Wednesday, May 24, 2006

2005-06 Breakthroughs

In the spirit of both looking back on the 2005-06 year and looking ahead to 2006-07, let's take a look at some of the breakthrough performers of the past year. Here are some second- or third-year student-athletes from this past season who made a big leap on the field this past year and will be back in 2006-07.

Amanda Garbart ('08), Field Hockey - After playing in one game as a freshman two years ago, Garbart played in 16 games and made four starts last fall. She scored her first two collegiate goals and recorded her first collegiate assist.

Melanie Ruppert ('07), Field Hockey - A starting midfielder on the women's lacrosse team, Rupperts playing time in field hockey was limited her first two seasons. Last fall, she made 16 starts and scored her first collegiate goal.

Josh Todd ('07), Men's Soccer - An important part of the Shoremen's offense for his first two seasons, Todd exploded for 10 goals, tied for second-most in the Centennial Conference, last fall. He also notched a pair of assists.

Kimmy Kraeer ('07), Women's Swimming - Kraeer had her best season in the pool, finishing the season as the Shorewomen's second-fastest swimmer in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events. She placed 10th in the 50 freestyle at the Centennial Conference Championships to become the Shorewomen's sixth-fastest swimmer ever in that event.

Darren Colananni ('07), Baseball - Colannani entered the 2006 season with just two career pitching appearances in two seasons. He ended up leading his team in ERA this season with a 3.15 mark. He went 2-0 in 11 relief appearances this year.

James Tidwell ('08), Baseball - Tidwell had five at bats in 11 games as a freshman in 2005. This spring, he hit .321 in 30 games (27 starts) with 14 runs scored, 10 RBI, and eight stolen bases.

Mike Sutter ('08), Men's Lacrosse - After playing six games as a freshman, Sutter earned a starting spot this spring and finished the season with 14 goals and nine assists in 16 games.

Matt Sparks ('07) & Dan MacDonald ('07), Men's Lacrosse - Sparks & MacDonald played in the shadows of other great defensemen for two years. As juniors this spring, they helped lead a defense that allowed held their opponents to under 10 goals in 18 of the season's 19 games.

Caitlin Beane ('07), Women's Lacrosse - Beane has stepped up a level each season. After playing in just two games as a freshman, she scored her first six collegiate goals as a sophomore in 2005. This past spring, she fired in 24 goals and assisted on five others, while starting 15 of her 17 games played.

Lindsay Fox ('08), Women's Lacrosse & Women's Soccer - Fox had a solid freshman year on the lacrosse field, but missed her entire freshman soccer season with an injury. As a sophomore, Fox led the women's lacrosse team in both ground balls (60) and caused turnovers (32), and made 16 starts in soccer.

Hugh McAdam ('08), Men's Rowing - After rowing as a novice last year, McAdam sat stroke in the Shoremen's varsity four, which enjoyed one of its best seasons in recent years and qualified for the ECAC Championships.

Erin Jones ('07), Women's Rowing - Jones joined the rowing team as a sophomore and competed as a novice. This year, she was a member of the Shorewomen's first varsity eight - the top-ranked boat in the Mid-Atlantic region. She also continued her strong performances in distance for the WC women's swimming team.

Tricia Carroll ('08), Softball - Carroll made just five appearances in the circle as a freshman, but led the Shorewomen with a 2.65 ERA in 15 appearances this past spring.

Wednesday, May 17, 2006

8-4 SU FINAL

Salisbury's seven-goal run proves too much. Sea Gulls win and advance.

8-4 SU 1:25 4th

Salisbury timeout with possession.

8-4 SU 2:10 4th

Donahue shot goes off pipe and Salisbury clears.

8-4 SU 3:06 4th

Shot presented itself and SU took it, but a Hurley shot went off the pipe. WC ball and WC timeout.

8-4 SU 4:00 4th

Salisbury cleared the ball and are now wisely running some clock.

8-4 SU 6:36 4th

Timeout WC. Thibadeau makes a big save before the TO, but WC is called for a push and SU gets the ball back.

8-4 SU 8:32 4th

WC breaks the SU run as Read scores off a Kielek feed on an extra-man opportunity.

8-3 SU 8:45 4th

Salisbury penalty - Caruso 1 minute for slashing.

WC needs to get something going on this EMO.

8-3 SU 10:57 4th

Boyer scores on crease off a Berkman feed.

7-3 SU 12:17 4th

WC penalty on Ostrusky - one minute for slashing. SU extra-man.

7-3 SU End 3rd

Salisbury dominated time of possession in the third quarter.

7-4 SU 39.6 seconds 3rd

Boyer from Bishop - sixth unanswered foal for Sea Gulls.

6-3 SU 3:39 3rd

Nolan one minute for slashing ... SU on extra-man.

6-3 SU 4:07 3rd

Thibadeau makes three nice saves, but SU comes up with GBs to keep the ball. Hurley scores off Creighton assist.

5-3 SU 7:52 3rd

Gonzalez shot saved by Thibadeau, ball bounces out of Thibadeau's stick, caught by Boyer just off crease, who puts it in for a 5-3 SU lead.

4-3 SU 9:55 3rd

Read shot just off crease bounces off Zarchin.

4-3 SU 11:09 3rd

Rohde scores off a feed from Berkman - first lead for SU.

3-3 Tie 13:14 3rd

Washington on a clear after a Salisbury pass goes out on the sideline.

Halftime Stats

Shots - WC 9, SU 9
Saves - WC 4, SU 3
GBs - WC 15, SU 13
FOs - WC 5, SU 2
Clears - WC 14-16, SU 14-16
EMO - WC 0-2, SU 0-1
Turnovers - WC 17, SU 16

Berkman has 2 goals for SU; Read has goal and two assists for WC.

The stats that jump out to me are the 33 combined turnovers and only 18 combined shots. That's been as a result of some poor passes by both teams and outstanding defense on both ends.

3-3 Tie at Halftime

Creighton gets off a shot that goes wide as time expires.
First half was dominated by defense and a few great goals.

3-3 Tie 1:07 2nd

Timeout SU after procedure call against Shoremen on face-off.

3-3 Tie 1:07 2nd

Berkman with a quick fake and goal over the shoulder of Thibadeau. Tie game.

3-2 WC 1:31 2nd

Timeout Salisbury after a WC turnover and SU clear.

3-2 WC 2:29 2nd

Timeout Washington.

On the crease violation - Bishop shot behind the back, but Hurley got to the ball before Thibadeau did. Hurley put it in the net, but was in the crease.

2-0 WC 2:48 2nd

Salisbury goal waved off for crease violation. WC on a clear.

3-2 WC 4:42 2nd

Berkman gets free for an open shot and goal. Sea Gulls back within one.

3-1 WC 7:19 2nd

Sutter scores off Read assist to answer for Washington.

2-1 WC 7:46

Bishop scores off Rodhe assist. Sea Gulls on the board.

2-0 WC 8:38 2nd

WC had great fast break opportunity but threw the ball away. SU on a clear.

2-0 WC 11:51 2nd

Read picks up rebound and fires in goal. 2-0 Washington.

1-0 WC 12:20 2nd

Kielek shot goes off pipe. Still WC ball.

1-0 WC 14:13 2nd

Thibadeau makes great save on a breakaway, but WC's Kenney flagged 1:00 min for slashing. Sea Gull ball.

1-0 14:45 second

30-second push on Heier - WC man-up.

1-0 WC End 1st

Washington tried to hold for last shot of period, but Salisbury forced turnover with 13.8 seconds left. Sea Gulls turn ball back over with 3.7 seconds on clock. Shoremen make desperation pass downfield as period ends.

1-0 WC 4:00 1st

Timeout Washington.

1-0 WC 4:50

First penalty of game ... tripping on Salisbury's Caruso.

1-0 WC 5:10 1st

Washington on a clear after SU turnover. Shoremen are controlling tempo.

1-0 WC 6:50 1st

Salisbury on a clear.

1-0 WC 9:18 1st

Lane scores off Read assist in unsettled situation.

0-0 12:40 1st

Saves on each end followed by a Salisbury turnover. Washington ball.

Game Time/Starters

Players take the field. Here are the starters.

Washington
G - Thibadeau
D - Kenney, Sparks, MacDoanld
M - Kerr, Lewis, Hughes
A - Sutter, Lane, Read

Salisbury
G - Zarchin
D - Heier, DeMunda, Hittinger
M - Caruso, Edwards, Berkman
A - Boyer, Rohde, Bishop

Live from Sea Gull Stadium

We're still a little over an hour until game time, but I'm perched atop Sea Gull Stadium in the press box. A special thanks to the Salisbury staff for letting me use one of their phone lines to connect to the Internet.

It's an absolutely spectacular day here on the Eastern Shore. Couldn't ask for much better weather than what we have right now - scattered clouds, temperature in the 70s, and a nice breeze. A great day for lacrosse!

Hitting the Road

I'll be departing soon for the drive down the Delmarva peninsula to Salisbury and today's NCAA Quarterfinal game between the Shoremen and Sea Gulls.

Division III's hottest rivalry will take the field for the 39th time. Salisbury tied the all-time series at 19-19 by taking the regular season meeting between the two teams last month.

Unfortunately, I won't be able to provide you with the same kind of exciting in-game photos that Ryan did last weekend at Lynchburg as I'll be updating the blog today via dial-up or text message and the photos would therefore take a while to upload and would slow down the updates. I'll try to do as good of a job with the updates as Ryan did, though!

Saturday, May 13, 2006

FINAL: WC 8, LC 7



Shoremen win 8-7...great game by both teams....J.B. Clarke picks up his 100th win as the head coach of the WC men's lacrosse team!

Last seconds...

Kielek is doubleteamed, turns the ball over but LC turns it right over again with 21 seconds to go...Shoremen have the ball in front of the LC bench

Timeout LC, :47 seconds to go

After the timeout, the ball came loose for 15-20 seconds....the Shoremen come away with it, and now have the ball in the box with 47 seconds to go. Anything can still happen, but the advantage is with the Shoremen right now...

2:00 to go

Shoremen possess the ball to the 2 min. mark, but Read turns the ball over after being double teamed. A shot by Ryan Quick on the other end is stopped by Thibadeau and WC has the ball back with 1:38. The Shoremen call a timeout...

3:48 to go

LC calls a timeout after Johnny Black shoots the ball off net. One ref gives the ball to LC, but the other gives it to WC...WC is awarded with the possession, and will have the ball when the timeout ends.

8-7 WC with 5:32 to go

Shoremen possess the ball for two minutes and turn the ball over without a shot taken on the possession. Shoremen get the ball back but fail to clear and now LC has it again with 4:45 to go.

8-7 WC; 7:56 remaining

Ryan Morrison flashes his moves and puts on past the left side of Curran to give WC an 8-7 lead with 7:56 left....WC just caused a turnover and Tim Kerr had a clear shot at the net, but Curran made a great chest high save to keep the game at 8-7.

Timeout Washington with 7:30 left.

7-7; 11:22 remaining

LC possessed the ball in the WC zone for a solid two or three minutes, but tossed the ball out of bounds on a pass that was not forced. It's the Shoremen's turn to see what they can do on the offensive side of the ball with 10:30 to go...

7-7; 17 seconds left in third

Johnny Black scores a fastbreak goal on a pass from Ryan Cranston to tie the game at seven. The Shoremen were outnumbered four or five-to-one on the break, so there was really no chance for Thibadeau to stop the point blank shot from going in.

We are now at the break, heading into the fourth quarter...stay tuned, this one is primed for an exciting ending!

Make up call?

The same official now calls a questionable hold on senior Tim Kerr, giving LC a man up opportunity with 4:56 left in the third.

WC 7, LC 6; 6:35 left in 3rd

A questionable back check gives WC a extra man opportunity, and they make the most of it as Chris Read scores off a pass from Jimmy Kielek.

6-6, 8:26 3rd

Ryan Cranston ties the game at six with 8:26 left in the third quarter.

more on last goal....

Goal was credited as "in-home" due to a failed pass to the goalie from a LC defender which got by Curran...ball was right in front of the net, and the LC defender tried to get it to Curran, but went in the net instead. Hope that makes sense.

6-5 WC; 11:19 left in 3rd

Lots of traffic in front of the LC goal and the ball just rolls past Curran for the goal...credited as an "in-home" goal.

Halftime: 5-5


The game is tied at five at the half. Pictured above: Jimmy Kielek comes off the field after tying the game at five.

5-5, 2:10 left in 2nd

The game is tied again, as Jimmy Kielek shoots one past Curran into the top-right corner of the net. Washington's D is causing turnovers, and the momentum seems to have swung in the Shoremen's favor....for the moment. Timeout WC wish 1:17 left in the half. The Shoremen will come out of the timeout with the ball.

5-4 Lynchburg, 4:12 left in 2nd

Ryan Morrison scores a man up goal off an assist from Andrew Ostrusky to cut the LC lead to 5-4 with 4:12 left in the second quarter.

5-3 Lynchburg, 4:31 left in 2nd


Lynchburg still leads 5-3 with 4:31 left in the second quarter. The Hornets called timeout, and the Shoremen will have a two-man edge after two LC penalties.

5-3 Lynchburg, 9:53 left in 2nd

Brian Kemper scores again, bouncing a shot past Thibadeau to make it 5-3.

4-3 Lynchburg, 11:10 left in second

Johnny Black scores off a pass from Tinklepaugh to make it 4-3. WC failed to clear the ball successfully, which led to the two-on-one break and the goal.

3-3 End of First


We have just started the second quarter and the game is still tied at three.

3-3, 2:54 left in 1st

Andrew Ostrusky does his best Kobe Bryant imitation...dipping and driving past the Hornet defense, and gets a shot from 15 feet out past Curran to make it 3-3 with 2:54 left in the first.

3-2 Lynchburg

Brian Kemper splits the Washington defenders and makes it 3-2 Lynchburg with 5:33 left in the first. Washington head coach J.B. Clarke takes a timeout to keep his troops focused.

2-2

Jimmy Kielek from Sam Lane score an extra-man goal to knot it at two with 7:45 left in the first.

2-1, Lynchburg; 9:00 left in 1st

Tinklepaugh shoots one past Thibadeau to make it 2-1 Lynchburg...Ryan Cranston gets credited with the assist.

1-1, 10:43 left in first

Generazio picks off a Lynchburg pass, gives it to Jon Kenney and he takes it all the way down the field and gets a shot past Curran to tie it at one with 10:43 to go.

1-0 Lynchburg, 11:58 left in 1st

Lynchburg has gotten three or four early shots off to Washington's one. The Shoremen are having a tough time clearing the ball early. The Hornets look dominant early on.

Here we go....

The teams have huddled, and we have started. Lynchburg scores first...goal scored by Kemper with 14:02 left in the first.

The Shoremen warming up...

Here is a photo of the Shoremen getting ready for today's game:

Men's Lacrosse: Washington Coll. vs. Lynchburg

I am at Shellenberger Field on the campus of Lynchburg College, and will be keeping a running blog for today's NCAA Div. III men's lacrosse contest between visiting Washington College and Lynchburg.

We are about 20 min. from the start of the game. LC has been out on the field for a good amount of time, while the Shoremen just came out of the locker room to start their warmups.

I am told wireless access here is hit and miss, so I will keep posting updates as long as the connection allows me (hopefully the entire game!).

I will post again when the game is about ready to start.

Thursday, May 11, 2006

NCAA Men's Tennis Pictures

Below are some pictures I took last weekend of the Shoremen in action at the NCAA men's tennis Championship at Mary Washington. Enjoy!

Anantha Bhaskar and Rafael Roldan


Todd Green and Michal Szymanski

Junior Arturo Solis


Assistant coach Mike Duquette and head coach Constantine Ananiadis

Rafael Roldan awaits a serve


Senior Mike Edison serves one up

Senior Tim Riskie


Chuck Norris a.k.a. Mike Duquette

Friday, May 05, 2006

Men's Tennis Prepares for NCAA Tournament

I am here in Fredericksburg, Virginia with the men's tennis team as they start their run towards an NCAA Championship. We drove down from Chestertown this afternoon, but the ride took longer than expected due to insane amounts of traffic. Most of the players slept through the traffic, while assistant coach Mike Duquette was keeping Coach C focused during the trip, advising him to simply "go with the flow."

We headed straight for the Mary Washington tennis facility upon arrival into Fredericksburg. The team used the indoor facilities, as heavy rain started to fall right when the guys were about to start hitting.

After hitting around for about an hour, we went to Ruby Tuesday's for some dinner. Senior captain Tim Riske had a good, clean tasting baked potato, while coach Duquette was all over the salad bar like Chuck Norris' foot in a bad guy's face.

After dinner on the car ride home, we all joked about tibia machines and told some more Chuck Norris jokes before the team meeting in the lobby of the hotel.

We will be getting up by 7 am tomorrow to shower and eat breakfast. The plan is to leave here at 8:30 (pending players approval of their hair) to head over to the school for the 10 o'clock match against Swarthmore.

The coaching staff is relaxed and confident for tomorrow's match. They feel that the preparation heading into the match couldn't be better, and that the players are peaking at just the right time.

Coach C made it a point to everyone that we will not be checking out of the hotel tomorrow morning, implying that the team will be playing a match on Sunday.