke Wayte (Bellport, NY) doubled her season goal total with four strikes -- three coming on unassisted goals in the final 20 minutes of the contest. Seven additional players had one each for the Warriors.

Senior midfielder Taylor MacDonald (Oak Bluffs,MA), last week's Little East Conference Defensive Player-of-the-Week, won half of the team's 14 draws and had five ground balls. MacDonald pulled to within one draw control of tying the career record of 189, held by Mo Deegan (2002-05).

Senior attack Ashley Del Vecchio (Fairfield) led all Eastern players with five ground balls, helping the Warriors collected a season-high total of 38.

Warner led all players in the game with five goals to improve her team-leading total to 15.

Freshman goalie Nancy Ibrahim (Lindenhurst, NY) made seven saves for Eastern.

The match between these teams was the second close one in as many contests in this series. Last year at Mansfield, the Warriors emerged with an 11-10 victory in triple overtime - the longest game in Eastern history.

The Warriors host Roger Williams University Saturday at 1 p.m.

EASTERN M-LACROSSE VICTORIOUS IN ANOTHER TIGHT FINISH, 14-12

2010-03-16T23:53:10Z

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Freshman Berube makes 14 saves, Warriors' man-down stymies Amherst

MANSFIELD, Conn. - Freshman goalie Donald Berube (Tewksbury, MA) recorded double- digit saves for the first time in four collegiate appearances and the Eastern Connecticut State University man-down unit killed eight of nine opposing extra-man opportunities as the Warriors downed Amherst College, 14-12, Tuesday afternoon at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.

At right: Salieu Bolivar

The win is the first for Eastern (3-1) in three tries against Amherst (0-2) and gives Eastern three straight victories at home in seven days by a total of four goals. The triumph follows one-goal wins over Babson College, 12-11, in its home-opener and an 11-10 overtime verdict over Montclair State University Friday night.

Although the final margin was only two goals, Eastern trailed only twice by one goal each time in the first quarter and was never behind throughout the final three periods. Sophomore midfielder Salieu Bolivar (Norwalk) and senior midfielder Maxim Fantl (West Hartford) connected on the team's third and fourth shots of the game to provide the hosts with an early 2-0 lead and after senior attack Matt Kellman gave Amherst its second and final lead of the game late in the first period, Eastern took the lead for good. The Warriors tied the game with 57 seconds left in the first quarter on a goal by senior midfielder Zach Malouf (Norwich), and freshman attack Matthew Janssen (Hillsborough, NJ) and Albertson beat Amherst freshman goalie Steve Levy 13 seconds apart to make it 6-4. Janssen's goal came in a man-down situation after the Warriors were whistled for a slash with 19.8 seconds left in the first period.

The Warriors carried a three-goal lead into the fourth period and fattened that lead to five, 14-9, with nine minutes left when 6-foot-7 inch first-year junior transfer Grant Albertston (New Canaan) stuck in a man-down goal - his fifth of the game.

Eastern successfully killed the next seven minutes before Amherst (0-2) answered with three goals in 57 seconds to knock the lead down to the final two-goal margin. The Warriors turned the ball over with time running out but Berube made his 14th and final save in the final seconds to keep Amherst from making it a one-goal agme.

Bolivar followed Albertson with three goals, with six additonal players adding a goal each. Junior attack Brendan Hoppey (Shoreham, NY) handed out two assists.

Eastern's opponents had converted nine of 20 extra-man tries heading into the game but the Warriors successfully killed off eight of Amherst's nine power-play situations. Amherst was 0-for-4 in the first half and couldn't capitalize on two man-up advantages when it tried to rally in the fourth period

Amherst sophomore midfielder Alex Fox contributed to ten of Amherst's 12 goals by scoring seven and assisting on three. Fox took one third of his team's shots..

Eastern junior midfielder Eric Vasil (Southington) won 20 of 28 faceoffs and collected 15 of the team's 33 ground balls. In four games, Vasil has won 88 of 108 faceoffs (81.5) and picked up 68 ground balls. Albertson tops Eastern this year wtih 13 goals and 18 points and Janssen has scored eight goals and added five helpers. Berbue is 2-0 with a 9.87 goals-against average and .538 save percentage.

Eastern plays the first of six consecutive road games Sunday at No. 3 nationally-ranked Salisbry University at 1 p.m.

EASTERN LACROSSE COMMANDS WEEKLY LITTLE EAST HONORS

2010-03-16T04:01:21Z

Five players cited for their performances for the week ending March 14

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -- Five Eastern Connecticut State University lacrosse players were recognized with weekly honors by the Little East Conference in the first week of the honors program.

Eastern athletes were selected as the conference's Defensive Player-of-the-Week and as the Goalie-of-the-Week in both men's and women's lacrosse and as the men's Rookie-of-the-Week.

Senior midfielder Taylor MacDonald (Oak Bluffs, MA) and junior midfielder Eric Vasil (Southington) were named women's and men's Defensive Player-of-the-Week, respectively, while freshmen Nancy Ibrahim (Lindenhurst, NY) and Donald Berube (Tewksbury, MA) were cited with their respective Goalie-of-the-Week honors. Freshman attack Matthew Janssen (Hillsborough, NJ) was tabbed as the men's lacrosse Rookie-of-the-Week.

MacDonald, the LEC's two-time Defensive Player-of-the-Week, led Eastern to a win in its only match, a 16-11 decision at Salve Regina University. MacDonald had six ground balls, won three draws, and caused two turnovers. Ibrhim stopped 11 shots against Salve to record her first collegiate win.

On the men's side, Vasil won 88.2 percent of his faceoffs (45-for-51) and picked up 33 ground balls as Eastern won a pair of one-goal decisions at home: 12-11 over Babson College and 11-10 in overtime over Montclair State University. A pre-season All-America, Vasil led Division III last year in faceoff percentage and ground balls.

Berube registed his first career win in his second career start against Montclair, making seven saves and giving up only four goals after the intermission.

Janssen collected ten points in two matches, scoring six goals and assisting on four others. Against Babson, Janssen scored an unassisted goal to give Eastern an 11-10 lead with eight minutes left, and assisted on senior attack Vinny Tornatore's (Norwalk) game-winning goal in sudden death overtime.

MacDonald received a weekly LEC award for the seventh time in her four-year career. She was named top weekly rookie once in 2007, twice top defensive and once top offensive player as a sophomore and once top offensive and once top defensive player last season. Vasil was accorded top defensive accolades three times last year. The Rookie-of-the-Week recognition was the first by a men's lacrosse player since goalie Kyle Savage was honored in the third week of the 2006 season.

The Eastern men (2-1) host Amherst College Tuesday at 4 p.m. while the women (1-2) visit Vassar College Wednesday at 6 p.m.

OVERTIME GOAL NETS EASTERN LACROSSE ANOTHER ONE-GOAL WIN

2010-03-13T03:20:02Z

Senior Tornatore strikes 2:24 into sudden-death in comeback victory

MANSFIELD, Conn. -- In a battle of 2009 NCAA tournament teams and conference champions, the Eastern Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team snapped a three-game losing streak at the hands of Montclair State University with its second one-goal triumph in three days, 11-10 in overtime Friday night at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex

Above: Vinny Tornatore

Senior crease attackman Vinny Tornatore (Norwalk) scored his second goal of the match 2:24 into sudden-death overtime with a shot from in front of the cage on an assist from freshman attack Matthew Janssen (Hillsborough, NJ) to end the match. The lead was only Eastern's second of the match and first since the Warriors led 5-4 with 3:20 left in the first half, and the shot was the Warriors' only one in overtime.

Montclair led 4-1 late in the first quarter and 9-7 with nine minutes left in the game after sophomore attack Tyler Meth scored his team-leading 11 goal of the season. Trailing 10-9, Eastern tied the match for the fourth time in the match when senior midfielder Zach Malouf (Norwich) scored on a pass from junior attack Grant Albertson (New Canaan) with just 85 seconds left in regulation.

Montclair started the overtime period with possession and a man up after Eastern was whistled for a push with eight seconds left in regulation. The Red Hawks were unable to capitalize on three overtime possessions, however, with two of their shots blocked by Eastern defenders. Eastern cleared the ball successfully, then called time out to set up the winning goal.

Making his second career start, Eastern freshman netminder Donald Berube (Tewksbury, MA) recorded seven saves to earn his first career win in his first career decision. Eastern junior faceoff specialist Eric Vasil (Southington) won 22 of 24 faceoffs to improve his nation-leading percentage to .850 (68-for-80) and also picked up 13 ground balls. Vasil, the team-leader with 53 ground balls, led Division III last year in faceoff percentage and ground balls.

Above: Donald Berube

Eastern survived 31 turnovers to gain its second one-goal home win in as many home matches this year.In its home-opener Wednesday afternoon, Eastern trimmed Babson College, 12-11.

Montclair's special teams scored six goals in the match - the man-up unit striking for five goals on nine chances and the man-down unit scored once. The man-up unit scored twice in the first quarter to held the Red Hawks into a quick 3-0 lead halfway through the period and that group scored one additonal man-up goal in each of the final three quarters. With Eastern leading 5-4 late in the first half, , Montclair's man-down tied the match with 2:10 left, and the extra-man unit scored just over a minute later to give the visitors a 6-5 halftime lead.

Junior attack Mike Corsetto contributed four assists for Montclair,, setting up senior attack Patrick Nann for the team's go-ahead goal with five minutes left in regulation. Albertson, a 6-foot-7 inch first-year Division I transfer, netted six points for Eastern with four goals and two assists, while Janssen chipped in two goals and two assists and junior attack Brendan Hoppey (Shoreham, NY) registered his first two goals of the year.

In three games, first-year players Albertson and Janssen have combined for 23 of the team's 48 points, 15 of its 31 goals and eight of its 17 assists.

Eastern hosts Amherst College Tuesday at 4 p.m.

Eastern Conn. 11, Montclair State U. 10

Montclair State U. (1-3) 4 2 2 2 (0) -- 10
Eastern Conn. (2-1) 2 3 1 4 (1) -- 11

Goals: M-Matthew Prongay 2, Tyler Meth 2, Taylor Bonner 2, Robert Sinicola, Patrick Nann, Ryan Kloss, Patrick Ferry; E-Grant Albertson 4, Matthew Janssen 2, Vinny Tornatore 2, Brendan Hoppy 2, Zach Malouf.
Assists: M-Mike Corsetto 4, Meth, Nann, Prongay, Sinicola; E-Albertson 2, Janssen 2, Maxim Fantl.
Shots: M-33, E-39; Saves: M-Andrew Rosado 5, E-Donald Berube 7.

EASTERN CAN'T CATCH STEVENS TECH IN 10-8 BASEBALL LOSS

2010-03-11T02:34:08Z

Ducks build early lead and hold on for first win ever over Warriors

HOBOKEN, N.J. -- Trailing by five runs late in the game, the Eastern Connecticut State University baseball team scored twice in the eighth but eventually left the tying run at the plate in the ninth in a 10-8 loss to Stevens Tech Wednesday afternoon at Dobbelaar Field.

Above: Benjamin Church

Eastern (2-1) scored two runs after there were two out and none on in the eighth and pulled another run closer when junior rightfielder Jim Schult (Wappingers Falls, NY) opened the ninth with the team's second home run of the game, but Stevens (4-4) sophomore righty Vincent Vinci left the tying run at the plate when he got an game-ending foul ball to right.

The win is the first for Stevens after four losses against Eastern, ranked No. 3 nationally.

Junior righty Chris Wojick (Uncasville) sustained the loss, allowing five runs in the first two innings. Wojick was making his first start after 41 career relief appearances. Freshman righty Benjamin Church (Rochester, MA) allowed only two hits and one run in three innings of relief in his second career appearance, and senior lefty Wes Dutton (Waterbury) pitched a 1-2-3 eighth.

Senior second baseman John Parke (Middlefield) and Schult each had three hits for Eastern, which out-hit the Ducks 14-11. Junior first baseman Andrew Dewing (Swampscott, MA) hit his eighth career home run in the fourth - a three-run blast that pulled the Warriors to within 5-4. Schult and senior All-America third baseman Melvin Castillo (Danbury) had singled to open the inning. Parke raised his average to .538 (7-for-13).

Playing its second former national champion and current Top 10 nationally-ranked team, Stevens moved out to a 9-4 lead by scoring four runs in the fourth after there were two out and only one runner on base. After an RBI double plated the first run of the inning, junior rightfielder Russ Grimes swatted a three-run homem run to center to give the hosts a five-run cushion.Grmes finished the game with four RBI and senior centerfielder Mark Rasulo had three hits and scored three runs.

Each team had three home runs in the game. Joining Dewing and Schult for Eastern was first-year Division I junior transfer Tyler Turgeon (Norwich). As a sixth-inning replacement at designated hitter batting eighth in the order, Turgeon ripped a two-out solo home run in the seventh and also singled and scored on a wild pitch in the eighth.

For the second time in three games, the Warriors did not commit a fielding error.

Eastern is scheduled to face Saint Joseph's College of Long Island Saturday at 2 p.m. and Farmingdale State Colllege Sunday at 2 p.m. at Farmingdale, NY.

EASTERN M-LACROSSE ESCAPES

2010-03-11T01:50:46Z

In home-opener Warriors respond after giving up four-goal lead, 12-11

MANSFIELD, Conn. -- First-year junior attack Grant Albertson (New Canaan) scored his second goal of the game on a pass from sophomore midfielder Salieu Bolivar (Norwalk) with 18.7 seconds left to give the Eastern Connecticut State University men's lacrosse team a 12-11 victory over Babson College Wednesday night in the 2010 home-opener at the Mansfield Outdoor Complex.

Above: Alberston (left), and Janssen

Ranked in a tie for 11th in the first New England Division III poll, Eastern (1-1) led 9-5 midway through the third quarter but Babson outscored Eastern 6-2, tying the game on junior Armand Wilson's goal with just under a minute left. After a timeout, Eastern junior midfielder Eric Vasil (Southington) won the ensuing faceoff to give Eastern possession. Eastern maintained possession after the ball went out of bounds, and with 18.7 second left, Running from left to right, Bolivar fed un unmarked Albertson stationed at the left of the cage. Vasil, last year's national leader in faceoff percentage and ground balls, then won his 23rd faceoff in 27 tries, scooping up his 20th ground ball and making one pass before the final horn sounded..

Freshman attack Alex Patinkin scored three of his game-high five goals to ignite Babson's second-half rally. Eastern freshman attack Matthew Janssen (Hillsborough, NJ) scored two of his team-high four goals in the fourth quarter. His first goal of the quarter gave Eastern a 10-8 lead and his second came on an extra-man opportunity and lifted Eastern into an 11-10 lead with eight minutes left in the game. Neither team scored for the next seven minutes until Wilson scored from in close on a pass from junior defenseman Christian Ebert to tie the game at 11-11 with 52 seconds left.

The Warriors allowed Babson only three extra-man opportunites after the first quarter and was not whistled for a penalty over the final 21 minutes. Babson scored twice on man-up tries in the first quarter in taking an early 3-1 lead. Eastern gave up the first goal of the second quarter and trailed 4-1 before striking for the next five goals and eight of the next nine to move out ot its 9-5 lead. Senior midfielder Maxim Fantl (West Hartford) was credited with his first three goals of the season to ignite that 8-1 rally and senior attack Vinny Tornatore (Norwalk) added two goals and Janssen two assists.

Sophomore Jamie Tommins (Fairfield) played the second half to receive his first collegiate victory in relief of starter Donald Berube (Tewksbury, MA). Berube made eight saves over the first 30 minutes and carried a 6-4 lead into the half, but lost his bid for his first win when the visitors tied the match, 10-10, with 8:34 left.

The contest was the first for Eastern on the new synthetic turf at the Mansfield Complex. The win was the fifth straight and tenth in 14 meetings in this series for Eastern, ranked in a tie for 11th in the first New England Division III poll.

Eastern hosts Montclair State University Friday at 6 p.m.

EASTERN W-LAX IN WIN COLUMN

2010-03-10T00:07:02Z

Warriors capitalize in final minutes of each half to down Salve, 16-11

MIDDLETOWN, R.I. -- The Eastern Connecticut State University women's lacrosse team scored the final four goals of the first half to gain the momentum and struck for the final four goals of the match to pull away for a 16-11 victory over Salve Regina University Tuesday afternoon at Gaudet Field.

At left: Freshman Daniela Marchitto absorbs a check to the head in the final minutes of Tuesday's 16-11 win over Salve Regina.

Freshman goalie Nancy Ibrahim (Lindenhurst, NY) made nine of her 11 saves in the first half to help Eastern (1-2) overcome an early 5-2 deficit as she posted her first collegiate win between the pipes.

In the second half, Eastern turned the ball over only six times after giving it away 13 times before the break, and completed all seven of its clears. The Warriors allowed only one goal over the final 28 minutes of the match.

In addition to recording a team-high six points on four goals and two assists, senior midfielder Taylor MacDonald (Oak Bluffs, MA) had six ground balls, won three draws and caused two turnovers. Sophomore defender Megan Barrett (Setauket, NY) added four ground balls and Ibrahim, senior Dana McLaughlin (West Hartford) and freshman midfielder Daniela Marchitto (Orange) three each. Junior attack Ashley Del Vecchio (Fairfield) caused a team-high three turnovers.

MacDonald scored goals on four of her team-high nine shots. MacDonald and Marchitto both scored twice on free-position goals as the Warriors converted five of their eight free-position shots.

Leading 12-11, Eastern scored the final four goals, holding the Seakhawks scoreless in that span over the final 15 minutes. After senior attack Brooke Wayte (Bellport, NY ) scored an unassisted goal to make it 16-11, Marchitto won the ensuring faceoff and the Warriors maintained possession for nearly five minutes before finally turning the ball over on an offensive foul with 47 seconds left.

Salve scored five consecutive goals to wipe out Eastern's early 2-0 lead. The teams split the next four goals before the Warriors moved into their first goal since the opening two minutes by connecting on the final four goals of the half for an 8-7 halftimie lead.

Wayte and first-year sophomore attack Ashley Prizio (Brookfield) scored two minutes apart to cut the deficit to 7-6 before Eastern scored twice in the final 50 seconds to claim its one-goal halftime lead. Prizio picked up a ground ball off a Salve turnover and fed senior attack Katie Beers (Trumbull) to tie the game with 49 seconds left in the half. With time winding down, Beers was denied by Salve sophomore goalie Natalie Balletta on a point-blank try on a fast break, but Beers scooped up the rebound and found freshman midfielder Taylor Buchanan (Ellington), who beat Balletta two seconds before the halftime horn for her first collegiate goal to give the visitors an 8-7 halftime edge.

Above: Freshman Nancy Ibrahim's nine first-half saves kept the Warriors within striking distance.

Eastern survived despite winning only nine of 29 draw controls.The fourth of four different players to take a faceoff, Martchitto took the final two faceoffs of the match iin the final minutes, winnng both..

Eastern visits Vassar College Wednesday, March 17 at 6 p.m.

Eastern Conn. 16, Salve Regiina U. 11

Eastern Conn. (1-2) 8 8 -- 16
Salve Regina U. (0-1) 7 4 -- 11

Goals: E-Taylor MacDonald 4, Katie Beers 2, Brooke Wayte 2, Ashley Prizio 2, Daniela Marchitto 2, Taylor MacDonald 2, Ashley Del Vecchio, Courtney Bedocs; S-Sarah Baker 3, Sarah Livingston 3, Nicole Viola 2, Erika Curtin, Kelly Burke, Lia Lanzo
Assists: E-MacDonald 2, Beers, Bedocs, Wayte, Prizio, Dana McLaughlin; S-Viola, Lanzo, Baker.
Shots: E-37, S-30; Saves: E-Nancy Ibrahim 11, S-Natalie Balletta 13.

EASTERN LACROSSE EXPECTED TO CONTEND FOR LEC TITLES IN 2010

2010-03-09T04:09:33Z

Men tied for 11th in first NEILA poll (March 9).pdf

Men unanimous No. 1 selections, No. 2 women nab three first-place votes

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. -The Eastern Connecticut State University and Keene State College men's and women's lacrosse teams are expected to be among the serious contenders for their respective 2010 Little East Conference regular-season championships, according to the coaches' pre-season polls.

Above: Maxim Fantl

For the second-straight season and seventh time overall, Eastern men's lacrosse has been predicted to capture the Little East men's lacrosse regular season championship after a unanimous vote by the conference's eight coaches. The Warriors earned all eight first-place votes and 64 total points.Keene State College, the second-most successful program behind Eastern in conference men's lacrosse competition, was the clear-cut No. 2 contender. The Owls earned each of the eight second-place votes for 56 points.

Keene State College came in atop the women's lacrosse preseason poll, narrowly edging the three-time undefeated regular-season champion Warriors for the distinction. In votes cast by the conference's seven head coaches, the two schools garnered three first place votes apiece. The Owls took the overall vote by a narrow six point-margin, taking 45 points to the Warriors' 39. After winning its first playoff title a year ago with an overtime triumph over top-seeded Eastern, Keene State finds itself selected as preseason favorites for the first time since the poll's inception in 2002.

The women's survey's results reflect a budding rivalry between the two-top vote getters heading into the 2010 season. In 2009, the Owls and Warriors split two head-to-head contests, each of which were decided by a single goal. While Eastern Connecticut grabbed a 14-13 victory last March, Keene State countered with a thrilling 9-8 overtime victory last May to claim the 2009 playoff title on the Warriors' home field. The Owls and Warriors headline the first day of this spring's conference play with a head-to-head matchup at Keene State at 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 3. This much-anticipated matchup will be broadcast on Littleeast.tv.

Under the direction of third-year head coach Justin Axel, Eastern captured the program's seventh LEC regular-season and sixth LEC playoff championships in 2009, defeating Keene State, 12-8, in the conference final at Thomas Nevers Field. The Warriors received their sixth NCAA Division III Tournament berth and earned the program's first victory in the championship field with an overtime win at U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Axel led the Warriors to an overall record of 15-4, including the program's seventh undefeated (7-0) conference record. In nine seasons of conference competition, the Warriors are 52-2 in regular-season matches and 14-3 in the conference playoffs for an overall mark of 66-5 (.930).

The Warriors have welcomed back 20 letterwinners this year, including junior faceoff ace Eric Vasil (Southington). Vasil, senior midfielder Maxim Fantl (West Hartford) and sophomore long-stick midfielder Tommy Flynn (Mineola, NY) are the team's three returning all-conference selections. In 2009, Vasil led the nation and established new single-season program records for faceoff percentage (.714) and ground balls (221). The Warriors opened the 2010 schedule with a 17-8 loss at No. 17 Stevens on March 3.

At right: Brooke Wayte

In each of head coach Christine Hutchinson's three seasons, the Warriors reached the ultimate game of the LEC tournament, claiming titles in 2007 and 2008, and coming in second to Keene State in 2009. In 2010, Eastern will feature a two-headed offensive attack in senior attack Brooke Wayte (Bellport, NY) and senior midfielder Taylor MacDonald (Oak Bluffs, MA), both returning first-team all-conference players. MacDonald has been voted the conference's Defensive Player of the Year in each of the last two seasons. MacDonald is also a former LEC Rookie-of-the-Year and tournament MVP while Hutchison has been voted conference Coach-of-the-Year in two of her three seasons in charge.

The Little East sponsors a seven-game conference schedule with the top-six squads advancing to the 2010 Little East Championship. The tournament will begin with two first-round matchups on Tuesday, May 4 with the two winners advancing to play at the top-two seeds two days later. The Little East champion will be crowned on Saturday, May 8 and earn the automatic qualifier into the NCAA Division III Tournament.

2010 Little East Men's Lacrosse Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank Institution First Place Total Points

1 EASTERN CONNECTICUT (8) 64
2 Keene State College    56
3 Plymouth State University    36
Western Connecticut State University  36
5 University of Southern Maine    35
6 Salem State College    25
University of Massachusetts Dartmouth  25
8 University of Massachusetts Boston   11

2010 Little East Women's Lacross Preseason Coaches' Poll

Rank Institution First Place Total Points
1 Keene State College (3) 45
2 EASTERN CONNECTICUT (3) 39
3 Plymouth State University (1) 31
4 University of Southern Maine    25
5 University of Massachusetts Dartmouth  21
Western Connecticut State University  21
7 Rhode Island College  14

EASTERN BASKETBALL SCOOPS UP 12 LEC SEASON-ENDING HONORS

2010-03-09T02:45:39Z

Moriarty, Nedwick Defensive Player-of-the-Year and first-team awardees

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. - Junior guard Jessica Moriarty (East Haven) and sophomore guard Nick Nedwick (Irvington, NY) headline a list of Eastern Connecticut State University individuals honored by the Little East Conference in its season-ending basketball awards program.

Moriarty was named the women's Defensive Player-of-the-Year for the second time in the two-year balloting for the award, as well as being selected to the All-Defensive Team and as a first-team all-star. Nedwick joined Moriarty as the men's Defensive Player-of-the-Year and as a member of the All-Defensive Team and as a first-team all-star.

On the women's side, freshman forward Tanisha Carter (East Hartford) and freshman center Lauren Kelleher (Dartmouth, MA) comprised 40 percent of the All-Rookie Team, with Carter being additional touted as a second-team all-star.

For the men, senior guard Edwin Ortiz (Hartford) repeated as a second-team all-star, while eighth-year head coach Bill Geitner was named Coach-of-the-Year for the first time. The men's team was also honored with the inaugural Team Sportsmanship Award.

Moriarty and Nedwick were named to their respective all-conference teams for the first time in their careers, although Nedwick was a member of both the All-Rookie and All-Defensive teams as a freshman last year. Last year, Moriarty was a member of the women's All-Defensive Team when she gained Defensive Player-of-the-Year accolades and was also an All-Rookie selection as a freshman in 2007/08.

Behind the 5-foot-7 inch Moriarty, Eastern was first in the conference in conference regular-season games in rebounding defense and was third in scoring defense.

The 5-foot-11 inch Carter led Eastern in scoring (11.2) and rebounding this year, while Moriarty was second in scoring (10.5) and fourth in rebounding (5.0). Moriarty totaled a team-leading 61 steals, more than twice as many as her closest teammate. Both Carter and Moriarty started all 26 of the team's games. In conference games, Carter and the 6-foot-1 inch Kelleher ranked 2-3 in the LEC in field goal percentage. Kelleher averaged 7.7 points and 6.2 rebounds in 21 games this year. She moved into a starting position midway through the season and started the final 12 games in which she appeared.

Carter becomes only the program's third true freshman to be named to the all-conference team, following eventual four-time All-America guard Allison Coleman in 2000/01 and eventual four-time all-star guard Darcy Mund in 2000/01. She was one of only two freshmen named to either the men's or women's all-conference team this year.

Photo by Cris Yarborough

Despite losing four starters from a year ago, the Eastern women shared second place in the final conference regular-season standings and received a bye into the tournament semifinals. The Warriors finished with an overall 17-9 record.

Like Moriarty, Nedwick was assigned the opponents' backcourt offensive ace every time out this season. In conference regular-season games this year, the 6-foot-1 inch shooting guard ranks fourth with a total of 24 steals. He led the Warriors in all games with 64.

Overall, Nedwick and Ortiz ranked 1-2 on the team in scoring, free throw percentage, steals, three-pointers and three-point percentage. Nedwick averaged 14.0 points with a .688 free throw percentage, 64 steals, 38 three-pointers and a .352 three-point field goal percentage. The six-foot Ortiz averaged 13.4 points, a conference-leading .893 free throw percentage, 25 steals, a program-record and conference-leading 79 three-pointers and a .389 three-point percentage.

In overall conference statistics, Nedwick currently ranks among the Top 10 in eight categories., and leads the LEC in total steals, minutes per game (33.6) and total minutes (1,007) and is second in steals per game (2.1).

Ortiz is a former conference Rookie-of-the-Year when he earned that honor as a freshman in 2006/07.He completed his 108-game career ranked fourth all-time with 1,438 points, second among guards. In addition to breaking his own season record for three-pointers this year, his career total of 267 three-pointers is more than 100 more than any other player in progam history.

For the second time in his head coaching career at Eastern, Geitner engineered one of the program's most significant one-year turnarounds. After finishing 12-14 overall and 6-8 and tied for fifth in the conference last year, Eastern won 20 of 30 games this year, recorded a program-record nine conference regular-season wins in 14 games, and shared second place in the final LEC standings after being picked for fifth in the pre season. The team was named to a post-season tournament for the first time in ten years and reached the championship game of the ECAC New England Division III Tournament as the No. 1 seed.

Geitner, who has drawn to within two victories of his 100th at Eastern, becomes the third different Eastern coach to be named LEC Coach-of-the-Year, following Barry Davis in 1999 and Dr. Dan Switchenko in 1988, 1990 and 1993.

It marks the third time this year that an Eastern team has won the inaugural Team Sportsmanship Award, following the field hockey and men's soccer teams this past fall.

EASTERN'S 4x200 RELAY RECORD FALLS AT ECAC CHAMPIONSHIPS

2010-03-08T23:49:02Z

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Women close out indoor season by eclipsing two-year-old record at Smith

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. -- The Eastern Connecticut State University 4x200 meter relay team closed out the women's 2009/10 indoor season by breaking the program's two-year-old record at the ECAC Division III Indoor Track and Field Championships this past weekend at the Smith College Track and Tennis Facility.

At left: Monica Mills (foreground), and Christine Charpentier.

On Friday, the relay team of juniors Amber Petrizzo (Plainville) and Roxanne Atterbury (Manchester), freshman Christine Charpentier (Monroe) and senior Monica Mills (East Hartford) was timed in 1:49.40, .03 faster than the previous mark established two years ago at the same facility during the New England Division III Championships. Both Petrizzo and Mills were also part of that relay. Friday's race was the final indoor one in Mills' four-year career.

The relay placed 15th among 22 competing teams, less than a second-and-a-half shy of earning All-ECAC honors which is accorded the top eight finishers.

The record-setting relay had finished second in the Little East Conference/New England Alliance Championships Feb. 13 in a time of 1:50.47, which equaled the qualifying standard for the ECAC Championships. The relay earned All-New England honors the following weekend at the New England Division III Championships at the Costello Center on the University of Southern Maine campus, with a fifth-place finish in a time of 1:50.03.

During the season, the women's team broke five individual records and two relays.
In addition to running leadoff on the 4x200 relay, Petrizzo broke records at 200 and 400 meters Feb. 26 at the New England Open (she broke her own 400 record), while senior Alexis Cavanaugh (Cheshire) established a mark of 1:43.69 at 600 meters Feb. 6 and also contributed to the record-setting distance medley relay at the conference championship Feb. 20. Additional members of the DMR were juniors Ashley James (Franklin) and Becky Knapp (Naugatuck) and sophomore Amanda Quinones (Trumbull). Among other records, senior Erika Barber (Portland) improved her program-record pole vault record with a jump of 10-feet-6 Feb. 6 and freshman Cora Gingras (East Hampton) broke the 14-year-old high jump record with a leap of 5-feet-3 Jan. 30.