/09.01.2011sports

Fall Sports Preview A special section of

The Ithacan

Get the ball rolling The women’s and men’s soccer teams are kicking off their seasons this week along with seven other varsity teams on South Hill.

The Ithacan has the coverage to keep you up-to-date.

From left, junior forward Rachael Palladino and senior back Matt Anthony battle for the ball Aug. 24 on Upper Terrace Field. Both soccer teams are hoping to win the conference title this season.

Michelle Boulé/the Ithacan

Fall Sports Preview

2 The It hacan

Th ursday, S ep tember 1 , 2 0 1 1

men’s cross country

Younger runners lead team charge

By Alex holt staff writer

Last season the men’s cross country team relied on graduate student William Way and senior John Davis to carry them to the conference title. But this year’s success depends on the younger Bombers using their budding talent to crush the competition.

Senior team captain Daniel Craighead said the less experienced runners will improve because Way and Davis had high expectations for them last season.

“They were leading the way by a lot in every race and were sort of carrying the team while a bunch of younger guys were just getting experience,” Craighead said. “They’re both gone, but all the guys who were underclassmen last year now have experience and are ready to step it up.”

Keeping a team-first attitude, the Blue and Gold did not wait until the school year to begin team bonding and workouts.

Nine athletes spent part of the summer in Ithaca doing group workouts. Senior team captain Daniel Craighead said the workouts were part of a concerted effort to get in shape for the season and improve their depth on the roster from when they depended on Way and Davis last season.

Head Coach Jim Nichols said he is eager to find out how the team’s workouts have paid off.

“This is probably one of the biggest groups that have stayed together over the summer and trained together,” Nichols said. “So it will be interesting to see how good of shape they’re in once we get going.”

In addition to Craighead, senior Jacob Brower and juniors Nate

Bickell, David Geary, Billy Savage and Mark Vorensky all return.

Geary finished second on the team last season in the 6,000-meter run with a time of 20:32.90 at the Cortland Jack Daniels Invitational.

Savage completed the 5.2-mile run, the team’s longest event last season, in 28:42.6 at the Penn State Spiked Shoe Invitational.

Vorensky arrived in Ithaca early to train with his classmates to work on his stamina and running form. He said the summer training was the key to a sucJUST THE FACTS cessful season for the team.

Head Coach: Jim Nichols “You do the workouts during the year and fineLast year’s finish: 7th in NCAA tune everything,” Vorensky Atlantic Regional championships said. “But the summer is where you really put in all Key losses: John Davis ’11, Tyler your good mileage and the Gustafson ’11 higher mileage really takes Key returners: Senior Daniel you all through the season.”

Craighead, juniors Billy Savage Vorensky finished ninth and Mark Vorensky in the 8,000-meter run at last year’s Empire 8 championCaptains: Craighead ships in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., with a time of 26:31.

Home course: Ithaca College Cross Country Course Ten of the 14 runners on the cross country team were also on the men’s track and field team that won the Empire 8 title in the spring. Nichols said he hopes the athletes from the track and field team who are also running cross country continue to show progress.

“We had a lot of guys in the 1,500-meter races that were four Senior captain Daniel Craighead leads the pack of runners during practice last Thursday on the Ithaca College minutes or better, which shows good Cross Country Course. Craighead held the Bombers’ third-best time in the 8,000-meter run last season. speed and good strength,” Nichols michelle boulé/the ithacan said. “And on top of that, the expeVorensky said despite the changrience that they have garnered over the team for nationals, there are Oct. 15 and the Bombers will have the the last couple of years will be a big, also regular season meets that will chance to measure themselves against es to the roster, the team does not serve as important benchmarks for Division I schools at this year’s Penn expect any type of drop-off. big plus for us.”

“Even though we’re less in numState Spiked Shoe Invitational.

While the Bombers’ goal for the the team.

Craighead said the Bombers bers, we’re still looking to go to Many conference teams will be season is to do well at the conference and state championships and competing with the Bombers in the need to be more consistent in their nationals,” Vorensky said. “We can handle a tough season. the NCAA regionals to qualify Oberlin Inter-regional Rumble on finishes than they were last season.

women’s cross country

Blue and Gold look to unify runners in transition By kevin mccall sports editor

After an impressive season finishing seventh of 33 teams in the NCAA Atlantic Regionals, the women’s cross country team is ready to take to the course with the largest group of freshmen since 2007.

The Bombers remain the only team to win the Empire 8 conference since its inception a decade ago. Senior captains Heidi Baumbach and Molly Quinn lead a team in transition, with eight freshmen joining this year’s squad.

Baumbach said she was surprised at the level of enthusiasm the freshmen had during the preseason.

“When Molly and I first joined the team we were two of only four freshmen,” she said. “Every one of them seems to have put a lot of work in over the summer and wants to contribute right away.”

Junior Carly Graham, a middle distance runner on the women’s track and field team, will also be a new addition.

The South Hill squad lost five seniors to graduation last season, including Alissa Kersey and Elizabeth Schloss, who finished second and third, respectively, in the Oberlin Inter-regional Rumble. Catherine Ortiz ’11, who led the Bombers with a fifth-place finish time at the New York State Collegiate Track Conference championships, is also no longer on the roster.

Head Coach Bill Ware, now in his 24th year

with the Blue and Gold, said he is excited about the new captains and knows that they will be effective leaders.

“We have a fresh new group at the top of our team and I’ve seen JUST THE FACTS kids really come on during their last season because they know it’s their Head Coach: Bill Ware last go-around with the program,” Ware said.

Last year’s finish: 7th in NCAA Assistant Coach Erin Dinan, Atlantic Regional championships now in her sixth season with the Key losses: Alissa Kersey ’11 and team, said Baumbach and Quinn Catherine Ortiz ’11 have a strong work ethic and lead by example.

Key returners: Seniors Heidi Baum“Everyone looks up to them bebach, Molly Quinn and Jen Randall cause they’re welcoming and they put a great amount of effort into evCaptains: Baumbach and Quinn erything they do,” Dinan said.

Home course: Ithaca College Cross Baumbach finished first overall Country Course in the 4,000-, 5,000- and 6,000-meter runs last season. She finished the 6,000-meter run in 22:31.6 at the NCAA championships Nov. 20 in Waverly, Iowa, to cap a season when she won all-conference, allstate and regional honors.

From left, senior captains Heidi Baumbach and Molly Quinn run during practice last Thursday on Quinn will be returning to the team after the Ithaca College Cross Country Course. The team is seeking its ninth straight conference title. recovering from a broken arm last season. She rachel orlow/the ithacan ran a season-best 21:43.8 in the 5,000-meter Ware said the program’s rich history gives run at the Oswego Invitational and 24:28.9 in tional and regional meets in the later part the 6,000-meter run at the Oneonta Airfield of the schedule. The season begins with the the team incentive to do well.

“We’ve had pretty good teams in the past Bombers’ Alumni Run on Ithaca College’s Invitational prior to the injury.

Ware said it will take about three weeks hilly course, then moves to a flatter course at and that gives our team a legacy to live up to every year,” he said. for him to determine a solid lineup for na- the Oswego Invitational.

Fall Sports Preview

Th ursday, Septem be r 1, 2011

The I th a c a n 3

Football

Bombers set sights on keeping winning tradition alive

By Harlan Green-Taub Assistant sports editor

Despite going into the final conference game of last season with a chance to win the Empire 8 conference, the Bombers football team finished with a disappointing 6—4 record and missed the NCAA playoffs for the second year in a row.

After starting with a promising 6—2 record, including a perfect 5—0 record at JUST THE FACTS home, the Blue and Gold dropped their final two contests losing to Alfred Head Coach: Mike Welch University 31-17 and Last year’s finish: 6–4 suffering a heartbreaking 20-17 loss Key losses: Rob Zappia ‘11, to SUNY-Cortland in Thomas Vossler ‘11, Andrew the annual Cortaca Haim ‘11 and Dan Higgins ‘11 Jug game.

Head Coach Mike Key returners: Graduate student Dan Ruffrage, seniors Mike Conti Welch, who is entering and Ryan Clarke his 18th year at the helm, said while reaching the Captains: Ruffrage, seniors postseason is always an Gregory Peck, Matthew Hannon important goal, thinking Conti and Clarke about the playoffs is far off at this point.

Home field: Butterfield Stadium “We just have to approach each game one at a time and stay focused on that,” Welch said. “We’ve had a good preseason so far and we’ll know more as we progress towards our first game.”

While the offense lost key starters such as quarterback Rob Zappia ’11, tight end Dan Higgins ’11 and the school’s all-time leading receiver Thomas Vossler ’11, many key players are returning. Graduate stu- Sophomore quarterback Phil Neumann takes a snap from center junior Nathaniel Hemingway and drops back at practice Aug. 24 on Lower dent wide receiver Dan Ruffrage returns Allen Field. Neumann is one of three players vying for the starting quarterback job, along with juniors Jason Hendel and Pat Griffin. with a good chance to finish his career as the school’s all-time leader in receptions — he needs 41 to surpass Vossler.

Ruffrage said the accomplishment won’t be his main focus.

“The seniors went out in a tough way with the losses to end the season,” Ruffrage said. “Yes, having the record would be nice, but if it’s not helping us win games, then it means nothing to me.”

While the running game struggled to gain any traction last season, the running back duo of last year’s leading rusher junior Clay Ardoin and sophomore Jared Prugar should help the Bombers run the football better in 2011. The South Hill squad averaged 2.1 yards per carry and 60.8 yards per game last season.

The offensive line, which struggled to create holes for the running backs last season, returns key starters.

Welch said having three returning starters on the offensive line would make it a more cohesive unit than last year.

“The running game as a whole was not where we needed it to be last season and we’ve worked hard this preseason to get everyone on the same page,” he said.

Junior center Nathaniel Hemingway is entering his second year as the starter after

rachel orlow/the ithacan

starting all 10 games last season and senior offensive guard Gregory Peck will start for the third consecutive year.

A big question mark for this year’s squad is who will take control of the quarterback position. Junior Jason Hendel and sophomore Phil Neumann are battling for the starting spot along with junior Pat Griffin. Hendel made two appearances last season, completing his only pass attempt, while Neumann played extensively on the junior varsity team and received the Marty Higgins Award last season as the team’s top player.

Welch said the team would be closer to naming a starter after the team’s scrimmage against St. Lawrence University, which took place Saturday.

“Right now it’s a three-way battle between Griffin, Hendel, and Neumann,” Welch said. “We’ll know a lot more about our quarterback situation after that game.”

The Bombers will not name a starter until the opener against SUNY-Brockport on Saturday. Neumann said Saturday’s scrimmage against St. Lawrence allowed each quarterback to get necessary experience against a quality team.

From left, junior offensive tackle Rodger Quigley attempts to block senior linebacker Joe Gilfedder at practice Aug. 24 on Lower Allen Field. The team finished 6–4 last season. michelle boulé/the ithacan

“It was good to get our feet wet against a good opponent,” Neumann said. “We executed well in the red zone and put together some nice long sustained drives.”

Neumann said playing against a different opponent forced the team to focus on timing.

“Our offense isn’t about going for the big play every down so it was good to see us convert some third downs and keep drives going,” he said.

Defense will almost certainly be a strength for the Bombers this season under new Defensive Coordinator Mark McDonough ’02. While the whole defensive line graduated, the linebacking core and secondary return almost all their starters. Senior cornerbacks Spence White and Mike Conti enter their third year as starters and together totaled eight interceptions last year.

The Bombers also return three of four starting linebackers. The senior linebacker trifecta of Eric Toporoff, Ryan Clarke and Joe Gilfedder combined for 174 tackles last year, including 33 tackles for a loss. Junior Will Carter, who recorded 12 tackles for a loss, also returns.

Toporoff said the experience of the defense, which returns seven starters, should ease the transition.

“We’re going to be pretty experienced throughout the secondary, and all the linebackers are returning,” Toporoff said. “We have some new guys along the defensive line, but our mentality is still the same. Always attacking, always vicious, and we’re going after the conference championship.”

The Bombers, who were picked to finish fifth in the conference this season in the preseason coaches’ poll, are not taking the ranking as a sign of disrespect, but are using it as motivation.

Senior linebacker Will Clarke said the team is not used to flying under the radar, but has embraced its new position as an underdog.

“This is a very solid team on both sides of the ball,” Clarke said. “If people want to underestimate us, let them.

We’re going to sneak up on some people this season.”

Teams to watch The Bombers take on three new opponents this season as the Empire 8 welcomes two new members to the conference.

The Bombers last played the Brockport Golden Eagles in 2006 and defeated them 26-7. In their last four games against the Eagles, the Blue and Gold are 3–1. The only loss came in 2004 when the Bombers missed a chance to take the lead in the final seconds of the game on a blocked field goal. Brockport finished 2–8 last season.

The Frostburg State Bobcats, one of two new members to the Empire 8 conference, last played the Bombers in 2008, losing to them 20-10 in Maryland. In 2007 the Bombers defeated the Bobcats 51-24 at Butterfield Stadium. Frostburg State finished 2–8 last season.

The Salisbury Seagulls, the other new addition to the conference, are coming off one of the best seasons in their history having made their seventh NCAA postseason appearance.

Picked in the preseason to finish second in the conference, the Seagulls will provide the Bombers with a tough test the second week of the season.

Fall Sports Preview

4 The It hacan

Th ursday, S ep tember 1 , 2 0 1 1

Soccer players shooting for success Look for these players on the men’s and women’s soccer teams to have a deep impact on offense and defense this season

Back

Midfielder/Back

Back

matt Anthony

Senior 16 Games started

Jack shirley

Junior 12 Games played

Back gabriel Saint malo

Junior 8 Games started

Ryan Norland

Junior 14 Games started

men’s soccer

Bombers take initiative in search for offensive power By andrew kristy staff writer

This year the men’s soccer team will look to improve after a disappointing season that garnered a final record of 4–8–4. The South Hill squad has put the past behind it and is enthusiastic about the prospects of the new season.

The Bombers graduated five seniors from last year’s team, including captain Jeff Geyer, a three-time all-conference midfielder who scored two game-winning goals, and senior goalie Justin Parlapiano, who was also recognized on the Empire 8 honorable mention squad.

Nevertheless, a core group of returners aims to keep the Blue and Gold in the win column.

The team’s stability is on defense, as senior defender Matt Anthony will start for the fourth consecutive season. Anthony started all 16 games last season, raising his career streak of consecutive starts to 37.

Junior backers Gabe Saint Malo, who started eight games, and Ryan Norland, who had 14 starts, join Anthony in the backfield.

At the forward position, last year’s breakout sophomore Steve Kinslow returns along with junior forward Max Grigri, both of whom had two goals in eight games last season.

Head Coach Andy Byrne, who is entering his 28th year with the men’s soccer team, said it will be vital for the offense to find a constant way to convert on scoring chances.

“In most of our games we created a lot of chances to score, but we didn’t finish them last year,” Byrne said. “So we’re hoping we can score and take advantage of the instances that we create.”

Anthony said even though the win-loss column may have been unfavorable for the South Hill squad last season, the team’s record was deceiving, given the results of each game.

shot the Bombers 241–180.

Saint Malo said the incoming group of freshmen and the returning players have looked impressive in preseason camp, and he hopes they have an immediate and profound impact on offense.

“Pretty much all our freshJUST THE FACTS men are attacking players and some of the [returning] attackHead Coach: Andy Byrne ing players in the offseason have put in that extra effort,” Last year’s finish: 4–8–4 Saint Malo said. “It’s everyone going out and putting in the Key losses: Jeff Geyer ’11 commitment over the summer Key returners: Senior Matt — guys just working out when Anthony and juniors Gabe Saint they didn’t have to.”

Malo and Ryan Norland Saint Malo said this team is the most physically fit it has Captains: To be determined been in the two years he has been on South Hill.

Home field: Carp Wood Field Anthony attributed the players’ physical strength to their willingness to work on conditioning and accuracy of their kicks in the offseason.

“People actually played over the summer because people’s touches are a lot better than what they were last year,” Anthony said.

The team is still in the transitional phase, and no captains have been named yet.

Coach Byrne said he expects every man to compete in practice every day and not to look far in advance.

“We’re just hoping that the kids can come From left, junior back Gabe Saint Malo tries to kick the ball away from senior back Matt Anthony and work hard every day and try to improve during practice Aug. 24 on Upper Terrace Field. Saint Malo played in 10 games last season. as the season rolls along and see what happens rachel orlow/the Ithacan from there,” he said.

“Last year we were in almost every game we included five shutouts.

Anthony said making the Empire 8 tourlost,” Anthony said. “We had eight losses. Six of But on the opposite end of the spectrum, nament this season will be one of the team’s them were 1–0. We were never really blown out the Bombers managed to score only eight goals primary objectives.

“I expect us to be in the conference tournaof any game.” throughout 16 regular season games. Their opLast year the Bombers’ defense allowed an ponents scored twice as many goals as in the ment and once you get in there, anything can average of less than one goal per game, which first half, drew 15 more corner kicks and out- happen,” he said.

Fall Sports Preview

Th ursday, Septem be r 1, 2011

The I th a c a n 5

Forward

Midfielder

Rachael palladino

Caroline jastremski

Junior 20 Goals

Junior 14 Points

Forward Midfielder jackie rodabaugh

Sophomore 7 Goals

Julie winn

Junior 5 Assists

women’s soccer

Team looks to fresh faces to regain conference title by kevin mccall sports editor

After last season’s playoff loss to the The College of New Jersey, the Bombers’ second in three years, the team was already thinking about the following season.

Sophomore Jackie Rodabaugh said the 3-0 playoff loss at the end of the 2010 season was frustrating, but motivating.

“It really hurt to lose to them again when we had so many chances to score,” she said. “But it only makes us want to bring home a championship even more.”

Rodabaugh said the Bombers have remained focused on smaller goals such as winning the conference before they think about competing in the NCAA playoffs.

Rodabaugh finished second on the team in assists and points last season with eight and 22, respectively. She joins junior forward Rachael Palladino, who earned all-region and all-conference honors and set school records of 20 goals and 45 points. The team outscored their opponents 48–12 last season and held a 140–40 advantage in corner kicks.

Palladino said scoring goals and generating corner kicks will be strengths for the team this year.

“If we can get enough pressure on the teams where they panic and kick the ball out of bounds, we can keep the ball in our own end and take some pressure off the defense,” she said.

The Bombers lost Andrea Janda, who played 14 games in the backfield last season, but senior Andi Roach will still be in the backfield.

The team has a void at goalie since Alyssa JUST THE FACTS Sotomayor and Jessica Platt have graduated.

Head Coach: Mindy Quigg Junior Becca Salant, Last year’s finish: 13–5–1, NCAA who played just 38 minChampionship second round loss utes last season, will be competing for the startKey losses: Graduate student Liz ing position along with Masucci, Andrea Janda ’11 and freshman Becca Lewis.

Jessica Platt ’11 Head Coach Mindy Quigg said she will examKey returners: Juniors Rachael Palladino, Caroline Jastremski ine their ability to move and Julie Winn laterally and to reach for low shots that go toward Captains: No captains the corners of the net.

Junior midfielder Julie Home field: Carp Wood Field Winn and senior midfielder and forward Megan Trager, have not been participating in practice because of injury. Both played in a combined 37 games for the Bombers last season.

Rodabaugh said she is confident From left, sophomore midfielder and back Meredith Jones fights for the ball alongside sophomore forward Megan sophomores Ellyn Grant-Keane and Palladino during practice Aug. 24 on Upper Terrace Field. Jones played in all 19 games for the Bombers last year. last season’s standout freshman michelle boulé/the ithacan Meredith Jones will be able to set up Junior midfielder Caroline dated back to Sept. 2009, with a University and SUNY-Farmingdale, scoring plays in front of the net.

“They have great vision and really scoreless tie in the final conference the Blue and Gold will face teams they Jastremski said the team will not take any opponent lightly. have not seen for a while. know how to run the field and direct matchup of the season.

“We can’t play down to any other The women’s soccer team will With four of the last five regular players to where they have chances to season games scheduled on the road, begin this season the same way their team no matter what the circumstancscore,” she said.

Nazareth College snapped the two of them within the conference, last season ended–with a game against es,” she said. “We have to be aggressive South Hill squad’s streak of 19 and a tough lineup of non-conference the Lions. The team thinks they will on both ends and keep the pressure coming in from the back side.” straight conference wins, which opponents that includes Marywood win this time around.

Fall Sports Preview

6 The It hacan

Th ursday, september 1 , 2 0 1 1

field hockey

Tough season losses motivate Bombers By kevin Mccall sports editor

The field hockey team had its ninth consecutive losing season last year. But this year’s group of Bombers thinks it has matured from the string of losses they had last season.

After starting off by winning three of its first four games, the South Hill squad lost four consecutive games at the end of the season to drop their overall record to 5–10. The team was 2–4 last season in games decided by one goal, including a 5-4 overtime loss to the University of Rochester after surrendering a 4-0 lead earlier in the game.

Sophomore midfielder Andrea Pace said the overtime loss was the worst of the season.

“We couldn’t sustain the high level we had been playing at and we collapsed under the pressure they were putting on us,” she said.

Head Coach Tracey Houk said she wanted to try and put players where they could be most successful, rather than changing the lineup to evaluate players during the season.

She has installed a new scoring formation that puts more players in the front of the net at one time.

“We want to accommodate the strengths of everyone on our team so we can afford to open it up on offense,” she said.

The offense lost a quick passer and forward in junior Tracy Rivas, who chose to focus strictly on playing for the women’s lacrosse team in the spring. She led the team in goals last season with seven. Last year’s leader in shots on goal, forward Katherine Brown, also graduated after last season.

To compensate for losing Rivas and Brown, there will be eight midfielders who will also play the forward position or in the defensive backfield.

Houk said she plans to use sophomore back and midfielder Sam English to play offense and

JUST THE FACTS Head Coach: Tracey Houk Last year’s finish: 5–10

defense rather than confining her to one side of the field.

Key losses: Katherine Brown ’11 Junior forward Julia Conroy, and junior Tracy Rivas who was second on the team Key returners: Senior Juliane in points last season with nine, Butare and junior Julia Conroy will also play outside of the scoring arc along with forward Captains: To be determined Heather Kozimor, who started all 15 games.

Home field: Higgins Stadium Kozimor said the goal of the formation was to have more versatile players and to strengthen the bench.

“It’s a lot easier for someone to play in a game knowing we won’t have to worry about where they can play on the field,” she said.

Houk said goaltending would be an important aspect of game play this season. Juniors Samantha Grassi and Kelly Singleton are fighting for the starting job in the net. Singleton started 13 of the 15 games last season, but Grassi had a 1.62 goals against average, including a shutout of Empire 8 conference foe Elmira College on Oct. 16.

The Bombers were inconsistent last year, with a 4–3 record at home, but a mark of 1–7 on the road. The team will have ten home games this season, three more than last year, including a game at 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at Higgins Stadium against William Smith College.

Senior midfielder and back JulieAnne Junior forward Heather Kozimor winds back for a shot during practice Friday at Higgins Stadium.

Butare said she hopes the change in schedule Kozimor started all but one game for the Bombers last season and had 11 shots on goal. will result in a more consistent season. rachel orlow/The Ithacan “We’ve worked on a lot of late-game situ“We try and take away some positive coach Lindsey Hendricks. ations and problem solving within the team English said she is excited to see what on the field,” she said. “We’ve learned to make aspects of our play from those games, but we faster switches between offense and defense so also remember we don’t want to lose those formations and strategies Hartwick will use when the team plays. types of leads ever again,” she said. we can play a 70-minute game.”

“She taught us a lot about recognizing The Bombers have circled their last game of English said the team must learn from the past and not dwell on the gut-wrenching the season against Hartwick College on Oct. 30 different coverages and knew our old system because they will be facing their former assistant well, so I’m looking forward to it,” she said. losses from last season.

golf

Golf team seeks national honors By kevin mccall sports editor

Five freshmen will join four returning players this season to form the largest women’s golf roster in the program’s history.

In just its third season as a varsity sport on South Hill, the Blue and Gold are looking to break school records and situate themselves with the nation’s best golf teams. The team begins a two-week journey to the Empire 8 championship Sept.

10-11 at St. Lawrence University in Canton, N.Y. Head Coach Dan Wood said he expects everyone to play to their fullest this season.

“We know if we play up to our potential we should have a good chance to move up and compete against teams that have had women’s golf far longer than we’ve had it,” he said.

The South Hill squad will play without junior Brooke Llobell in its quest for a second straight conference title. Llobell, who shot a season-best score of 82 at last year’s St. Lawrence Invitational, transferred to the University of South Carolina.

But junior Jackie Young is coming off a year during which she shot 174 over 36 holes at the Nazareth Invitational that ended last year’s fall season.

Sophomore Amanda Failla is also returning to the Bombers and is looking to build on a successful first season when she shot a team-best 81 in three consecutive matches and

placed fourth overall at the Empire 8 championships at the Mill Creek Country Club in Churchville, N.Y. Failla said the team will go into each tournament with a slow and steady mentality: If they can shoot par on each hole, they’ll be in good shape.

“If our short game is really good and we can sink holes with three putts during each outing, we could be one of the best golf teams in the state,” she said.

With conference competition permitting teams to have six players compete and drop the two lowest scores, Wood said, the team’s objective will be for every player to shoot an 85 or less on the course for a total team score of no more than 340.

The Bombers won the Empire 8 tournament last season, with a finishing score 44 strokes ahead of second place team St. John Fisher College.

From there, the Bombers went on to beat northeastern powerhouse schools SUNY-Cortland, Mount Holyoke College and St. Lawrence University at the ECAC championships in Macedon, N.Y. Junior Samantha Liberty said winning the conference title last year boosted the team’s confidence and encouraged players to break their own scoring records.

“We beat a lot of competitors last season that we couldn’t beat before, and we were amazed at how we could set team and individual scoring records in the process,” she said.

Wood said out of all the new

freshmen on this year’s team, he is most excited about having Sharon Li on board. The student from Hong Kong has been competing since she was 6 years old and has finished in the top-five bracket of JUST THE FACTS many tournaments in Southeast Asia.

Head Coach: Dan Wood “She’s by far the Last year’s finish: Third place at best golfer we’ve ECAC championships had at Ithaca College based on her Key losses: Junior Brooke Llobell background and experience,” Wood Key returners: Senior Jackie Young said. “She is certainly and sophomore Amanda Failla capable of shooting Captains: To be determined 80 and under on any given day.”

Home course: Country Club Li and the other of Ithaca freshmen will not have the chance to play on the team’s home course at the Country Club of Ithaca this fall, as all of this season’s tournaments are on the road.

Failla said returning players will have to work hard with new players to help understand courses they have never played on before. She said the freshmen will have to adapt to every part of the course.

“It’s going to be all about adjustJunior Jackie Young putts during practice Saturday at the Country Club of ing to see what kind of club should be Ithaca. Young has played for the team since its inception in Fall 2009. used and where they should aim their Michelle boulé/The Ithacan shots,” she said.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if three With this year’s Empire 8 tour- team’s opening tournament, the upperclassmen and three freshmen nament at only two weeks away, St. Lawrence Invitational.

Wood said he believes the team made it to the Empire 8 team,” he Wood will have to quickly determine the six players he will fea- will be more balanced this year than said. “There’s going to be a lot of competition with this year’s group.” ture. The process begins with the in the past two seasons.

Fall Sports Preview

Th ursday, Septem be r 1, 2011

The I th a c a n 7

Women’s tennis

Blue and Gold take to court with new leadership

By Matt kelly staff writer

Even after six consecutive Empire 8 championships the women’s tennis team is looking to improve in and out of their conference schedule, this time with a fresh set of team leaders.

Head Coach Bill Austin will have a new pair of captains on the team this season after losing two players imprinted on the Bomber record books.

The Bombers ran the table in Empire 8 action last year and had a perfect 7–0 record in conference play. They followed up by defeating Nazareth College 6–1 and Stevens Institute of Technology 5–1 in the tournament to win their sixth straight conference title and earn a spot in the NCAA championships.

Senior captains Melanie Cohen and Melissa Nunez led the Bombers to the regional quarterfinal last year where they lost to Wilkes University by a score of 5–3. Austin said losing the two players to graduation caused a loss in talent and leadership at the top of the club.

Fortunately for the South Hill squad, both players will be back on campus this year in assistant capacities to provide sound advice and coaching for the current crop of players.

Returning senior Kelsey Harness said she expects the team to welcome their leadership this fall.

“I just hope to do half as good a job leading this team as Melanie and Melissa did last year,” Harness said. “They were like our mothers on the team with the way they took care of us and always gave us tips and prepared us for our matches.”

Cohen finished her career tied for most doubles victories for the Blue and Gold (49), fourth in overall victories (91) and tied for seventh in singles wins (42). Meanwhile, Nunez was a 2010 first team All-Empire 8 selection and had a career-high total of 31 combined victories last year.

She finished her career with the fifth

most doubles victories in Bombers history (49).

Junior Cristina Nunez, who is studying abroad, will also be missing from this JUST THE FACTS fall’s lineup. Melissa’s younger sister had a strong year in Head Coach: Bill Austin 2009, and set the program’s Last year’s finish: First round single season records for a loss in NCAA tournament freshman in singles and doubles wins on her way to being Key losses: Melissa Nunez ’11 named the Empire 8 Player and Melanie Cohen ’11, junior of the Year and Rookie of the Christina Nunez Year. She was also honored as the conference tournament’s Key returners: Seniors Becky Campbell and Kelsey Harness Most Valuable Player.

Nunez backed those Captains: Campbell and Harness awards in her sophomore campaign by winning the Home courts: Ithaca College conference’s Player of the Tennis Courts Year award again while compiling a 22–5 singles record and a 20–8 doubles mark playing mostly with her older sister.

Without those three dynamic players on the roster, Austin will turn to some of his other experienced members to take charge.

While practices did not begin until yesterday and captains have not officially been named, Austin said the question of who will lead his team comes down to his tradition.

“My leaders are always my seniors,” Austin said. “They’re my captains who have been here the longest and know the program.

With Cristina in Australia though, things at the top are a little more wide open.”

Austin said he will look to Harness and Becky Campbell Junior Allison Young strikes a tennis ball Friday at the Ithaca College Tennis Courts. Young is one of 11 returning for leadership, along with a few players on the Bombers’ roster this season in addition to senior captains Becky Campbell and Kelsey Harness. younger players such as junior Kevin Campbell/the ithacan Laurel Salladay and sophomore Campbell said the keys to winning Becky Guzzo to step up and play doubles partner over the past two courts to hit more accurate shots.

Harness, Campbell and Austin a seventh consecutive conference title seasons. She said she has focused on more prominent roles.

Harness has won 22 singles improving her cardiovascular endur- said Nazareth and Stevens were will be more trust in her returns and matches as a player in the back ance over the summer so she can the toughest opponents on the more mental endurance.

“I think if I had a little more confiof the rotation over the past two produce stronger finishes in singles conference schedule, along with Rochester Institute of Technology dence in my shots some of my matchyears. She also had a strong doubles and doubles matches.

She said she has been working and University of Rochester on the es could have gone differently last partnership with Salladay. year,” she said.

Campbell was Cohen’s primary on her ground strokes at hometown non-conference portion.

volleyball

Squad remains optimistic

By Nate bickell staff writer

After a first-round exit at the NCAA championships last season, the volleyball team is determined to advance further in the playoffs.

The team returns four of six starters this season, and senior middle blocker Kate Thoene said the Bombers are focusing on consistency.

“Last season we roller-coastered,” she said.

“We would go on streaks where we would win a lot and go on streaks where we lost a lot.”

Despite winning the Empire 8 regular season and tournament titles last year and only graduating two seniors, the Bombers were ranked second behind Stevens Institute of Technology in the preseason coaches’ poll.

Head Coach Janet Donovan said the Blue and Gold are used to being underrated.

“Last year we were picked fifth and we won it, so this year is just par for the course,” she said.

“It will just give us a little extra motivation.”

The Bombers return their team leaders in blocks, kills, sets and service aces from last year.

Senior outside hitter Chelsea Hayes, last year’s Empire 8 tournament Most Valuable Player, will lead the offense. Hayes posted a team-high 337 kills last year.

Adding junior transfer setter Missy Weil should strengthen the Blue and Gold at the front of the net. Weil joins the team after two years at Corning Community College. Weil said

JUST THE FACTS practicing with the Bombers has been more intense.

Head Coach: Janet Donovan “I feel like I’m pushed a lot harder here than I was at community college,” Last year’s finish: NCAA tournashe said. “So I’m getting a lot better.” ment first round loss Despite returning most of the team’s starters, junior setter Marissa Key losses: Taylor Horton ’11, Woodcome said, competition has Tina Orlandini ’11 been tight during preseason.

Key returners: Seniors Chelsea “There is really no telling to see Hayes and Kate Thoene, junior who’s going to be a starter this year Marissa Woodcome because we have so many great freshmen coming in,” she said. “Everybody Captains: To be determined is kind of neck-and-neck right now as far as talent and drive.”

Home court: Ben Light Gymnasium Donovan and her assistant coaches created workouts for the team over the summer — more running and drills in front of the net — that focused on strength, agility and endurance.

Donovan said she was impressed by the level of fitness the team had when they got to campus.

“We’re not as worried about getting them in Senior Kate Thoene goes down for a dig during practice Friday in Ben Light Gymnasium. She shape as we are learning the offense and learning led the Bombers in blocks and points last season with 153 and 436, respectively. the defense,” she said. michelle boulé/the ithacan The Blue and Gold are also focusing on the Valley College, which ended its season last year mental aspects of the game. Assistant Coach missed shot during a volley.

“If you just smile, fake it and act like you’re with a win in the regional quarterfinal of the Katie Brody has been working with the team on keeping a positive facade even when they make doing OK, you start to feel like you’re doing NCAA championships.

“We put them on our schedule this year OK,” she said. a mistake on the court.

Woodcome said the Bombers are looking because we want revenge,” she said. “And we’re Woodcome said positive body language has been an effective method for getting over a forward to a possible rematch with Lebanon going to get it.”

Fall Sports Preview

8 The It hacan

Th ursday, S ep tember 1 , 2 0 1 1

Home field advantage Catch all the action this fall as the Ithaca Bombers begin their regular season FIELD HOCKEY Home field: Higgins Stadium Date Sept. 1

Time 4 p.m.

Opponent

Date

Time

Opponent

Sept. 3

1 p.m.

Oct. 8

1 p.m.

SUNY-Brockport St. John Fisher College

Oct. 29

1 p.m.

Frostburg State University

Nov. 4

1 p.m.

Springfield College

Nov. 11

Noon

SUNY-Cortland

SUNY-Cortland

Sept. 14 7 p.m.

William Smith College

Sept. 20 4 p.m.

Sept. 24 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 4 p.m.

SUNY-Oswego Hartwick College

Oct. 1

1 p.m.

SUNY-Oneonta Stevens Institute of Technology

Oct. 12

5 p.m.

University of Rochester

Oct. 15 Oct. 26 Oct. 29

1 p.m.

4 p.m.

1 p.m.

St. John Fisher College SUNY Geneseo Elmira College

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Home course: Ithaca College Cross Country Course Date

Time

Sept. 3

11:15 a.m. Jannette Bonrouhi-Zakaim Memorial Alumni Run

Oct. 21

4:30 p.m.

VOLLEYBALL Home court: Ben Light Gymnasium Date

Time

Opponent

Sept. 9

3 p.m.

SUNY-Brockport*

Sept. 9

5 p.m.

Sept. 10

11 a.m.

Union College* To be determined*

Sept. 10 Oct. 5 Oct. 14

3:30 p.m. To be determined* 7 p.m.

SUNY-Cortland Keane** 6 p.m.

Oct. 15 Oct. 15 Oct. 26

10 a.m.

4 p.m.

7 p.m.

Event

SUNY-Potsdam** SUNY-Fredonia** SUNY-Geneseo ** Bomber Invitational ** Ithaca Invitational

Cornell Reif Memorial Run

MEN’S CROSS COUNTRY Home course: Ithaca College Cross Country Course Date

Time

Sept. 3

11:15 a.m. Jannette Bonrouhi-Zakaim Memorial Alumni Run 4:30 p.m. Cornell Reif Memorial Run

Oct. 21

FOOTBALL Home field: Butterfield

Stadium

Event

WOMEN’S TENNIS Home court: Ithaca College Tennis Courts Date

Time

Sept. 7

4 p.m.

Sept. 15

4 p.m.

Hartwick College

Sept. 22

4 p.m.

SUNY-Cortland

Sept. 28

4 p.m.

Utica College

Oct. 8

12 p.m.

Nazareth College

Opponent Elmira College

WOMEN’S SOCCER Home field: Carp Wood Field Date

Time

Sept. 7

4 p.m.

Marywood University

Sept. 13

4 p.m.

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Sept. 28

Noon

Utica College

Oct. 4

4 p.m.

Misericordia University

Oct. 8 Oct. 9

Noon Noon

Alfred University Stevens Institute of Technology

Oct. 29

Noon

Rochester Institute of Technology

Opponent

MEN’S SOCCER Home field: Carp Wood Field Date

Time

Opponent

Sept. 17

2 p.m.

St. John Fisher College

Sept. 25

3 p.m.

St. Lawrence University

Oct. 8

3 p.m.

Utica College

Oct. 11

4 p.m.

Hamilton College

Oct. 29

2 p.m.

Elmira College

Above, sophomore wide receiver Alex Parenta snatches the ball before getting tackled by sophomore cornerback Mike Vulcano at practice last Thursday on Lower Allen Field.

michelle boulé/the ithacan