Wednesday, April 29, 2009

And It's Over

The 2008-2009 UNE Athletics year is officially over. With both the Men's and Women's Lacrosse team losing in the TCCC Tournament, we will have to wait until the fall to get the ball rolling again. The laxers each faced tough opponents, and unfortunately could not come out on top.
The Women traveled to Roger Williams University to faced the second seeded Seahawks. RWU was on a nine game winning streak heading into the game, and they extended it yesterday with a 21-8 victory to advance in the tournament. After a close first half, UNE trailed 10-6, the Seahawks picked up the pace in the second outscoring the Nor'easters 11-2. Roger Williams peppered the net all game, launching 40 shots, and limited UNE to just 23. Amanda Barker and Kate McCarter led the UNE offense, each scoring two goals. Also, junior Mallory Long had a goal and an assist for the blue and white. This was a tough season for the Nor'easters, but they will have a lot of experience coming back as they are only graduation two seniors, Amanda Barker and Erica Johnson.
The Men traveled to Springfield, MA last night to play a game under the lights versus Western New England College. The Golden Bears, the twelfth ranked team in the country, dominated this came from the opening face-off. WNEC scored the first eleven goals of the contest, including ten in the first quarter. UNE finally got on the board as Luke DiFiore found the back of the net with ten minutes left in the first half. However, UNE could not get any momentum and the Golden Bears sailed to a 17-5 victory to advance in the TCCC Tournament. DiFiore had two goals, while Mike Woods had a goal and as assist to lead the Nor'easters offense.
This was the most successful Men's Lacrosse team in UNE history finishing with a 6-10 record. The team has a solid core coming back including five of the top six scorers. Unfortunately, Dan Leyden, who has been one of the greatest UNE lacrosse players in program history, will be lost to graduation. His shoes will be hard to fill, but this year's talented freshman class along with the recruits for next season, be sure to expect that the Nor'easters will build on this season. Other seniors that will be graduating from this years squad include Mike Nawrocki, Andy Briggs, Bobby Labbe, Eric Santos, Paris Mansmann, Dan Leyden, and Evan Xanthos. Good luck boys.

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Heartbreaker...Again

Losing in the playoffs can leave a sour taste in your mouth; A taste that you cannot rid until the following year. 361 days ago, Nichols College ousted UNE out of the TCCC Tournament in an 11-10 heartbreak. Yesterday, UNE went seeking revenge as the two teams squared off in the playoffs once again, this time in Biddeford.
This game was back-and-forth all game long. UNE scored in the first, Nichols scored in the second. Nichols scored in the fourth, UNE scored in the fifth. Nichols scored three in the sixth; UNE could only scored one, once again ending the season with the sour taste of defeat.
An unusual game, the two teams combined for 21 hits and 20 strikeouts. The big difference was in the sixth inning. UNE lead 4-3 heading into the top of the sixth. The Bison had two runners in scoring position with two outs. Nichols center fielder Lauren Correia grounded to third and was called safe at first, a call that should have gone the other way and ended the threat. Correia was safe, and the tying run came across the plate. The next batter drove a deep double to center, scoring two more, and giving Nichols a lead that they would not relinquish.
The Nor'easters only answer in the sixth was a solo home run off the bat of junior Carolyn Engwer. Neither team could muster any more runs in the seventh, giving Nichols the 6-5 victory, and knocking out the Nor'easters for the second straight season.
Seniors Megan Gaedje and Ashley Depasquale led the offense for the Nor'easters in their final game in blue and white. Gaedje had two hits and scored a run, along with hosing down a Nichols runner at the plate. Depasquale had three hits, including two doubles and knocked in two runs.
The Nor'easters will have a solid core coming back next season, as they will only lose four seniors. And you can bet that they are already anxious to get that sour taste out of their mouth.

Monday, April 27, 2009

What a Difference a Week Makes

Last weekend was a bad one. It was filled with wind, rain, and the most bothersome of them all, losses. Both the Men's and Women's Lacrosse team fell, and the Softball team lost twice at home. But it was proved once again that time fixes everything. Okay, maybe not everything, but it sure helps.
All three spring sports teams earned their way to The Commonwealth Coast Conference Tournament. This brings the total to twelve teams from UNE to make the dance in their respective sport.
The Men's and Women's Lacrosse team punched their ticket to the extended season on Saturday, as both teams toppled Nichols College. The Women will be faced with a rematch from last year's tournament, where they fell to Roger Williams 12-10. Roger Williams is the second-seeded team in the tournament, while UNE is the seventh seed.
The victory for the Men set some history, as it is the first time in program history to play in the playoffs. The Softball team split against Roger Williams on Saturday, claiming the sixth seed, and having to play in a play-in game against Nichols today in Biddeford.
The Women's Lacrosse team capped their weekend with an 11-6 victory. The Nor'easters hopped out to a 3-0 start and never looked back. Senior Amanda Barker lead the offense with four goals and an assist, while junior Kate McCarter finished with two and one. Nichols brought the deficit back to one goal five times, but UNE always answered with a goal of their own, including four unanswered in the final 18 minutes. Junior goalie, Tara Geraghty made ten saves four the Nor'easters.
UNE will now prepare for a road tournament game, traveling to Roger Williams tomorrow. RWU crushed UNE just ten days ago with a 21-9 victory, outscoring the Nor'easters 8-1 in the second half of that game. The blue and white will be seeking revenge for that game, along with last year's tournament loss, which ended UNE's season.
For the Men, it was do-or-die on Saturday against Nichols, and showed up to play when it counted. UNE peppered the net all game long, forcing Nichols goalie, Scott Gray, to make 24 stops. The Nor'easters out-shot the Bison 29-11 in the first half, and kept firing, out-shooting Nichols 55-33 for the game. UNE flat out wanted it more; out-shooting, out-hustling, and out-hitting the Bison, the Nor'easters earned this birth to the tournament. Luke Difiore had three goals and an assist, while Dan Leyden and Mike Pennachio each had two and one to lead the offense.
Their reward for making the tournament: a match up with number one seeded Western New England College. WNEC is the 12th nationally ranked team in the country, and they manhandled UNE earlier this year. The Golden Bears smoked UNE 18-3 three weeks ago, but UNE has been playing a lot better lacrosse since then, and will have the drive to shake up things in the TCCC.
The Softball team reached the twenty-win plateau with a double-header sweep of Anna Maria College on Friday, and solidified their sixth seed for the tournament on Saturday. After dropping the opening game against Roger Williams, UNE came back to win the nightcap, 8-2. Freshman pitcher Erin Lyons twirled a gem in the second game, going the distance and striking out six, while not allowing any earned runs. Senior Ashley Depasquale and first-year Megan Johnson each had two hits and knocked in two runs for the Nor'easters.
UNE will host Nichols College this afternoon in the play-in round at 4pm. Nichols (15-22, 13-11) swept UNE in a double-header earlier this year, 7-5 and 6-1. That was during a stretch of four games in five days for UNE, where they were playing sub par ball, and will seek revenge today.


Good Luck in the Tourney!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Close...But No Cigar

Both the Men's and Women's Lacrosse teams were on the brink of victory yesterday, but just came short of pulling it out. It took some last minute heroics for the USM Men to leave Biddeford with a win, and the Lady Huskies were able to withstand what would have been a monumental comeback.
In the Men's contest, UNE had all the ingredients needed for a win, but could not put them all together in the end. The Nor'easters defense was top notch yesterday, starting with senior goalie, Andy Briggs. Briggs, in his first start since being injured on March 27th, made thirteen stops including three on consecutive Huskie drives in the third quarter. First-year defenseman, Tim Margiotta, played aggressive causing six turnovers and gathering seven groundballs. The offense, though inconsistent, showed glimmers of brilliance. First-year Mike Pennacchio finished with a hat trick, and his goals could not be anymore timely, changing the flow of momentum with each one.
But it all came down to the final two minutes. UNE held the lead for the entire second half, until USM attackmen, Kyle Hamilton, tied up the game with 1:54 left to play. Hamilton would then score the go ahead goal 20 seconds later, capitalizing on the only mistake the defense made all day. Hamilton caught the entire back line out of position, and snuck a shot past Briggs for the lead. USM would hold on for the 7-6 win, as UNE turned the ball over twice in the final minute. Another frustrating loss for the Men, as they just seem to be stuck before getting over the hump.
The Nor'easters will be playing for the final spot in the TCCC Tournament on Saturday. Nichols and UNE both have a 1-7 conference record, and a victory will propel either team to the playoffs. The matchup will begin at 11am in Dudley, MA.

Keeping with the theme of excitement, the Women's Lacrosse team nearly posted a huge comeback yesterday in Portland. The teams were scoring in bunches yesterday, with USM starting the slugfest in a 9-1 fashion. UNE would then score three of the final four goals of the half, all coming from sophomore Danielle Cate, but still trailed 10-4 at the break. The Nor'easters would trim the margin even more at the start of the second half, scoring three unanswered in the first six minutes. The Huskies answered with a streak of their own, scoring five unanswered, and seemingly put the game out of reach with under seven minutes remaining. But the Nor'easters would storm back again, scoring five unanswered goals of their own, three off the stick of senior, Amanda Barker. However, time was not on their side, and five would not be enough, losing the match 15-12.
Cate and Barker led the offense with four and three goals, respectively. Junior Ginny Lee also had a goal and an assist, and goalie Tara Geraghty made 14 stops for the Nor'easters.
The Women will travel to Dudley, MA to play Nichols College (3-9, 0-8) at 2pm tomorrow.

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Men's Lax Gets Worked

A strong start and an even stronger finish. That is what it took Gordon College to down the Nor'easters in a lambasting fashion, 18-8. Amid the rain and mud, the Fighting Scots scored three unanswered goals in the first five minutes, and would add another before UNE could get on the board. Going into halftime, a comeback looked promising as the Nor'easters scored three unanswered to bring the deficit to 8-5 heading into the locker room. However, the Scots would not allow it to get any closer, outscoring the blue and white 10-3 in the second half, including six unanswered goals to finish off the game.
Gordon had three players who had at least four goals. Joe Derechinshy tallied four, while Andrew Kirkaldy and Jordan MacIntosh each found the back of the net five times. Luke Difiore led the offense for UNE with three goals and an assist. Senior Dan Leyden put in two, and assisted on another goal. Senior goalie Andrew Briggs played in his first game since injuring his quad earlier this season.
The men will host USM tomorrow in the home finale, and travel to Dudley, MA to finish out the season.

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Club Baseball Splits

The UNE Club Baseball team played a double-header against Tufts University of Sunday afternoon. The Nor'easters split the afternoon, winning 4-1 and losing 7-4. In game one, UNE rode the back of junior pitcher Dana Gobeil. Gobeil twirled a gem going the distance, striking out six, and scattering five hits. He was backed up by some solid defense up the middle, as junior's AJ Fredette and Dan Root tag teamed for three timely double plays. Junior’s Ryan Knight and Blake Conrad, who each had three hits, led the offense. Knight also scored two runs and stole two bases in the victory.

In the nightcap, the Nor'easters struggled in the field, committing four errors in the first four innings, showing sophomore hurler, Kal Smith, no love. Smith escaped the fourth inning allowing just two earned runs and striking out four, three of which that came on his nasty 12-6 curveball. Junior, Brian Muldoon, came in to finish the last three innings, giving up one run on four hits. UNE had trouble getting the bats going and were shutout until the sixth when junior John Rosati knocked in Knight with a single to left. The Nor'easters would score four times that inning, but it was too little too late as Tufts finished with a 7-4 win.

Other notables include Jack Nolan ripping a single in his first at bat here at UNE. Pinch hitter, Pat McCarthy, knocked a double to right and made it look easy. The team will now be on hiatus until the Fall where they will look to capture the NECBA Championship.

Monday, April 20, 2009

Storm Cloud Forms Over UNE This Weekend

This weekend proved to be a tough one for UNE, with the Men's and Women's Lacrosse team, and the Softball team all suffering losses. The Nor'easters all had tough matches ahead of them, and could not come out on top.
Both Lacrosse teams traveled down to Bristol, Rhode Island to square off with Roger Williams University. RWU is one of the top lacrosse programs in the conference, and they showed off their muscle on Saturday.
In the Women's game, the Hawks jumped out to a quick 5-2 lead, and that the type of day it was for the Nor'easters. Roger Williams kept pouring it on, extending the lead to 10-3, before UNE would make a late first half push closing the gap and headed into halftime down 13-8. The beginning of the second half looked promising for a UNE comeback as Amanda Barker scored on a free position shot, just two minutes into the second frame. But Roger Williams would put the clamps on after that, holding UNE scoreless for the rest of the game. The Hawks would then add eight goals of their own to make this game a blowout.
Kate McCarter led the offense for UNE scoring four goals, while sophomore tender Tara Geraghty made 15 stops in the game. The Ladies will finish their home campaign on Wednesday as they host Gordon College at 4:00pm.
The Men's game was a bit of a different story. Despite a loss, the Nor'easters showed even more improvement, and played one of their best games of the year. In a game that was constantly tied, the Hawks scored what would be the game winner with just five minutes left in the game. With a couple of bounces the other way, this game could have easily been an upset victory for the Nor'easters. With the win, Roger Williams (8-4, 5-2) sits tied in the third slot in the TCCC with Salve Regina. UNE will host Nichols College in a battle for the eight seed in the TCCC Tournament tomorrow at 4:00pm, and will play their final home game of the season on Thursday against the University of Southern Maine.

It was a tale of two days this weekend, as the Softball team swept on Saturday, and got swept on Sunday. The Nor'easters got two great pitching performances on Saturday against Anna Maria, winning 5-2 and 8-1. First-year pitcher Erin Lyons dominated the Amcats lineup, punching out 13 batters while only walking one. Junior Julie Monteiro had two hits and knocked in two runs, while senior Megan Gaegje jacked her second home run of the season to take the first game of the double-header. In the second game, sophomore hurler Amber Zablowsky allowed just two hits and struck out five. Zablowsky went the distance, earning the win while allowing just one Amcat to cross the plate. The Nor'easters had 12 hits in the affair and took advantage of six Anna Maria errors in the 8-1 victory. Junior Angie Damon led the way going 2-4 with a double and a home run, knocking in two runs.
Sunday was a different story. UNE should have saved some of the runs from Saturday, as the Ladies could only score four runs in the double-header, losing 6-2 and 8-2 to TCCC rival Western New England College. The offense could not get rolling in either game, as the WNEC pitching held the Nor'easter lineup to six hits and five hits, respectively. The Nor'easters help bury their own grave on Sunday, committing 11 errors in the two games. The Women will try to get back on the winning horse as they travel to Bowdoin tomorrow for an out of conference contest at 3:30pm.