Weekly sports update: Results from September 13th to 19th

Men's Soccer (3-0)

On Friday the 13th - a superstitious day for most - WPI took on traditionally strong Wesleyan University in an early season test of performance. Both teams battled to a scoreless first half as the action was back and forth, with a definite edge to WPI in the scoring opportunity category. At the 57th minute of the game WPI's Jim Goodreau (Ludlow, MA) executed a perfect throw in, which Shaun McDonough (Whitman, MA) headed past the Cardinals goalkeeper to give WPI the lead. The rest of the game WPI played strong defensively to hold Wesleyan at bay for the 1-0 win.

Football (1-1)

During the Homecoming day footbal game last Saturday, the WPI footbal team made a valiant effort, but came up short against Union College. Not even the mighty crowd could help our team. The final score was 10-24.

The football team journeyed across the city to renew their rivalry with Worcester State on the 14th. Worcester State took advantage of good field position all day to win the game 21-0. The game was only 7-0 at the half as the WPI defense played another solid game, doing their share to keep the game within reach. It wasn't until late in the fourth quarter that the Lancers put the game away with their third score.

As noted, the defense palyed another tremendous game. Senior Brian Learned (Clinton, MA) had 15 tackles to lead the way. Juniors Darren Levack (S. Windsor, CT) had 13 tackles, three of which were for a loss, and one sack and Adam Abrams (E. Bridgewater, MA) had two more interceptions to bring his total to three thus far after two games. Levack's performance got him named to the Freedom Football Conference weekly honor roll.

Field Hockey (2-3)

In field hockey, number 3, Sarah Tremblay scored the goal in WPI' 1-0 victory over Bridgewater State last Wednesday. Their next home game is tomorrow against MIT, at 7:00pm.

The field hockey team has been playing well, but with no results to show for their efforts. They struggled early last week trying to score as they dropped two 2-0 contests to Amherst and Assumption. Three nights later they bounced back with a tremendous effort in defeating Bridgewater State 1-0.

In the win over Bridgewater State, WPI came out storming as they peppered the opposing goalkeeper with at least ten shots in the first five minutes of play. This would be the theme of the night as WPI would outshoot the Bears 27-4. The WPI goal was scored late in the second half when Sarah Tremblay (Rehoboth, MA) redirected a shot by Marissa Mertzic (Barre, MA) to break the scoreless tie. Freshmen goalkeepers, Deborah Vandenburgh (Walpole, MA) and Alyssa Schlichting (Merrimack, NH) would share the shutout, but Schlichting picked up her first collegiate win.

Women's Soccer (2-3)

The WPI Women's Soccer team met stiff competition last Thursday, when they faced off against Gordon College, with a final score of 0-2. The soccer team's next game will be tomorrow at 4:00pm, against Anna Maria. Wilhelm

The women's soccer team is showing well in the early season as they work to improve with each game. They have had some one-sided losses, but those have come against some of the top teams that will be most likely playing in the postseason.

On Saturday the 14th, WPI hosted Worcester State in their first meeting ever. WPI controlled the pace of the game and defeated the Lancers 2-0. Freshman Jamie Szafarowicz (Oakham, MA) got WPI on the board with an assist from Lisa Sorgini (Lynn, MA). In the second half, Heather Mazzaccaro (Bristol, CT) put the final touches on the 2-0 win on a goal assisted by Szafarowicz. Goalkeeper Lynn Kearnan (Medway, MA) recorded nine saves to record the shutout.

On the 17th, WPI traveled to Medford, MA to take on the Jumbos of Tufts University. Although the score was 3-0 at halftime, the Jumbos took advantage of WPI's inexperience to win going away 10-0.

The schedule didn't get any easier as WPI hosted Gordon two days later at the friendly confines of Alumni Field. Gordon led at halftime 1-0 in a well played first half by both teams. Gordon added another goal midway through the second half and held on for the 2-0 final.

For her play in the first week of the season, Szafarowicz became the first WPI player to garner NEW 8 conference player of the week honors for soccer.

Women's Tennis (1-0)

Volleyball (4-2)

The Volleyball team played Wellesley last Saturday. Final results were not available at press time.

The volleyball team is playing well in the early season as well. During the weekend of the 13-15 they traveled to Rosemont College in Pennsylvania to play in a round robin style invitational. The trip went extremely well as they swept through their three matches without a blemish. They defeated the hosts 3-1, then followed that up with straight wins over Immaculata and Cedar Crest.

In the three matches, junior Emma Palmacci (Walpole, MA) led the way with 34 kills, 36 assists and 14 serving aces. Sophomore Shannon Sura (Yardley, PA) chipped in with 17 kills and nine aces, while senior Jo Shen (Taipei, Taiwan) had 16 kills.

On the 19th the team went on the road to play Rhode Island College. They lost the match in straight games, 7-15, 10-15, 13-15.

Golf (0-0)