FOOTBALL

The MAC finished their non-conference portion of the season with a 16-8 record, one of the best in recent years. The strength of schedule was impressive with wins over all Centennial opponents including Moravian, Ursinus, Gettysburg, Johns Hopkins, and Muhlenberg; NJAC foes Montclair, Kean, and Western Connecticut; Liberty League, former MAC member, Susquehanna; perennial ECFA power Curry; last years ODAC champion Randolph Macon; Division II Pace; and the 2008 USA South champion Christopher Newport. Congratulations to our players and coaches for representing the MAC so well!

The ECAC Defensive Player of the Week goes to Tim Lombreglia,Wilkes University
Junior Defensive Lineman from Sparta, N.J., for a great effort in the win over Christopher Newport. He picked up a career-high 10 tackles as well as two-and-a-half sacks for a loss of 14 yards to lead the Colonel defense. The defensive lineman also intercepted a pass and returned it 38 yards which led to the go-ahead touchdown for Wilkes.

This week conference play starts with the three undefeated teams and Delaware Valley (2-1 with only loss to national power Wesley) sorting things out early. The DVC/LVC match-up is huge as LVC is 3-0 for the first time since 1979, but DVC has won the last six meetings. DVC has won its last six conference openers, including four on the road. Wilkes (3-0) travels to Albright (3-0) for another great contest. Lycoming (1-2) visits King's (1-2), and Widener (2-1) travels to FDU (2-1) on Friday night.

MEN'S SOCCER

The ECAC Defensive Player of the Week is awarded to Andrew Loyd, Misericordia University Senior Goalkeeper from Dillsburg, Pa. On Saturday, MU defeated John Carroll, 1-0, only the second loss of the season for the No. 24-ranked Blue Streaks. Misericordia also battled to a 1-1 tie in double overtime Wednesday evening at the University of Scranton. Loyd only conceded one goal in both games. He made seven saves against Scranton, and earned his first shutout of the season against John Carroll. Loyd dropped his goals against average to 1.11 for the season. The shutout against John Carroll, the 14th of his career, moved him into a tie for fourth all-time in program history.

DVC (6-2) is off the their best start in program history with Tom Antonnuci leading the way. He will look for his third straight hat trick against Goucher tonight. In just eight games, he has already broken the school's single-season records for goals (13) and points (33) and needs one assist to break out of a first-place tie in that category. He has seven helpers on the year.

FIELD HOCKEY

Congratulations to Lebanon Valley field hockey on their 500th school win!

Also, kudos to all the MAC field hockey teams and players on the number of NCAA statistical leaders (13 of 16 schools are represented). Stats don't tell you everything, but they do reinforce our position as one of the best field hockey conferences in the country!

NCAA Individual Leaders

Goals per game: #18 Jenna DiSabatino and Jennifer Keegan, Wilkes, 1.17; #25 Katie Love, Messiah and Jocelyn Novak, Lebanon Valley, 1.14.

Assists per game: #2 Cassie DiSabatino, Wilkes and Shelly Lobach, Lebanon Valley, 1.0; #8 Jenna DiSabatino, Wilkes, .83; #19 Elizabeth Ziegler, Elizabethtown, .71; #30 Yvonne Herbster, Eastern and Brittney Sines, Wilkes, .67; #46 Danielle Heyne, DVC, .63.

Goals against average: #6 Liz Hannegan, Elizabethtown, .61; #17 Ashley Mowery, Messiah, .98; #33 Caitlin Baro, Lebanon Valley, 1.32; #41 Grace Riker, Misericordia, 1.48; #49 Erin McGinley, King's, 1.55; #50 Lindsey Davenport, Wilkes, 1.57.

Saves per game: #29 Hollis Hancock, DVC, 7.75; #46 Laura Ressler, Eastern, 6.67; #48 Victoria DelToro, DeSales, 6.5.

Save perecentage: #18 Liz Hannegan, Elizabethtown, .848; #19 Ashley Mowery, Messiah, .841; #28 Hollis Hancock, DVC, .816; #31 Grace Riker, Misericordia, .814; #42 Laura Ressler, Eastern, .800.

NCAA Team Leaders

Scoring average: #5 Lebanon Valley, 4.57; #8 Messiah, 4.37; #9 Wilkes, 4.33; #36 Widener, 3.00; #45 Manhattanville, 2.74.

Goals against average: #7 Elizabethtown, .61; #16 Messiah, .96; #31 Lebanon Valley, 1.29; #38 Widener, 1.4; #46 Misericordia, 1.47; #49 Wilkes, 1.5.

Scoring margin: #6 Messiah, 3.42; #7 Lebanon Valley, 3.29; #11 Wilkes, 2,83; #35 Widener 1.6; #47 Elizabethtown, 1.10.

Shutouts per game: #4 Elizabethtown, .63; #21 Lebanon Valley, Alvernia, and Messiah, .43; #38 Wilkes, .33; #49 King's and Arcadia, .29; #

Save percentage: #16 Elizabethtown, .848; #17 Messiah, .841; #20 Arcadia, .835; #31 Delaware Valley, .816; #48 Misericordia, .803; #50 Eastern, .800.

Point per game: #6 Messiah, 12.71; #7 Wilkes, 12.33; #8 Lebanon Valley, 12.00; #31 Widener, 8.6.

Assists per game: #1 Wilkes, 3.67; #3 Messiah, 3.57; #9 Lebanon Valley, 2.86; #18 Widener, 2.6; #34 Delaware Valley, 2.0.

Saves per game: #25 Arcadia, 9.43; #40 Delaware Valley, 7.75; #50 Manhattanville, 7.22.

VOLLEYBALL

When people meet Courtney Reinhold after watching her play volleyball, most are surprised that she is not taller. This week, like most weeks, the 5'7' sophomore left a big impression on the court. Reinhold earned Tournament MVP Honors at Elizabethtown College and hit an impressive .512 with 73 kills and just 7 errors in a 5-0 week for the 23rd ranked Eagles. The AVCA recognized Reinhold as the National Player of the Week for the Week ending September 27th. Reinhold, a 2008 All-American and Mid-Atlantic Rookie of the Year, is the first Eastern University player to earn the weekly award from the Coaches' Association. Reinhold and the Eagles will host FDU-Florham on Wednesday night before traveling a short distance to Haverford College for a tri-match against 22nd ranked Haverford College and Johns Hopkins University on Saturday.

SWIMMING

King’s College director of athletics Cheryl Ish has announced the appointment of Matt Easterday as the new head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming teams, as well as aquatics director at the college. Easterday comes to King’s with a wealth of swimming experience and literally grew up around the sport. His mother Kim has been the head swimming coach at McDaniel College in Maryland for the past 32 seasons. Easterday began swimming at age six and embarked on competitive swimming as a 10-year old. Easterday enjoyed a highly successful club career where he was twice named the Maryland State Swimmer of the Year and was also a six-time Junior National qualifier. Upon graduating from high school, Easterday enrolled at Division I University of Maryland. After his freshman year he elected to transfer to Division III McDaniel where he enjoyed a successful three-year varsity career. He set school records in the 200 butterfly as well as in the 200 and 400 meter relay events. In 2006, Easterday was hired as the assistant swim coach and aquatics director at Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster. There, he helped coach two Centennial Conference men’s team champions, seven NCAA Division III All-Americans, 12 swimmers who would break school records, and an additional eight swimmers who would set new Centennial Conference records.

“I am very excited to be at King’s and look forward to helping build a winning, successful program,” Easterday stated. “ I was attracted to King’s because the college offers great academic programs and a beautiful campus. The college is in a good area of the country to recruit and I see a lot of similarities to other schools that I've coached at in the past."

“We are thrilled to have Matt join our staff and believe he will be an outstanding fit at King’s as well as in the local swimming community,” Ish stated. “I believe Matt truly understands the Division III philosophy and will be an excellent mentor to our swimmers.”

September 25, 2009

FOOTBALL

Week #4 is the last week of non-conference play before next weeks conference openers. Five MAC teams are in action as they hope to enhance the strong non-conference results of the first three weeks.

Lycoming (1-1)travels to Bridgewater (2-1) for a return game from last year where the Warriors prevailed. In their win over Susquehanna last week, Josh Kleinfelter was named MAC Offensive Player of the Week. Warrior fans will be looking for him to have another big day against a team that comes off a disappointing 37-34 overtime loss to Ferrum.

Albright (2-0) travels to Division II Pace, hoping to enter conference play undefeated. Pace is looking for their first win. The Lions Nate Romig is currently just 10 points away from tying the all-time points record by a non-kicker, and he is eight catches away from tying the all-time career touchdown receptions mark at Albright as well.

Widener (1-1) hosts winless Frostburg as they hope to rebound from a disappointing performance at #25 Ithaca. The game proceeds are dedicated to Coach to Cure MD. William Foster, a 13-year-old MD patient by way of Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, will be the honorary captain.

Wilkes travels to Christopher Newport (1-1) seeking their third straight win with visions of being ranked in the national poll for the first time since 2006 (both teams are receiving votes). Christopher Newport defeated Salisbury last week 37-34 in triple overtime.

Fairleigh Dickinson-Florham hopes to get in the win column against Apprentice.

FIELD HOCKEY

Conference play begins this weekend with two important early season match ups. Last years Freedom Conference Champions Eastern (6-3) host undefeated Wilkes (7-0) the 2008 regular season championships. This early game may determine the 2009 top seed for the conference championship. Alvernia, perennial former PAC (now CSAC) NCAA tournament representative, now a Commonwealth Conference member, travels to play national power Messiah (7-0). Messiah, ranked #1 in the latest poll, comes off a great win against Salisbury, the #2 ranked team.

WOMEN'S TENNIS

On Thursday, King's defeated DeSales 5-4 and Alvernia outlasted Arcadia 5-4 to remain undefeated and on top of their respective conferences. Many of the top players will be travelling to Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Va., to compete in Southeast Regional ITA's. Conference play continues next week as Lebanon Valley (4-0), Elizabethtown (2-0), King's (6-0), Misericordia (5-0), and Alvernia (6-0) strive to maintain their undefeated records.

ICE HOCKEY

Former Lebanon Valley College ice hockey player Bert Malloyhas signed on to play for the Amarillo Gorillas of the Central Hockey League. Malloy, a 2009 LVC graduate, was named MVP of the Dutchmen for the 2008-09 season while serving as team captain. Over his career, Malloy played in 89 games and scored 11 goals from his position on the point. In the 2006-07 season, his 12 points led all Dutchmen defenders.

VOLLEYBALL

Widener had little trouble with Ursinus in posting a 3-0 win (25-12, 25-18, 25-13) at Schwartz Center. The victory was the 100th for sixth-year coach Donovan Anglin. The second all-time winningest coach in program history, he is 100-74 in his career.

MEN'S SOCCER

Tom Antonucci, Delaware Valley College Junior Midfielder from Warrington, Pa., was named ECAC Division III South Offensive Palyer of the Week. Antonucci continued his torrid start to the season as he notched two goals and three assists in a 2-0 week for the Aggies. He opened with two goals, including the game-winner, and one assist in a 3-2 triumph over Juniata College, and followed with a pair of helpers in the 2-1 win over Marywood University. Antonucci leads the Freedom Conference in assists with six and is second in both goals (7) and points (20).

Two Commonwealth teams are still undefeated and put those recorda on the line agianst strog competition - Elizabethown (7-0) hosts former MAC opponent Drew and Messiah (6-0) faces Centennial rival Dickinson.

FIELD HOCKEY

Messiah (6-0) puts their undefeated record on the line against a strong King's team (4-2), while cross town rival Wilkes (7-0) has an early season showdown with 2008 Freedom champion Eastern (6-3). Former Freedom rival Arcadia travels to DVC.

FOOTBALL

Delaware Valley, Lebanon Valley, and King's have a bye this week before opening conference play. Lebanon Valley is 3-0 for the first time since 1979 with all their wins coming over Centennial schools. Although DVC stumbled against national power Wesley, they are 2-1 with big wins over Hopkins and Kean.

On Saturday, September 26 Albright tries to make it 3-0 over Division II Pace, Wilkes hopes to remain undefeated as they travel to Christopher Newport, Widener (1-1) hopes to rebound from the loss at Ithaca with a win over visiting Frostburg, Lycoming (1-1) travels to Bridgewater after defeating Susquehanna (2-1) last week, and Newport News (Apprentice) visits FDU.

CROSS COUNTRY

The Mideast rankings are out - for the men, Elizabethown is 6th and Messiah 9th; for the women, Messiah is 3rd and Elizabethtown 10th.

MEN'S GOLF

Albright won the Lebanon Valley College Invitational over 22 other teams as Eric Thon lead the way with a second place finish. Delaware Valley's Mike Kachurak was the medalist by defeating Thon in a playoff.

VOLLEYBALL

Widener (1-1 in Commonwealth play) upended previously undefeated Lebanon Valley 3-1. Eastern conitues their winning ways and moved up in the national poll to #23.

WOMEN'S TENNIS

Alvernia remains perfect at 5-0 in the Commonwealth while King's (5-0) and Misericordia (4-0) lead the way in the Freedom.

WOMEN'S SOCCER

Former Freedom rival Scranton returns to Delaware Valley for a non-conference match. Freedom foe Manhattanville (5-1-1) hosts Drew as they hope to maintain their best start in years - only stumbled against Western Connecticut 1-0. In the Commonwealth, three teams are cruising. Messiah (6-0-1) faces a tough Gettysburg team, Widener (7-0-1) takes on neighborhood Centennial foe Swarthmore, and Arcadia (6-0-2) hosts Farmingdale.

September 16, 2009

Field Hockey

Lebanon Valley is ranked in the NFHCA poll for the 5oth straight week. At #9, LVC joins #1 Messiah in the most recent rankings.

Men's Soccer

Messiah is ranked #1 in the country based on the latest NSCAA Poll.

Delaware Valley men's soccer home opener against Juniata today could give them their third win this year, a record that already breaks last seasons entire victory total. Go Aggies!

Football

After starting the season 2-0, including a 37-10 over No. 18 Montclair State, the Wilkes University football team has received votes in the latest d3football.com top-25 poll. The Colonels recent success marks their best start since the 2006 season.

The Colonels received 16 votes and along with Delaware Valley, which received 67 votes, are the only two MAC schools listed in the poll. The poll is voted on by a panel of 25 coaches, sports information directors, and media members from across the country and is published weekly.

Wilkes opened the season with an impressive 14-12 come-from-behind win over Muhlenberg where defensive back Kevin Gerhart recorded a game-high 15 tackles to go along with an interception and two pass break-ups. For his efforts, he was named the MAC Defensive Player of the Week.

Charles Squitiere, a Delaware Valley College Senior Cornerback from Philadelphia, Pa. was named ECAC Division III defensive player of the week. Squitiere was credited with just two tackles, but he made the biggest play of the game and he intercepted a pass and returned it 90 yards for a touchdown with 54 seconds to go to seal the Aggies’ 30-17 victory over Kean. The Cougars had driven down to the Aggie 20-yards line and were threatening to tie the contest before Squitiere stepped in front of a first-down pass and went the distance.

Women's Tennis

Arcadia has opened the season at 5-0 by winning 39 of 45 individual matches. Coach Kristyna Dratch's squad takes on DeSales University today as they hope to extend their winning streak to six.

Women's Soccer

The NSCAA has named Messiah the #1 team in the September 15 national poll.

Following the best start to a season in program history, the Manhattanville women’s soccer team has achieved the highest regional ranking ever, as the Valiants are ranked eighth in the Mid-Atlantic Region by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, the NSCAA announced in its second poll of the season on Tuesday.

“It’s great that our program was recognized by our peers at the regional level,” Head Coach Matt Paton said. “It shows that we are getting respect from the other teams in the region and that our early wins against quality opponents are not going unnoticed.”

In the first four games of the year, Manhattanville outscored its opposition by a 9-1 margin with three shutouts, thanks in large part to junior goalkeeper Ali Bromson (Suffield, Conn.), who has been named the Freedom Conference Player of the Week once and Goaltender of the Week twice in just the first two weeks of the season. Manhattanville leads the Freedom Conference with a tiny 0.40 goals against average and has yet to allow more than one goal in a match this year.

Manhattanville (4-1-0, 0-0-0 Freedom) will look to continue its rise up the regional rankings on Wednesday, when the Valiants face off with a very tough Trinity (Conn.) College team under the lights of GoValiants.com Field beginning at 7 p.m.

Volleyball

Eastern University, off to a 5-1 start, is ranked 24th in the latest AVCA national poll. Their only loss is to #1 ranked Juniata College.

Monday, September 14

Football

MAC football teams are off the their best start in years. After week two, they are 10-3 and have a 5-0 record against Centennial foes. This coming weekend has some great games on tap:
2-0 Lebanon Valley travels to Moravian (1-1); perennial power Wesley visits 2-0 Delaware Valley, long-time rivals Lycoming and Susquehanna (2-0) meet in Selinsgrove, FDU travels to TCNJ, long-time Division III powers Ithaca and Widener meet in NY, and William Paterson travels to King's.

Men's Soccer

Elizabethtown joins Messiah as the only undefeated Commonwealth men's soccer teams. After a disappointing 2008 campaign, Skip Rodericks team is off to 5-0 start. Lycoming men's soccer won the "Battle of the Boot" on Friday by defeating Susquehanna 3-0. Lyco had lost five straight to the Crusaders by one goal in each outing. On Tuesday (9/15) Chuck Edkins Misericordia team travels to SU as he hopes to pick up his 200th win in 19 seasons with the Cougars.

Women's Soccer

Messiah (16-1 scoring advantage) and Widener (13-2 scoring differential) remain undefeated in early non-conference action. On Wednesday the Falcons travel to Muhlenberg and Rutgers-Camden visits Chester.

Volleyball

Lebanon Valley remains undefeated as they open conference play against Arcadia on Wednesday. Delaware Valley, Wilkes, Eastern, and Misericordia are also off to fast starts with only one loss in non-conference play. Special kudos to King's senior Kaitlyn Malchefksi for recording her 1,000th kill against St. Elizabeth.

Field Hockey

Messiah, reigning Commonwealth champ, has four straight wins against top teams. Widener and Wilkes are also undefeated - the Pioneers have outscored the opposition 11-3 while the Colonels have netted a 4.5 goal average in their first four games.