Tag: PCI
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on October 4, 2018
Sports
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
Sports
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
Sports
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
Sports
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
Sports
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
Sports
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.
Providence College Investigtes
by The Cowl Editor on September 13, 2018
Sports
The New Orleans Saints Will Win Super Bowl LIII
By Thomas Zinzarella ’21
Sports Staff
Football is officially back and Atlanta’s newly built Mercedes Benz Dome will play host to Super Bowl LIII and the New Orleans Saints will walk out with a win come Super Bowl Sunday in February.
This will be the franchise’s second Lombardi trophy; their first Super Bowl win was in 2010 when the Saints defeated Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts 31-17. They were led by Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees and a lockdown secondary that could have rivaled the Legion of Boom in Seattle.
What’s different? The Saints may have a better team now than they did in 2010 and this may be the best team that Sean Peyton has had in his tenure as head coach. The Saints were bounced out of the playoffs in the divisional round against the Vikings after a last second 61-yard touchdown sealed the Saints’ fate.
It is a new season for the Saints and the team brings back plenty of experienced players. On the offensive side, Drew Brees will enter his 13th season in New Orleans where he threw for only 23 TDs and eight interceptions last year. The last time Brees failed to throw over 30 touchdown passes was all the way back in 2007.
Why a decline from Brees in the touchdown category? Alvin Kamara and Mark Ingram are the answer, some consider them to be the best tag-team duo in the NFL. Kamara coming off a rookie campaign where he ran for 728 yards and eight TDs while collecting Pro Bowl and Rookie of the Year honors.
Kamara looks to build off his outstanding rookie season while WR Michael Thomas is one of the most under-the-radar receivers in the league. He should be considered an “elite” receiver after he hauled in 196 catches in his first two NFL seasons, which is an NFL record. Thomas will continue to blossom while the speedy Ted Ginn Jr. can still be considered a deep ball threat for this potent offense.
Defensively, the Saints are looking better than ever, the only concern being the linebacker position. Cornerback Marshon Lattimore finished his rookie campaign with five interceptions while accumulating a well-deserved Pro Bowl pick. Experts say he could turn into into one of the best corners in the league.
Safety Marcus Williams, who was remembered for the missed tackle he had on Vikings WR Stefon Diggs in the NFC Divisional game, also had a stellar rookie season where he started 15 games and had four interceptions.
In the off-season, Williams has received a lot of praise; he was even compared to Ed Reed, the former safety for the Ravens.
In the trenches on the defensive line, Cameron Jordan participated in his third Pro Bowl last season after he had a career high in sacks with 13.
The Saints have a chance to get back to the Super Bowl, especially with the explosive combination of Brees, Kamara, and Thomas, which should make Sundays fun to watch. It is all going to come down to the defense; however, there is nobody better in the business than Sean Payton.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on September 13, 2018
Sports
The Los Angeles Rams Will Win Super Bowl LIII
By Sam Scanlon ’19
Sports Staff
As week one has concluded for the 2018-2019 NFL season, Super Bowl LIII predictions are a popular topic of discussion. My prediction: the Los Angeles Rams.
The defending NFC West Champions enter this season coming off an 11-5 record in their 2017 campaign, but have added several key players to this year’s roster that complement their current playmakers.
The Rams boast the reigning NFL Offensive Player of the Year in running back Todd Gurley. Gurley finished the season with 1,305 rushing yards while leading the NFL in yards from scrimmage with 2,093 and touchdowns at 19. His ability to find the end zone and create positive yardage gives the Rams the edge they will need to hoist the Lombardi Trophy come February.
Leading the offense, however, is 2016 first overall pick, Jared Goff. The 6’4” 222 pound quarterback had an excellent sophomore season as he threw 3,804 yards and 28 touchdowns. Goff is emerging as one of the NFL’s top quarterbacks, which is imperative for a Super Bowl contender. Look for Goff to exceed last year’s numbers and lead his team to Atlanta for Super Bowl LIII.
A huge reason Goff is expected to have another successful year is because of his speedy and talented receiving core. Brandin Cooks was an exceptional offseason acquisition for the Rams as he gives Goff more depth at wide receiver. Cooks is a deep threat receiver who has an unbelievable ability to create separation for big time plays. He excelled last season in New England and played a large role in getting them to the Super Bowl.
Along with the Offensive Player of the Year in Gurley, Aaron Donald, the Rams’ top pass rusher, was named Defensive Player of the Year. He is one of the most dynamic players in all of football as he finished last season with 11 sacks and five forced fumbles.
To compliment Donald’s ferociousness up front, the Rams acquired Ndamukong Suh, who is perhaps one of the most aggressive defensive linemen in the NFL. The two of them will certainly wreak havoc on opposing offenses all season.
Finally, as if the Rams had any holes in their roster, they have added two of the NFL’s top defensive backs: Marcus Peters and Aqib Talib in their lineup. With quarterbacks already fearing the defensive line, this Los Angeles secondary is going to make quarterbacking a nightmare for opposing teams.
With all key components of their roster seemingly filled with top players, the Rams are bound to make quite the run this season. Do not be surprised when this talented group is crowned Super Bowl LIII Champions.
PCI: The Best Moment of Summer 2018
by The Cowl Editor on August 30, 2018
Sports
By Sam Scanlon ’19
Sports Staff
For the first time in history, the Washington Capitals are at the top of the hockey world after defeating the Las Vegas Golden Knights in five games to win the Stanley Cup. The sheer fact that Las Vegas reached the Stanley Cup final was in itself an outstanding moment. Seeing Alexander Ovechkin and the rest of the Washington Capitals reign as champions is undoubtedly the best sports moment of the summer.
Ovechkin, one of the highest NHL goal scorers of our generation, has been criticized for never winning a Stanley Cup. Until now, some experts have discounted Ovechkin when considering best players of all time; therefore, seeing him raise the Cup for his team was special to watch.
It seemed as though the 2016-2017 “super” team would capture the organization’s first title. When they fell short and subsequently lost Justin Williams, Nate Schmidt, and Kevin Shattenkirk, the 2017-2018 team was certainly battling against the odds.
However, the Capitals still maintained the rights to powerhouse forwards Ovechkin, Niklas Backstrom, T.J. Oshie, and Evgeny Kuznetsov as well as a top 10 NHL defenseman, John Carlson who led all NHL defensemen with 68 points last season.
Although the Capitals appeared solid on paper, it takes more than a good roster to win the Stanley Cup, a trophy which is often referred to as the hardest trophy to win in professional sports. The Capitals’ “Big 5” carried out their roles as they finished top five in team scoring for both the regular season and postseason. However, they had another underdog story of their own.
In the Eastern Conference Finals, the Capitals found themselves down three games to two in the best-of-seven games series to the Tampa Bay Lighting.
With their backs to the wall and the potential for another season to fall short of the Finals, Washington dominated Game 6, winning 3-0 to force a decisive Game 7 in Tampa Bay.
In Game 7, Ovechkin scored the first goal of the game giving Washington control and momentum on the ice.
Despite playing in a hostile crowd, Washington dominated and won on the road for the third time in the series, winning 4-0 to seal a trip to the Finals.
After dropping the first game in the finals, Washington came back to win four games in a row to seal their first title.
Lars Eller, the first Danish player to bring home the Stanley Cup, had a career year as he finished his season ranked sixth on the team in points. His late goal in the third period broke a 3-3 tie to top the Golden Knights 4-3 to clinch the title.
After the final horn buzzed, Ovechkin reflected on how big the moment was. “We did it. That’s all that matters. Look at the smiles on my teammates. This is something you’ll never forget. This moment, I’ll remember for the rest of my life. I’m so happy. It’s unbelievable.”
With Ovechkin and Washington winning their first Cup, Eller scoring the winning goal and bringing the Cup to Denmark, and watching Oshie share a special moment with his ill father on the ice after lifting the Cup, it is hard not to tip your cap to the Washington Capitals.
PCI: The Best Moment of Summer 2018
by The Cowl Editor on August 30, 2018
Sports
Lebron James Signs with Lakers
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
While this summer was filled with incredible off-season trades and pickups in the NBA, one move that stood above the rest was the announcement of All-Star LeBron James’ decision to leave the Cleveland Cavaliers and join the Los Angeles Lakers.
On July 1 of this summer, multiple news sources told the world that James, the former champion for the Cleveland Cavs, had agreed to a $153 million contract spanning four years with the Lakers. James had received offers from both the Philadelphia 76ers and the Boston Celtics before telling his agent, Rich Paul, that he would join the Lakers.
With the addition of James, the Lakers have added the one of the best and most recognized athletes in the country to one of the most successful sport teams in the nation.
This is not the first time the Lakers have acquired one of the game’s best players to their roster. Throughout their history, the Lakers have added multiple NBA legends like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain, and, more recently, Shaquille O’Neal.
The decision sparked debate within the sports world and many were confused as to why James would sign with a team that went 35-47 and missed the playoffs. On the contrary, many understood his decision as the Lakers have a younger core of players.
Even though the Lakers finished far from playoff contention last season, the addition of James gives the Lakers plenty of hope to make a return to the playoffs after a five season drought.
Magic Johnson, the Lakers’ president of basketball operations, said in a release that James is “special” and is “the best player in the world.”
“He loves to compete and is an awesome leader who is about winning and making sure that his teammates are successful,” Johnson’s statement continued.
“The Lakers players are excited to have a teammate who has been to nine NBA Finals. It’s a huge step closer to returning the Lakers to the playoffs and to the NBA Finals.”
With James, the Lakers put themselves back on the map as a main free agent destination after several seasons of struggling to attract top-tier players.
Following James’ announcement, the Lakers continued to add players, announcing the signing of veterans Rajon Rondo, Lance Stephenson, and JaVale McGee.
Even at the age of 33, James remains one of the most athletic and versatile players in the league. Last season, he averaged 27.5 points per game and a career high 9.1 assists per game.
Coach Luke Walton has even expressed putting James, who is a natural forward, at center, and debuting a starting lineup consisting of Rondo, Lonzo Ball, Josh Hart, Brandon Ingram, and James.
While the Lakers themselves have nothing but high hopes for this upcoming season, with an improving young core to surround James, the team still has to make improvements in areas they struggled with last season, such as defense and three-point shooting.
Being one of the world’s most recognized athletes brings a lot of attention from the media across the country as James adds a new chapter to his storied career.