PCI: Who Will Win the Big East Tournament?

by The Cowl Editor on March 5, 2020


PCI


Seton Hall University

by Leo Hainline ’22

Sports Staff

The Big East Tournament is just around the corner, and the Providence College Men’s Basketball Team is looking to become champions for the first time since 2014. And with their recent form, the Friars have shown they are more than capable of making a deep run. It would be quite an accomplishment as the Big East is notably deep this year, full of talented programs from top to bottom. One of these teams is Seton Hall University, a foe that will unfortunately end up winning the tournament over the Friars.

Indeed, Seton Hall appears to have the regular-season championship and no. 1 seed locked up as they sit  at 13-3 in Big East play. However, they do play two tough games this week first against Villanova University and then away at Creighton University. Both of these teams currently sit at 11-5 in the conference and will likely be the two and three seeds, respectively. 

If Providence finishes its season with wins in their games vs. Xavier University and DePaul University, they will be at worse the four seed. Xavier, Marquette University, and Butler University are all strong programs that are currently sitting in the projected NCAA tournament field. Georgetown University, St. John’s University, and DePaul, could potentially pull off an upset in an early-round (St. John’s has the energy and home-court advantage to cause a high seed some trouble), but they do not pose much of a threat to win it all. 

Seton Hall, though, has arguably the most complete team in the Big East. They have a senior leader in Myles Powell who can get a bucket in the biggest moments and is a player who loves playing in New York City. 7’2’’ Romaro Gill is a tough matchup for anyone. Quincy McKnight, Myles Cale, Sandro Mamukelashvili, and Jared Rhoden can all knock down shots and fill out the roster nicely. Here and there, Powell has had poor performances, but it is hard to see him having any letdowns at Madison Square Garden. Seton Hall is also having a historically great year for the program – the last time they won the Big East regular season was in 1992-93 under coach PJ Carlesimo. That year, they won the Big East Tournament and won at Villanova for the first time in 25 years. 

If the Pirates finish their regular season with momentum from wins over Villanova and Creighton, I think that there is no doubt they have the best shot at winning the Big East Tournament.

 

Providence College

by Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Coeditor

The 2020 Big East Tournament is fast approaching and, at the moment, it is completely up for grabs. Seton Hall University is arguably the favorite to win the whole tournament, but the Providence College Men’s Basketball Team is currently in a position that could very much challenge that. I predict that they will be victorious in the tournament.

The main reason why PC has a shot at winning the entire tournament is because, compared to the other teams, their momentum has finally kicked in and it is strong enough to carry them throughout the tournament. Coming off of one of the best months of basketball play, PC has won four-straight games, with three of those wins coming against top-ranked teams. According to ESPN, PC is one of only five teams ever to knock off five top 25 teams in a month.

The most recent was their upset win against Big East rival Villanova University, who is ranked third in the Big East, just behind Seton Hall and Creighton University, and 14th in the country. This 58-54 win secured the Friars a first round bye in the tournament. In addition, with the exception of Xavier University, PC has beaten every team in the Big East.

Alongside their momentum, Luwane Pipkins ’20GS has finally found some consistency. Playing what is without a doubt his best play this season pointwise, Pipkins has finished the last four games with 27, 24, 16, and 13 points, respectively. He also shot 71 percent against Georgetown University, 64 percent against Marquette University, and 54 percent against Villanova. Averaging about 20 points per game, the burst in Pipkins play has, without a doubt, transformed a formally dismal season and has given the team life and chance to secure a NCAA tournament bid.

With Pipkins leading the way, other Friars such as Alpha Diallo ’20 and Maliek White ’20 are playing exceptionally well and other teams will have a hard time shutting them down defensively. Diallo scored a remarkable 35 points against no. 1 ranked Seton Hall and White scored 15 points against Villanova.

In addition to players such as Pipkins finding his stride, the Friars’ defense has been a key component to the success that the team is finding. As head coach Ed Cooley said after the team’s upset against Villanova, “We hang our hat on defense.”

The tenacity that the Friars are displaying after their dismal 6-6 start to the season, along with the fact that key players such as Pipkins, Diallo, and White are finding a way to make their presence known on the court and their recent stellar defensive play are all reasons as to why they have the best shot to claiming this year’s Big East title.PCO

Bryn Reilly ’22 Secures Monthly Club Award

by The Cowl Editor on March 5, 2020


Athlete of the Week


Honored for Her “Dedication and Persistence”

by Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Coeditor

Every month, the Club Sports Council votes on who they believe should be recognized as player of the month. For the month of February, the council chose to recognize Bryn Reilly ’22, a member of Providence College’s Women’s Club Lacrosse Team.

According to the council, “The purpose of the player of the month is to recognize extraordinary athletes [that are] a part of the club sports community [and] are going above and beyond either on or off the field.”

Team photo of the girls club lacrosse team
Photo Courtesy of Bryn Reilly ’22

Ava Cicio ’20, president of the women’s club lacrosse team, believes that Reilly falls under this criteria, describing her as “an exemplary team player with a happy demeanor and overall positive attitude.”

Reilly, who is in the midst of her second year with the team, grew up playing lacrosse with her dad, Brendan Reilly ’88, who was a member of the Providence College Men’s Lacrosse Team. According to Reilly, lacrosse “has always been a part of [her] family,” and she chose to continue playing at PC because she just simply loves the sport.

“I think it is a lot of fun and I love being a part of a team. It was also a great way to meet new people as a freshman,” said Reilly.

Reilly was a practice player her freshman year, an experience that she describes as “extremely welcoming.” According to her, the only difference between being a practice player last year and a member of the travel team this year is that she “now dresses for games.” Cicio notes that “Bryn was the team’s number one supporter on the sidelines. This year as a travel player, [she] has maintained that support.”

In a season that Reilly says has been going “very well” for both her and the team, they have currently beaten Quinnipiac University, the College of the Holy Cross, the University of New Hampshire, and Tufts University. They have two games left in the season against the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Central Connecticut State University.

Described as a “solid addition” to the team’s defense, Reilly has played a key role in the team’s current 4-0 record. However, she does not have any personal goals for the remainder of her sophomore season; instead, as any true team player, she simply has team goals in mind.

“I hope we are able to stay undefeated as long as possible and make it to nationals,” said Reilly. “We have a phenomenal team led by amazing captains and I cannot wait to see what the rest of the season holds for us!”

In regards to being accoladed as player of the month, Reilly said she was very shocked, but also very honored.

“I try to show up to all practices and games with a positive attitude and work hard while also having fun,” said Reilly. “It is very nice to know that others think that my attitude and dedication to the sport are worthy of an award.”

Due to her “dedication and persistence,” as the council said, over the course of Reilly’s two years with the team, she has proven herself to be an exemplary student-athlete worthy of this recognition.

 

Women’s Hockey Splits Weekend against UMaine

by Meaghan P Cahill on February 13, 2020


Friar Sports


Team Needs to Boost Record before Hockey East Playoffs

By Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Co-Editor

providence college women's hockey
Photo Courtesy of PC Athletics

The Providence College Women’s Hockey Team, which is ranked fourth in Hockey East, split last weekend’s series against the no. 7 team, the University of Maine.

In the first game on Friday, February 7, the Friars skated to a 2-2 tie despite having a 2-1 lead for the majority of the second period. UMaine skater Liga Milijone put the Black Bears on the scoreboard first after sniping one past PC goaltender Sandra Abstreiter ’22RS five minutes into the game. Three minutes later, Isabelle Hardy’s ’23 wrist shot soared into the top left corner of the net after passes from Hayley Lunny ’21 and team captain Avery Fransoo ’20. Hardy’s goal was her fourth of the season and third in the last five games.

The Friars finished the first period with a goal from Neve Van Pelt ’20 in the final 23 seconds of the period. Van Pelt netted a backhand over the Black Bear goalie’s shoulder for her sixth goal of the season. Meaghan Rickard ’20 recorded her ninth assist of the season.

Van Pelt concluded the scoring for the Friars this game. With just under four minutes left in the second period, UMaine player Celene Tedeny scored a power-play goal to even out the score to two apiece.

The Friars outshot the Black Bears 35-25 but they could not capitalize on their three power plays and were unable to go 4-4 on the penalty kill. Defenseman Whitney Dove ’20, who leads PC in assists and is ranked fifth in Hockey East for defenseman scoring, recorded a game-high six shots on net. Abstreiter concluded the game with 23 shots saved and two goals against. She is currently ranked third in Hockey East for her 1.65 goals against average.

The Friars returned to Schneider Arena again the next day where they were unable to gain momentum to garner the full two points. PC lost to UMaine 1-2. Abstreiter was once again in net, making 18 saves throughout the game.

PC fell two goals behind quickly into the first period after the Black Bears scored 26 seconds apart about seven minutes into the game.

Despite having a man advantage four times throughout the game, PC did not find their way onto the scoreboard until midway throughout the third period. The goal came from Lauren DeBlois ’23 who ripped a slap shot from the right point that notched the lone score for the Friars in the game. This was DeBlois’s third goal of the season.

Once again, PC outshot UMaine 44-20. The team also saw more success at the face-off circle, winning 35-64 faceoffs compared to UMaine’s 29-64. Unfortunately, the Friars were unable to dig themselves out of the hole that they got into early in the first.

The team has just four more games remaining in their regular season before they will partake in the 2020 Hockey East Tournament. This upcoming weekend, they will be facing off against  No. 1 Hockey East team Northeastern University in their second to last home-and-home series. They will travel to Boston on Friday, February 14 and then return to Schneider on Feb. 15. The following weekend, PC will wrap up their regular season in another home-and-home series against the College of the Holy Cross, playing in Worcester, MA on Friday and back in Friartown on the Saturday for not only their last game of the season, but also the team’s senior game which will honor the team’s seven seniors.

The team will need to pick up some much needed points in their final four games if they want to have a chance to pull ahead of the University of Connecticut, who is currently tied for fourth place with the Friars in Hockey East. 

College Hockey’s Hobey Baker Award Nominees Announced

by The Cowl Editor on February 6, 2020


Athlete of the Week


Two Friars Nominated for Prestigious Award

by Meaghan Cahill

Sports Co-Editor

In the final stretch of their sophomore season, Providence College Men’s Hockey Team players Jack Dugan ’22 and Tyce Thompson ’22 were announced as nominees for the prestigious Hobey Baker Award, which is given to the top player in college hockey. They were joined by 76 other Division I college hockey players throughout the country.

The Hobey Baker Award follows four criteria when considering the nominees: strength and character, on and off the ice; contribution to the integrity of the team and outstanding skills in all phases of the game; scholastic achievement and sportsmanship; and compliance with all NCAA rules, including being a full-time student in an accredited college or university and completing 50 percent or more of the season.

Jack Dugan pushes the puck again Boston University
Photo Courtesy of PC Athletics

All 78 players who were nominated will go through a three-part selection process. First, NCAA head coaches nominate players from the league in addition to the top three players in the nation. Then, fans have the chance to vote online to narrow down the top 10 candidates. Lastly the Hobey Baker Memorial Award Selection Committee that consists of 29 individuals representing print and electronic sports media, college hockey coaches and officials, and NHL scouts, will vote on their top three candidates and, ultimately, who they think should win the award. Fans are also allowed to provide input by voting during this stage as well. Notable players that have won the Award in recent years include NHL players Johnny Gaudreau, Jack Eichel, Jimmy Vesey, Will Butcher, Adam Gaudette, and Cale Makar.

Dugan, whose goal is to be “the best player in college hockey,” currently leads the NCAA in assists (34), points per game (1.78), power-play points (17), and even strength points (24). He also currently leads the league with 41 points over the course of 23 games. In addition, Dugan has an impressive presence on the ice and has been a key player for the Friars all season long, especially since he has spent time transitioning into a more defensive style of play.

On his way to becoming a well-rounded two-way player, the Las Vegas Golden Knights draft pick said, “I’ve become more of a 200-foot player. Coming in, I was pretty offensive, and now I can play in the last few minutes of a game and be trusted defensively.”

Thus far, the numbers have backed his improvement and the efforts he has put into being recognized as the top player in the NCAA. Described as a “dominant player,” throughout the course of the season, there have been 14 games where he notched at least two points, five games of at least three points, and three games of four points—the most in the nation.

Despite the fact that he has yet to complete two full seasons of play, head coach Nate Leaman believes that Dugan has a lot going for him, saying, “He’s strong on pucks, he’s got a good stick, he’s got very good vision.”

Ranked the best forward in college hockey by the NHL, as well as being listed in their top three for this year’s most valuable player, Dugan is believed to be the frontrunner for the Hobey Baker Award. Should he win, he would be the first player in PC history to win, something that he finds to be “very cool.”

Tyce Thompson
Nick Crenshaw ’20/ THE COWL

However, Dugan is not letting his explosive second season cloud his judgement as he looks to what he hopes to be a future in the NHL. And similarly, neither is Thompson, who is listed as the NHL’s top breakout player.

After a relatively quiet freshman year due to Leaman’s stacked “older team” and desire to allow him to develop and grow, Thompson is experiencing a breakout sophomore season that has led to him being nominated for the Hobey Baker Award.

Currently sitting on 38 points overall, Thompson’s 17 goals have him tied for top goalscorer in the country. In the 23 games already played this season, he has scored at least one goal in 15 of them, which leads all NCAA players, and has 13 multi-point games.

Like Dugan, Thompson also is a dominant player on the ice who brings “the energy and the smarts” to the game, according to Leaman. Furthermore, from last season to this season, Leaman also acknowledges that Thompson’s overall strength buildup has significantly helped him with having such a great season with the Friars.

In addition to the Hobey Baker nomination, the 2019 New Jersey Devil’s draft pick is joined by Dugan and co-captain Michael Callahan ’22 in being nominated for the Walter Brown Award, which recognizes the best American-born Division I college hockey players in New England.

The winners of both awards will not be announced until the end of the season during the NCAA tournament.

 

Sports Shorts Weeks of Jan. 18-Jan. 26

by Meaghan P Cahill on January 30, 2020


Friar Sports


By Meaghan Cahill ’20 and Jack Belanger ’21

Sports Co-Editors

Women’s Basketball:

On Jan. 26, the Providence College Women’s Basketball Team snapped an eight-game losing streak and earned their first Big East win of the year, beating Xavier University 60-48. The Friars only scored 15 points in the first half before finding their groove after halftime. Three players finished in double-figures for points, led by Earlette Scott ’22 who finished with a career high 20, including 11 made free throws. Kaela Webb ’22 scored 10 of her 12 points in the fourth quarter. As a team, PC shot 41.3 percent from the field while holding the Musketeers to 27 percent. The Friars are now 10-11 in the season.

Indoor Track and Field:

On Jan. 18, the Providence College Men’s and Women’s Indoor Track Teams competed at the Boston University Multi-Team Meet, which featured six additional schools from throughout New England and Ireland. During the meet, four women runners qualified for the ECAC Championships: Maria Coffin ’21, Abbey Wheeler ’20, Lilly Tuck ’23, and Bridget Mitchell ’22; and four men qualified for the IC4A Championships: Michael O’Leary ’19GS, Jack Carleo ’21, Marcelo Rocha ’21, and Ryan Gallagher ’21. Coffin ran a personal best in the 3,000-meter event which she placed first in, and Wheeler finished first in the mile run. On the men’s side, O’Leary finished first in the 3,000-meter run and Carleo finished first in the 800-meter sprint. 

The following weekend, the Friars returned to Boston to compete in the John Thomas Terrier Classic where multiple Friars, including Wheeler, Coffin, and Carleo finished top-ten in their respective events. Ryan Jendzejec’s ’21 2:28.04 time in the 1,000-meter dash qualified him to compete in the IC4 Championships.

Swim and Dive:

 On Saturday, January 25, the Providence College Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Teams hosted the University of Maine. It was the Friars’ senior meets and the men’s team gained their second consecutive win with a score of 195-99; the women’s team tied 150-150. Four different swimmers on the men’s team set new school records: Kevin Hood ’23 in the 100-meter breaststroke, Justin Viotto ’22 in the 200-meter butterfly, and both the 200-meter medley and 200-meter freestyle relay teams. The women’s team had six first place finishes: Sally Alrutz ’23 in the 100-meter backstroke, 100-meter butterfly, and the 200-meter backstroke; Elizabeth Murray ’23 in the 800-meter freestyle; Jennifer Banks ’22 in the 400-meter freestyle; and Taylor Loud ’23 in the 200-meter freestyle. The team’s final regular season meet will take place this upcoming weekend against Seton Hall University and Georgetown University in New Providence, NJ.

Sports Shorts Over Winter Break

by Meaghan P Cahill on January 16, 2020


Friar Sports


By Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Co-Editor

Women’s Ice Hockey:

This past weekend, the Providence College Women’s Ice Hockey Team split a home-and-home series against the eighth ranked Boston University Terriers. Captain Avery Fransoo ’20 kicked off the scoring for the Friars with a wrist shot in the final five minutes of the first period for her second goal of the season. Similar to the first goal, the second goal the Friars snagged came in the final few minutes of the second period when Hayley Lunny ’21 notched her seventh goal of the season. Annelise Rice ’21 had assists on both of the goals; this was her first multi-point game of the season. Despite the Terriers scoring a late third period goal, the Friars finished the game with a 2-1 win. Goaltender Sandra Abstreiter ’21 made 29 saves overall.

The following day, the Friars travelled to Boston where Abstreiter was once again in net for the Friars. A goal apiece was delivered to each team early into the first period with BU striking first and Sara Hjalmarsson ’21 finding the back of the net minutes later; she would be the only goal scorer for the Friars this game. The goal was Hjalmarsson’s 20th point of the season and she is now tied with Whitney Dove ’20 for most points this season. Abstreiter had 19 saves throughout the game but as the Friars still fell to the Terriers 4-1. 

Women’s Basketball:

The Providence College Women’s Basketball Team suffered two Big East losses over the course of last week. The Friars fell to Marquette University 60-50 on Jan. 5 in a close game until the fourth quarter when the Golden Eagles were able to maintain their first double digit lead in the final eight minutes of play. Despite the loss, Mary Baskerville ’22 had a standout game, notching a career-high 24 points and eight rebounds. It was her second straight 20-point performance and fourth of her career.

The following Saturday, January 11 was another close game for the Friars that came down to the final minutes of play. Despite Earlette Scott ’22 and Kaela Webb ’22 both scoring 14 points apiece, Creighton University rallied in a decisive fourth quarter to edge the Friars out 72-63. The Friars are now 0-5 in Big East Play and 9-8 on the season. They will look to get their first Big East win against St. John’s University this coming Friday in New York.

Men’s Soccer:

Over the winter break, two players from the Providence College Men’s Soccer Team were drafted in the 2020 Major League Soccer SuperDraft on Jan. 9. Goaltender Austin Aviza ’20RS was selected by Orlando City 44th overall in the second round and midfielder Danny Griffin ’20 was selected 49th overall in the second round by the Columbus Crew Soccer Club.

14 Friars Named to All-Big East Teams

by The Cowl Editor on December 5, 2019


Friar Sports


Hogan ’20RS, Leitman ’23, Serrano ’20RS Among Athletes Named

By Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Co-Editor

At the conclusion of each sports season, the Big East gives recognition to the top stand-out athletes of the season. Following the conclusion of the fall sports season, Providence College had a combined 14 athletes selected to the All-Big East First, Second, Third, and Freshmen Teams. Each athlete was voted onto the teams by coaches throughout the league. The men’s soccer team had the most athletes voted in with five players and women’s soccer and field hockey both had four apiece. The volleyball team had one player selected to an All-Big East Team.

Men’s Soccer

Tiago Mendonca ’20RS and Joao Serrano ’20RS were both selected to the All-Big East First Team. Both players started in all 18 games, and Mendonca finished the regular season with one goal and four assists whereas Serrano finished with four goals and seven assists. As a midfielder, Mendonca logged 1,459 playing minutes. Serrano, who was a defender, logged 1,601 playing minutes; with the exception of one game, he played for the entire duration of games this season. He also tied for first in the Big East conference in assists.

Paulo Lima ’22 received All-Big East Second Team recognition. While he did not log a single playing minute during his freshman season, Lima started every game this year and logged 1,543 minutes on the field. The midfielder is tied with Serrano for most points for the Friars; each player recorded 15. Lima also led the team with seven goals.

Austin Aviza ’20RS and Danny Griffin ’20 were both named to the All-Big East Third Team. In his first year with the Friars, Aviza started in net every game this season and recorded eight individual shutouts and two shared shutouts. He had a 0.85 goals against average and a .717 save percentage. Griffin, who was a midfielder, has started in every game for the Friars over his four years at the College. In his final season, he scored two goals and notched a single assist.

Women’s Soccer

Shelby Hogan ’20RS, who was acknowledged as the Big East’s Goalkeeper of the Year, was named to the All-Big East First Team. Leading the league with 52 saves, she recorded a .788 save percentage and finished the season with four individual shutouts and one combined shutout.

Named to the All-Big East Second Team, Hannah McNulty ’21 finished the season with a team-high nine goals. The forward started every game for the Friars this season and ranked third in the league in shots (66), eighth in the league in goals (eight), and third in the league in game-winning goals (four).

Both Lisa Verhoeven ’23 and Alexis Rothmann ’23 were named to the All-Big East Freshman Team. Verhoeven started every game this season for the Friars and recorded 1,752 total playing minutes. Likewise, Rothmann also started every game and she recorded 1,721 minutes on the field.

Field Hockey

Corinne Kenney ’19 and ’20G and Mary O’Reilly ’20 both were voted onto the All-Big East First Team. Kenney, a defender for the team, has started in each of the 74 games she has appeared in during her career. Throughout the course of the 2019 season, she notched three assists. O’Reilly finished her career as a midfielder with career highs in points (16), goals (five), and assists (six). Four of her five goals were game-winners.

Lydia Rice ’19 and ’20G and Izzy Mendez ’20 received All-Big East Second Team recognitions. A starting goaltender for the Friars, Rice totaled 1,139 minutes in net this season with a 1.26 goals against average and 0.739 save percentage. She registered six shutouts this season, the most in a single season since 2007. Mendez, a forward, was the lead scorer for the team this season with nine goals and notched 20 points total overall.

Volleyball

Jennifer Leitman ’23 was the lone Friar on the volleyball team to gain a spot on an All-Big East Team. Voted onto the All-Big East Freshman Team—the first Friar to be named to the team since 1998—Leitman ranked 10th overall in points per set (3.33), 11th overall in kills per set (2.78), and 11th overall in service aces per set (0.31) in the Big East. Over the course of her freshman season, she notched a total of 239 kills, 31 service aces, and 286.5 points.

14 Friars Named to All-Big East Teams

by The Cowl Editor on December 5, 2019


Friar Sports


Hogan ’20RS, Leitman ’23, Serrano ’20RS Among Athletes Named

By Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Co-Editor

At the conclusion of each sports season, the Big East gives recognition to the top stand-out athletes of the season. Following the conclusion of the fall sports season, Providence College had a combined 14 athletes selected to the All-Big East First, Second, Third, and Freshmen Teams. Each athlete was voted onto the teams by coaches throughout the league. The men’s soccer team had the most athletes voted in with five players and women’s soccer and field hockey both had four apiece. The volleyball team had one player selected to an All-Big East Team.

Men’s Soccer

Tiago Mendonca ’20RS and Joao Serrano ’20RS were both selected to the All-Big East First Team. Both players started in all 18 games, and Mendonca finished the regular season with one goal and four assists whereas Serrano finished with four goals and seven assists. As a midfielder, Mendonca logged 1,459 playing minutes. Serrano, who was a defender, logged 1,601 playing minutes; with the exception of one game, he played for the entire duration of games this season. He also tied for first in the Big East conference in assists.

Paulo Lima ’22 received All-Big East Second Team recognition. While he did not log a single playing minute during his freshman season, Lima started every game this year and logged 1,543 minutes on the field. The midfielder is tied with Serrano for most points for the Friars; each player recorded 15. Lima also led the team with seven goals.

Austin Aviza ’20RS and Danny Griffin ’20 were both named to the All-Big East Third Team. In his first year with the Friars, Aviza started in net every game this season and recorded eight individual shutouts and two shared shutouts. He had a 0.85 goals against average and a .717 save percentage. Griffin, who was a midfielder, has started in every game for the Friars over his four years at the College. In his final season, he scored two goals and notched a single assist.

Women’s Soccer

Shelby Hogan ’20RS, who was acknowledged as the Big East’s Goalkeeper of the Year, was named to the All-Big East First Team. Leading the league with 52 saves, she recorded a .788 save percentage and finished the season with four individual shutouts and one combined shutout.

Named to the All-Big East Second Team, Hannah McNulty ’21 finished the season with a team-high nine goals. The forward started every game for the Friars this season and ranked third in the league in shots (66), eighth in the league in goals (eight), and third in the league in game-winning goals (four).

Both Lisa Verhoeven ’23 and Alexis Rothmann ’23 were named to the All-Big East Freshman Team. Verhoeven started every game this season for the Friars and recorded 1,752 total playing minutes. Likewise, Rothmann also started every game and she recorded 1,721 minutes on the field.

Field Hockey

Corinne Kenney ’19 and ’20G and Mary O’Reilly ’20 both were voted onto the All-Big East First Team. Kenney, a defender for the team, has started in each of the 74 games she has appeared in during her career. Throughout the course of the 2019 season, she notched three assists. O’Reilly finished her career as a midfielder with career highs in points (16), goals (five), and assists (six). Four of her five goals were game-winners.

Lydia Rice ’19 and ’20G and Izzy Mendez ’20 received All-Big East Second Team recognitions. A starting goaltender for the Friars, Rice totaled 1,139 minutes in net this season with a 1.26 goals against average and 0.739 save percentage. She registered six shutouts this season, the most in a single season since 2007. Mendez, a forward, was the lead scorer for the team this season with nine goals and notched 20 points total overall.

Volleyball

Jennifer Leitman ’23 was the lone Friar on the volleyball team to gain a spot on an All-Big East Team. Voted onto the All-Big East Freshman Team—the first Friar to be named to the team since 1998—Leitman ranked 10th overall in points per set (3.33), 11th overall in kills per set (2.78), and 11th overall in service aces per set (0.31) in the Big East. Over the course of her freshman season, she notched a total of 239 kills, 31 service aces, and 286.5 points.

Sports Shorts Week of Nov. 7-Nov. 14

by The Cowl Editor on November 14, 2019


Friar Sports


By Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Co-Editor

Men’s Basketball: 

The team remains undefeated this season after they beat New Jersey Institute of Technology 76-47 on Nov. 9. David Duke ’22 scored a career high of 21 points during the game, while also registering five rebounds and five assists. In addition to Duke, both Alpha Diallo ’20 and Maliek White ’20 registered double digit points; Diallo finished the game with 15 points and White finished with 11. 

Women’s Basketball: 

After their first game of the season against Yale University was suspended due to a scoreboard malfunction, the women’s basketball team won their first game of the season against the University of Massachusetts-Amherst 72-63 on Nov. 9. After a close first quarter, which was tied until Andrea Cooper ’21 hit one of two free-throws in the final 0.1 seconds, the Friars pulled away in the second half of the second quarter after they went on a 10-0 run. The Minutemen managed to come back and it was not until the fourth quarter that the Friars were able to solidify their lead. Kaela Webb ’22 was a game standout, collecting 22 points during the game. This was the first time she surpassed 20 points in a single game in her career at PC. The win was Head Coach Jim Crowley’s 300th career win. 

Men’s Hockey: 

The team matched up against Boston University this past weekend, collecting a tie and a win against the Terriers. On Friday, November 8, despite gaining a 3-1 lead in the second period, the Friars let up two unanswered goals in the third; one at the beginning of the period and one at the end. Goaltender Michael Lackey’22GS made 35 saves. Greg Printz ’21 scored twice—first off of a deflection and the second was a snipe to the top right corner of the net—and Patrick Moynihan ’23 one-timed the third and final goal for the Friars. Saturday night was a back -and-forth game against Boston University, but the Friars solidified their 6-5 win early in the third period when they took a 6-4 lead over the Terriers. Jack Dugan ’22 notched four assists during the game and Max Crozier ’23 docked two goals; a redirect from Dugan’s shot and a slap shot from a pass from Dugan. The Friars are now 5-3-2 for the season. 

Women’s Hockey: 

Also playing BU this past weekend, the women’s team was unable to pull off a win and fell to the Terriers 1-2. Neve Van Pelt ’20 was the lone scorer for the Friars. Sandra Abstreiter ’21RS was between the pipes and finished the game with 21 saves. Despite the loss, PC outshot BU 27-23. The team is now 4-5-2 for the season. 

Editor’s Corner: New NCAA Rule Can Be Harmful to Student-Athletes

by The Cowl Editor on November 7, 2019


Friar Sports


by Meaghan Cahill ’20

Sports Coeditor

The issue as to whether or not college athletes should get paid has been a heavily debated topic in both the sports and academic worlds. On Oct. 29, the NCAA started the process that will answer the question once and for all.

Photo Courtesy by AP Photo/David J. Phillip

The NCAA’s top governing board voted unanimously to permit the 460,000 students participating in collegiate athletics the opportunity “to benefit from the use of their name, image, and likeness in a manner consistent with the collegiate model.”

This decision comes just weeks after the NCAA called California’s Senate Bill 206 “Fair Pay for Play Act”—which calls for student-athlete compensation and representation from both state and private universities—“unconstitutional” and an “existential threat.”

On the initial motions to put this new rule into effect on college campuses across the country, NCAA President Mark Emmert said, “The board’s action…creates a path to enhance opportunities for student-athletes while ensuring they compete against students and not professionals.”

Adamant that the student-athletes are not to become employees of the schools at which they play, the NCAA’s new rule only allows student-athletes to enter into contracts for merchandise and endorsements; they are in no way allowed to be paid for their athletic performance in efforts to keep up with the amateur aspect of college athletics.

However, it can be argued that despite the attempts made by the NCAA, all amateur aspects of play have been wiped off of the table with an alarming force, and, while the intent is to enhance the student-athlete experience, the new law will become nothing more than a hinderance on their collegiate career.

To expand upon Emmert’s words, student-athletes will be competing against professionals. Typically, the athletes that big-name companies look to endorse and create merchandised gear for are the ones who they believe have the best shot at a professional career. No longer will athletes be looked at as amateurs, but, rather, the ones who are able to attract deals off of their name, image, and likeness will be singled out more so than they most likely would have been prior to an endorsement deal.

Due to this professional mentality that will naturally arise, the experience of the student-athlete is put at risk because the pressure on them to perform well will only be intensified. While they may not be making deals based on their actual play, it is their playing skills that will get them recognized by any type of company. There is a great risk for high levels of stress amongst student-athletes because now, not only will they have to perform well for the team to win, but they will have the added pressure of performing exceptionally well each game so that they do not lose whatever endorsement deals they may have struck.

While much of the law still has to take a clear, definitive shape, there are already too many issues that can (and will) arise with its implementation. Instead of conforming to California’s Senate Bill, the NCAA should maintain their initial response and look to protect all of their student-athletes from the dangers that this new law can impose on them.