Tag: PCI
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on October 25, 2018
PCI
Winter Sports Should Not Start Before Fall Sports Finish
By Meaghan Cahill ’20
Sports Co-Editor
Ice hockey and basketball are without a doubt two of the biggest sports on the Providence College campus. Both seasons take up a majority of the school year, running from mid-October, through March and into April, depending on playoffs. However, due to the longevity of the two seasons, they interrupt and overlap with many of the fall sports on campus. It is because of that interruption that I believe that winter sports should wait to start until after fall sports are finished.
Fall sports typically last from the end of August all the way through mid-November. However, with winter sports starting in October, there is a big overlap between the seasons. Because ice hockey and basketball are two popular sports, students are always more apt to want to attend these games over, say, those soccer or volleyball. With winter sports starting before the fall sports finish, the fall sports become overshadowed and, in a sense, forgotten on campus.
This is especially unfair to the fall sports because around the time that the winter sports start, they enter playoffs. Due to the popularity of the winter sports, the overlap between games causes a smaller audience to attend any fall sport playoff events.
Another reason that winter sports should wait for fall sports to finish is because, in the cases of two-sport athletes, there can be no rest in between seasons. When one sporting season switches to another, two-sport athletes have to then either divide their time between both sports or pick up with the second sport immediately following the end of the fall season. There is no rest for them and this is often the case for runners if they run in more than one season. They have to go from their fall season of cross country, to indoor track, to outdoor track once the spring season hits. There is no time for recuperation and the lack of a break between seasons can increase the risk for injury.
In conclusion, fall sports should have the chance to finish out their seasons before winter sports start. It would not only allow for students to show more support towards fall sports teams during the most important part of their season, but it would also give two-sport athletes a chance to rest in between their different seasons. Plus, with the overlap into the spring season as well, it would be nice to experience one sport season on campus that is not interrupted.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on October 25, 2018
PCI
Winter Sports Should Start Before Fall Sports Finish
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
Two of the most popular sports at Providence College occur in the winter: basketball and hockey. Every year at PC, these sports begin their season as the fall sports seasons, including volleyball, soccer, and field hockey, come to an end.
Some students believe that winter sports should start after the fall season has officially ended, like many high school sports. However, the truth of the matter is that it is best for the winter sports to begin as they normally have, before the fall sports are finished.
Hockey and basketball, games start between the middle of October and the beginning of November. Teams need this time to develop and practice their games. The expectations for our sports teams are usually high, so in order for them to play as expected, they need as much practice as they can get.
One of the biggest aspects of being on a team is balancing sports and school. When starting the sports season early, the student athlete is able to adjust faster to balance both heavy school work and training.
Another aspect these student athletes need to experience is the game day vibe on campus, and how to successfully perform in front of bigger crowds where many people are relying on them to bring honor and bragging rights to the school.
Lastly, students also like having multiple games to choose from throughout the week or day to attend and show off their Friar spirit. The idea of going to a soccer or volleyball game around noon, then attending a basketball game in the early evening, followed by a hockey game at night is exciting. Students are able to show support for all sports across all seasons, and be a true Friar Fanatic as they show consistent support for their school.
Winter sports should start before fall sports finish their season because it allows the athletes to train to the best of their abilities and help the school achieve numerous successes for their athletics program. This also brings excitement and spirit from fans.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on October 18, 2018
PCI
The Toronto Maple Leafs Will Finish This NHL Season With the Best Record
By Thomas Zinzarella ’21
Sports Staff
Fans in Toronto and Ontario have waited a long time to bring the cup back to Toronto. It has been 51 years but fans may not have to wait much longer.
The free agent signing of former New York Islander John Tavares is bringing a lot of cup fever to Toronto. Tavares, 28, inked a seven year $77 million contract to return to his home. Tavares, a native of nearby Mississauga, Ontario, looks to propel a Maple Leafs team that was bounced out of the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs just one year ago.
Tavares joins a team that has a lot of young talent but has not won a playoff series since 2004. The Leafs have one of the most potent offenses in the Eastern Conference with three 30-goals scorers and Tavares is coming off a season where he scored 37 goals (T-12th in NHL) and had 47 assists. Tavares brings a lot of veteran experience to a team that has a young core of forwards.
Phenome Auston Matthews, 21, will look to stay on the ice this year after missing 20 games last year due to injuries. However, these injuries did not stop Matthews as he put up 21 goals and 34 assists in 62 games last seasons. Through seven games this season, he has 10 goals and 16 points, leading the league in both categories.
Besides Matthews, the Leafs have other offensive weapons with Patrick Marleau and Nazem Kadri. Kadri has put up back-to-back 32 goal seasons with the Maple Leafs.
On the other end of the ice, the Leafs have a good net minder in Frederik Anderson who is coming off a season in which he set the Maple Leafs record in wins. Anderson put up a 38-21-5 record with a 2.81 GAA. This success did not transfer over to the Stanley Cup Playoffs where Anderson went 3-3 with a 3.76 GAA. There is a lot of anticipation surrounding how much he will play this season. Last year Anderson played in 66 out of the 82-game schedule.
Another concern for this team is going to be the defense. The Leafs do not have a top tier level defense and will rely on the offense for most of the season. Moreover, how well the defense will perform this season remains a question, though defenceman Morgan Rielly has gotten off to a quick start. As of Oct. 17, he leads the NHL in assists with 10.
It may take a little bit of time for the Leafs to take off and look like themselves, as most new teams need some time to develop chemistry. The Leafs may start off slow, but Head Coach Mike Babcock will most likely play around with the lines. There is a ton of talent on offense and it should be exciting season north of the border in Toronto.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on October 18, 2018
PCI
The Tampa Bay Lightning Will Finish This NHL Season With the Best Record
By Scott Jarosz ’21
Sports Staff
As of Oct. 4, the National Hockey League’s 82-game regular season is officially underway. The anticipation to see which team comes out on top in the 2018-19 season is high after an exciting 2018 Stanley Cup Finals that featured a team in its inaugural season for the first time since the 1967-68 season. Although it would have been historic for the Las Vegas Golden Knights to win the Stanley Cup in its first season, the Washington Capitals ultimately prevailed in the series 4-1.
These teams proved that they were among the best in the league this past season, but there is one team that has shown great promise in recent years and is likely to continue performing at a high level. That team is the Tampa Bay Lightning, who will have the best record in the NHL at the end of the 2018-19 season.
The Lightning’s 2017-18 season ended on a sour note after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals, but ultimately falling to the Capitals in Game 7 by a score of 4-0 on home ice. The Lightning finished with the best record in the 2017-18 NHL season, but the team is surely not content with the way the season came to an end. After the team’s unsatisfactory finish this past season, the Lightning looks to come back stronger than ever. All signs point to the Lightning having just as much success as last season, if not more. The team has depth in every position and has showed that it has a winning mentality.
The Lightning has all the components necessary to be the best team in the NHL. Starting at defense, Victor Hedman was awarded the James Norris Memorial Trophy last season for the best defenseman in the league. In addition, both Hedman and right-winger Nikita Kucherov were named to last season’s First Team All Stars. The Lightning has re-signed forward J.T. Miller, who was acquired at last year’s trade deadline from the New York Rangers. While with the Lightning, Miller played in 19 games, netting 10 goals and recording 18 points. Over the offseason, the Lightning also decided to sign defenseman Ryan McDonagh to a seven-year, $47 million contract extension.
With key pieces, such as captain and forward Steven Stamkos and goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy also remaining with the team, I predict the Tampa Bay Lightning will boast the NHL’s best record for the 2018-19 season.
Through four games this season, Tampa Bay is a-1-0 with a plus-six goal differential. Vasilevskiy has been the major key for the team’s success with a spectacular 1.67 goals against average.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on October 4, 2018
PCI
Patriots Fans Should Not Be Concerned With Their 2-2 Record
By Scott Jarosz ’21
Sports Staff
After narrowly coming out on top in its week one contest against the Houston Texans by a score of 27-20, the New England Patriots dropped their next two games, falling to an overall record of 1-2. This lackluster start sparked frustration and concern from the Patriots’ fan base, as its two losses came from beatable teams, the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Detroit Lions. The Jaguars beat the Patriots in Jacksonville by a score of 31-20, as Tom Brady and the Patriots never quite found their footing and were unable come back from an early 14-0 deficit.
The following weekend in Detroit, the Patriots did not come ready to play, and suffered an embarrassing 26-10 loss to a less than stellar Lions team. However, things changed in week four, as the Patriots took care of the previously undefeated Miami Dolphins with a score of 38-7. In this game, the Patriots looked like the team its fans are used to seeing, and that is why Patriots fans should not be concerned with the team’s slow start.
This is not the first time the Patriots have had a slow start to the regular season. This past season, the Patriots also started 2-2, and still went on to play in a Super Bowl. The Patriots are a different team this season, as Danny Amendola signed with the Dolphins in the offseason, and Julian Edelman is suspended for the first four regular season games. During this time, Tom Brady has struggled to connect with his other wide receivers, and tight end, Rob Gronkowski, has been largely overwhelmed by defenders who focus on him as the Patriots’ primary target. With the lack of a true wide receiver threat, the Patriots have resorted to ground game, which has not been too effective.
After losing back-to-back games in weeks two and three, Patriots fans were likely to be nervous and eager to see what would happen with their team in week four against the Dolphins. Fans were also excited to see newly signed wide receiver, Josh Gordon, make his debut in New England. The Patriots looked determined to hand the Dolphins their first loss of the season in the friendly confines of Gillette Stadium, and racked up 38 points and nearly shut out the visiting Dolphins. The Patriots were firing on all cylinders and hushed anyone who speculated that the Patriots would have a subpar season.
With the Patriots carrying momentum into the Oct. 4 game against the Indianapolis Colts and Edelman also returning to the field, fans have no reason to be concerned with the team’s 2-2 start.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on October 4, 2018
PCI
Patriots Fans Should be Concerned With Their 2-2 Record
By Thomas Zinzarella ’21
Sports Staff
After the New England Patriots trounced the Miami Dolphins 38-7 this past weekend, many Pats fans have renewed faith again in their Super Bowl chances. They may be back at a five hundred record, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
The Patriots are at a 2-2 record in a division which they have dominated for all of Tom Brady’s tenure at quarterback. Yes, the Patriots can make the playoffs, but this year’s roster is not as talented of a team on either side of the ball as previous years. It’s going to be a tough road to make it to the Super Bowl a third year in a row.
Before this weekend’s blowout win, the Patriots avoided their first 1-3 record for the first time since 2001, which was the first season Brady was the starter. This Miami Dolphins team that the Patriots beat is a very talented one; however, it is expected for the Patriots to knock the Dolphins around. Before Sunday’s win, the Patriots were 83-20 against AFC opponents since 2009. New England has a near perfect 9-1 record against the Miami Dolphins in Foxborough while the Dolphins lone win in Foxborough came in 2008 when Brady barely played. If the Dolphins continue to play well, make sure to keep an eye on the matchup on Dec. 9 when the Pats head down to Miami.
The Patriots need to start cleaning up the defensive side of the ball. Coming into this week, the Patriots defense was ranked 12th in the League. The defense can fix itself as time goes on, but this has been an Achilles heel for the Patriots in past years. To many fans, the defense has looked soft and lazy. All fans have to do is look at the tape: from poor tackling technique, misreading plays, and so on. Against the Jaguars, the Patriots allowed 480 offensive yards and went 4 of 12 on third down. If New England wants to make another deep run in the playoffs, they are going to have to fix things quickly.
Through the first three weeks, the Patriots seemed to not have enough talent. The acquisition of Josh Gordon should help a lot in a receiving core that has been ‘sub-par’ to this point. As seen in a loss against Detroit, every time the Pats needed a big 3rd down play, they kept turning to their basketball player-sized tight end Rob Gronkowski, who was being double teamed. The wide receiver depth chart is not very appealing with Chris Hogan, Cordarrelle Patterson, and Phillip Dorsett. The Patriots rank 23rd in net yards per game on offense and with Gronk’s new ankle injury it can only make things worse.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on September 27, 2018
PCI
The Boston Red Sox Will Win the World Series
By Scott Jarosz ’21
Sports Staff
2018 has been a memorable year for America’s favorite pastime, and especially for Major League Baseball. Virtually every division in the National League is showing a tight race for the top spot. The Oakland Athletics continue to chase down the Houston Astros in the American League West as playoffs loom around the corner. There is one team, however, that has handily separated itself from the rest, and that team is the Boston Red Sox, who I predict will win the 2018 World Series.
Coming into the 2018 season with a brand-new manager, former MLB infielder Alex Cora, no one knew what to expect from the Red Sox. Cora had previously been a part of the Red Sox as a player from 2005-2008, and his only prior coaching experience was as a bench coach for the Houston Astros in 2017. Nonetheless, the Boston Red Sox offered Cora the position of manager after the Astros had just recently knocked the Red Sox out of the playoffs in the 2017 ALDS, and Cora accepted the offer, which lasts through 2020.
Despite a lack of previous experience as manager, Cora took the helm in Boston with confidence, and it has showed. The Red Sox have racked up 100 wins this season for the first time since 1946, and are still the only team to have reached 107 wins this season. The Red Sox clinched a playoff berth back on Sept. 11 with a win over the Toronto Blue Jays. On Sept. 20, they clinched the AL East title by beating the New York Yankees 11-6. As if this was not enough to cap off an incredible regular season, the Red Sox beat the Cleveland Indians on Sept. 21 to tie the franchise win record of 105 wins, which was set back in 1912.
While capturing the division title and tying the franchise win record are great accomplishments, one question remains: do the Red Sox have what it takes to be successful in the playoffs and ultimately bring a World Series title back to Boston? The Red Sox have one of the most dangerous lineups in all of baseball, led by the league’s batting average leader Mookie Betts, RBI leader J.D. Martinez, as well as shortstop Xander Bogaerts and leftfielder Andrew Benintendi, who have both proven to be integral parts of Boston’s lineup. The Red Sox also have a dominant starting rotation featuring Chris Sale, David Price, Rick Porcello, and Eduardo Rodriguez. If the Red Sox continue to play as they have since opening day and the bullpen is able to hold off playoff opponents late in games, the Boston Red Sox will be the 2018 World Series Champions.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on September 27, 2018
PCI
The New York Yankees Will Win the World Series
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
While some teams that have clinched a playoff berth this season have continued to shine, the New York Yankees will be very successful this October, as the team looks forward to winning the 2018 World Series and adding their 28th Championship to the clubhouse.
What started as an exciting season slowly turned gloomy in July, after a wild pitch hit the wrist of Yankee outfielder and All-Star Aaron Judge, and put him out for two months. Recently, Judge has been entered back into the lineup and is currently providing clutch hitting for the Yankees, with his .278 batting average and 26 homeruns.
In the past few weeks, injuries have been plaguing the Yankees, such as outfielder Aaron Hicks with a tight hamstring and shortstop Didi Gregorius with a cartilage tear in his right wrist. Both players are hoping to be back by the end of the regular season, just in time for the postseason.
Yankees’ slugger Giancarlo Stanton, who is entering the postseason for the first time in his career, has been leading the charge for his team in last the two months of Judge’s absence. Stanton is sporting a .293 batting average across the months of July and August, as well as 35 homeruns this season. When asked about the tools to keep the momentum going for the Yankees this postseason, Stanton stated, “There’s no feeling like it, till you get a couple more in you down the stretch here… It’s good. It’s a good point we’re at now and just keep pushing forward, step by step.”
The Yankees will most likely face the Oakland Athletics in the wild card game. Although the A’s have arguably been the hottest team in baseball this season, the Yankees’ 3-3 record against them so far and a roster almost at 100 percent gives them a solid chance against them should they come face-to-face.
In the American League Division Series, the Yankees will have to face Boston, the team with the best record this MLB season. The Yankees are currently 7-9 against Boston this season, although last series they won 2-1. The road may be tough, but if the Yankees play to their strengths, they can beat Boston in six games. Though the Red Sox may have clinched the AL East, Giancarlo states to his rivals, “They can celebrate now…We have time to celebrate later.”
The American League Championship Series will have a Cleveland Indians-Yankees matchup. If played to their strengths, the Yankees can also win this series versus Cleveland in six games, which would allow them to possibly face the Atlanta Braves, coming out of the National League, in the World Series.
New York’s heavy-hitting lineup will be the difference between an unexpierenced Atlanta team, and give them a chance to win the series in five games.
Overall, the Yankees will rise their 28th pennant in their storied history at Yankee Stadium this season.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on September 20, 2018
PCI
The Women’s Soccer Team Will be the Fall Sport With the Best Record
By Jack Belanger ’21
Sports Co-Editor
No fall sports team has found consistent success this year like the Providence College Women’s Soccer Team. Though both the Men’s and Women’s soccer team and the field hockey team were picked to finish fourth in their respective Big East Preseason Coaches’ poll, with a 6-2-1 record, the women’s soccer team has a better record than all other teams and has exceeded expectations at this point in their season. The men’s team currently sits at 3-4-1, while volleyball is 6-5 and field hockey is 4-5.
So far this year, PC is undefeated at Chapey Field (5-0-0) and the team’s only two losses came against two top-15 nationally ranked teams, Duke University and the University of North Carolina (UNC), at the Duke Nike Classic. The team also tied 1-1 against the University of Arkansas, who is 5-2-2 and plays in the Southeastern Conference, one of the tougher conferences in Division I soccer.
Goalkeeper Shelby Hogan ’20RS has been named to the Big East Weekly Honor Roll four times and was once named the Big East Goalkeeper of the Week. Teammate Hannah McNulty ’21 has been named the Big East Offensive Player of the Week twice this season. McNulty, so far, is second in the Big East in goals with six. Hogan leads the league in saves with 46.
The Friars defense, led by Katie Day ’19 and Hailee Duserick ’19, have given Hogan plenty of protection in front of the net. PC has allowed the third fewest goals in the Big East this season with six goals in nine games. The two seniors have started every game for the Friars this season and are tied with the most minutes on the field.
As the team begins conference play on Sept. 22 against Villanova, the Friars will enter the game with the second-best record in the Big East, behind only 10th-ranked Georgetown University, who has yet to lose a game. Last season, PC earned the third seed in the tournament, and they returned many of their key contributors this season, as they look to challenge Georgetown for the Big East crown.
While there is still plenty of the fall season left for PC’s sports teams, as each team begins conference play within the next couple weeks, the women’s soccer team has proven that they can compete with some of the best teams in the country (losing by 1 goal to Duke and UNC) which only bodes well for them when they take on the top teams in the Big East. While PC’s other teams still have a chance to move up in the standings, the women’s soccer team is already near the top and will be able to surpass their last season’s win total of 10.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on September 20, 2018
PCI
The Volleyball Team Will be the Fall Sport With the Best Record
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
The Providence College Volleyball Team will have the best record of all fall sports this semester. One major factor going into this decision is based on the home-court advantage provided at each game by the fans and students. Going into each game is always a fun time, and the fans always have a new experience.
The team’s home-court advantage shows in their winning record of 3-1 at home whereas on the road, the team currently has a losing record of 3-4.
Regardless of who the team is playing, the students and fans are cheering their hearts out as if it is a championship game. Whoever is on the court for our team, they are ready to give it everything they have for the fans and put themselves on the line for the team to score. Right now they remain 6-5, and as Big East conference play approaches, the stakes are higher for the Friars.
With fans always in attendance, the team will strike gold in the coming days. The team’s first two Big East games will be played at home, one against DePaul University, who is 2-9 and the other is St. John’s University, who is 11-5.
Mackenzie Taylor ’22 has been one of the top defensive players on the team this season. Taylor leads the team in digs by a wide margin, with 187 digs, almost 100 more than the next player on the team.
Allison Impellizeri ’19 the team’s starting middle blocker, has proven to be one of the top players in the conference at this point in the season. She is sixth in kills per set in the conference with 3.36.
During the Kangaroo Classic in Kansas City, Missouri, Impellizeri was named to the All-Tournament team. In four games she recorded 57 kills, which also earned her a spot on the Big East Weekly Honor Roll.
With Taylor and Impellizeri leading the team, PC has a balanced team that should not be severely overmatched on either side of the ball. The Friars will have a chance to be competitive in every match going forward which will certainly give them the chance to go on a extended winning streak during the season.
Lastly, the team is already showing improvements from last season. Almost at the halfway point in the season, if its winning record continues, the team is on track to beat their 17-16 record from the 2017 season.
With the team’s first two Big East games at home, the Friars have a great opportunity to start off conference play in the right direction and gain some momentum before going on the road. This team is worth keeping an eye on, as there is plenty of potential to see it finish out with the best record of the fall season.