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Men's Soccer
After a strong season in 2005 where the men's soccer team ended with a record of 10-4-1 and a devastating 1-0 semifinal loss to Amherst in the NESCAC tournament, Coach David Saward's team appears to have the potential for another successful season. Twenty-two players return, including first-team All-NESCAC honorees John Sales '07 and goalkeeper co-captain Zack Toth '07. As the season progresses, both will be counted on for their strong play and leadership.
The Panthers appear to have the potential for an even better finish than last year. Said Co-Captain David Lee '07, "With an extremely talented freshmen class and transfer student Casey Ftorek '08 from Union who scored a hat trick this weekend, I have very high hopes for the season."
There were some losses from last year's team that may be difficult to fill. Third-team All-American and two time All-NESCAC selection Derek Cece '06 graduated. Also, Center midfielder Allen Bourdon '08.5 tore his ACL during preseason and will be forced to red shirt. According to Lee, "Allen is one of the emerging leaders of the team and he would have been a huge help in the midfield." Sales, Billy Brennan '07, Winston Rains '07, Brodie MacDearmid '07 and Vandy Shanholt '07 will look to tally the points Bourdon would have provided. With so many experienced players, the team is more than capable of going deep into the post-season.
- Andrew Schlegel
Women's Soccer
If there is one thing the 2006 women's soccer team does not have to worry about this year, it's a lack of senior leadership. With an extremely talented group of nine returning seniors, the Panthers seem poised to avenge the disappointment of last year's first round loss to conference powerhouse Bowdoin in the NESCAC tournament. This plethora of experienced players, however, should not overshadow the importance of their young talent. Standout Ashley Pfaff '09, who earned second team all-NESCAC honors last year in her rookie season, hopes to add to her team-leading ten goals from the 2005 campaign.
Ultimately, the hopes of the Panthers may rest on the emerging talent of goalkeeper Adele Plunkett '09. After earning her first career shutout last Saturday in a 1-0 win over Connecticut College, Plunkett may be the final piece to the championship puzzle. "Adele has gotten a lot more vocal and has really been owning her goalie box," says Christine Bolger '07. "She's hot."
The Panthers hope to build on last weekend's success this Saturday as they host Tufts in the home-opener. With so many returning starters, it would appear that the Panthers cannot help but set their sights on the NESCAC championship that the team won in 2000.
- David Lee
Women's Tennis
The Middlebury women's tennis team kicks off their season with a brand new coach, a couple of new players and a new attitude. "It's [already] a tight-knit group of girls," said first year Coach Mike Morgan. "They're just as capable as anyone in the country, and they're working just as hard as anyone in the country."
Morgan's enthusiasm is clear, and he's already made a positive impression on his players, even during his first few days on the job. "He's very enthusiastic and I really like him so far," said Clare Burke '09. Morgan's enthusiasm is also apparent in his coaching style. "I'd say I'm very hands-on," said Morgan. "Our team will be very fit, have lots of fun, play better tennis and hopefully become even closer."
Morgan comes to Middlebury from Colby College, where he spent the past three years as coach of both the men's and women's teams. "Colby is a great place with a great program," he said, "but Middlebury presents the opportunity to spend more time with my family and still have a fantastic program."
The team, led by Co-Captains Emily Holick '07 and Amy Roche '07, looks to improve upon their solid 11-7 record from last year. Roche, a first-team all-NESCAC selection won the league's "A" flight singles tournament last year.
- Tory Hayes
Men's Tennis
The Middlebury College men's tennis team is ready and excited to take to the courts again this fall. Making it to the Division III NCAA Championship finals last spring, the team fell to Emory University. The top three singles players from last season, Brian Waldron, Ari Beilin and Nate Edmunds, all graduated in 2006 and only four upperclassmen are returning. However, Head Coach Dave Schwarz has recruited another promising freshman class. Five talented first-year players are ready to join the team and continue the excellent record and reputation of Middlebury tennis. Sophomore standout Conrad Olsen, and George Mayer '07, Kevin Bergeson '07 and Alex Scott '07 will need to take on leadership roles and step up their performances on the court this season in order to defeat the favored Claremont and Emory teams.
Mayer points out, "We're most certainly going to be underdogs this year, but finally we get to be the team that gets the chance to sneak up on some people and surprise them." He continues, "the funny thing about my three years of college tennis so far is the fact that each year, the best team on paper has never won the national championship." Coach Schwarz and company have the Cornell and Middlebury Invitationals coming up this September to gain valuable on-court experience and confidence heading into the important spring season.
- Robbie de Picciotto
Golf
Practicing hard behind the scenes while the rest of campus whiffs and hacks away at that tiny white ball, the men and women of the Middlebury golf team are determined to show the College that they belong up there with the soccer and field hockey teams.
Led by Captain Heather Gallagher '07, the Fabulous Five, rounded out by Karen Levin '08, the Ortega duo, Allison '07 and Kerry '07, and Julie Ellenberger '09, are out to prove that they belong as the number sixth ranked women's team in the country, sandwiched in between many southern schools. One would be hard pressed to find five better players on another team - last year they only played with four and still were the best team in the Northeast.
Not to be forgotten, the men still have one of the most feared one-two punch in the NESCAC with Harrison Bane '08.5 and Chad Bellmare '07. Both look to continue their success and will gladly welcome back Jay Yonamine '07 who returned from a year abroad. Other men on Coach Bill Beaney's squad are equally capable of putting down scores in the low 70's.
Unfortunately, the men's team was delivered an unfortunate blow when captain Mitch St. Peter '06.5 was declared ineligible because according to NCAA regulations he had already played four years of golf. Regardless, St. Peter will continue to be active as an assistant coach.
- Geoff Homer
Cross Country
The cross-country team has runners from all over the country - from Alaska to Maine - but they all share one thing in common: they're good at crossing the finish line.
"We can take on any hill and we thrive in horrible conditions," said women's co-captain Alison Brown '07. "We have minds of steel that drive our legs and pump our hearts." It's no wonder the women's team has been NESCAC champs six out of the last eight years. "With last spring's track superstars Andi Giddings '07 and Alexandra Krieg '09 combined with seniors Makely Lyon and Erin Archard we have a very formidable foursome," said Brown.
The first race of the year for both teams is this weekend's Panther Invitational, where the Blue and White have their sights set on repeating (the women's team has won the event four years in a row). When the gun goes off, look for Jimmy Butcher '08 to separate from the pack. In the two races held on the Middlebury course last year, Butcher won by an average of 18.25 seconds.
With key returnees Will McDonough '07
and Chris Pelliccia '07 (the team's two captains), Butcher will not be completely alone at the front. "The New England Region will be extremely competitive this year," said Butcher. "If we work hard and stay healthy we can surprise a bunch of people on the course."
- Jeff Patterson
Field Hockey
Expectations are high as the Middlebury field hockey team embarks on their 2006 season. Already established as a perennial power, the team hopes that this season does not deviate from recent history and the three consecutive appearances in the NCAA Tournament.
The Panthers opened their 2006 campaign on Saturday with a hard-fought 4-3 victory over Connecticut College. Leading the Panther attack was forward Reid Berrien '08, who tallied two goals, including the game-winner with just six minutes to play. Berrien, last year's leading scorer and a second-team All-American selection, is one of 15 returning players. Other returnees expected to contribute offensively include Nina Daugherty '08 and Lacey Farrell '08. In addition, the Panthers have added six first-years to the team and Berrien is excited about their prospects. "We graduated a lot of strong players, but we also gained a lot of strength in the freshman class."
The team's veteran depth is strong at defense, where co-captains Michelle Archambault '07 and Meg McGillen '07 will anchor the unit. While Archambault believes that the team will be strong defensively, she is most excited about the Panther's overall balance. "Our team is both aggressive in the offensive circle and strong on the defensive line," said Archambault. "Most importantly, I think that we all communicate well and always work together as team."
- Allison Ortega
Volleyball
Four games into the season, the women's volleyball team has already squeaked out two matches in the fifth and deciding game. "We aren't going to be the most powerful team in the league, but we are quick and scrappy," said Lacee Patterson '07, the designated setter on the team. Her younger sister and teammate, Lindsey Patterson '08, agrees: "We might not have huge hitters, but we have the ability to dig whatever is hit our way."
The team is somewhat of a family affair as the Patterson sisters play alongside the Heath sisters (Amy '07 and Kate '09). This family-based familiarity can only help out on the court. "Being the setter, [Lacee] assists every hit of mine and makes me a better player," said Lindsey. "I have so much confidence in every play just knowing that she's going to get the second ball no matter where the pass sends her." Said Lacee of the sister-sister combo: "We have a similar court sense and understanding of the game. It is pretty funny when I call out something he used to tell us and hear her calling the same."
Also bound to contribute to the team's success is the rigorous preseason training the team went through in preparation for the season. "In pre-season we've been working a lot on ball control and smart play. It will be exciting to see what we can do together," said Lacee. Also bolstering the team's odds, appropriately named freshman Reisa Bloch has contributed from the start, as she's played in every game and averaged 3.82 digs.
- Jeff Patterson
Football
The football team heads into this year with loads of optimism. After a disappointing 3-5 season last year, the Panthers are looking to finish over .500 for the first time in five years. Senior co-captains Scott Secor '07 and Jamie Staples '07 both stressed that the team's goal this season is to be 1-0 every week. "We need to find a way to win close games," said Secor. "If we can do that I think we're going to have a good year."
Staples believes that the major difference makers on offense are quarterback Tiger Lyon '07 and running back Stefan Hrdina '07. The offensive question marks for the Panthers include the wide receiver and the offensive line, which is young and will need several first-year players to step-in.
On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Eric Woodring '08 and lineman Kevin Ryan '07 should make their presence known. Ryan will likely be facing double teams all year since every NESCAC coach is aware of his dominance. "I think it might be physically impossible for just one person to block him," said Secor. Woodring, considered to be one of the most athletic players on the team, should take some of the pressure off Ryan by creating some plays himself. Meanwhile, Alex Buggy '07 will look to intimidate opposing quarterbacks at the linebacker position with a face full of war paint and an aggressive vocabulary.
- George Mayer
Rugby
The Middlebury men's rugby team is in good spirits following a grueling week of preseason training. Logging almost twenty hours of practice, the upperclassmen are eager to set the tone for a season of hard work and commitment. After capturing the New England Championship title and sustaining only one loss last season, the team is looking for a repeat performance this fall. Last fall, the ruggers outscored their regular-season opponents 214-10. After losing only two starters, Caleb Constantine and Colby Hewitt to graduation, another New England Championship seems like an attainable reality.
The upperclassmen form a strong foundation in hopes of a successful year. Co-captains Matt Volz '07 and Jimmy Manyuru '07 are both key players who intend to lead the team to a perfect season. According to Craig Wilson '07, the team is most looking forward to playing the Coast Guard Academy, traditionally a tough match-up. With Spencer Cox '08, Pascal Lasombe '07 and Chas Wirene '07 returning, these formidable forces will surely form a daunting challenge for opponents.
This week's open tryouts should only add to the strength of the team. Following this week's tryouts, the team will play Boston University on Saturday. As the season progresses, the challenges will intensify, culminating with the New England Tournament and a potential National Championship bid.
- Brett Swenson
Water Polo
The men's water polo team looks to build on their successful 2005 campaign that included a North Atlantic Division Championship and a birth to the National Tournament.
Coach Brian Goodwin, as well as senior co-captains Dekker Deacon and Andrew Herzik are optimistic about the team's chances to three-peat as the North Atlantic Division Champion.
Last year's goalie graduated, leaving the position vacant, and the defense's ability to limit scoring chances and allow the goalie to develop will be an important ingredient of this year's success. Look for Matt Sullivan '08 and Toshi Kido '08 to have big years. "Sullivan has gotten better each year," said Goodwin, stressing that Sullivan will undoubtedly be a crucial player. Kido is coming off an injury that plagued him in 2005 but has already been "looking good at practice," according to Goodwin.
Dartmouth College will host the first of three league tournaments this season beginning on Sept. 30. The following weekend, Middlebury will travel to the icy waters of the Polar Bears for a match at Bowdoin College. During the weekend of Oct. 28, the Natatorium will be filled with squads competing in the North Atlantic Division Championship.
- James Kerrigan
Crew
If you think 8 a.m. classes are tough, think twice before moaning and grunting your way out of bed. The crew team has been rowing on Lake Dunmore since 5:00 a.m., and both the men's and women's teams have been practicing twice per day in preparation for their first meet on Oct. 1.
Despite the limited number of rowers coming out, the men's team looks to have a successful season with Eric Hoest '07.5 and Dave Wood '07 providing strong leadership to what looks to be a young and rebuilding season. Generally, the fall season is used to get the newcomers acclimated to the returning varsity rowers style, in preparati
on for the more important spring season.
The women's squad also has a shortage. However, the small numbers have not stopped them from rowing extremely well, according to Coach Alex Machi. Noting that most rowers take a few years to get their form down, Machi is impressed with the progress the women have made in such a short time.
Both the men and women have modest expectations for the fall. As the team is relatively full of novice rowers, Machi is looking for more experienced rowers to join both squads. The goal is to get the newcomers comfortable with their roles as they progress through the fall, culminating with the season-ending Head of the Fish regatta in Saratoga Springs.
- Geoff Homer
Fall Sports Preview
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