_______________

Welcome to Western New England College

"The Home of the Golden Bears"

LINKS

GNAC

ECAC

NCAA

Springfield area Weather

Archived Athletics News 1

Archived Athletics News 2

Archived Athletics News 3

Western New England College - Athletic News

SHANNON PIZZINGRILLI OF WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE NAMED TO CoSIDA ACADEMIC ALL-AMERICA FIRST TEAM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College women's lacrosse co-captain Shannon Pizzingrilli received many awards during her career, but none better than the one she picked-up Thursday (June 17).

Pizzingrill was among 15 student-athletes selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-America Women's College Division At-Large First Team.

She is only the second person in school history to make the national academic squad twice since former basketball standout Roma St. George accomplished the feat in 1981-82. Pizzingrilli also joins former women's lacrosse captain Laura Sturgis (2001) on the first-team honor squad.

Pizzingrilli earned her Bachelor of Science degree in business administration (finance) last month, graduating with a cumulative 3.92 grade-point-average. She received the Wall Street Journal Achievement Award at Commencement.

On the field, Pizzingrilli established herself as the best player in the program's brief six-year history. She became the school' first women's lacrosse performer to gain All-American recognition (womenslacrosse.com Division III All-America Third Team) and play in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division III North-South All-Star Game.

Pizzingrilli, a center, was the Western New England College Coca-Cola Female Athlete-of-the-Year, the school's Female Senior Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year, and the team MVP for the third straight season.

The East Rochester, New York native also was voted the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Offensive Player-of-the-Year for the second time in three years and named the NEWLA Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Year for the third consecutive season. She was selected to the All-NEWLA First Team for the third time.

Pizzingrilli led the Golden Bears in scoring with 96 points (53 goals, 43 assists) this spring. She is the school's all-time leading scorer with 275 points (164 goals, 111 assists) in three seasons.

Western New England College posted a 14-4 record that was the second highest win total in school history. The Golden Bears captured the NEWLA Tournament title and participated in the NCAA Division III Championship for the second time in three years.

JASON CONNELLY AND CHRIS MAHONEY HEAD LIST OF WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE BASEBALL AWARD WINNERS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — It's a good thing that Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA) doesn't believe in the sophomore jinx because the second-year pitcher/second baseman was among the top players on the Western New England College baseball team this spring.

WNEC finished the season with a 33-14 record that was a school record for wins, breaking the old mark of 29 set in 2002. The Golden Bears also placed third at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament and captured their second Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title in four years.

Connelly, a right-hander, posted a 9-3 record and 2.76 ERA in 97.2 innings in gaining the WNEC Cy Young Award. The nine victories tied as the second highest in school history. Connelly also had nine complete games and one shutout while hitting .277 in 44 games.

Connelly was named both the GNAC Pitcher-of-the-Year and GNAC Tournament MVP. He was named to the All-GNAC First Team, GNAC Tournament Team, and NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament Team. Connelly earned a spot on the New England Intercollegiate Baseball Association (NEIBA) Division III All-Star Second Team.

Junior leftfielder Chris Mahoney (Yorkville, NY) also made quite an impression in his first year this spring. A transfer from Division I Siena College, Mahoney led the Golden Bears in hitting (.412), hits (61), homers (7), total bases (106), on-base percentage (.477), and slugging percentage (.716). He tied for the team lead in RBI (39) and triples (6). Mahoney also was tied for second on the team in runs (44) and was second in doubles (12).

Mahoney ended the season with an impressive school record 31-game hitting streak. His 61 hits was another school mark, breaking the old mark of 57 set by junior centerfielder Jeff Maurutis last year. (Maurutis had 60 hits this season.) Mahoney batted .458 in six games (11-for-24) at the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament and .357 in four contests (5-for-14) at the NCAA Division III New England Regional Tournament.

Not bad for a person who didn't get a hit in 11 games over two seasons as a part-time player at Siena.

Mahoney was named to the NEIBA Division III All-Star Team First Team, the All-GNAC First Team, and the GNAC All-Tournament squad. He also was the recipient of the WNEC Silver Slugger Award.

Freshman first baseman Tom Horgan (Westfield, MA) had a great rookie season finishing second on the team with a .371 average in gaining All-GNAC Second Team recognition.

Junior centerfielder Jeff Maurutis (Yorkville, NY) hit .330 and made both the All-GNAC Second Team and GNAC All-Tournament Team. Maurutis, who had 60 hits this season, became the school's all-time hit leader (153). He also had 24 stolen bases (in 26 attempts).

Junior catcher Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT) made the NEIBA Division III Second Team and All-GNAC First Team after hitting .324 with 17 stolen bases. He also was selected to the GNAC Tournament Team.

Junior shortstop Justin McGee (Wilbraham, MA) hit .314 and was the recipient of the WNEC 10th Player Award.

Junior pitcher Ryan Macdonald (Milford, CT) also enjoyed a fine season with a 7-3 record and 1.97 ERA in 68.2 innings. He was a high school teammate of Jeff Maurutis at Jonathan Law High School in Milford, Connecticut.

Matt LaBranche (Windham, NH) was selected the GNAC Coach-of-the-Year. He won his 100th career game against Daniel Webster and now has a 124-76 record (62.0%) in five seasons.

Western New England College established a school record with 104 stolen bases in 124 attempts. The Golden Bears averaged 7.47 runs a game and had a .312 team batting average. The pitching staff had a 3.74 earned-run-average with 22 complete games along with 271 strikeouts and only 90 walks in 372.2 innings. WNEC also had a respectable .958 fielding percentage and 44 double plays.

JUNIOR JACKIE SHEDLOCK SELECTED AS THE GNAC PITCHER-OF-THE-YEAR; LORI MAYHEW TOP GNAC COACH

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — For two years Western New England College junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was the backup to superstar Marcie Bruder who graduated last year as the top pitcher in school history.

This spring Shedlock enjoyed her own record-breaking season by compiling a 20-6 record and 0.94 earned-run-average in being selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Pitcher-of-the-Year.

With Shedlock helping to lead the way, WNEC posted a 33-11 record and captured its third consecutive GNAC Tournament title while appearing in the NCAA Division III Championship for the third straight season.

Shedlock was the catalyst establishing a school single season record with 210 strikeouts, breaking Bruder's old mark of 195. Shedlock also had a perfect 12-0 record and 0.11 ERA against GNAC rivals. Opponents hit only .163 against the crafty right-hander who had nine shutouts, including a five-inning no-hitter against Rivier College along with six one-hitters.

Shedlock, who didn't pitch an inning (she played first base) during her four years at Jefferson Township High School, has a 37-7 career record and 1.01 ERA with 337 strikeouts in 257.1 innings.

For her efforts, Shedlock also was named to the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star First Team and New England Intercollegiate Softball Coaches Association (NESICA) Division III All-Star Second Team. She was the MVP of the GNAC Tournament, an All-GNAC First Team honoree, and the WNEC Most Valuable Player.

Sophomore first baseman Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) led the Golden Bears in hitting (.387), hits (48), doubles (17), triples (6), homers (5), total bases (92), and slugging percentage (.742). She made only three errors in 196 chances (.985). Whitcomb was selected to the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star First Team and NESICA Division III All-Star Second Team. In addition, she made the All-GNAC First Team and was voted the WNEC Best Offensive Player.

Junior catcher/tri-captain Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) was the only player to start all 44 games, finishing second in hitting (.385). She earned a spot on the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star Second Team and received an honorable mention on the NESICA Division III All-Star squad. Boss also was an All-GNAC First Team selection and the recipient of the WNEC Golden Bear Leadership Award.

Senior third baseman/tri-captain Becky McHugh (Ballston Spa, NY) capped her career in fine fashion by finishing third in hitting (.363). She made the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star Third Team.

Sophomore Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT) hit .357 in her first season as the starting shortstop and led the Golden Bears with 42 runs and 17 walks. Sophomore leftfielder Jen Piorkowski (Trumbull, CT) had a solid season with a .342 batting average in gaining a spot on the NCAA Division III Northeast Region All-Star Third Team.

Junior pitcher Holly Coutinho (New Bedford, MA) was a key contributor to the team's success posting an 11-5 record and 1.86 ERA with 62 strikeouts in 86.2 innings. Coutinho had won only five games the previous two seasons.

Also hitting over .300 were freshman designated player Stephanie Gildart (Portland, ME) (.322) and junior second baseman Sarah Moisao (Harwinton, CT) (.306). Junior centerfielder Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY) hit .295 and made several nice defensive plays during the season.

Kehoss (history) and Whitcomb (sport management) were selected to the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) District 1 College Division Softball Academic Team.

Lori Mayhew (Westfield, MA) was selected the GNAC Coach-of-the-Year after guiding the Golden Bears to their third straight 30-win season, third consecutive GNAC Tournament title, and third appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship. Mayhew, a member of the WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Fame, has a 179-95-1 record (65.3%) in eight seasons.

Western New England College averaged 6.64 runs a game and had a .323 team batting average. The pitching staff had a 1.16 earned-run-average with 22 complete games along with 298 strikeouts and only 61 walks in 260.1 innings. WNEC also had a respectable .958 fielding percentage.

JOHN AND AIMEE KLEPACKI LEAD WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE LACROSSE TEAMS TO SUCCESSFUL SEASONS

Marco Le Gette and Shannon Pizzingrilli invited to North-South All-Star Games

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — With the husband and wife coaching team of John and Aimee Klepacki leading the way, Western New England College's lacrosse programs enjoyed successful seasons again in 2004.

The men's lacrosse squad posted a 14-7 record that was a school record for wins, breaking the old mark of 12 set in 1996. The Golden Bears also captured their first Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Championship and placed second in the Pilgrim League Tournament. John Klepacki's coaching record is 34-21 (64.2%) in three years.

The women's lacrosse team compiled a 14-4 mark for the second highest win total in school history. The Golden Bears also captured the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament title and participated in their second NCAA Division III Championship in three years. Aimee Klepacki's coaching record is 60-46 (56.6%) in five seasons.

John (a native of Southington, Conn.) and Aimee (a native of New City, N.Y.) met while attending Springfield College. John was a standout player on the men's lacrosse team while Aimee was among the top performers on the school's lacrosse and swimming squads. They both graduated from Springfield College in 1996.

At WNEC, John also is an instructor in physical education while Aimee is the director of aquatics. Their busy schedules became even more hectic last August when daughter Peyton was born. The Klepacki's are expecting their second child in October.

"Western New England College has given us the opportunity to have flexible schedules so we can be there for our student-athletes and also have time to be together as a family," said John Klepacki who was named the 2004 Pilgrim League Co-Coach-of-the-Year.

Both coaches were extremely happy when many of their players received post-season awards.

Two individuals, senior captains Marco Le Gette (Severna Park, MD) and Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY), will make school history in June when they become the first players in their respective program's history to play in the prestigious North-South All-Star Games.

Le Gette will play in the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division III All-Star Game on June 12 at Nazareth College in Rochester, New York. He also will play in the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) East-West All-Star Game on June 5 at Harvard University in Cambridge.

Pizzingrilli will play in the Intercollegiate Women's Lacrosse Coaches Association (IWLCA) Division III All-Star Game on June 5 at the University of Maryland-Baltimore County. Le Gette and Pizzingrilli also were honored as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Year at the school's Spring Sports Banquet.

Le Gette, a criminal justice major, also received the men's lacrosse team Joel Castleman Coaches Award. Le Gette was third on the team in scoring with 63 points (53 goals, 10 assists). He finished his career with 140 points (108 goals, 32 assists). Le Gette was voted the MVP of the ECAC Division III New England Tournament and named to the Pilgrim League All-Star First Team.

Pizzingrilli, a finance major, also was named the WNEC Senior Female Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Year and the team Most Valuable Player for the third straight season. One of the nation's top players, she led the Golden Bears in scoring with 96 points (53 goals, 43 assists). She is the program's all-time leading scorer with 275 points (164 goals, 111 assists). Pizzingrilli was selected the MVP of the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) and named the NEWLA Scholar Athlete of the Year for the third consecutive season. She was named to the All-NEWLA First Team. Last year Pizzingrilli made the Verizon Academic All-America Second Team (this year's team will be announced in June).

DOUG PEARSON STEPS DOWN AS MEN'S BASKETBALL COACH TO BECOME COORDINATOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION & MEN'S TENNIS COACH

Athletics director Michael Theulen named men's basketball coach and Jennifer Kolins assumes new role of CHAMPS/Life Skills Coordinator

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College president Dr. Anthony S. Caprio has announced that Doug Pearson will become the new coordinator of physical education and men's tennis coach.

Dr. Caprio also announced that Mike Theulen will succeed Pearson as men's basketball coach while continuing as the school's director of athletics.

In another coaching change, men and women's tennis coach Jennifer Kolins will become one of the College's new CHAMPS/Life Skill Coordinators with assistant director of athletics Cynthia Costanzo. Kolins will continue as the women's tennis coach.

Pearson led the Golden Bears to a 100-60 record (62.5%) in six years, including two appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament. He inherited a program that had a losing record for eight straight seasons and quickly turned the Golden Bears into a winner with a 14-11 mark in 1998-99 that was the institution's most wins in nine years.

Pearson guided the Golden Bears to back-to-back 20-win seasons and Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament titles in 2000 and 2001. He led his teams to five consecutive winning seasons from 1998-2003. The Golden Bears posted a 12-14 record this past winter after losing two 1,000-point scorers (forward Kris Hebert and guard Mike O'Connor) from the previous season. Pearson has the highest winningest percentage (62.5%) in men's basketball at the College.

For the past three seasons, Pearson has served as the chairman of the GNAC Men's Basketball Committee. He was the 2000 GNAC Coach-of-the-Year.

Pearson, a native of Manchester, CT, has an overall record of 291-189 (60.6%) in 21 years as a head basketball coach on the high school and college levels. During that time, his teams won seven conference championships.

In addition to his success on the court, Pearson and his teams have been active in numerous community projects, including Habitat for Humanity, the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Dream to Read program, and Coaches vs. Cancer clinics.

Prior to joining the Western New England College staff, Pearson spent eight years as an assistant and associate coach at Springfield College under Theulen, who was the head basketball coach there at the time.

Pearson also served as the coordinator of physical education for the Manchester (CT) Public School system for 15 years.

"This was a tough decision to make after coaching basketball as an assistant and head coach for 32 years," said Pearson. "I have thoroughly enjoyed coaching at Western New England College and look forward to my new duties."

Theulen, now completing his sixth year as Director of Athletics, enjoyed tremendous success as the men and women's basketball coach at Springfield College.

The Keene, NH native coached the women's basketball team at Springfield College from 1983-86, compiling a 41-33 record. He was selected the Northeast-10 Conference Coach-of-the-Year in 1984, after his team finished with a 20-5 record.

Theulen was named assistant men's basketball coach in 1986 at Springfield College, and served in that role for four seasons. He took over the struggling program as head coach in 1990, and within three years, had restored Springfield College as one of the region's top programs. Springfield College compiled five straight winning seasons, including Theulen's last three years where the Pride won over 20 games. SC posted a 26-2 record in 1997-98 Ñ the best mark ever in the school's 89-year history — and participated in its third straight NCAA New England Regional Championship. Theulen's men's coaching record was 132-83 for a 61.4 winning percentage.

Theulen graduated from Keene State College in 1980 with a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education. He was a standout basketball player for the Owls and played for his father, Glenn. Theulen received a Master of Science degree in physical education administration from the University of South Dakota in 1981, and a doctorate in physical education at Springfield College in 1983.

"I'm very happy about returning to coaching," said Theulen who is the past chairman of the NCAA Division III Northeast Basketball Selection Committee. "Doug did a great job building our basketball program into one of the best in the region and with his experience in physical education, he will supervise the growth of this important area. Doug also will oversee one of our most successful programs, men's tennis, and will be counted on to continue the team's regional ascent."

Kolins posted a 40-18 record (69.0 winning percentage) as men's tennis coach the past four seasons, including an 8-8 mark this spring. Her teams captured GNAC Tournament titles in 2002 and 2003. Kolins was named the GNAC Coach-of-the-Year in 2002 and 2003. For the past year, Kolins has served as the athletics department Community Outreach Coordinator.

When Western New England College became a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) CHAMPS/Life Skills institution this spring, Kolins took on the added responsibility as a program coordinator with Costanzo. The CHAMPS/Life Skills program supports efforts of student-athletes toward intellectual development and graduation, encourages the development of leadership skills, promotes respect for diversity, encourages a commitment for community service, and prepares student-athletes for life after graduation.

"We are all very excited about the potential impact of our CHAMPS/Life Skills Program," said Theulen. "Having such talented professionals on our staff made these changes necessary as our athletics program continues to grow."

Western New England College is a private, independent, coeducational institution founded in 1919. Located on an attractive 215-acre suburban campus in Springfield, Massachusetts, the College serves 4,450 students on its main campus and at six sites throughout the Commonwealth. Undergraduate and graduate programs are offered through the CollegeÕs Schools of Arts and Sciences, Business, Engineering, and Law.

Western New England CollegeÑNamed among AmericaÕs Top 100 colleges considered hidden gemsÑWashington Post survey.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE TO MEET ENDICOTT COLLEGE IN NCAA DIVISION III NEW ENGLAND REGIONAL BASEBALL TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College will meet Endicott College at 3:30 p.m. Thursday (May 20) in an opening round game of the 2004 NCAA Division III New England Regional Baseball Tournament in Willimantic, Connecticut.

Western New England College (31-12) is seeded second in the six-team tournament while Endicott (26-19) is seeded fifth. The Golden Bears defeated the Gulls, 9-1, earlier this season on April 2 in Beverly. WNEC is ranked 28th in the American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA) Division III Poll and fourth in the ABCA New England Regional Poll.

In other games, top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University (35-9) hosts sixth-seeded Amherst College (19-16) at noon. Third-seeded Babson College (24-17) plays fourth-seeded Bridgewater State College (23-14) at 7:00 p.m.

Western New England College is making its second appearance in four years in the NCAA Division III Championship. The Golden Bears competed in the 2001 Mid-Atlantic Regional Championship in Boyertown, Pennsylvania losing games to Johns Hopkins University and Elizabethtown College. Helped by a 12-game winning streak in April, WNEC set a school record for wins this season (breaking the old mark of 29 set in 2002) and qualified for the nationals after capturing the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament.

Sophomore Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA) leads the pitching staff with an 8-3 record and 2.94 ERA in 88.2 innings. When not pitching, Connelly (.289 batting average in 40 games) is the team's starting second baseman. He was the MVP of the GNAC Tournament.

Senior David Gwozdz (Ludlow, MA) posted a 7-4 record with a 5.08 ERA in 67.1 innings, and became the school's all-time win leader (25). He won only eight games while pitching for Ludlow High School.

Junior Ryan Macdonald (Milford, CT) was among the squad's most improved players compiling a 6-2 mark and team best 1.92 ERA in 61 innings.

A couple of first-year players, junior leftfielder Chris Mahoney (Yorkville, NY) and freshman first baseman Tom Horgan (Westfield, MA) are the Golden Bears' top two hitters. Mahoney, a transfer from Division I Siena College, became one of the top stories this spring compiling a .418 average. He saw limited action in 11 games over two seasons for the Saints going hitless in 12 plate appearances. Mahoney leads the Golden Bears in slugging percentage (.701), total bases (94), on-base percentage (.478), triples (6), and is the team co-leader in hits (56) and homers (5). Mahoney also is second on the squad in RBI (35) and doubles (11).

Horgan emerged as one of the top rookies in the region hitting .371 in 35 contests (32 starts). He has a respectable .974 fielding percentage with only five errors in 194 chances.

Team captains, junior centerfielder Jeff Maurutis (Milford, CT) and junior catcher Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT) also are enjoying big seasons with averages of .339 and .331, respectively. Maurutis (149 career hits) and Hackney (148) broke the school record for career hits set by Wilbraham native (and WNEC Downes Athletic Hall of Famer) Alan Fabian (144) from 1984-87. Matt's twin brother Kyle Hackney (Bristol, CTY) is the starting rightfielder for the Golden Bears.

Junior shortstop Justin McGee (Wilbraham, MA), .323, and freshman third baseman Josh Jacobs (Essex Junction, VT), .315, also are batting over .300 while sophomore infielder Rob Crouse (Adams, MA) is hitting a solid .285.

Inside the Infield: Matt LaBranche has a 122-74 record (.622) in five seasons as head coach. He is a 1992 graduate of Springfield College where he was voted the school's Senior Male Scholar-Athlete-of-the-Year. He won his 100th game against Daniel Webster College on April 3. WNEC assistant coach Joel Southern will coach the first-year Holyoke Giants in the wooden bat New England Collegiate Baseball League this summer. A former team captain and GTE Academic All-American at Augustana College (Ill.), he has a doctorate in chemistry from the University of Chicago. Southern will join the WNEC faculty as an assistant professor of chemistry in September. Western New England College has stolen 93 bases in 111 attempts with Maurutis (23-25), Matt Hackney (17-20), and McGee (15-16) the team leaders. Mahoney (56 hits) and Maurutis (56 hits) are one hit shy of the single season record of 57 set by Maurutis last year. WNEC has a .318 batting average, .958 fielding percentage, and 3.75 team earned-run-average. The Golden Bears are averaging 7.86 runs while allowing 4.26. Forty-two teams will compete at eight sites around the nation with the regional winners advancing to the NCAA Division III Championship final May 28-June 1 at Appleton, Wisconsin.

JUNIOR SARAH CUNNINGHAM AND SOPHOMORE ED FALLON WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Lacrosse star Sarah Cunningham (LaGrangeville, NY) and tennis standout Ed Fallon (Springfield, MA) were honored Tuesday (May 11) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.

Cunningham, a junior, was second on the team this season in ground balls (85) and caused turnovers (21), and third in draw controls (12). She also scored ten points (4 goals, 6 assists). A math major, Cunningham was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Year and selected to the NEWLA All-Star First Team. WNEC compiled a 14-4 record for the second highest win total in the program's short six-year history. The Golden Bears also captured the NEWLA Tournament title and competed in the NCAA Division III Tournament for the second time in three years.

Fallon, a sophomore, posted an overall 16-15 record, including a 6-5 mark at No. 1 singles and 8-7 mark at No. 1 doubles. He and junior Dave Stelmach (Raynham, MA) won the No. 1 doubles crown in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament championship match against Emerson. An electrical engineering major, Fallon also was voted the team MVP. WNEC posted an 8-8 record for its 14th consecutive non-losing season and finished second in the GNAC Tournament.

WNEC MEETS SCRANTON IN NCAA DIVISION III WOMEN'S LACROSSE TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's women's lacrosse program is only six years old, but the Golden Bears are beginning to make their presence felt nationally.

WNEC (14-3) will make its second appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship with a first round game against host University of Scranton (Pennsylvanis) starting at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday (May 5). The Golden Bears dropped a 15-7 decision to Springfield College in their inaugural NCAA debut in 2002.

Western New England College was among 19 schools invited to the nationals after defeating Bridgewater State College 11-5 in the championship game of the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament last Saturday (May 1).

Senior co-captain/midfielder Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) is the team's leading scorer with 94 points (51 goals, 43 assists). She is the top scorer in school history with 273 points (161-111). Pizzingrilli, who has a 3.95 GPA in finance, already has been named the WNEC Senior Scholar Athlete and Coca-Cola Female Athlete-of-the-Year.

Scranton (14-3) also has a young program, winning its second straight Middle Atlantic Conference title in only its fifth season of competition. Sophomore Kelly Herihy (84 points) and senior Kate Pierangeli (60 points in 12 games) are the Royals' top scorers.

WNEC and Scranton both defeated one common opponent this spring Ð Manhattanville, with the Golden Bears winning by a 12-7 margin and the Royals 19-5.

The winner of the WNEC-Scranton game will play host Amherst College at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday.

WHITNEY BOUCHER AND DAVID GWOZDZ SELECTED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

Six other players honored with conference awards

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Seniors Whitney Boucher (Tyngsboro, MA) and David Gwozdz (Ludlow, MA) were honored Tuesday (May 4) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.

Boucher, a midfielder on the women's lacrosse team, tied her career high with four goals to lead Western New England College to an 11-5 win over Bridgewater State College in the championship game of the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament. She also was named the NEWLA Offensive Player-of-the-Week. A finance major, Boucher is tied for third on the team in scoring with 38 points (33 goals, 5 assists).

WNEC (14-3) plays at the University of Scranton Wednesday (May 5) in a first round game of the NCAA Division III Championship.

Gwozdz, a right-hander, was the winning pitcher against Suffolk and Johnson & Wales in the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Tournament in becoming the school's all-win leader with 25 (breaking the old mark of 23 set by Dave Eisenberg from 1983-86). Gwozdz, a sport management major, has a 7-3 record and 4.76 earned-run-average with a team high 59 strikeouts in 62.1 innings. Gwozdz has an overall 25-10 Mark and 4.23 with 173 strikeouts in 219 innings.

WNEC (29-10) captured its second GNAC title in four years and tied the school record for wins in a season.

In other news, Western New England College junior leftfielder Chris Mahoney (Yorkville, NY) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Player-of-the-Week. He hit .458 with eight runs and five RBI in six conference tournament games. He had five multi-hit contests, including a 4-for-7 performance in a doubleheader during thr championship round against Johnson & Wales. Mahoney, a business major, leads the Golden Bears in hitting with a .419 average. WNEC (29-10) captured its second GNAC title in four years and tied the school record for wins in a season.

Western New England College sophomore Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Pitcher-of-the-Week. He posted a 2-0 record with a 3.60 ERA in two conference tournament games striking out eight and walking one. Connelly also pitched two scoreless innings of relief in a win over Johnson & Wales in the GNAC championship game. A sport management major, Connelly also was voted the MVP of the GNAC Tournament. Connelly has a 7-3 record and 2.74 ERA with eight complete games in 10 starts. The starting second baseman when not pitching, Connelly has a .287 batting average in 37 games. WNEC (29-10) captured its second GNAC title in four years and tied the school record for wins in a season.

Western New England College sophomore goalie Tara Cushman (Scituate, MA) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Week. She recorded 15 saves in an 11-5 win over Bridgewater State in the championship game of the NEWLA Tournament. Cushman, a sport management major, has a 6.76 goals-against-average and 60.2 save percentage heading into the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament Wednesday (May 5) at the University of Scranton.

Western New England College freshman Audrey Kelton (Wilder, VT) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Rookie-of-the-Week. Kelton contributed two goals in an 11-5 win over Bridgewater State in the championship game of the NEWLA Tournament, and had two goals and an assist vs. Elms in a semifinal contest of the NEWLA Tournament. She has scored 30 points (21 goals, 9 assists) this season.

Western New England College junior pitcher Holly Coutinho (New Bedford, MA) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week. Making her first start in 11 days, Coutinho scattered three hits as the Golden Bears ended the regular season with a 1-0 victory over Amherst. She retired the first eight batters and struck out three with one walk in raising her record to 10-6. This was WNEC's first win ever over Amherst in seven meetings dating back to 1995. With the victory, WNEC improved to 33-9 and tied the school record with its 28th consecutive victory. Coutinho is a criminal justice major.

Western New England College junior centerfielder Tricia Troiano (Stewart Manor, NY) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Player-of-the-Week. Troiano had the game-winning RBI single in the fifth inning in a 1-0 win over Amherst College. In the top of the fifth she made a diving catch that led to a double play that ended the inning. This was the Golden Bears' first win ever over the Jeffs in seven meetings dating back to 1995. With the victory, WNEC improved to 33-9 and tied the school record with its 28th consecutive victory. Troiano is a sport management major.

Western New England College Spring Sports Banquet
Sunday, May 2, 2004
List of Award Recipients

Baseball
Silver Slugger Award Ñ Junior Chris Mahoney (Yorkville, NY)
Cy Young Award Ñ Sophomore Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA)
10th Player Award Ñ Junior Justin McGee (Wilbraham, MA)

Men's Golf
Low Stroke Average Award Sophomore Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA) and freshman EJ Czajkowski (Burlington, CT)
Coaches Award Senior Andy Dastoli (Southampton, MA)

Men's Lacrosse
Most Improved Player Sophomore Justin King (Lebanon, ME)
Unsung Hero Ñ Senior Kevin Grealis (Springfield, MA)
Joel Castleman Coaches Award Ñ Senior Marco Le Gette (Severna Park, MD)

Women's Lacrosse
Most Valuable Player Senior Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY)
Unsung Hero Award Senior Whitney Boucher (Tyngsboro, MA)
Coaches Award Sophomore Alia Andrews (Westfield, MA)

Softball
Most Valuable Player Junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ)
Best Offensive Player Sophomore Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT)
Golden Bear Leadership Award Junior Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH)

Men's Tennis
Most Valuable Player Sophomore Ed Fallon (Springfield, MA)
Unsung Hero Junior Dan Matis (East Lyme, CT)
Coach Philip Sweeney Award for Dedication & Determination Junior Joe Palombo (Auburn, NY)

Martial Arts
Most Valuable Player Senior Paul Klein (Chatsworth, NJ)
Most Wins Freshman Rich Wagner (Monroe, CT)
Bruce Lee Outstanding Achievement and Commitment Freshman Abdiel Perez (Lawrence, MA)

FOUR WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SPRING SPORTS TEAMS QUALIFY FOR POST-SEASON TOURNAMENTS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — The spring sports season may be winding down for most schools, but not Western New England College who has four teams participating in post-season tournaments, including three squads in NCAA Division III Championships.

Western New England College's women's lacrosse team captured its second New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Tournament in three years last Saturday with an 11-5 victory over Bridgewater State College. The Golden Bears (14-3) will visit Scranton (Pa.) at 5:00 p.m. Wednesday (May 5) in a first round game of the NCAA Division III Championship.

Western New England College's men's lacrosse team is the top-seed in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III New England Tournament. The Golden Bears (11-7) will host UMass-Dartmouth at 4:00 p.m. Wednesday (May 5) in a quarterfinal round contest at Golden Bear Stadium. WNEC finished second in the Pilgrim League Tournament.

Western New England College's softball team captured its third straight Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament title last week. The Golden Bears' reward is the top seed in the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Championship. WNEC (33-9), which received a first round bye, will meet either SUNY Oneonta or the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at 2:00 p.m. Friday (May 7) in Ithaca, New York. Last year WNEC advanced to the NCAA Final Eight in Salem, Virginia after capturing the NCAA Division III New Regional Tournament as the fourth-seed.

Western New England College's baseball team came through the loser's bracket to win its second Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament crown in four years with a pair of wins over Johnson & Wales (9-6, 17-7) last Sunday in Nashua, New Hampshire. The Golden Bears (29-10) played five games in 48 hours in tying the school record for wins in a season. Pairings for the NCAA Division III Baseball Tournament will be announced next Monday (May 10).

SHANNON PIZZINGRILLI AND JASON CONNELLY NAMED WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Lacrosse captain Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) and baseball standout Jason Connelly (Scituate, MA) were honored Tuesday (April 27) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.

Pizzingrilli, a senior center, scored 16 points (10 goals, 6 assists) in a 2-1 week with 20 ground balls; six caused turnovers, and two draw controls. She had five goals and three assists vs. Endicott, and four goals, three assists, and 11 ground balls against Manhattanville. A finance major, Pizzingrilli also was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Co-Player-of-the-Week. She leads the Golden Bears in scoring with 85 points (47 goals, 38 assists). WNEC (12-3) will host Elms College at 4:00 p.m. Thursday (April 29) in a semifinal round game of the NEWLA Tournament.

Connelly, a sophomore pitcher, had a complete game victory over Western Connecticut State University and a five-inning no-hitter at Norwich University. He allowed only five hits in 14 innings with 12 strikeouts (six in each game) and two walks (one in each contest). A history major, Connelly has a 5-3 record and 2.47 earned-run-average in 62 innings. He also plays second base when not pitching and has a .282 batting average in 31 games. WNEC (24-9) hosts Rivier College at 3:30 p.m. Tuesday (April 27) in a quarterfinal round game of the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament.

SENIORS SHANNON PIZZINGRILLI AND MIKE NEWALL SELECTED THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SCHOLAR ATHLETES-OF-THE-YEAR

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Ice hockey captain Mike Newall (Albuquerque, NM) and lacrosse captain Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) received the Western New England College Male and Female Senior Scholar Athletes-of-the-Year Awards at the school's Cocurricular Awards ceremony Sunday (April 25).

Newall, a mechanical engineering major, was a two-time member of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast Academic Team. Nicknamed "The Wall", Newall compiled a school record 1288 saves during his four-year career and had an 89.4 save percentage.

Pizzingrilli, a finance major, was the 2002 and 2003 New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Scholar Athlete-of-the-Year. One of the region's top players, she has a school record 264 points (158 goals, 106 assists) in three seasons entering the NEWLA playoffs Thursday against Elms. Pizzingrilli also was a 2003 Verizon Academic All-America Second Team selection.

NCAA SELECTS WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE AS A CHAMPS/LIFE SKILLS INSTITUTION

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 26, 2004) — The National Collegiate Athletic Association has recognized Western New England College as a CHAMPS Life Skills Program institution. The College is among approximately 90 (out of 700) Division III athletics programs that will sponsor this program that challenges athlete's minds for personal success while focusing on values and commitments. Only 14 Division III schools were accepted into the program in 2004.

The five commitment areas of CHAMPS Life Skills are Academic Excellence, Athletic Excellence, Personal Development, Career Development and Commitment to Service.

Since Mike Theulen became athletics director six years ago, the department has made a renewed commitment to enhancing the quality of the student athlete experience. CHAMPS Life Skills will create the framework as the department moves forward with this mission.

The CHAMPS Life Skills Program will support efforts of every student athlete toward intellectual development and graduation, encourage the development of leadership skills, promote respect for diversity, encourage a commitment to service throughout the community, and prepare student athletes for life after college.

CHAMPS Life Skills also will address many of the initiatives of the College's strategic plan.

Western New England College assistant director of athletics Cyndi Costanzo and men and women's tennis coach Jennifer Kolins will serve as the CHAMPS Life Skills Coordinators. Both individuals attended a four-day orientation session hosted by the NCAA in Long Beach, California in February.

Costanzo and Kolins networked with Divisions I, II and III institutions, and attended a series of workshops intended to prepare them to implement CHAMPS Life Skills on our campus. A key component to this training was identifying the extensive resources available through the NCAA. It became clear to Costanzo and Kolins that implementing a successful program are possible because of the exceptional resources already available at the College.

The CHAMPS Life Skills program is beginning to take shape due to the strong cooperation between all departments on campus.

Western New England College president Dr. Anthony S. Caprio has endorsed CHAMPS Life Skills and the entire athletic staff is committed and excited to implement the program during the inaugural kick off in the fall of 2004.

At present student athletes are in the process of completing a needs assessment questionnaire that will be used to set specific goals and objectives for the 2004-2005 academic year. Initial programs will include a speaker series, resume workshops, CHAMPS newsletter, and the development of a resource library.

"We are extremely proud to have been chosen as an NCAA CHAMPS Life Skills institution," said Theulen. "The five commitment areas within the program directly reflect the ideals set forth by our athletic department mission statement. Our entire coaching staff is motivated and energized by this opportunity.

"The CHAMPS Life Skills program will allow our department to play a vital role not only in the lives of our student-athletes, but also have a positive impact on the College's student body," he noted.

CHAMPS/Life Skills Program Mission Statement — The NCAA is committed to a comprehensive program of life skills that provides educational experience and services in order to develop well-balanced lifestyles for student-athletes; to encourage growth in decision-making, planning and fulfillment of career and life goals; and to enhance the quality of the student-athlete experience within the university setting.

Western New England College Athletics Department Mission Statement — The Western New England College athletics department is committed to enhancing the overall development of its students and student athletes through competent instruction and appropriate role modeling by our coaching staff. Lessons learned in the competitive environment of intercollegiate athletics and the responsibility of team membership must be applied in the present, but most importantly, are used to prepare the student athlete for life after college.

JUNIORS MICHELLE BOSS AND CHRIS MAHONEY SELECTED WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Softball tri-captain Michelle Boss (Fremont, NH) and baseball standout Chris Mahoney (Yorkville, NY) were honored Tuesday (April 20) as the Western New England College Female and Male Athletes-of-the-Week.

Boss, a junior catcher, hit .643 (9-for-14) in five contests with seven runs and seven RBI to run her hitting streak to 10 games. She went 3-for-3 with three runs and two doubles against Southern Vermont, and was 4-for-6 with four runs and four RBI in a doubleheader sweep over St. Joseph (Conn.) as the Golden Bears (27-9) improved their winning streak to 22 games. WNEC also won its second straight regular season Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) title with a 23-1 record. Boss is a sport management major.

Mahoney, a junior outfielder, also was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Rookie-of-the-Week after hitting .714 (10-for-14) in six games with eight runs and eight RBI in extending his hitting streak to 12 games. He had three multi-games, including a perfect 5-for-5 with a double and two triples in a doubleheader sweep over Emerson. A business major, Mahoney leads the Golden Bears (18-9) in hitting (.411), triples (4), homers (3), total bases (53), and slugging percentage (.726).

In other news, Western New England College freshman Adam Cherry (Westfield, MA) was selected the Men's Lacrosse Pilgrim League Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 19). Cherry scored 11 points (8 goals, 3 assists) in three games with two goals and an assist in a win over Norwich, a career high four goals in a loss at No. 12 Amherst, and two goals and two assists in a victory over Massachusetts Maritime. A criminal justice major, Cherry is third on the team in scoring with 34 points (23 goals, 11 assists). WNEC is 9-5 overall and 4-0 in the Pilgrim League.

Western New England College junior Sarah Cunningham (LaGrangeville, NY) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Defensive Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 19). Cunningham, a math major, totaled nine ground balls, eight caused turnovers, and three draw controls in a 2-0 week for the Golden Bears. She had five ground balls and a draw control in a 14-7 win over Mount Holyoke, and seven ground balls, five caused turnovers, and three draw controls in a victory vs. Emerson. WNEC (10-2) captured the regular season NEWLA title with a perfect 6-0 mark.

SOPHOMORES ADAM D'AMARIO AND ERIN WHITCOMB NAMED WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Sophomores Adam D'Amario (Feeding Hills, MA) and Erin Whitcomb (Bellows Falls, VT) were honored Tuesday (April 13) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

D'Amario, a member of the golf team, placed first among 118 players at the 31st Annual Lou Flumere Massachusetts Intercollegiate Tournament held at Stow Acres Country Club. He fired a two-over par 74 as the Golden Bears tied for third among 24 teams. D'Amario is a finance major.

Whitcomb, a first baseman on the softball team, hit .500 (14-for-28) as the Golden Bears won five straight doubleheaders. She had five multi-hit games with 18 RBI and 13 runs. Her best effort was a 3-for-3 performance with two doubles, a homer, and six RBI against Norwich University. An accounting major, Whitcomb leads the team in hitting with a .379 average. Whitcomb also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Player-of-the-Week.

In other news, Western New England College junior Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Pitcher-of-the-Week for the second time this season. She compiled a 5-0 record with two saves in 24.1 innings while allowing one unearned run for a 0.00 earned-run-average. She gave up 11 hits with 41 strikeouts and only two walks. A history major, Shedlock has a 12.4 record (10-0 in the conference) with a 1.04 ERA (143 strikeouts and 26 walks) in 100.2 innings.

Western New England College sophomore Ed Fallon (Springfield, MA) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Tennis Player-of-the-Week. Fallon, an electrical engineering major, provided the Golden Bears with two huge points in a 5-4 victory over Johnson & Wales University. He won 6-0, 6-0 at number one singles and with the match tied at 4-4, teamed with junior Dave Stelmach to clinch the win with an 8-5 victory at number one doubles.

LACROSSE CAPTAIN MARCO LE GETTE AND SOFTBALL PITCHER JACKIE SHEDLOCK SELECTED THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

Whitney Boucher and Stephanie Gildart also gain awards

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Lacrosse captain Marco Le Gette (Severna Park, MD) and softball pitcher Jackie Shedlock (Oak Ridge, NJ) were honored Tuesday (April 6) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

Le Gette, a senior attackman, scored seven points (6 goals, 1 assist) in a 1-1 week. He had two goals, the second of which was his 100th career point, in a 7-6 double loss at Wesleyan University. Le Gette then scored four goals with an assist in a 16-7 victory at Babson College in the team's Pilgrim League opener. A criminal justice major, he is second on the squad in scoring with 28 points (24 goals, 4 assists) and has 105 career points (79-26).

Shedlock, a junior, compiled a 4-0 record allowing only two earned runs in 26 innings (0.54 earned-run-average) with 45 strikeouts and only three walks. She fired a five-inning no-hitter (the first of her career) with 11 strikeouts against Rivier College and tossed a one-hitter (her third of the season) with 15 strikeouts against Emmanuel College. A history major, Shedlock leads the Golden Bears with a 7-4 record (1.38 ERA) along with 102 strikeouts and 24 walks in 76.1 innings.

Western New England College senior Whitney Boucher (Tyngsboro, MA) was named the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 5). Boucher led the Golden Bears to a 3-0 week by scoring seven goals with 12 ground balls, four caused turnovers, and two draw controls. She had three goals and a career high eight grounds balls in a 9-8 win over Eastern Connecticut State University. Boucher also scored twice against both Elms College and Lasell College. She is a finance major.

In other news, Western New England College freshman designated player Stephanie Gildart (Portland, ME) was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Softball Rookie-of-the-Week on Monday (April 5). Gildart hit .615 (8-for-13) with six runs and three RBI in six games, including a 4-for-6 performance in a doubleheader sweep over Johnson & Wales University. She also collected two hits against Emmanuel College and Rivier College.

Men's Basketball
Most Valuable Player - Sophomore Jon Godbout (Bristol, CT)
Defensive Player-of-the-Year - Senior Gerry Toney (West Hartford, CT)
Bill Downes Coaches Award for Hustle and Desire - Sophomore Matt Gigliello (Monroe, NJ)

Women's Basketball
Most Valuable Player - Sophomore Lisa Masella (Newtown, CT)
Defensive Player-of-the-Year - Sophomore Jessica Harrica (Morrisonville, NY)
Rookie-of-the-Year Award - Freshman Laura Booth (Chicopee, MA)

Men's Ice Hockey
Most Valuable Player - Senior Mike Newall (Albuquerque, NM)
Offensive Player-of-the-Year - Junior Kevin Leonard (Tewksbury, MA)
Defensive Player-of-the-Year - Senior Ryan Smith (Warwick, RI)

Women's Swimming
Most Valuable Player - Junior Jennifer McCormick (Cheshire, CT)
Coaches Award - Junior Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT)
Rookie-of-the-Year - Freshman Morgan Koepper (South Windsor, CT)

Wrestling
Most Valuable Player - Freshman Jason Vermes (Broad Brook, CT)
Most Improved Player - Sophomore John Oko (Baldwinsville, NY)
Joe Leto Award for Team Effort and Most Pins - Junior Eric Ahnrud (Chepachet, RI)

Men's Bowling
Most Valuable Player - Junior Dan Roy (Enfield, CT)
Most Improved Player - Sophomore Norm Major (Enfield, CT)
Richard Burns Award for Leadership - Senior Rich Regnier (Enfield, CT)

Women's Bowling
Most Valuable Player - Freshman Krystle Unser (Albany, NY)
Most Improved Player - Freshman Ashley Trippconey (Westbrook, CT)
Richard Burns Award for Leadership - Teresa Perkins (Granville, NY)

LACROSSE PLAYERS CJ ANNUNCIATA AND AUDREY KELTON NAMED WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. Ñ Lacrosse players CJ Annunciata (Waltham, MA) and Audrey Kelton (Tonawanda, NY) were honored Tuesday (Mar. 30) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

Annunciata, a junior, scored 16 points (8 goals, 8 assists) in three contests. He had five goals and three assists in a 12-11 win at New England College along with two goals and three assists in a 13-6 victory over Gordon College. Annunciata also scored a goal with two assists in an 18-9 loss at No. 17 Tufts University. A sport management major, Annunciata leads the Golden Bears in scoring with 24 points (13 goals, 11 assists) in five games.

Kelton, a freshman, scored four goals and had four ground balls in a 13-5 victory at defending New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) champion Bridgewater State College. She also had a goal and assist in a 21-3 win over Worcester State, and a goal in a 13-5 loss against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Kelton is an exploratory major.

In other news,

Western New England College senior captain Shannon Pizzingrilli (East Rochester, NY) was a repeat selection as the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Player-of-the-Week. Pizzingrilli scored 13 points (8 goals, 5 assists) in three games. She had three goals and three assists in a 21-3 win over Worcester State College in becoming the first player in school history to reach the 200-point plateau. Pizzingrilli, a finance major, also scored a goal and had two assists in a 13-5 victory at defending NEWLA champion Bridgewater State College.

Western New England College freshman Jessica Vogel (Tonawanda, NY) was honored Monday (Mar. 29) as the New England Women's Lacrosse Alliance (NEWLA) Rookie-of-the-Week. She had four goals and four ground balls in a 13-5 victory at defending conference champion Bridgewater State College. An international studies major, Vogel also netted her first collegiate goal in a 21-3 win over Worcester State College.

Western New England College senior David Gwozdz (Ludlow, MA) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Baseball Pitcher-of-the-Week on Monday (Mar. 29). Gwozdz fired a five hit shutout in a 2-0 win over defending conference champion Albertus Magnus College in the first game played at the new George E. Trelease Memorial Park. He struck out seven and allowed no walks in raising his record to 3-0 with a 1.94 earned-run-average. A sport management major, Gwozdz now has 21 career wins that are tied for third best in the program's 36-year history.

WINTER SPORTS COACHES HELP HEADLINE SUCCESSFUL SPORTS SEASONS AT WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College president Dr. Anthony S. Caprio (center) and athletics director Dr. Michael D. Theulen (left) pose with the department's five winter sports coaches, Karl Enroth (second from left), Doug Pearson, Wendy Davis, Andrea Daley, and Bob Skelton, who enjoyed successful seasons in 2004. Enroth guided the men's ice hockey team to nine victories that more than doubled its win total of eight from the two previous years. Pearson compiled his 100th all-time men's basketball victory against Emerson College. Davis became the school's women's basketball leader for career wins (86). Daley led the Golden Bears' women's swimming team to their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) championship. Skelton recorded his 400th all-time win against the University of Southern Maine.

MATT HACKNEY AND KRISTY KEHOSS HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Baseball captain Matt Hackney (Bristol, CT) and softball standout Kristy Kehoss (Cheshire, CT) were honored Tuesday (Mar. 23) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

Hackney, a junior catcher, hit .382 (13-for-34) in eight games at the Homestead Classic in Homestead, Florida during spring break. He scored 10 runs and had seven runs-batted-in along with a double, homer, and five stolen bases. A sport management major, Hackney hit safely in seven contests with three-hit performances against Adrian College (Mich.) and Westminster College (Pa.). Western New England College posted a 5-3 record during its visit to the Sunshine State.

Kehoss, a sophomore in her first year as the starting shortstop, hit .350 (7-for-20) in eight games at the Gene Cusic Collegiate Classic in Fort Myers, Florida. She had three runs and two RBI along with a pair of two-hit outings against Salem State College in the season opener and Wheaton College. Western New England College posted a 2-6 record during its spring break trip after dropping three contests by a single run.

COACH WENDY DAVIS LEADS YOUNG WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM TO SIXTH STRAIGHT WINNING SEASON

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Wendy Davis enjoyed a record-breaking season as the head women's basketball coach at Western New England College this past winter. The former UConn great directed the Golden Bears to a 16-10 record with 11 first-year players (10 freshmen) in the lineup. It was the team's sixth consecutive winning season and fifth under Davis who also became the program's winningest coach against Daniel Webster College on February 10.

Davis, a native of Birdsboro, Pennsylvania, has an 86-47 record for an impressive 64.7 winning percentage that also is the best in school history. Barbara Hanofee held the old win total with 82 from 1982-89.

Against Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) competition, Davis' teams have won 43 of 60 contests for a remarkable 71.7 winning percentage.

Things didn't start out so well this season for Davis and her young squad.

WNEC won its season opener at MIT, then lost five straight games before going on an eight-game winning streak, highlighted by a 63-59 victory over Brandeis University on December 13 in the final game before the holiday break. Brandeis finished with a 22-5 record, was ranked 25th nationally and won the ECAC Division III New England Regional Tournament.

Western New England College lost three road games by a single point and dropped a two-point decision (59-57) at Albertus Magnus College (Conn.) in a quarterfinal round game of the GNAC Tournament.

Sophomore center Lisa Masella (Newtown, CT) was named to the All-GNAC Second Team for the second straight season after leading the squad in scoring (12.7), rebounding (10.0), and field-goal percentage (48.0). She had 11 double-doubles (points-rebounds) giving her 19 for her career.

Guard and team co-captain Emily Sward (Plainville, CT) ended her career on a positive note by finishing second on the team in both scoring (8.8) and assists (2.8). Sward, the only senior on the team, scored 598 points and had 207 assists in three seasons for the Golden Bears.

Freshman guard Laura Booth (Chicopee, MA) was third in both scoring (7.1) and field-goal percentage (42.4). She shot a team high 44.6% from three-point territory and made 37 three-pointers that was the third highest in school history.

WNEC outscored its opponents by a 59.2 to 50.2 margin this past season and held its conference opponents to only 46.7 points an outing and 29.2% shooting from the field while holding an 11.8 rebounding advantage.

Western New England College ended the season ranked fifth nationally in field-goal defense (31.1%), ninth in rebounding margin (9.3), and 11th in scoring defense (50.2).

FORMER UMASS COACH JACK LEAMAN "TRUE FRIEND" OF WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETICS

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Former UMass men's basketball coach Jack Leaman was a "true friend" of Western New England College athletics, according to WNEC athletic director Mike Theulen.

Leaman, who died March 6 at the age of 71, was a contributor on the Western New England College Study of Athletics that was completed in 1997. That report included many of the new changes that have taken place in the Golden Bears' athletic department the last seven years.

The popular Leaman was even being considered to serve as the school's interim director of athletics before Theulen took the position in 1998.

"Jack was a great coach and an even better person," said Theulen. "He loved the student-athletes at UMass and was a strong supporter of all the local colleges. Jack had an effervescent smile that reflected his outgoing personality; he will be greatly missed by a lot of people."

Theulen recalled the first time he met Leaman as a graduate assistant men's basketball coach at Springfield College in 1981.

"He never forgot me," Theulen stated. "Every time I saw him afterwards he always took the time to say hello. His advice was always valued. Look in the dictionary under the word 'Coach' and you see his picture. Jack was indeed a special person."

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SOPHOMORE CENTER LISA MASELLA NAMED TO ALL-GNAC SECOND TEAM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College sophomore center Lisa Masella (Newtown, CT) was named Monday (Mar. 1) to the 2004 All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Basketball Second-Team for the second straight year.

The 6'0" Masella led the Golden Bears in scoring (12.7 avg.) and field-goal percentage (48.0) for the second consecutive year, and led the squad in rebounding (10.0). She scored in double figures 21 times and recorded 11 double-doubles (points-rebounds) during the season.

Masella also excels in the classroom with a 3.47 cumulative grade-point-average in Communications. An All-GNAC Academic selection, she was a candidate for the Verizon Academic All-America Team this winter.

"Lisa was a dominant force in the conference for the second straight year," said WNEC coach Wendy Davis. "Opposing teams must plan their defensive strategy around how to stop her. Lisa is a very good student and an even better person. Our program is lucky to have her for two more years; I think her best is yet to come."

Western New England College compiled a 16-10 record for its sixth consecutive winning season and placed sixth in the conference with an 8-4 mark.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SOPHOMORE GUARD JON GODBOUT NAMED TO ALL-GNAC FIRST TEAM

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College sophomore point guard Jon Godbout (Bristol, CT) was named Monday (Mar. 1) to the 2004 All-Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Men's Basketball First-Team.

Godbout led the team in scoring (12.0 avg.), free-throw percentage (72.0), three-point field-goal percentage (42.7), assists (102), and minutes played (35.9 avg.), and was second in field-goal percentage (46.6) and steals (40).

The 5'11" Godbout scored in double figures 18 times with a career high 24 points against Suffolk University. He committed only 56 turnovers and was the only Golden Bears' player to start all 26 games this past season.

Godbout also excels in the classroom with a 3.75 cumulative grade-point-average in Accounting. An All-GNAC Academic selection, he was a candidate for the Verizon Academic All-America Team this winter.

"John had a wonderful season," said WNEC coach Doug Pearson. "He kept his team together during difficult times and carried the team on his shoulder at other times. John was, without question, our most valuable player and is developing into a fine team leader."

Western New England College compiled a 12-14 record and placed sixth in the conference with a 10-8 mark.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE SOFTBALL TEAM RANKED 19TH IN THE PRE-SEASON NFCA DIVISION III POLL

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's softball team is ranked 19th in the 2004 pre-season National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III poll.

"This is certainly a nice way to start the season," said WNEC coach Lori Mayhew. "Although we lost several key players from last year's Final Eight squad, we still hope to challenge for our conference title and return to the national tournament."

WNEC compiled a 32-7 record last year that was the second most wins in school history and the program's second straight 30-win campaign. The Golden Bears were 34-9-1 in 2002.

Western New England College also repeated as Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournament champions and captured its first NCAA Division III New England Regional Championship to earn an invitation to Salem, Virginia for the championship finals.

At the NCAA Division III Final Eight Championship, WNEC lost to national champion Central College (Iowa), 7-0, and Cortland (N.Y.), 2-0.

The Golden Bears finished 10th in the final coaches poll, the school's highest ranking ever in any sport.

SENIOR GERRY TONEY AND FRESHMAN BRIANNA LUTTER HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Basketball co-captain Gerry Toney (West Hartford, CT) and swimming standout Brianna Lutter (Watertown, CT) were honored Tuesday (Feb. 24) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

Toney, a senior guard, scored 13 points (all in the second half) in a 73-66 victory over Emerson College that was the 100th career victory for coach Doug Pearson. An Industrial Engineering major, Toney was third on the team in scoring this season with a 9.6 average and first with 43 three-pointers. He finished his career with 901 points in 107 contests (8.4 avg.) and established a school record with 171 three-pointers.

Lutter, a freshman, scored 15 points as the Golden Bears finished ninth among 21 schools at the New England Intercollegiate Swimming and Diving Association (NEISDA) Championship. She placed 13th in the 100 yard breaststroke (1:15.99), and 14th in both the 100 butterfly (1:08.48) and 200 butterfly (2:35.03) events. An education major, Lutter also swam the third leg on the 800 freestyle relay team that placed seventh (school record 8:40.57), the third leg on the 400 medley relay squad that took 10th, and the second leg on the 400 freestyle relay team that placed 13th.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE BASKETBALL TEAMS BOTH SEEDED SIXTH AND ON THE ROAD IN GNAC TOURNAMENT

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's men's and women's basketball teams will play their quarterfinal round games of the 2004 Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Tournaments on the road after both being seeded sixth in the playoffs.

WNEC's men's team, coached by Doug Pearson, will play third-seeded Norwich University at 7:00 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 24) in Northfield, Vermont.

The Golden Bears posted a 12-13 record this winter, including a 10-8 mark in conference play. Western New England College split two games with Norwich (16-7, 12-6), defeating the Cadets 65-54 at home on January 29 and dropping a 72-63 decision there on February 14.

Pearson recorded his 100th career coaching victory in the season finale against Emerson College (73-66) last Saturday. Pearson, who has a 100-59 mark in six years, is now tied with Bill Downes as the second winningest coach in school history.

WNEC's women's team, coached by former UConn great Wendy Davis, will visit third-seeded Albertus Magnus College (15-8, 9-3) at 7:00 p.m. Wednesday (Feb. 25) in New Haven, Connecticut.

The Golden Bears, with 11 freshmen in the lineup, compiled a 16-9 record and 8-4 GNAC mark this season. Western New England College defeated Albertus Magnus there on February 3 by the score of 64-58.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE MEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM VISITS PLYMOUTH STATE COLLEGE IN SEASON FINALE TUESDAY

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College's men's ice hockey team hopes to end its season on a winning note with an ECAC Northeast game at Plymouth State College starting at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday (Feb. 24).

The Golden Bears have 9-13-2 record and 4-9-2 mark in the ECAC Northeast after dropping a close 3-2 decision at Lebanon Valley College on Sunday (Feb. 22). Although WNEC will not make the playoffs this year, the team will finish with its most wins since the 1999-200 season (11-12-2).

Junior forward Kevin Leonard (Tewksbury, MA) leads the Golden Bears in scoring with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists), power plays (7), and shorthanded goals (2). Junior right wing Mike Szmeiter (Plainville, CT) is second with 27 points (9 goals, 18 assists).

Senior defenseman/tri-captain Ryan Smith (Warwick, RI) is third with 25 points (4 goals, 21 assists) followed by junior center Marcin Dziubek (Clifton, NJ) with 21 points (8 goals, 13 assists).

Senior goalie Mike Newall (Albuquerque, NM) has 7-9-1 record, 91.6 save percentage, and 3.28 goals-against-average. He was voted the second star of the Lebanon Valley game after making 34 saves in the one-goal loss.

JUNIOR SWIMMER JENNIFER McCORMICK HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

Laura Booth named GNAC Women's Basketball Rookie-of-the-Week

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Swimming standout Jennifer McCormick (Cheshire, CT) was honored Tuesday (Feb. 17) as the Western New England College Athlete-of-the-Week.

McCormick, a junior education major, won the 200-yard breaststroke (2 minutes, 47.61 seconds) as the Golden Bears ended their dual meet season with a 132-126 victory over visiting Eastern Connecticut State University. She also placed second in the 100 breaststroke (1:17.03) and third in the 200 butterfly (2:38.91).

With McCormick helping to lead the way, Western New England College compiled a 7-4 record this winter for its second straight winning season under second-year coach Andrea Daley.

In other news, Western New England College freshman guard Laura Booth (Chicopee, MA) was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Basketball Rookie-of-the-Week.

A sport management major, Booth averaged 11.0 points and 3.0 rebounds in a 2-1 week for the Golden Bears. She shot 50% from the field (12-for-24) and made 6-of-14 three-pointers (42.9%). Booth, who is averaging 6.8 points a game, leads the team with 31 three-pointers.

SOPHOMORES JON GODBOUT AND KATHRYN MEADE HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Sophomores Jon Godbout (Bristol, CT) and Kathryn Meade (Chicopee, MA) were honored Tuesday (Feb. 10) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

Godbout, the point guard on the men's basketball team, averaged 15.0 points and 5.3 assists in a 3-0 week. He also shot 55.2% from the field (16-for-29) and made 7-of-11 three pointers (63.6%). Godbout scored 17 points against both Albertus Magnus College and Daniel Webster College while making three three-pointers in both contests. He compiled 11 points and five assists in a key road victory at Emmanuel College. An accounting major, Godbout leads the Golden Bears in scoring (11.6 avg.) and assists (4.1).

Meade, a member of the women's swimming team, captured the 500-yard freestyle (5 minutes, 56 seconds) in a 145-95 victory over St. Joseph, Connecticut. She also finished second in the 50 freestyle (28.55) and third in the 200 freestyle (2:21.10). The victory gave the Golden Bears a 6-4 record and assured the squad of its second straight winning season under coach Andrea Daley. Meade is an exploratory major.

BASKETBALL STANDOUT ANTHONY CHARBATJI HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Basketball standout Anthony Charbatji (Attleboro, MA) was honored Tuesday (Jan. 27) as the Western New England College Athlete-of-the-Week. Charbatji, a junior forward, averaged 17.5 points and 5.5 rebounds in a 2-0 week.

He had 18 points and six rebounds in a 77-68 victory at Suffolk University and 17 points and five rebounds in a 65-54 win over Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) leader Norwich University.

Charbatji also had three assists in each contest and made 7-of-13 three-pointers in the two games. A business major, he is averaging 10.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in 12 games.

MIKE CUTLER AND LISA MASELLA HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Basketball players Mike Cutler (Amherst, MA) and Lisa Masella (Newtown, CT) were honored Tuesday (Jan. 27) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week. Masella also was selected the Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Basketball Co-Player-of-the-Week.

Cutler, a junior center, averaged 12.0 points and 10.0 rebounds while shooting 45.2% (14-for-31) from the field in a 2-1 week. He compiled back-to-back double-doubles against Emerson College (14 points, 11 rebounds) and Daniel Webster College (13 points, career high 13 rebounds). A transfer from SUNY New Paltz, Cutler is averaging 6.7 points and 5.0 rebounds in 12 contests (four starts). He is a sport management major.

Masella, a sophomore center, led the Golden Bears to a 3-0 week by averaging 13.7 points and 7.0 rebounds while shooting 54.5% (18-for-33) from the field. She had a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds against Pine Manor College, and had a team-high 18 points at Russell Sage College. A communications major, Masella leads the team in scoring (12.3), rebounding (8.8), and field-goal percentage (50.0).

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE CAPTURES FIRST GREAT NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE WOMEN'S SWIMMING TITLE

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — With 11 individuals scoring points and no diving program, Western New England College captured its first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Women's Swimming Championship Saturday, January 17 in Boston. The Golden Bears totaled 123 points despite having no individuals entered in the one-meter diving event to outdistance host Simmons College (108), St. Joseph College of Connecticut (105), and Norwich (22).

WNEC had finished second the last two years and third during the 2000-01 season. The GNAC Women's Swimming Championship is usually held in December, but was postponed last month because of bad weather.

"This was an exciting win for us," said second-year WNEC coach Andrea Daley. "Every member of our team scored points and we placed first without having a diving program."

Western New England College's top performer was junior Kelli Arsenault (Branford, CT) (see attached picture) who captured her third straight 200 backstroke (2:21.17) title. She also won the 50 backstroke (30.80), and swam the first leg on both the winning 200 medley relay (school record 2:00.72) and 400 freestyle relay (4:00.34) teams.

Senior co-captain Elena Massa (Easthampton, MA) took the gold medal in the 50 breaststroke (school record 33.78 seconds) and finished third in the 50 freestyle (27.45). She also swam the second leg on both the winning 200 medley relay (school record 2:00.72) and 400 freestyle relay (4:00.34) teams.

Sophomore Kathryn Meade (Chicopee, MA) won the gold medal in the 1000 freestyle (12:19.00) and placed fourth in both the 100 freestyle (1:02.55) and 500 freestyle (6:08.64) events.

Among the other point scorers were:

Freshman Brianna Lutter (Watertown, CT) who finished second in the 100 butterfly (1:11.86), third in the 200 freestyle (2:14.59), and third in the 500 freestyle (6:04.89). She also swam the anchor leg on the winning 400 freestyle relay team (4:00.34).

Freshman Morgan Koepper (South Windsor, CT) placed second in both the 50 freestyle (26.60) and 100 freestyle (57.69) events, and swam the anchor leg on the winning 200 medley relay team (school record 2:00.72), and the third leg on the winning 400 freestyle relay squad (4:00.34).

Freshman Ashley Korbut (South Hadley, MA) came home second in the 500 freestyle (5:57.35), fourth in the 400 individual medley (5:37.91), and fifth in the 50 butterfly (32.46). She also swam the third leg on the winning 200 medley relay team (school record 2:00.72).

Junior co-captain Kelly Doherty (Poughkeepsie, NY) took third in the 50 backstroke (34.67).

Junior Jennifer McCormick (Cheshire, CT) placed third in three events, the 50 butterfly (32.00), 50 breaststroke (36.41), and 200 breaststroke (2:52.98) events.

Sophomore Karen McCauley (Middletown, CT) was fourth in the 200 backstroke (2:40.78) and fifth in the 50 backstroke (35.99).

Senior Vickie Tartavoulle (Levittown, NY) finished fifth in the 1000 freestyle (14:44.72).

Senior Krystal Homon (South Royalston, MA) took sixth in the 200 breaststroke (2:52.98).

MIKE NEWALL AND MORGAN KOEPPER HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Ice hockey goalie Mike Newall (Albuquerque, NM) and swimming standout Morgan Koepper (South Windsor, CT) were honored Tuesday (Jan. 20) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

Newall, a senior, compiled a career high 58 saves in a 4-3 win over UMass-Dartmouth that was the Golden Bears' first win ever over the Corsairs in eight meetings. A mechanical engineering major, Newall is second in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Northeast in save percentage (93.1) and fifth in goals-against-average (2.75).

Koepper, a freshman, led the Golden Bears to their first Great Northeast Athletic Conference (GNAC) Swimming Championship by scoring points in four events. She was a member of two winning relays teams, the 200-yard medley squad that set a school record (2:00.72) and the 400 freestyle team. Koepper also finished second in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events. A psychology major, she also placed first in both the 50 and 100 freestyle events in a win over Regis College.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE MEN'S ICE HOCKEY TEAM VISITS NO. 12 CURRY COLLEGE ON THURSDAY

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College faces its toughest test of the season at No. 12 Curry College (11-1-1) Thursday in an ECAC Northeast contest.

WNEC has a 7-6 record (3-3 in the conference) following a dramatic 3-2 overtime victory at Worcester State College Monday night. The win was the fourth straight and sixth in seven contests for the Golden Bears who went over the .500 mark for the first time in Karl Enroth's three years as head coach.

Junior center Marcin Dziubek (Clifton, NJ) scored the game-winner 1:59 into overtime after senior defenseman Ryan Smith (Warwick, RI) tied the game with a goal at 19:38 of the third period. Sophomore Matt Ruggeri (Billerica, MA) compiled a career high 44 saves for his first collegiate win.

Last Saturday, sophomore left wing Jared Rose (Nashua, NH) scored the game-winner (his first goal of the season) with 2:21 remaining as WNEC upset UMass-Dartmouth 4-3. It was the Golden Bears' first win ever over the Corsairs in eight meetings. Senior Mike Newall (Albuquerque, NM) recorded a career high 58 saves.

WNEC had several players ranked in the ECAC Northeast statistics entering the week. Newall was ranked second in save percentage (93.1), tied for fourth in won-lost percentage (.600, 5-3), and fifth in goals-against-average (2.75). Smith was tied for third in scoring by a defenseman (12 points) and tied for fifth in assists (11).

Junior forward Kevin Leonard (Tewksbury, MA) was tied for ninth in power plays (3) while junior forward Mike Szmeiter (Plainville, CT) was tied for 10th in assists (10). Szmeiter and Leonard are the team's top scorers with 18 (7 goals, 11 assists) and 16 points (6 goals, 8 assists), respectively.

Western New England College was tied for fifth in penalty kills (86.7%) and seventh among 17 teams in scoring defense (3.25). The Golden Bears were second in combined special teams (90-for-162, 55.6%).

KEVIN LEONARD AND LAURA BOOTH HONORED AS THE WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE ATHLETES-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. - Ice hockey standout Kevin Leonard (Tewksbury, MA) and basketball player Laura Booth (Chicopee, MA) were honored Tuesday (Jan. 13) as the Western New England College Male and Female Athletes-of-the-Week.

Leonard, a junior forward, had two goals and two assists in a 7-3 win over Franklin Pierce College in an ECAC Northeast game. The win was the fourth in five contests for the Golden Bears (5-6) who entertain UMass-Dartmouth on Saturday (Jan. 17). Leonard is second on the team in scoring with 13 points (6 goals, 7 assists) and first on the squad with three power play goals and one shorthanded score. He is a computer information systems major.

Booth, a freshman guard, compiled season highs of 16 points and seven rebounds in a 63-48 win over Framingham State College. She made 6-of-11 shots from the field, including 4-of-9 three-pointers. A sport management major, Booth is averaging 5.2 points in nine contests with a team high 11 three-pointers. She has started the last four contests and the Golden Bears have a three-game wining streak entering a home game Thursday (Jan. 15) against Massachusetts College.

FIFTH ANNUAL WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE GIRLS & WOMEN IN SPORTS DAY SET FOR JANUARY 24

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College will host its fifth annual Girls & Women in Sports Day on Saturday, January 24 in the Alumni Healthful Living Center.

The program will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and is designed for girls' ages 7-12 years old from the greater Springfield area. Lunch will be provided from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m.

Participants will have the opportunity to select two sports clinics, which will be conducted by Western New England College coaches and varsity athletes. In addition, there will be recreation time for swimming, racquetball, and squash.

Each individual is requested to make a donation of one personal hygiene (hair products, deodorant, toothpaste) or household c