Field hockey jumps to No. 9

Posted by Audrey Nelson

Skidmore College's field hockey team reached their highest ranking of the season from 9th to 7th in the most recent Kookaburra NFHCA Division III National Coaches Poll.

The women have won 11 straight games with a Liberty League standing at 5-0. The Thoroughbreds just won two home games against Babson and Williams, putting the team's standings at 12-1.

The victories stand at 4-0 against the Beavers on Oct. 15, and 5-2 against the Ephs on Oct. 17.

Facing their final Liberty League competitors this weekend, the women plan to advance their rankings in away games against St. Lawrence on Oct. 23 and Hamilton on Oct. 24.

Men's soccer

In their fifth overtime game of the season, the men's soccer team tied Cazenovia College 2-2 on Oct. 19, putting the Thoroughbreds at 7-6-3. Cazenovia's Jason Luce landed a 15-yard shot, setting the score at 1-0 in the early minutes of the first half.

At the 26-minute mark, Skidmore's Doug Yeates '11 scored his third goal of the season, tying the game up until the second half.

Again, the Wildcats made an early goal at the beginning of the half, which was negated by Junior Mark Jensen's tie-maker at 72:29, with assist by Tim Leuders-Dumont '12.

The Thoroughbreds dominated the overtime portion of the non-league game, fruitlessly outshooting the Wildcats 4-1 in the extra periods. The men come back to Liberty League action at Wachenheim Field at 3 p.m. on Oct. 23 against Vassar.

Liberty League recognitions

This week, 11 Skidmore student-athletes received Liberty League recognition for successful performances.

Senior Christine Kemp of the field hockey team earned offensive performer of the week, while teammate Liz Catinella '11 picked up defensive performer of the week. Field hockey first-year, Kelly Blackhurst was named co-rookie of the week.

Two members of the women's soccer team were recognized this week. Junior Catherine Kapustynski picked up co-defensive performer of the week, and goalie Gab Lawrence '14 earned rookie of the week honors.

The women's team has won six straight games and will travel to Vassar on Oct. 23 to continue their streak.

Women's tennis player, Nataly Mendoza '13 was named co-performer of the week, and first-year teammate Molly Nolan picked up co-rookie of the week honors.

In men's tennis, senior Spencer Cheng earned co-performer of the week while Jimmy Sherpa '14 was named rookie of the week after the two finished fifth in a doubles match at the 2010 USTA/ITA National Small College Championships.

Senior Meredith Palmer of the volleyball team earned co-performer of the week honors for the third consecutive week.

Her teammate and sister, Corinne Palmer '14 was named rookie of the week for the fourth time this season.

Presentations from MLB Players Association official

Senior executive with Major League Baseball Players Association, and Skidmore College graduate class of 1977, Rick Shapiro will give two presentations at the college on Oct. 25.

His first discussion will cover topics such as the business of sports, career entry and paths, labor-management relations and the professional athlete.

It will be held in Emerson Auditorium, Palamountain Hall at 4 p.m. His second presentation will be held in Palamountain Hall's Gannet Auditorium at 7 p.m., and will cover "Power and Influence in the Context of the Business of Sports."

Both sessions are open to the public with free admission.