Sports

Men’s hockey season comes to an end

By Annie Markel

Staff writer

On March 18, the Mercyhurst Men’s Hockey team went up against American International College in the Atlantic Hockey Association Semifinals in Utica, New York.

The Lakers have been crushing their opponents in these semifinals. However, their season ended on Friday when our men fell to the Falcons.

The Lakers started out the first period by being outshot 13-4. However, this did not stop sophomore forward, Dante Sheriff, from taking a 1-0 lead.

After making the most of an AIC turnover deep in the opposing zone, at the opening of the period at 12:32, he put the Lakers ahead. This was a great start for Mercyhurst.

The second period was all a tussle back and forth with two goals from both teams.

AIC scored their two goals first. Seeing this, our boys put on the pressure and hit back with two of their own. Sophomore forward Austin Heidemann, made the first goal by deflecting off a shot from senior defenseman Devon Daniels.

The AIC goalie was way out of position from Daniel’s shot and Heidemann made the most of it and took his.

Junior forward Rylee St. Onge came in with the second goal scored on a power play from an assist by senior defenseman Josh McDougall.

This would give the Lakers a 3-2 lead with five minutes left in the second period. It was looking pretty good for us.

By this point, sophomore goalie Kyle McClellan had a grand total of 28 saves.

It was a tie game by the end of the second period. The third hung in the balance. Who would break the tie?

When asked what his mindset was going into the third period, senior Own Norton said, “Just do whatever it takes to win. They are a hell of a team over there. You can’t sit back and wait and see what they’re going to bring. I mean, you have to go up and get the next one.”

In the third period, AIC would come out on top with three more goals. One was even an empty netter pushing the score to 5-3.

However, our Lakers did not give up. With a second goal from senior forward Rylee St. Onge with an assist sophomore forward Mickey Burns.

With only 1:20 left in the period, they pushed the final score to 5-4. It was a narrow loss.

McClellan rounded out his sophomore season with 44 saves in his tenth game of the season.

Head coach Rick Gotkin talked about what he was most proud of from the team this season.

“I’m just proud with how they embraced it, and we just got better as the year went on,” Gotkin said. “We got lots of great leadership. Pierce Crawford and Geoff Kitt, our number of seniors. You know, I’m happy for the senior class.”

The men’s hockey team had a great season. A long season of wins and losses and making it so far in the playoffs. They should be extremely proud of themselves. This concludes their season, but the hockey team will come back for more, like they always do, next year.

Hurst Athletics photo

The Mercyhurst men’s hockey team celebrates after scoring a goal in a semifinal playoff game against American International College.

And we all thought he was actually gone for good.

Tom Brady, a man of many names. Taken by the New England Patriots in 1999 in the sixth round and 199th pick overall, no one thought he would dominate as the quarterback he has ever since.

Between the Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Brady has had 10 Super Bowl appearances, seven wins and five MVPs, more than any other player in history. In fact, he has more Super Bowl wins than any other NFL team, with the Patriots and Pittsburgh Steelers being tied for most by a team with six each.

Brady initially announced his retirement on Feb. 3 after rumors had been circulating on the Internet for a week prior. “As I look back on my career in football, the memories we have made, and the relationships we have built are by far the most meaningful,” Brady wrote on Instagram. “Yes, the scoreboard was important, but the toughest times always taught me the most important lessons. I am grateful to the people that stood with me through every high and low, win and loss, and the memories we created TOGETHER. Memories that won’t ever fade. I played for the name on the front of my jersey and the name on the back of my jersey. I played for my friends, my family, and our community- every single one of you- that have given me what I have today. I love you all. Thank you ALL for making this journey possible.”

Everyone, from current and former teammates, to rivals, to his family, congratulated Brady and gave him a well-deserved sendoff.

However, everyone soon learned that this would not be the case just yet.

On March 13, Brady announced that he was returning to football.

“These past two months I have realized my place is still on the field and not in the stands,” Brady wrote on Instagram. “That time will come. But it’s not now. I love my teammates, and I love

Tom Brady is not retiring from the NFL By Bella Lee Staff writer my supportive family. Without them, none of this is possible. I’m coming back for my 23rd season in Tampa. We have unfinished business.” After just six weeks of retirement, Brady shocked everyone HURST RESULTS with his return. Many people made jokes, including how a March 16: nearly 45-year-old quarterback with 7 Super Bowls to his name Women’s could possibly have unfinished business and that the reason he Lacrosse vs was “unretiring” was because the Slippery Rockgas prices have become so high, or he was not able to help his University: 13kids with their math homework. Despite this surprise return, his 10, Lakers family has been nothing but supportive. An spokesperson for Brady said March 18: that his wife, model Gisele Bundchen, has backed him this entire Softball vs Tampa Bay quarterback Tom Brady. Contributed photo time. “Gisele has been vocal about Seton Hill wanting him to retire for years but she’s also his biggest cheer- University: 9-6 leader,” the spokesperson said. Lakers “He would never do it if she weren’t on board. Everything they do they decide as a family.” So, what will happen in Brady’s March 19: 23rd season? Will he secure an eighth Super Men’s Tennis Bowl victory? Will he break more vs Millersville records? We will have to wait until Sept. 8, the beginning of the University : 5-2, 2022 NFL season, to find out. Lakers

Women’s tennis wins weekend games

By Sydney Dietz

Sports editor

The Mercyhurst women’s tennis team had two matches over the weekend. The first match was against West Chester University of Pennsylvania which was played on March 18, at 11:45 a.m. The second match was played against Millersville University on March 19, at 3 p.m. Both matches were played in Erie, PA at Westwood Racquet Club.

The first match resulted in a win for Mercyhurst with an ending score of 7-0.

The Lakers started their back to back weekend matches by winning two of the three double matches played on Friday afternoon.

“I am extremely proud of our team,” Head Coach Jerome Simon said. “We have played the toughest schedule since I have been here and now those difficult matches are paying dividends.”

The pair of freshman Kayla Dean and Roisin Murphy won by a score of 6-2.

Senior Naomi Jahr and junior Nadja Ostojic swept the West Chester Rams with a final score of 6-0.

Hurst Athletics photo

Junior Janice Theodora helps the Lakers defeat Millersville University on Saturday, March 19.

In the singles match, the Lakers swept all six of their matches in straight sets. Freshman Sara Bertolez Puente had a perfect match winning 6-0, 6-0. Dean won her match 6-3,6-2, and Murphy won her match 6-1, 6-2.

“After these last wins, I am looking forward to the upcoming conference matches. Also, getting such good scores makes me feel much more confident, both physically and mentally,” said Bertolez Puente.

Jahr swept her singles match 6-4,6-2 and Ostojic won with a score of 6-1.

Sophomore Valentine Budin closed the Lakers singles match with a 6-2, 6-1 score.

The second game was played on Saturday, March 19, against Millersville University. The Lakers once again brought home a victory, resulting in a three game winning streak. All three of the games were played at home.

“The team’s support is very helpful especially in decisive moments, such as breakpoints or tie-breakers,” said Bertolez Puente in regards to the team’s back-toback win.

The ending score was 6-1 in favor of Mercyhurst. The Lakers swept their three singles matches.

Dean and Murphy came away with a 6-3 win and Jahr and Ostojic earned a 6-4 doubles win.

Junior Janice Theodora and Bertolez Puente ended the doubles with a 6-2 win, in favor of the Lakers.

In singles, the Lakers won five of the six matches with Dean having a score of 7-5, 6-; Jahr 6-4, 6-4; Ostojic 6-2, 6-1; Murphy, 6-0, 6-0; and Bertolez Puenete 6-2, 6-; all earning points for Mercyhurst. When Simon was asked if there was any room for improvement he said “We are constantly evolving and keep trying to master the fundamentals.”

The Mercyhurst women’s tennis team will be facing West Liberty University next in West Liberty, West Virginia on Tuesday March 22.

“I absolutely feel the team is prepared for Tuesday’s match,” Bertolez Puenete said. “Even though West Liberty is a stronger team than the previous we have played, we have also been playing better, so I feel it will be a good opportunity for us to show our work over the past months.”

Get to know men’s soccer coach, Ryan Osborne

By Grace Elwood

Staff writer

Ryan Osborne has been the head coach of the Mercyhurst men’s soccer team since January of 2020.

He received his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education from the University of Charleston in 2013. Playing as both a striker and central midfielder, Osborne was named twice to the Daktronics All Region team during his time at Charleston and an All WVIAC selection in 2011. Although a decorated player, Osborne says he has always had an intrigue and desire to get into coaching.

This dream soon became a reality in 2014 when Osborne started as a graduate assistant coach at his alma mater, in addition to receiving his master’s degree in Strategic Leadership. Ryan Osborne moved on to Marietta College as an assistant coach, and his most recent team before joining the Lakers was at Notre Dame, where he was an associate head coach.

The Lakers went undefeated in their spring exhibition season in 2020 after the regular season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Osborne says he is “really happy with the strides the team has made from their COVID season.”

This past fall, the team fin-

Mercyhurst men’s soccer coach, Ryan Osborne.

Hurst Athletics photo.

ished with a 12-4-2 record, and the coach expressed his hopes of coming closer to reaching the goals the team has set for next season.

“We’re a lot more together now with a better understanding of what the fall semester looks like and I think that’s really good for us,” Osborne said.

The team’s first games of the spring season are approaching, and the coach expressed his excitement for players that did not see the field as much last season having new opportunities.

Osborne is already looking to next season for new recruits.

“I look for people who are driven and have a passion to better themselves on and off the field and those that understand that it’s a process and takes time. With the right dedication, big things can be achieved,” he said.

The coach is looking forward to heading into next season as a “well-oiled machine,” and certainly has many players that share the same mindset for success.

“Ozzy and the coaching staff have a vision for the program and work tirelessly to help achieve it. As players it holds us to high standards and it’s a good feeling working towards something bigger than ourselves,” senior defenseman Martin Grzywa said.

If there is one thing to note about Osborne, it is his passion for something more than just developing strong players on the field.

Tyson Antosh, a sophomore defenseman, speaks highly of the coach, noting how he is “always willing to support players outside of the game and is very aware of the struggles college students face off the field.” Certainly, Osborne’s love for coaching is fueled by more than his love for the game, but also his desire to instill personal development and resilience in his players.