WNEC Men's Lacrosse

FORMER GOLDEN BEARS STANDOUT PETER BLACK INDUCTED INTO DOWNES ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Former Golden Bears standout Peter M. Black '87 was among six individuals inducted into the fourth annual Western New England College Downes Athletic Hall of Fame on September 21, 2002, during Homecoming Weekend. He is the first lacrosse player in school history to join the elite group.

A native of Ridgefield, Connecticut, Black ranks fourth on the school's all-time scoring list with 152 points (99 goals, 53 assists).

As a junior, he set school records for points in a season (54) and goals in a game (eight vs. Nichols College).

Black, an attackman, was a four-time Pilgrim League All-Star and an All-New England performer his senior year. He served as a team captain of the 1987 squad that captured the league tournament title and was a New England East-West Senior All-Star Game selection.

A three-time team MVP, Black earned his bachelor science degree in management. He resides in Simsbury, Connecticut with his wife Heidi and their three children, Hunter (7), Craig (6), and Charlie (2).

Western New England College's Athletic Hall of Fame is named in honor of former professor and present men's golf coach William Arthur (Red) Downes who was among the inaugural group inducted in 1999.

The Class of 2002 also featured Joy E. Clark Cunningham '95, women's basketball/soccer; Alan J. Fabian '89, baseball; Brian J. Solomon '84 and his brother Gary J. Solomon '86, both wrestling, and former baseball, women's soccer, and women's tennis coach Patrick A. Ricci.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 30, 2002) — Kevin Savage of Western New England College made school history Thursday (May 30) when he received an honorable mention on the 2002 STX/United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA) Division III All-American Team.

A native of West Hartford, Connecticut, Savage is the first Golden Bears player to earn All-America status in the program's 21-year history.

Savage, a midfielder and team captain, was second on the team in scoring with 60 points (41 goals, 19 assists). He finished his career with 127 points. Earlier this month he was selected to the Pilgrim League West Division All-Star Team. Savage earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology on May 19.

"Kevin was a leader all year and he played well in the big games," said WNEC coach John Klepacki. "He led by example and was a positive role mode for the underclassmen."

With Savage helping to lead the way, Western New England College enjoyed the second best season in school history with a 12-5 record that included a 10-game winning streak. The Golden Bears captured the Pilgrim League West Division crown with a perfect 6-0 mark and won the Pilgrim League Tournament title after posting one-goal wins over Babson College (13-12) and city rival Springfield College (17-16).

Western New England advanced to its first NCAA Division III Championship and made an impressive showing in a 16-15 overtime loss at ninth-ranked Ithaca College. WNEC was ranked 25th in the final national poll.

Savage is a 1998 graduate of Hall High School where he was captain of the lacrosse team his senior year, and a two-time CCC West League All-Star selection.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 17, 2002) — Western New England College senior attack player Bill Locher (Yorktown, NY — Yorktown High School) has been named the Pilgrim League West Division Men's Lacrosse Player-of-the-Year.

Locher also was named to the Pilgrim League All-Star Team along with senior midfielder Kevin Savage (West Hartford, CT — Hall High School), junior midfielder Tim Cinque (Lynbrook, NY Ñ Lynbrook Senior High School), junior goalie Pat Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD — Boys Latin High School), and junior defenseman Dan Gildart (Portland, ME — Cheverus High School).

First-year Western New England College coach John Klepacki was selected the Pilgrim League Coach-of-the-Year. Klepacki is a native of Southington, Connecticut.

Locher led the Golden Bears in scoring with 67 points (49 goals, 18 assists) and finished his career second on the school's all-time scoring list with 201 points (148 goals, 53 assists). He had five goals in Western New England's 17-16 win over Springfield College in the Pilgrim League Tournament championship game. Locher also received an honorable mention on the New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division III All-Star Team.

Savage was second on the team in scoring with 60 points (41 goals, 19 assists). He compiled 127 career points (81 goals, 46 assists). Cinque was third on the squad with 49 points (22 goals, 27 assists). Dabrowski compiled a 9.96 goals-against-average and 64.4 save percentage in his first year as a starter. Gildart anchored the defense that allowed only 10.94 goals a game (6.5 goals in six league contests).

Western New England College finished with a 12-5 record, which was the second highest win total in the program's 21-year history. The Golden Bears placed first in the Pilgrim League West Division with a perfect 6-0 mark and captured their first Pilgrim League Tournament title since 1996. WNEC also participated in its first NCAA Division III Championship.

Wednesday, May 8, 2002
NCAA Division III Tournament
No. 9 Ithaca 16, WNEC 15 (ot)

ITHACA, N.Y. (May 8, 2002) — Mo Jemel scored a goal with 31 seconds left in overtime as No. 9 Ithaca College posted a 16-15 victory over upset-minded Western New England College in an opening round game of the 2002 NCAA Division III Tournament.

WNEC trailed 6-3 before scoring the last five goals of the second period for an 8-6 halftime lead. Ithaca outscored the Golden Bears by a 7-4 margin to take a 13-12 lead after three quarters.

Senior Kevin Savage gave WNEC a 15-14 lead with an unassisted goal at the 6:01 mark of the fourth quarter before the Bombers tied the contest with 3:55 left.

Junior Randy Milou led Western New England with four goals while Savage, senior Ryan Deane, and sophomore Marco Le Gette each scored twice.

WNEC finished with a 12-5 record for the second best season in the program's 21-year history.

Saturday, May 4, 2002
WNEC 17, Springfield 16 (Pilgrim League Tournament championship game)

GOLDEN BEARS WIN PILGRIM LEAGUE TOURNAMENT; ADVANCE TO FIRST NCAA DIVISION III CHAMPIONSHIP

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (May 4, 2002) — Senior Bill Locher (Yorktown, NY) scored five goals for the second straight game to give him 200 career points, and sophomore Marco Le Gette (Severna Park, MD) had the game-winner with 3:41 remaining, to lead Western New England College to a thrilling 17-16 victory over Springfield College in the championship game of the Pilgrim League Tournament. SC was the two-time defending tournament champion.

The win advances WNEC to the NCAA Division III Tournament for the first time in the program's 21-year history. The Golden Bears improved their record to 12-4 with their school record 10th consecutive victory.

Pairings for the national tournament will be announced Sunday night with first-round games starting on Wednesday, May 8.

WNEC junior goalie Pat Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD) played a key role in the victory, making 15 saves, including two sensational stops with the Golden Bears a man-down in the final 48 seconds.

There were 11 ties in the contest, the last time when Springfield senior Bill Metzger (Northampton, MA) scored with 5:56 left in the game. That set the stage for Le Gette who scored with the Golden Bears a man-up. Le Gette also tallied the winning goal in a 13-12 win over Babson College in the tournament semifinals on May 1.

Locher, meanwhile, had five goals against Babson. With 200 points, he is second on the WNEC all-time scoring list.

Junior Tim Cinque (Lynbrook, NY) contributed three goals for Western New England while senior Kevin Savage (West Hartford, CT) and junior Randy Milou (Ambler, PA) each chipped in with two scores. Senior Ryan Deane (Wilbraham, MA) had a goal and two assists.

Western New England defeated Springfield, 15-13, on April 23 in a regular season contest. Last year SC beat WNEC twice by the combined margin of 46-12 (22-6 and 24-6).

John Klepacki, a former player and assistant coach at SC, is now the first-year coach at Western New England. Two All-Americans from last year's nationally ranked Springfield squad, goalie Jeremy Platt and midfielder Jim Warnock, are now assistant coaches this year for Klepacki at WNEC.

Springfield — Goals Ð Joe Uva 4, Bill Metzger 3, Craig Gibson 2, Paul Purdy 2, Erik Refvik 2, Michael Bartol 1, Brian Endicott 1, Kevin Warnock 1. Assists Ð Bill Metzger 2, Paul Purdy 2, Erik Refvik 2, Brian Endicott 1. Saves Ð P.J. Rovinelli 14.

Western New England — Goals Ð Bill Locher 5, Tim Cinque 3, Randy Milou 2, Kevin Savage 2, Ryan Deane 1, Marco Le Gette 1, Patrick Matthews 1, Zach Miner 1, Nick Salvatori 1. Assists Ð Ryan Deane 2, Kevin Savage 1. Saves Ð Pat Dabrowski 15.

Scoring Summary — 1st - W, Bill Locher (unassisted), 14:13; W, Randy Milou (unassisted), 12:11; S, Craig Gibson (unassisted), 10:26; S, Joe Uva (Erik Refvik), 9:14; S, Paul Purdy (unassisted), 4:27; W, Patrick Matthews (unassisted), 3:29; S, Joe Uva (Bill Metzger), 2:16; W, Kevin Savage (unassisted), 1:54; S, Kevin Warnock (unassisted), 1:17. 2nd - W, Bill Locher (unassisted), 12:36; S, Joe Uva (unassisted), 12:03; W, Bill Locher (unassisted), 11:44; S, Bill Metzger (Erik Refvik), 942; S, Michael Bartol (Paul Purdy), 8;13; W, Tim Cinque (unassisted), 2:56; S, Craig Gibson (unassisted), 1:03. 3rd - S, Paul Purdy (Brian Endicott), 13:48; W, Ryan Deane (Kevin Savage), 13:31; W, Kevin Savage (unassisted), 8:53; S, Brian Endicott (Bill Metzger), 7:53; W, Tim Cinque (Ryan Deane), 3:59; W, Nick Salvatori (unassisted), 3:02; S, Erik Refvik (unassisted), 2:54; W, Bill Locher (unassisted), 1:14. 4th - W, Zach Miner (unassisted), 14:21; S, Erik Refvik (Paul Purdy), 13:15; W, Randy Milou (unassisted), 12:39; S, Bill Metzger (unassisted), 12:14; W, Tim Cinque (unassisted), 10:57; S, Joe Uva (unassisted), 9:06; W, Bill Locher (unassisted), 6;17; S, Bill Metzger (unassisted), 5:56; W, Marco Le Gette (Ryan Deane), 3:41.

Wednesday, May 1, 2002
WNEC 13, Babson 12 (Pilgrim League Tournament semifinals)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (May 1, 2002) — Senior Bill Locher (Yorktown, NY) scored five goals with two assists and sophomore Marco Le Gette (Severna Park, MD) added three goals, including the eventual game-winner with 2:45 remaining, as Western New England College held on for a thrilling 13-12 victory over Babson College in a semifinal game of the Pilgrim League Tournament.

WNEC, ranked 10th in the New England Division III Coaches Poll, will play Springfield at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Pilgrim League Tournament championship game.

The Golden Bears improve their record to 11-4 after extending their winning streak to nine games. The 11 wins is the second highest total in school history.

Western New England held an 11-6 lead with 9:18 left in the third quarter and 12-9 advantage after the third period.

Babson came back and pulled within 12-11 after a goal by junior Todd MacDowell (Wayland, MA) with 12:07 remaining in the game. Le Gette's third goal gave the Golden Bears a 13-11 lead with just under three minutes left. The Beavers again came back after a goal by sophomore Ed Barbeau (Longmeadow, MA) with 22 seconds remaining.

WNEC junior goalie Pat Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD), the Pilgrim League Player-of-the-Week, then made two key stops, including a save in the final second to send the Golden Bears into the league finals for the first time since 1996. Dabrowski finished with 18 saves in another clutch performance.

Senior Kevin Savage (West Hartford, CT) contributed two goals and an assist for WNEC while junior Randy Milou (Ambler, PA chipped in with two scores.

Babson — Goals Ð Daryl Hasen 4, Tim Armenta 2, Devin Collins 2, Ed Barbeau 1, Jared Connell 1, Todd MacDowell 1, Charles Roberts 1. Assists Ð Tim Armenta 4, Jared Connell 2, Ed Barbeau 1, James Flavin 1, Darryl Hasen 1, Todd MacDowell 1. Saves Ð Paul DeFina 13.

Western New England — Goals Ð Bill Locher 5, Marco Le Gette 3, Randy Milou 2, Kevin Savage 2, Ryan Deane 1. Assists Ð Tim Cinque 2, Bill Locher 2, Ryan Deane 1, Kevin Savage 1. Saves Ð Pat Dabrowski 18.

Scoring Summary Ð 1st - W, Ryan Deane (Bill Locher), 14:30; W, Bill Locher (Kevin Savage), 14:01; W, Bill Locher (Tim Cinque), 12:41; B, Jared Connell (Darryl Hasen), 11:22; B, Devin Collins (Jared Connell), 5:22; W, Marco Le Gette (unassisted), 0:40. 2nd Ð B, Tim Armenta (Ed Barbeau), 10:58; B, Darryl Hasen (Tim Armenta), 9:33; B, Devin Collins (Tim Armenta), 8:45; W, Kevin Savage (Bill Locher), 6:34; W, Bill Locher (unassisted), 6:12; B, Darryl Hasen (unassisted), 4:03; W, Bill Locher (Tim Cinque), 2:42. 3rd Ð W, Randy Milou (Ryan Deane), 14:46; W, Kevin Savage (unassisted), 12:29; W, Bill Locher (unassisted), 11:47; W, Marco Le Gette (unassisted), 9:18; B, Darry Hasen (Jared Connell), 9:02; B, Charles Roberts (Tim Armenta), 4:21; W, Randy Milou (unassisted), 0:30; B, Tim Armenta (Todd MacDowell), 0:24. 4th Ð B, Darryl Hasen (James Flavin), 13:45; B, Todd MacDowell (unassisted), 12:07; W, Marco Le Gette (unassisted), 2:45; B, Ed Barbeau (Tim Armenta), 0:22.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 30, 2002) — Western New England College was ranked 10th in the final 2002 New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (NEILA) Division III poll.

The top 10 were Middlebury, Bowdoin, Eastern Connecticut, Colby, Amherst, Tufts, Springfield, Williams, Bates, and Western New England.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 29, 2002) — Western New England College junior goalie Pat Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD — Boys Latin High School) was named the Pilgrim League Player-of-the-Week on Monday.

Dabrowski totaled 37 saves in two big crossover games for the Golden Bears who clinched the top seed in the Pilgrim League West Division with a perfect 6-0 mark.

Dabrowski stopped 16 shots in a 15-13 upset victory over city rival Springfield College on April 23, handing the Pride its first ever league loss. Dabrowski then made 21 saves in a 12-7 win at MIT on April 27 that gave WNEC (10-4) an eight-game winning streak.

This was the third straight week that a Golden Bears player was the top pick in the Pilgrim League.

RYAN DEANE NAMED PILGRIM LEAGUE PLAYER-OF-THE-WEEK AND WNEC ATHLETE-OF-THE-WEEK

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (April 23, 2002) — Senior lacrosse standout Ryan Deane (Wilbraham, MA — Minnechaug Regional High School) was honored Monday (April 22) as the Pilgrim League Player-of-the-Week. He also was selected as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week on Tuesday (April 23).

Deane, an attack player, scored 15 points (10 goals, 5 assists) in a 3-0 week highlighted by a career best nine-point performance (5 goals, 4 assists) against Maine Maritime Academy. He tied his career high with five goals against Massachusetts Maritime Academy. Deane is third on the team in scoring with 31 points (21 goals, 10 assists).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Apr. 16, 2002) — lWestern New England College senior attack player Bill Locher (Yorktown, NY — Yorktown High School) was named the Pilgrim League Men's Lacrosse Player-of-the-Week on Monday (April 15).

Locher scored a career high nine points (6 goals, 3 assists) in an 18-8 league win at previously undefeated Lasell College (Mass.). He also scored two goals in a 9-7 non-league victory at Babson College.

Locher leads the Golden Bears in scoring with 34 points (23 goals, 11 assists), which is seventh in the Pilgrim League.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Mar. 19, 2002) — Sophomore midfielder Alex Naclerio (White Plains, NY — Iona Preparatory School) was honored Tuesday (March 19) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Naclerio compiled eight points as the Golden Bears won their first two games of the season over UMass-Dartmouth (24-16) and Greensboro, North Carolina (14-3). He had four goals and one assist against UMass-Dartmouth and three goals vs. Greensboro. Naclerio is tied for third on the team in scoring with 11 points (10 goals, 1 assist).

WNEC (2-2) will open its Pilgrim League season on Saturday (March 23) at Wheaton College.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Western New England College men's lacrosse team will open its season at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, against Rensselaer in Troy, New York.

The game will make the head coaching debut of John Klepacki who was a former standout player and assistant coach at nationally-ranked Springfield College.

WNEC will visit the Empire State again for a contest at Hartwick College beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, March 8, in Oneonta, New York.

The busy opening week continues for the Golden Bears who will meet UMass-Dartmouth starting at 6 p.m. Monday, March 11, at Springfield College's Benedum Field.

Western New England will head south during spring break for a meeting against Greensboro College at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 16 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — John Klepacki enjoyed tremendous success as a college lacrosse player and assistant coach, now he is getting an opportunity to lead his own team.

Klepacki, a native of Southington, Connecticut, was named the head men's lacrosse coach at Western New England College on Tuesday (June 26, 2001).

The 27-year-old Klepacki served as an assistant coach at nationally ranked Springfield College the last two seasons. The Pride enjoyed the best season in school history this past spring with a 16-2 record, which included a road win over NCAA Division III Tournament champion Middlebury College. Springfield also captured its second straight Pilgrim League title and advanced to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Prior to joining the Springfield staff, Klepacki was an assistant men's lacrosse coach at the State University of New York at Oneonta from 1997-99.

"John has outstanding credentials as a player and a coach, and he will be a tremendous asset to our staff," said Western New England College athletics director Mike Theulen.

Klepacki earned a Bachelor of Science degree in movement of sports studies at Springfield College in 1996 and a Master of Education degree from Springfield this past May. He was a four-year starter at defense for the Pride and team captain his senior year. Klepacki was a member of the SC team that won the NCAA Division II Championship title in 1994 while finishing second in 1995.

Klepacki also served as an assistant football coach at Springfield College last fall as the Pride set a school record with 11 wins against only two losses while winning the Freedom Football Conference and advancing to the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Klepacki is a 1991 graduate of Southington High School where he was captain of the boys' lacrosse team, team MVP, and an All-State selection. He also was an All-Conference football performer.

Western New England posted a 5-9 record this past season and finished fourth in the Pilgrim League with a 5-3 mark in qualifying for the league playoffs.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Tim O'Meara has resigned as the men's lacrosse coach at Western New England College, it was announced Wednesday (May 23).

"After five years as a part-time coach at the College, I feel it's time for me to pursue my coaching profession on a full-time level," said OÕMeara. "Although it's hard to leave, I feel that I have contributed greatly to the growth of the program, and I wish nothing but success for the Golden Bears in the future."

O'Meara compiled a respectable 35-38 record against a challenging schedule during his tenure on the Golden Bears sideline.

Western New England College posted a 5-9 mark this spring and finished fourth among nine teams in the Pilgrim League at 5-3 in qualifying for the league tournament.

A native of West Hartford, Connecticut, O'Meara was a four-year starter and men's lacrosse captain at the University of New Hampshire.

While at Western New England College, he coached several All-League and All-New England players, and was the chairman of the ECAC Division III Men's Lacrosse Championship.

O'Meara has served as a health instructor at Agawam High School the last three years.

Western New England College athletics director Mike Theulen said that the school would begin a search for a new men's lacrosse coach immediately.

Jared Barringer, Goalie, Troy, N.Y.
Matt Musumeci, Senior, Defense, Mahopac, N.Y.

Matt Musumeci, Senior, Defense, Mahopac, N.Y.
Tim Cinque, Sophomore, Midfield, Lynbrook, N.Y.

Wednesday, May 2 - Semifinals
Springfield 24, Western New England 6
Babson 11, MIT 9

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE RANKED
18th IN NEILA DIVISION III POLL

New England Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association
Division III Poll (May 1, 2001)

1. Springfield, 2. Middlebury, 3. Wesleyan, 4. Eastern Connecticut, 5. Bowdoin, 6. Connecticut College, 7. Trinity, 8. Babson, 9. Tufts, 10. tie between Amherst and Bates, 12. Endicott, 13. Williams, 14. tie between Colby and MIT, 16. New England College, 17. Gordon, 18. Western New England, 19. UMass-Boston.

WESTERN NEW ENGLAND COLLEGE
FINISHES FOURTH IN PILGRIM LEAGUE

Final Pilgrim League Standings (April 30, 2001)

1. Springfield (8-0, 13-1), 2. Babson (7-1, 12-3), 3. MIT (6-2, 8-5), 4. Western New England (5-3, 5-8), 5. Wheaton (4-4, 6-6), 6. Maine Maritime (2-5, 5-5), 7. Clark (2-6, 3-7), 8. Massachusetts Maritime (1-7, 4-10), 9. Norwich (1-7, 2-9).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Lacrosse standout Ryan Deane (Wilbraham, MA — Minnechaug Regional High School) was honored Tuesday (Apr. 3) as the Western New England College Male Athlete-of-the-Week.

Deane, a junior attackman, scored five goals in a 17-13 victory at Massachusetts Maritime last Saturday (March 31) as the Golden Bears remained undefeated in the Pilgrim League with a 2-0 mark. A criminal justice major, Deane is second on the team in scoring with 14 points (11 goals, 3 assists).

Western New England (2-3) makes its first home start of the season with a non-league game against Amherst College on Thursday (April 5).

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — Will this be the year that Western New England College's men's lacrosse team breaks the elusive .500 barrier for the first time in three years?

"We surprised a lot of people last year by being a team that can challenge the traditional powers," said O'Meara. "Ask any of our veterans if they were pleased with our 6-9 record, regardless of strength of schedule, and the answer is a resounding no."

Western New England started the 2000 campaign with five straight losses to nationally-ranked teams, but improved throughout the spring with an 8-7 win over traditional power Amherst College among the highlights.

WNEC also gave NCAA Division III Tournament participant (and Pilgrim League champion) Springfield College all it could handle before dropping a 17-13 decision. "That game was the start of what promises to be an exciting crosstown rivalry," said O'Meara.

The Golden Bears return their top three scorers, junior attackman Bill Locher (Yorktown, NY), 52 points (38 goals, 14 assists); sophomore attackman Ryan Deane (Wilbraham, MA), 39 points (27-12), and junior midfielder Kevin Savage (West Hartford, CT), 28 points (16-12). Two freshmen to watch are attackman Zack Miner (South Salem, NY) and midfielder Marco Le Gette (Severna Park, MD).

Sophomore Tim Cinque (Lynbrook, NY) and junior Will Neuenhaus (Ridgewood, NJ) will handle the draws.

O'Meara has a strong defensive unit with four-year starters Matt Musumeci (Mahopac, NY), Gianleo Duca (Waltham, MA), and James Wojtowitz (Johnson City, NY) leading the way. Defensive midfielder Matt Sordill (Short Hills, NJ) and defenseman Matt Maier (Roslyn Heights, NY) are promising freshmen.

Senior Jared Barringer (Troy, NY) returns for his fourth season as the starting goalie. He compiled a 64.1 save percentage last year.

"Health and consistency will be among the keys to our success this season," says O'Meara who is in his fifth year as head coach. "We're ready to turn the corner. and scratch and claw our way to a tournament berth in May."

Western New England opens its 2001 season at 7 p.m. Friday, March 9, at Hartwick College in Oneonta, New York.

The Golden Bears will head south during spring break for games against Greensboro College (N.C.) on March 14 and Lynchburg College (Va.) on March 17.

Western New England makes its home debut at noon Saturday, March 24, against Pilgrim League rival Wheaton College.

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (Nov. 10, 2000) — Western New England College enjoyed a busy and productive 2000 fall season, according to head coach Tim O'Meara.

After six weeks of practice and conditioning, the Golden Bears ended the non-traditional part of their schedule by participating in a round-robin tournament at Renessaler Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, on October 15.

WNEC played Herkimer Community College in the first of three 50-minute contests and gave the junior college power all they handle before bowing by the score of 10-6. The Golden Bears easily dispatched Utice College in the second game that gave several freshmen an opportunity to see action. Western New England then defeated Division I Albany State in the final contest, highlighted by a goal by freshman defenseman Dan Gildart (Cheverus, ME).

"We still have a ton of work to do, but I'm pleased with the overall performance of the squad," said O'Meara. "This is the toughest, most hard-nosed group that I've ever coached. We are physically very strong and athletic, and it showed on the field."

Balanced scoring and team defense were among the keys to the team's successful fall season.

O'Meara also was pleased with the work of his three goalies, senior Jared Barringer (Troy, NY), junior Matt Fogarty (Norwell, MA), and sophomore Pat Dabrowski (Baltimore, MD) who dominated their opponents in and out of the cage.

"We gelled on both ends of the field," added O'Meara. "We need to carry this attitude into our off-season to be successful this spring. I can't wait to get started again."

At first glance, the team's 6-9 record in 2000 doesn't look too good. Looking a little deeper the Golden Bears had a respectable record considering the strength of the schedule. Of the nine losses, five of them were to teams ranked in the top 25 in the nation in Division III this season.

The Golden Bears finished the year on a down note, however, losing the final two games of the season and missing out on a Pilgrim League playoff slot. WNEC held the lead late at MIT, but the Engineers put on a late spurt and beat the Golden Bears 10-9. In the season finale, Pilgrim League rival Babson College blitzed WNEC 12-4.

Sophomore BILL LOCHER (Yorktown, NY) followed up an impressive rookie campaign with a better second year. He led the team in scoring with 38 goals and 14 assists. Sophomore RYAN DEANE (Wilbraham, MA) finished second with 27 goals and 12 assists, followed by KEVIN SAVAGE (W. Hartford, CT) with 16 goals and 12 assists.

Junior goalie JARED BARRINGER (Troy, NY) was ranked third in the Pilgrim League in save percentage (.641). Savage, a midfielder, and sophomore KEVIN STURMER (Longwood, NY), a defender, were named to the Pilgrim League Southeast Division All-Star Team.