Tag: Sullivan Burgess’20
Sport Shorts 2/20-2/27
by The Cowl Editor on February 27, 2020
Friar Sports
Sport Shorts Week of Feb. 20-Feb. 27
by Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
Men’s Ice Hockey:
This weekend, the Providence College Men’s Hockey Team played a home-and-home series against Hockey East rival Merrimack College. The first game occurred on Friday, February 21 in Providence, where the Friars lost to Merrimack 0-2; this was their tenth loss of the season. While goalie Michael Lackey ’20GS recorded 21 saves for the Friars, nothing could stop Merrimack’s goal in the second period, which put Merrimack up 0-1. Merrimack then closed the game on an empty net goal late in the third period, to win 0-2. The next night at Merrimack, the Friars did manage to score but lost again—this time with a score of 2-3. Patrick Moynihan ’23 started the game off for the Friars with a pair of goals, making the score 2-1 by the end of the first. However, Merrimack scored the tying goal on a power play during the second period. The winning goal came for the Warriors at even strength during the third period.
Men’s Basketball:
The men’s basketball team won a 84-72 victory against the no. 26 seed Marquette University this past weekend. The win puts the Friars at a 16-12 record overall 9-6 in the Big East. It was their fourth win over a ranked team, as well as the Friars’ third straight win. While Marquette’s Markus Howard dropped 38 points on the Friars, nothing stood in the way of the overall outstanding defense played by the team throughout both halves. Six Friars broke double digits in scoring, including Luwane Pipkins ’20GS with a team high of 24 points. David Duke ’22 scored 15 points, which included a pair of alley-oops to ignite the crowd. Coach Ed Cooley was beyond proud of the team as the season ends soon and the Friars desperately work to make the NCAA Tournament.
Men’s Lacrosse:
On Saturday, men’s lacrosse found themselves in Pennsylvania for a non-conference matchup against Saint Joseph’s University. Sadly, the team came up short in their matchup, losing 8-10 for their first loss of the season. SJU started the game with a 3-2 lead throughout the first quarter. Three players from the Friars, Dan Axelson ’20, Ryan Nawrocki ’20, and Sean Leahey ’20 each had three points in the outing. This marked Axelson’s first hat-trick of the season and third of his career. Goalkeeper Toby Burgdorf ’21 had 11 saves with an overall .524 save percentage, recording three more saves than SJU’s goalie. This puts the Friars at an overall 3-1 record for the season as they continue their non-conference games for the beginning of the season until Big East play comes into effect in late March. The Friars will look to secure the Ocean State Cup against Brown University next weekend.
Women’s Basketball Falls Short to Blue Jays
by Meaghan P Cahill on February 13, 2020
Friar Sports
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
On Saturday, February 8, the Providence College Women’s Basketball Team played against Big East rival Creighton University for their second matchup of the season, this time taking place at home in Mullaney Gym.
The season has been rocky for the Friars as they continue Big East play throughout the end of winter and into spring. Going into the game against the Blue Jays, the Friars had posted a 10-13 record overall, with a 1-10 record in the Big East Conference, currently tied for last place along with Xavier University.
Providence’s first Big East win came a few weeks ago against Xavier University, in a home win 60-48. Guard Earlette Scott ’22 led the game with 20 points, while center sophomore Mary Baskerville ’22 led the game with 11 rebounds.
The Friars previous game took place on Feb. 2 at DePaul University in Chicago. While the Friars put up a good fight in each quarter against the no. 13 Blue Demons, the win ultimately went to DePaul in a final score of 93-71. Guard Chanell Williams ’21 led the game with 15 points, while Alyssa Geary ’22 led with six rebounds for the Friars.
The Friars were looking to bounce back and find a spark to ignite the team to go on a run, especially with postseason approaching and the Women’s Big East Tournament in early March.
Now it was time for the Friars to once again face Creighton. In the previous matchup which took place at Creighton, the Friars lost by nine in a 63-72 matchup. Kaela Webb ’22 led the team with 14 points. The Friars were ready to give everything they had for this next matchup.
The game was set, and the Friars were on their way to face the Blue Jays once again. Constantly leading throughout the first quarter of play, things were looking up for the Friars as players such as Baskerville and Webb could not miss shots. As well as the Friars were playing, nothing was stopping Creighton’s Jaylyn Agnew. By the end of the game Agnew finished the game with a career-high 38 points.
The Friars once again sadly lost by nine after battling through the second half to come back, but Agnew and Creighton could not miss a basket. Baskerville led the team in both points and rebounds at 19 and eight, respectively.
Scott, Webb, and Geary also finished with double digits in scoring and even helped Providence shoot 52.9 percent of shooting from the field.
Despite the team’s struggles, the Friars have had some great individual performances throughout the year. Baskerville is leading in the top twenty of scoring for the Big East at 12.9 points per game and fourth in rebounding 7.8 rebounds per game.
Next up, the Friars are back home for two games in the coming week against Seton Hall University and St. John’s University. Seton Hall’s game will be played 11:30 a.m. on Friday as part of Project Providence where local schools will come to watch the game.
Providence College Investigates: Kobe Bryant’s Best Moments
by The Cowl Editor on February 6, 2020
PCI
Bryant’s 81 Points vs. Toronto Raptors & Free-Throws Post-Achilles Tear
by Leo Hainline ’22
Sports Staff
In a 2006 mid-season game that nowadays some star players would consider taking off, the Los Angeles Lakers went up against Chris Bosh and the Toronto Raptors in the Staples Center.
The first quarter was nothing special and Toronto was up early. Kobe Bryant was keeping the Lakers in the game, but the Raptors had a serviceable cushion for most of the first half. Nobody would guess that he would end up dropping the second-most points in a single game in NBA history. At half time, despite Bryant having 26, the Lakers were down 63-49 and looked like they were on pace to drop their third game in a row.
Instead of waiting for his teammates to wake up from their off-night, Bryant took the initiative to elevate his game to the next level.
Down double digits, who else was going to get the Lakers back in the game? Lamar Odom? Bryant knew he was that guy who had to put the team on his back. He missed the first couple of shots of the third quarter but kept shooting and one after the other, his shots started to fall. Scoring three-buckets in a row, Bryant single-handedly cut the lead. Out of a timeout, Bryant got the ball, drove baseline, pulled up, pump-faked twice, got fouled and got the bucket. He was locked in—lay-ups, mid-range, threes, it didn’t matter where Bryant was on the court, he was going to score. With a minute left in the third quarter, Bryant stole the ball and got a fast-break dunk to take the lead and the entire crowd was up on their feet.
Bryant entered the fourth quarter with 53 points and was just getting started. Bryant kept attacking, driving to the bucket, hitting jump shots, getting to the line. Halfway through the fourth quarter, he got fouled on a three and surpassed his previous career-high of 62. Staples Center was hot—every time Bryant got the ball the people rose out of their seats and started cheering.
At this point, Bryant was pulling up every possession and extending the Lakers lead to close to 20. Everyone in the arena knew that this was one of the best individual performances in the history of basketball. He knocked down his final two free throws to finish with 81, and more important to him, a win for the Lakers.
This game, where one person singlehandedly outscored the opposing team in the second half, is a nice individual memory of Kobe Bryant as a basketball player, but Bryant’s legacy will be remembered for much more than his contributions to the game of basketball, or a single game for that matter. He will be remembered for his energy, hard work, commitment, faith, and love that he spread on a daily basis. The impact he had on his friends, family, and fans is much more significant than a number in the box score.
Another game that displayed Bryant’s tenacity occured seven years later at the end of the 2012-2013 season.
During their 80th game of the season, the Lakers were fighting to secure a playoff spot. The team was playing Bryant heavy minutes for this final stretch of games, trying to make the most of what was a bit of a disappointing season. Some of their new acquisitions did not exactly live up to expectations. Regardless of the situation, Bryant was still leading the team, scoring over 27 points a game and contributing on both ends of the court.
The Lakers were in a dogfight with the Golden State Warriors at Staples Center. Bryant was repeatedly banged up in this physical game. In the third quarter, he was down for about a minute after hyperextending his knee but shook it off and continued to play through the pain. Late in the game, Bryant was knocking down threes and doing everything he could to put the Lakers into the lead.
With three minutes to go, the Lakers were down 109-107 and Bryant drove in on Harrison Barnes at the top of the key. He got fouled but immediately went down, grimacing, grabbing his left heel in what appeared to be a non-contact injury. The severity of the injury wasn’t immediately clear—he still had his game face on and limped over to the bench as the Lakers took a timeout.
Once the coverage resumed on TV it was obvious that Bryant was badly injured. Under his own power, he gingerly moved from the team huddle to the foul line, putting no pressure on his left foot. Down by two, Bryant stepped up and knocked down the first free throw.
At this point, you could see the emotion in his eyes—likely not from the pain of the injury but because he knew that he would be out for the game and rest of the season, unable to help his team.
The referee tossed him the ball, and again, Bryant stepped up and calmly hit the free throw. Tying it up late into the fourth quarter in what some considered to be a must-win game on a torn achilles takes much more than pure talent—it’s takes something that’s inherent in Bryant’s Mamba Mentality. The traits that Bryant possessed in his personality and mentality never just purely applied to basketball. They apply to life, and that is partly why Bryant is respected and beloved by so many people.
The determination he had to fight through the pain and knock down those shots in this single situation is representative of the tenacity he brought on a daily basis, both in basketball and outside the game.
Bryant’s Final Career Home Game & Winning Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals
by Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
Before the 2015-2016 NBA season, Kobe Bryant announced that it would be his last season after missing the majority of the previous two seasons due to injury. Immediately fans began to purchase tickets to get the chance to see one of the greatest players of all-time one more time. Bryant’s farewell tour was made with applause from other team’s fans, jersey swaps with a player from every team, and retirement gifts. With each passing game, anticipation rose for the regular season finale on April 13 at the Staples Center against the Utah Jazz. The Los Angeles Lakers came into the game 16-65 and had been long out of playoff-contention, meaning this was going to be Bryant’s final appearance.
Every former Laker and celebrity that you can possibly think of were in attendance to watch the Black Mamba play in his last ever NBA game. Bryant, the final player left from the 1996 NBA draft, was ready to put on a show one last time and let everyone know, including his daughters and wife, that he was not going to go out quietly.
During the season, Bryant averaged 17.6 points per game in 66 games. Expectations were high that Bryant was due for something special, and special was just an understatement of what happened on that night. After being down by 15 at halftime, Bryant put the Lakers on his back one final time and gave one last memorable game. After scoring 22 points at halftime, Bryant exploded for 42 points in the second half to finish with 60 in his final game.
In the final minute with his team down 95-96, Bryant hit a mid-range jump shot to give the Lakers the lead 97-96. He would seal the game with 15 seconds left by hitting two free throws to make it 99-96. The Lakers gave Bryant the chance for one final curtain call by subbing him out with four seconds left to a standing ovation by the home crowd. Bryant gave the crowd one last salute before walking off the floor forever and leaving everyone with a moment they will not forget.
The other moment that will forever define Bryant’s legacy is when the Los Angeles Lakers faced the Boston Celtics in Game Seven of the 2010 NBA Finals. The two teams also met in 2008 when the Celtics took the series in six games. Boston was looking for their second title with their Big Three. Meanwhile, Bryant was ready to bring LA back-to-back championships and win his fifth overall. Going into Game Six Boston held at 3-2 advantage in the series with two chances to take the series. The Lakers made sure there would be a Game Seven after beating down on the Celtics 89-67. Bryant scored 26 points and grabbed 11 rebounds as the Lakers forced a Game Seven on their home court.
While Boston held the lead after three quarters with the title close in their sights, Bryant was going to make sure his team did not go out quietly. After averaging 27 points during season, Bryant scored a game-high 23 points, including 10 in the fourth quarter in a tight battle with the Celtics. The Lakers pulled ahead late in the game pulled out the 83-79 win. The series gave Bryant his fifth ring and second Finals MVP award. He averaged 28.6 points per game during the series and shot 40.5 percent from the field.
This series helped cement Bryant as an all-time great, putting him one championship behind his idol Michael Jordan. After winning his first three titles with teammate Shaquille O’Neal, Bryant showed that he could lead a team on his own and carry them when needed most.
Kobe Bryant was more than an athlete, he was a leader, MVP, father, and most importantly a legend amongst all the branches of sports. He will be missed and never be forgotten for his actions on the court and the greatness he achieved off the court.
Young QBs Face-off in Super Bowl
by Meaghan P Cahill on January 30, 2020
Professional Sports
Mahomes and Garoppolo Clash in Biggest Game of The Year
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
On Sunday, February 2, Jimmy Garoppolo and the San Francisco 49ers will face Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIV in Miami, FL. This is a matchup that analysists predicted on paper, however did not quite expect to happen due to the talent from other teams like the Baltimore Ravens, who have MVP candidate Lamar Jackson.
This season, the Chiefs dominated the AFC West Division with a 12-4 record, while the 49ers owned the NFC West with a 13-3 record. The Chiefs came from behind to pull out a 35-24 victory against the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Conference Championship, after the Titans had a unpredictable run to get to the game. The 49ers cruised over the Green Bay Packers 37-20 in the NFC Championship game. This will be the first Super Bowl appearance for the Chiefs since 1969 and the 49ers since 2012.
The Chiefs are led by Andy Reid, the head coach since 2013, while the 49ers are led by Kyle Shanahan, only in his third season, both itching to receive their first Super Bowl ring as a head coach.
The big story coming into this game is the huge matchup between the two previously mentioned quarterbacks, Garoppolo and Mahomes. Both quarterbacks are on their second full season of starting with incredible stories surrounding how they found their way into the big game.
Garoppolo was originally a second-round pick in 2014, and served as the backup for veteran Tom Brady in New England for three years, where he briefly started and went 2-0 in the 2016 season during Brady’s suspension.
Traded to the 49ers in 2017, Garoppolo was ready to lead a team on his own.
Sadly, at the beginning of the 2018 season, he suffered a torn ACL three games in. Yet he looks at that season as if it was a “blessing in disguise,” since it allowed the 49ers to acquire defensive end Nick Bosa in the 2019 NFL Draft. As the ultimate favorites throughout the season, the 49ers found their stride, as Garoppolo threw a 69.1 percent completion rate with 27 touchdowns.
Next, we look at the NFL’s reigning MVP Mahomes II, the tenth pick in the 2017 draft, that started for the first-time last season after sitting for a full season behind Alex Smith. Seizing the new opportunity, he finished with 50 touchdowns as a first-time starter and won the MVP award. The stakes were high for Mahomes this season, and he was certainly ready to deliver for not only himself after his loss to the Patriots in last year’s AFC championship, but also for the fans of Kansas City.
Mahomes’s father, former NY Met, Patrick Mahomes Sr. stated in a recent article for the Daily News, “We always had a mantra. The thing I always said to him was ‘Players make plays.’ He does whatever he can to make a play and that is refreshing in itself.”
Mahomes finished this season with 26 touchdowns with 4,031 yards and a 65.9 percent completion rate, solidifying himself as a top five quarterback in the league.
In the end it all comes down to this last game, a game that will test the skills of both players, as Garoppolo looks to find his first Super Bowl ring as a starter, third overall, while Mahomes looks to begin his Hall of Fame career with his first Super Bowl, the answer will come on Sunday.
PCI: What was the Best PC Sports Moment of the Decade?
by Meaghan P Cahill on January 16, 2020
PCI
Men’s Hockey Wins National Championship
One of the best parts of sports are the iconic, unlikely, and exciting pieces of history they create. A lot of these great sports moments have blessed Providence College within the last decade alone. With a plethora of iconic memories to choose from, it is difficult to pick just one. However, for me, it has to be the 2015 Men’s Hockey National Championship.
Hockey has been a staple of this school and the New England area for a very long time. It was not until recently that the men’s hockey team became a competitive force to be reckoned with in the NCAA. Led by head coach Nate Leaman, at the time in his fifth year with the team, the 2015 Friars won 26 games. That was their best mark since the 1980’s. This, along with a second-place finish in the Hockey East conference set them up nicely for the tournament and a chance to reclaim glory for PC hockey.
Unfortunately, this was not the case. The Friars suffered a quarterfinal upset to the University of New Hampshire and crossed their fingers. Eventually, they did secure one of the last tournament spots and started their improbable run that included beating 4-seed Miami University, the University of Denver, and the University of Nebraska-Omaha.
The Friars faced off against the Boston University Terriers on April 11, 2015 at the TD Garden in Boston, MA. Slated to win, the Terriers went into the second half of the third period with a 3-2 lead against the Friars. However, in the final minutes of the game, PC scored two unanswered goals to not only win the game, but also to secure the program’s first ever NCAA win in hockey.
The team was packed with several great players who would eventually move on to the NHL. Players like Noel Acciari ’15, Brandon Tanec ’16, and Mark Jankowski ’16 were key players that pushed the Friars to the title. Acciari was tied for the team lead in goals while Jankowski was second on the team in assists.
The win managed to pull the Friars not just back to relevancy, but to the top of the nation as the team still remains one of the biggest powerhouses of hockey to this day. This championship was an incredible feat for the school as well as a turning point for the program as it allowed the team to consistently compete at this level in the years to come and set them up with great, national recognition.
– Joseph Quirk ’23
Sports Staff
Kris Dunn Drafted in 2016 NBA Draft
One of the best Providence College sports moments of the decade occurred off the court: the 2016 NBA Draft. Indeed, this event was made so special because point guard and Friar Legend, Kris Dunn ’16, was drafted fifth overall by the Minnesota Timberwolves. Being selected to play professionally in the NBA is already an accomplishment in itself. However, being selected in the first round, and in the top five especially, is a shining moment in a decade of PC success.
Dunn was among All-NBA talent, like Ben Simmons, Brandon Ingram, and Jaylen Brown. This gives a better picture of just how special this moment was. Indeed, it cemented him as one of the top talents not only from the collegiate level, but also from around the world.
The talented Friar point guard did not get drafted as high as he did for just any reason. His college career featured a wealth of highlights and notable awards including being named a Second-Team All-American in 2016, receiving Big East Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016, and a two-time First-Team All-Big East in 2015 and 2016. Dunn was also a two-time Big East Defensive Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016, and finally, was a Big East Tournament champion in 2014.
Even with all the statistics and accolades received throughout his tenure at PC, Dunn never let personal achievement get in the way of the success of the team. He was renowned for always putting in 110% in every game and against every team he faced. This is best shown in the win over a challenging University of Southern California team in the 2016 March Madness Tournament.
As brilliant as the 2016 draft was, Dunn struggled in his rookie season for the Timberwolves. Dunn, in 78 games played, averaged 3.8 points and 2.4 assists per game.
Currently, Dunn, in his fourth season in the NBA and third with the Chicago Bulls, is averaging 7.2 points, 3.2 assists, 3.6 rebounds, and 2.0 steals per game. He is in second place in the league for total steals, and has been hot on the tail of league-leader Ben Simmons for the entire season.
Truly, college basketball players work hard to achieve their dream of making it to the professionals, going out every night to play the game they love. This is why hearing one’s name called on the stage is such a special moment for not only the player, but also for the school they represent. It exemplifies the hard work put in to get to that point, and the support the school provided along the way.
Dunn was able to use the knowledge he had gained from PC to achieve the greatest accomplishment for a basketball player: getting drafted. His recent success on the biggest stage makes it one of the best moments of the decade for PC athletics.
– Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
PCI: Should NBA Teams Be Allowed to Rest Their Key Players During Nationally Televised Games?
by The Cowl Editor on December 5, 2019
PCI
Yes
Kawhi Leonard is one of the best players in the NBA. An MVP candidate and finals MVP last season, Leonard was one of the most talked about players in the league, despite his quiet and reserved demeanor. This past offseason, Leonard shocked Canada as well as NBA twitter as he chose to team up with fellow superstar and California native Paul George on the Los Angeles Clippers.
However, Leonard’s success has been marred with controversy. Leonard was traded to the Toronto Raptors last offseason after losing trust with his previous team, the San Antonio Spurs.
He claimed that the Spurs’ medical staff mishandled an injury he sustained during the playoffs that forced him to sit the rest of the playoffs and most of the regular season. To help get Leonard on the court and manage his health, the Raptors and now the Clippers implemented a strategy known as “load management.”
The NBA season is long and tedious, and many players struggle to play all 82 games. While load management was relevant prior to Leonard, he brought it into the spotlight.
This season, the excitement caused by Leonard’s move to Los Angeles has landed the Clippers in numerous primetime games. However, Clippers coach Doc Rivers is less concerned about the fans watching Leonard and more concerned about his star. And rightfully so.
When healthy, Leonard alone can change a series. He is one of the best two-way players in the game. River’s main concern right now is having Leonard available for a tough run through the Western Conference playoffs. That should also be the main concern for Clippers fans. Of course, it is understandable why the NBA would dislike this.
The NBA places teams in nationally televised games because they believe the teams are interesting or good and can attract more fans or get fans of other teams to watch them. These games are meant to pull the biggest audiences and the most ad revenue of any in that week. But if a team’s star player does not play, that obviously hurts their marketability. If the player is able to perform and their reason for being inactive is rest and recovery, the league is upset. But the logic the Clippers employ is valid league wide.
While this is a business, money is still going to be made. People will still watch, and if not, they will in the playoffs. These teams hire coaches and trainers to make the best decisions for the teams to win long term and monitoring the health and well-being of their best players falls into that category.
– Joseph Quirk ’23
Sports Staff
No
Load management in the NBA is defined as balancing the level of playing time in which a player utilizes in the league. This concept is terrible for the future of the NBA.
Load management is just a way to give superstar players a day off in the NBA in order to rest their talents for the playoffs. These superstars are taking off on games that are back-to-back nights throughout the week or even when the team is playing a weaker team.
One big advocate for load management has been NBA champion and small forward for the LA Clippers, Kawhi Leonard. While there is nothing wrong with a player being concerned with his health, which is always the number one focus when playing in a professional sport, there is a time and a place in which players should and should not rest.
If a player knows he is hurt and the doctors order him not to play, then he should not play; however, if he is 100 percent healthy he should be focused on playing. You do not see other elite players such as Giannis Antetokounmpo and Luka Doncic take days off for load management.
Another factor that plays into why load management is unnecessary is that it takes away from the experience of watching the game. Imagine paying a lot of money for a ticket to watch your favorite NBA player live in person, and you do not get to see him that day due to the player wanting to take some time off.
There are plenty of young players willing to play a 82 game season; meanwhile, these all-stars think they are tough and want to take some time off to rest. They need to be there to contribute to the team and help secure wins and chemistry for the ongoing season.
Without the superstars, the NBA is boring to watch and television ratings slip. The league is not doing enough to prevent these load management situations throughout the entire NBA, allowing their players to walk all over the front office.
It is time to put an end to load management once and for all to make sure all players are equally contributing to their teams.
– Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
Men’s Basketball Rebounds at the Dunk
by The Cowl Editor on November 21, 2019
Friar Sports
After Tough Loss to Northwestern, Friars Win Two at Home
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
Following a 63-72 loss to non-conference team Northwestern University, the Providence College Men’s Basketball Team looked to bounce back as they faced off on Nov. 16 against the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference’s Saint Peter’s University, following their own loss against Bryant University.
President of Friar Fanatics, Joe Haughey ’20 was not only excited for the non-conference matchup, but also for what the season has in store for his last year at PC.
Before tip-off, Haughey said, “I think the team can have its best season yet, the talent is all there, the competition is certainly not the same as it use to be with most players from other schools leaving for the draft, I have nothing but high hopes and great expectations.”
Haughey and other Frair fans have been patiently waiting to see what is in store for their team this season.
The first half belonged to the Friars, as they ended the half up 42-21, shooting at 57.14 percent from the field, and even 81.82 percent for free throws, compared to the Peacock’s 33.33 percent in field goals and 75 percent in free throws. There were key performances throughout the first half from David Duke ’22 and Alpha Diallo ’20, who forced numerous turnovers.
The final score of the game was 68-47, Duke scored a game-high 17 points and Diallo right behind him with 15. The second half belonged to Kris Monroe ’22, who jump-started back-to-back possessions to develop a rhythm for the team.
When asked about the team’s low shooting in the second half and losing the rebound battle 36-34, head coach Ed Cooley answered, “We got stagnant, we got sloppy, and I think we got content and greedy. It’s going to be something we have to deal with and work on…Overall, we’re happy with the win. I’d win ugly than lose pretty.”
The next game in line for the Friars was another home game against newest member of the Northeast Conference, Merrimack College. When asked about the road ahead, especially when facing a school such as Merrimack, Cooley said, “You can look at it a few different ways. You always want to play the best to try and prepare us for the Big East. Given what we’re going through, confidence is big. We’re down some key players who normally play a role in what we do. For us to be where we’re at … I’m happy, but I know we have a long way to go.”
In a game full of obstacles for the Friars, such as players being out and one with a cold, Cooley looked for the team to step up.
In his first game back from an injury, center Nate Watson ’21, sparked six points off the bench for a 14-2 run in the first half that gave the Friars the lead at the end of the first half, and ultimately the huge win of 93-56. With a game high 18 points by Luwane Pipkins ’19GS.
Watson stated at the end of the game, “It felt great to be on the court, playing in front of these fans and playing for Coach again.” The Friars are now 4-0 at home. Their next home game against the University of Pennsylvania.
Women’s Soccer Staying Positive in Defeat
by The Cowl Editor on November 14, 2019
Friar Sports
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
A fluctuating season for the Providence College Women’s Soccer Team ended last Thursday, November 7, in a 0-2 loss to Georgetown University in the Big East Tournament. The loss ultimately brought the Friars to an untimely end to their season at an 8-9-3 record, and 3-5-1 record in the Big East Conference. The Friars’ record had granted them the sixth-place seed in the Big East Tournament.
Highlights across the season included the opening season home win versus the University of Connecticut, the overtime win at the University of Texas, and even the underdog win against Butler University in the Big East Tournament, which ended in a shootout.
Theresa Durkee ’20 and Hannah McNulty ’21, expressed their favorite moments of the season, as well as the tools and strategies they used when going into the last game against Georgetown. They focused on looking forward to the moment of being in the semi-finals and overall not being intimidated by Georgetown’s record as one of the top-ranked teams in the Big East Conference.
These strategies also included keeping possession, exploiting Georgetown’s weaknesses, and remaining confident with keeping the energy in the tournament. As mentioned by McNulty, who led the team with nine goals, “Being the underdog in the tournament certainly provided us with confidence to show everyone who we can be and keep the identity which we tried to create throughout the season, so we will try to take each game day-by-day.”
While the team lost in the semi-finals, they looked on the bright side of what they accomplished this season, as well as the memories they created with the team throughout the season.
The two words that Durkee and McNulty used to describe the season were “memorable” and “growth.” With this being Durkee’s last season, she was both excited and nervous for the season to the start and end.
Herself, as well as fellow seniors Olivia Lucia ’20, Melissa Bambery ’20, Alessandra Arace ’20, and Katelyn Vieira ’19GS, enjoyed being role models for their teammates and creating a culture that is used today within the team.
When asked about one thing she could say to her younger freshman self, back in 2016, Durkee said, “Do not let the pressure get to you,” telling all the future recruits to enjoy the time they have on the team. Durkee even mentioning to all: “Do it for the little girl.”
As she prepares for her senior year on the team, McNulty has one clear goal on her mind: winning the Big East National Championship. She is ready to take the team and lead the charge against all those that stand in their way next season. Looking forward to what the spring sessions have to offer in 2020, she is grateful for what the seniors taught her on how to be the leader she knows she can be.
The culture for the Friars is ready to expand and change the dynamic for years to come.
PCI: Will Tom Brady Be on the Patriots Roster Next Season?
by The Cowl Editor on November 7, 2019
PCI
Retirement is Near
by Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
Twenty seasons, six Super Bowl Championship rings, four Super Bowl MVPs, three NFL MVPs; what athlete has achieved more than New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady? With that being said, the most common question the 42-year-old QB is being asked is if he is going to retire, or perhaps join another team.
After careful consideration of the quarterback’s career, this will not only be his last season on the Patriot’s roster, but this will in fact be the last NFL season for the 20-year veteran and future Patriots and NFL Hall of Famer.
Throughout the last month of the regular season, while the Pats have gone 8-1, rumors have been circulating speculating the future of Brady’s career. Some of this has even been shown on the field.
The Patriots defense has been the number one overall defense this season and has been a key factor in all of the team’s eight wins this year.
The offense on the other hand, has certainly had its ups and downs, enduring both injury and scandal. Yet, the team has had a great start to the opening of the 100th season of the NFL.
Even the legendary Peyton Manning looked poor in his age 39 season, the final season of his career. What Brady is doing at age 42 is nothing short of remarkable.
Many athletes including Kobe Bryant, Derek Jeter, and even Carmelo Anthony, lose the battle against time and are forced to retire before they are ready. Brady so far has been able to stave off the impacts of aging, but no man is immortal.
Yet, this season, Brady has certainly been more open about the future of his career, saying how he is thinking more and more of the future, and taking this season one game at a time.
The icing on the cake is that the Brady family has recently sold their house in MA and apparently bought a brand new house in Connecticut. Not only has Brady sold his house, but his TB12 head trainer, Alex Guerrero, has also sold his MA house and plans to move.
Brady, as much as he loves to battle the giant life clock, seeming ready to hang up his cleats and spend the rest of his time with family, focusing on the other joys in his life besides football.
He Will Return
by Liams Tormey ’22
Sports Staff
Tom Brady. The best to ever play the game. Is there really a chance we will not see him in a New England Patriot jersey next season?
Simply put, no.
Brady just turned 42 in August. Yet, you would think that on the field he is a 30-year-old still in his prime.
Last week, Brady was asked about the rumors of him potentially not being a Patriot next season. His response: “Nothing has changed with my status of my team and my standing.” Players will say what they need to say, so I don’t think there should be any concern.
First off, we should eliminate the possibility that Brady will be in any other uniform besides New England’s next season. Brady is in his 20th season playing for the same team, with nine Super Bowl appearances and six victories. It would not be right to see Brady finishing his career in any other jersey. Brady will retire a Patriot.
Now the question is: Will the future Hall of Famer be retiring after this season?
In an interview a little over a year ago, Brady was asked how much longer he wants to play and he said he hopes for another five seasons. That would put Brady at 46 years old before he calls it quits. Therefore, the chances of him retiring are slim.
Brady is in better shape than most players in the National Football League. Brady’s own company, TB12, is focused on maintaining peak performance regardless of age. This includes physical activity, diet, and recovery methods. It has clearly worked for the New England quarterback, and he has showed no signs of slowing down out on the field.
A huge part of the reason Brady remains in such great shape and free of injuries is because in games, Brady does not get hit like any other NFL quarterback. Last season, the league average for hits and sacks per drop back on a quarterback was 7.5 percent. Tom Brady’s was 3.9 percent. That is a massive difference and a huge reason why we never see Brady on the sidelines.
His performance levels are through the roof, and this season he is leading his team to be in the number one spot in the American Football Conference.
Even if the Patriots win the Super Bowl again this year, Brady will be back in a New England jersey next season. There is zero chance he goes elsewhere.
When the day does come, the NFL will say goodbye to the best quarterback ever. The league will change, but do not worry, Brady will be playing football in the NFL next season.
Young Talent Ready to Take Women’s Basketball Team to the Next Level
by The Cowl Editor on October 31, 2019
Friar Sports
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
In the beginning of October, the Big East unveiled the coach’s poll preseason rankings for all Big East women’s basketball teams for the upcoming 2019-2020 season. While DePaul University was unanimously voted first, the Providence College Women’s Basketball Team came in fifth, tied alongside Villanova University. Both teams are coming off of trips to the 2019 Women’s National Invitational Tournament.
Following this news, the team looks to carry on the success from the 2018-2019 season and play to the strengths of each player.
Last season, the Friars posted a 19-16 record, which earned them sixth overall in the Big East standings. The team made it to the second round of the Big East Tournament, where they lost to St. John’s University.
The Lady Friars earned themselves a spot in the WNIT, where they made a run to the Sweet Sixteen, losing to Georgetown University. The 19 wins were the most overall wins the team has had since 2009-2010, which, coincidentally, was the last time they had made it into a postseason tournament.
The team had to say goodbye to three seniors who graduated from PC last spring, including Clara Che ’19, a 2019 Big East Weekly Honor Roll selection, Maddie Jolin ’19, the winner of the Rev. Robert A. Morris O.P. ’46 Memorial Award, and Jovana “Yoyo” Nogic ’19, a fan favorite and the Providence College Female Athlete of the Year.
Last season marked numerous career highs for Nogic. She was ranked 12th on the most points per game in the Big East at 13.8 points, and averaged 19.3 points in the WNIT.
While the Friars lost three seniors, they also gained some new faces in the locker room: Hevynne Bristow ‘23 from Brooklyn, NY, Fatima Lee ’23 from Queens, NY, and Lauren Sampson ’23 from Waltham, MA. All are ready to answer the call for the team and bring their skills and strengths to make a difference both on and off the court this upcoming season.
Four of the starters are back this season in the lineup for the Friars, including reigning Big East Freshman of the Year, Mary Baskerville ’22.
Last season Baskerville finished as one of the leaders for rebounds per game at 7.3, leaders for blocked shots at 1.5, and even field goal percentage at .580 percent. Her breakout season made her the ultimate candidate for a unanimous selection to the Preseason All-Big East Team.
Herself and other Friar favorites like Kaela Webb ’22 and Chanell Williams ’21 are ready to give it their all and do great for the team.
In his fourth season with the Friars, Head Coach Jim Crowley is ready to lead his ladies into battle and give everything he has for the team to repeat the success they earned last season and once again make it into the postseason rankings.
The biggest threats the Friars face this season are rival teams DePaul University and St. John’s University. DePaul retains their title this season as the most successful Big East program for women’s basketball, posting a 91-17 record since the 2013-2014 season and has numerous returning starters this year.
The Friars hope to turn things around against the DePaul Blue Demons after losing last season’s series to the team 0-3 including a loss in the quarterfinal of the Big East Tournament.
When it comes to St. John’s, the Red Storm is expected to make a big jump from 2018-2019, with the return of a group of starters who lead in scoring, steals, and even assists.
However, this season, the Friars are ready to eliminate all who stand in their way by constantly practicing and grinding their way to the top. They are ready to show the world whose time it is and where they stand in the Big East.