Weekly sports update: Results from February 14th to 20th
by Geoff Hassard - Sports Information Director
Women's Basketball (12-11)
The women's team has been hit with a series of injuries that has left many players either questionable or doubtful as they near the end of the regular season. This has given oportunities to younger players to step in and show what they've got. The squad did manage to go 1-1 last week with a win over Wellesley and a loss to Mount Holyoke.
Saturday the 15th was Spirit Day and senior day for WPI as the women were playing Wellesley College. In the first minute of play, Kim Landry (Gardner, MA) would go down with an injury and would not return for the rest of the game. Not to worry though as Danielle Batey (Fairfield, ME) would lead the Engineer charge with 19 points and 12 rebounds as WPI would win 66-51. Laura Bielitz (Agawam, MA) would add 16 points and Kate Burgess would chip in with 10. Last Tuesday WPI would travel to Mount Holyoke to face an improved squad. WPI would drop a close 51-48 game as throughout the game they would lose Bielitz, Cathy Jzyk (Ticonderoga, NY) and Batey to ankle injuries. Burgess had another solid outing with 20 points and Abbie Kunkel (Kempton, PA) had nine points in her first collegiate start. Burgess was selected to the ECAC weekly honor roll for her outstanding performances the previous week. She would also be selected as co-rookie of the week for the Worcester Area College Basketball Association.
Men's Basketball (12-10)
As part of the Spirit Day doubleheader, WPI hosted Babson College in an important conference tilt as both teams are in a close battle with Coast Guard for second and third place. In a game that lived up to its billing Babson squeaked one out 75-74. With 3:00 minutes to go WPI led 72-67 before Babson went on a 6-0 run to take the lead 73-72 with 2:04 left. Jeff Cayer (Shelton, CT) then made 1 of 2 free throws to tie the game with 1:24 remaining. Both teams then traded free throws to put the game at 74-74 with 37 seconds left. Babson had the last possession and worked the clock for the last shot, but it fell short. Unfortunately it was caught by a Babson player who was fouled with three seconds remaining. The Beavers made one of two free throws for the final. Cayer led all scorers with 25 points and Mike Shannon (Worcester, MA) added 20, including his 1,000 career point. Last Thursday the Engineers were on the road to face the other Engineers from MIT. WPI took a 31-28 lead into halftime, but a 14-2 run by MIT to open the second half proved decisive as WPI could not recover and lost 55-53. Cayer led all scorers with 22 points, while Shannon and John Lehane (Marlboro, MA) added 12 points and 10 points respectively.
Men's Indoor Track
The men's squad competed in the New England Division III championships at MIT on the 15th. The scored four points as we had three athletes earn All-New England honors. Dave Bowler (Cumberland, RI) placed fifth in the pole vault, Kyle Heppenstall (Worcester, MA) was sixth in the 55-meter dash and Tim Caldwell (Dover-foxcroft, ME) was sixth in the 1,000-meter run. Congratulations to these three for earning those honors.
Women's Indoor Track
On Saturday the 15th the women participated in their New England championships. Lydia Stawasz (Nashua, NH) placed third in the pole vault establishing a school record in the event of 7 feet.
Special Thanks
Just a note of thanks to the students, faculty and staff that came out for Spirit Day. It was great to see that many people watch our teams play. Congratulations to Phi Sigma Sigma for winning the banner contest. We hope to see you again at the remaining home games for both teams.
