Fall Sports Preview

By: Julie Pearson
Posted In: Sports

FOOTBALL

Many students returned to Salve the second week of September, armed with notebooks, pens, and pencils, ready to begin the fall semester. Most fall athletes, however, returned two weeks before the start of classes to begin the preseason. Ready to perfect their skills, athletes lived on campus and dedicated themselves to their sports.

The football team opened their season with a 1 and 1 record, beating Husson College of Maine, and hoping to improve last year’s record of 2 and 8. The team plays a ten game schedule including, six home games. Captains are chosen each week based on their hard work in practice. The captains this week are Josh Marks and Adam DiBona, both juniors. Other standout players include senior Ian DeCosta, sophomores Sean Peters and Antonio Guzzo, and junior Bobby Lacerda.

“I think we’ve improved, despite having a very young team with the majority of players being freshmen and sophomores,” said Coach Art Bell. Preseason was two weeks long and grueling, with the players working very hard to improve, Bell added.

FIELD HOCKEY

The women’s field hockey team opened their preseason on August 22. The team practiced for one week, before the start of the season during week two. There are currently 22 members on the team, with a 4 and 1 record. Captains Kathy Pucillo and Emily McCoy lead the team in their drive towards improving last year’s record of 5 and 11.

“There’s no way we can’t improve,” said Coach Hillary London.

London believes her team has strengthened this year, with last year’s members returning, and many talented freshmen. Pam Gabrielle, Kara Dunn, and Whitney Boucher were among the many members that London listed as standouts on her team. Freshman Boucher scored the winning goal in a game that carried into overtime. The team hosts 11 games, and hopes to see fans supporting them this season.

WOMEN’S TENNIS

The women’s tennis team also arrived at preseason on August 22, and played their first match on September 4. The team is 1 and 1 after three matches. The last game played was postponed due to darkness, as the courts have no lights. The team was, however, leading 4-3. Eleven women make up the team, including Captains Lisa Buro, Alicia Willis, and Katie Wright.

Coach Habershaw finds his team to carry depth, and hopes to impress on his members that they all have the same role on the team.

“Positive thoughts produce positive results,” said Habershaw. The teams schedule consists of 11 duel matches, and three tournaments, one that Salve will host at the Tennis Hall of Fame.

WOMEN’S SOCCER

The women’s soccer team opens their season with a record of 2 and 3, winning a home conference game against New England College in overtime. The team’s losses were suffered in non-conference games again Bridgewater, WPI, and Babson.

“Our losses were great building blocks,” said Junior Kate Leary. “We weren’t playing as a team, but we’ve built off of them and really bounced back.”

The team arrived on campus August 22 to begin their preseason, and is led by Captains Christy Maltby, Kerrin D’Agnelli, and Jess Breslin.

“Our league has become very competitive over the years, and no team can be taken lightly. Every game is important to our standings,” Leary said. “Our team isn’t going to settle for a loss or a tie, we’re here to win so everyone in the league better lace up their game shoes.”

WOMEN’S CROSS COUNTRY

Like the other fall sports, the women’s cross country team opened their preseason on August 22. The team boasts a total of 29 members, an improvement from last year’s 17. Five seniors, four juniors, seven sophomores, and thirteen freshmen make up the team. The team has won both meets that it has entered, as they compete in invitational meets, and the CCC.

“They are a very talented group,” said coach Scott Hutchinson,” We’re taking things one meet at a time.” The team is led by Captains Steph Tesoro, Liz Tortini, and Christine Wenthen.

Other standouts include Junior Kate Callahan, a former all CCC athlete, and sophomores Joanna Alizio and Judy Crane. Katelyn Urbanetti, Lauren Hood, and Danielle Court, all freshmen, have proved to be assets to the team. Amanda Lovett and Jen Searles have both suffered injuries, but Hutchinson hopes to see them return as soon as possible, as they both had been running well prior to injury.

CHEERLEADING

The Salve cheerleaders have gotten off to a slower start than most of the fall teams, but show promise and strength, said Coach Dawn Hahn. The squad was selected last Friday, and the first practice was held Tuesday night.

Sixteen girls were chosen to cheer on the Seahawk football team at their home games, and are led by Captain Kristen Rogers. The team looks forward to another strong year as a young team, with the majority of members being sophomores and freshman.