Campus roller hockey teams battle it out

by Ken Baumbach staff writer

The newly formed roller-hockey club at Cabrini has been growing in popularity ever since its •creation by seniors Anthony Contipodero and Frank Plum, junior AntJ;iony D' Aleo, and first-year student Rob Cain.

Originally they planned to only have a single team in the Villanova Skating Center Adult League. Howeve~, because of the demand to play hockey, two clubs were formed. Cabrini I and Cabrini II are the names of the two teams thar represent Cabrini in the Villanova hockey league.

Many people were excited about the creation of the club. "I was very excited to play," first year student Peter Schauster said. "I never played on a team before, just a lot of street hockey. It was a great way for me to meet people and get involved."

On Sunday, Nov. 18th, the two Cabrini teams meet for the second time in a game that promised to be hard fought.

Although Cabrini I beat Cabrini II the first time they met, the confidence level of Cabrini II remained high. "Losing the first game against them was rough," Schauster said. "Since then we've come together and have played better as a team."

Cabrini I came out strong in the first half of play. Mike Fineburg, graduate student, scored the first goal of the game for Cabrini I. Cabrini II answered right back with a goal of their own to tie the game 1-1. Cabrini I scored a few minutes later. The goal was scored by Anthony D' Aleo who played an excellent game, and was a constant scoring threat. Cabrini II kept the game close however, with the score 3-1 at the end of the first half of play. Both t~ams were very physical corning into the second half. The tension between both teams mounted on players from both sides and continued throughout the game to play fast and physical. Cabrini II continued to play catch up throughout the entire second half. With 10:33 left in the game, Cabrini I scored a short-handed goal. to make the score 4-3. D' Aleo scored the final goal of the game, accomplishing a hat trick, and sealed the game for Cabrini I with the final score being 5-3. Both teams competed fiercely with each other. "I felt like I was breathing harder and harder between each shift," Fineburg said.

''The game was extremely fast paced and very _quick."" I expect"ed a good game that would be close," D' Aleo commented. "It was a very physical and competitive. Cabrini II has improved since we've played them last. Both teams wanted it bad; but in the end only one team could win." Cabrini II, disappointed by the loss, tries to continue to improve and looks at the game as a learning experience. "We've come together more and felt that we set position well and have had better shots on goal," Schauster said. "We were disappointed by the loss but what is done is done. Cabrini I played an excellent game and hopefully we can learn from them."

Grass Country season runs to the finish on top

by Colleen Connor staff writer

The women's cross country team had a terrific season. Five of their top runners from last year were lost making this year a challenge. "This year was a rebuilding year," Tom O'Hara, head coach of the Cross Country team, said.

The returning members who were the mainstays of the team were Kristin Zielinski and Andrea Dragone.

Zielinski was not only the top runner, but the she ser\Cedas captain of the team. "Much of the success of the team this year can b directly attributed to Zielinski' s leadership and her ability to run.," O'Hara said. Zielinski achieved many outstanding performances during the season including second in the PAC Championships and first at the Cabrini Invitational.

Dragone also helped the team by making All PAC and earning most improved runner on th~ team. Her performances all season made a major difference in the team's standings.

Jen Przasynski had a great season. She made All PAC. Dragone and Przasynski will serve as cocaptains next year.

The top first year student of the team was Jackie McGuckin. "The • former All Philadelphia Catholic runner made an immediate impact on the team this year," O'Hara said. She was the fourth member of the team to make All PAC for the ladies.

The team finished second in the PAC, which was considered a major accomplishment. There was one injury brought upon first year student Beth Wooten, which O'Hara believes 'to have cost the ladies their first place position in the PAC.

Some of the ladies' highlights include finishing third at the Marywood Invitational, second at the Arcadia Invitational, seventh at the CTC (out of 45 teams), second at PAC to the defending champs Misericordia, and first at the Cabrini Invitational.

The men's team was an even bigger rebuilding year. Just about everyone from last year's team was lost this year. They only returning top five runner was Ryan Jones. He was hurt most of the season and only ran in two races.

The biggest contributing member was Patrick Hutton, who returned after a year's absence. Hutton was the top runner for most of the meets and made All PAC.

''The progress of the freshmen Shaun Smith, Marcel Bassett, Matt Dzuryacho and Michael Sitiritchie made it possible for the team to have a successful year;'

O'Hara said.

The men had gone into the PAC Championships having won four straight championships, and everyone wanted to beat Cabrini.

"In an effort that was nothing less than spectacular, the men finished second to a very strong Misericordia team," O'Hara said.

O'Hara earned PAC coach of the year. This was a tribute to the team's efforts this year.

It is far too early to look at who might be coming in next year, but there will need to be some good recruiting for next year in order for the team to grow. "Zielinski, Hutton and Jones will be hard to replace."