Hockey
Joe Meloni
Freshman James Marcou scored his fourth goal of the season with 5 minutes, 34 seconds remaining in the third period, lifting No. 9 UMass over No. 6 Notre Dame in the opening game of the Lightning College Hockey Classic in Tampa, Fla.
UMass will take on the winner of No. 4 Colorado College-No. 17 Rensselaer Sunday night in the championship game of the four-team tournament.
Junior Cory Quirk led the way for the Minutemen with four points on a goal and three assists. Senior P.J. Fenton had his second consecutive three assist game for UMass.
Mike Kostka scored the first goal of the game for UMass on the power play - one of three power-play goals for the Minutemen on the night. Entering the matchup, the Fighting Irish killed 92.6 percent of opponent's power plays but struggled against the Minutemen.
Sophomore Justin Braun scored UMass's second goal on the man advantage which tied the game at 3-3 late in the second period. The teams played over 14 minutes of scoreless hockey in the third period until Marcou put the Minutemen ahead.
In their last two games, the UMass power play has accounted for five goals on 10 opportunties.
Freshman goaltender Paul Dainton earned his fifth win of the season for the Minutemen, making 29 saves. Although the third period fell in favor of UMass, the Fighting Irish out-shot the Minutemen 13-6 in the period.
With 51 seconds left in the game, junior Alex Berry received a major penalty for boarding. The hit gave ND a 6-on-4 advantage in the final minute after ND coach Jeff Jackson pulled goaltender Jordan Pearce. But the Fighting Irish failed to take advantage as Dainton saved the one shot they forced in the final minute.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
First half recap; 44-25 UMass
Men's Basketball
Michael King
Mercifully the first half just ended for Boston University; the Terriers scored only 25 points. Gary Forbes led all scorers with 15 points. The senior already has notched a double-double with 10 rebounds.
The teams are tied with 24 rebounds, a surprising stat considering BU's lack of height in the front court. But 12 offensive rebounds allowed the Terriers to mask their low shooting percentage of 26 percent.
The Terriers play on offense was aneimic at times during the first 10 minutes. In one sequence, two BU players bricked 3-point attempts while closely guarded. The second rebound attempt resulted in the BU player jumping too soon and grabbing the rim instead of the ball.
By the 14-minute mark of the half, the Minutemen had already established a 20-point lead with the score 35-15.
Being located in one of America's 20 largest cities and with an undergraduate student body of over 20,000, you have to wonder how the Terriers average about 1,500 fans per home game. But judging by BU's offensive performance this evening, you can understand why people won't consistently come out and watch this team. The team's slow-down, half-court style is reminisicent of the UMass team's from the Steve Lappas era but stand in sharp contrast to this year's up-tempo Minutemen.
Michael King
Mercifully the first half just ended for Boston University; the Terriers scored only 25 points. Gary Forbes led all scorers with 15 points. The senior already has notched a double-double with 10 rebounds.
The teams are tied with 24 rebounds, a surprising stat considering BU's lack of height in the front court. But 12 offensive rebounds allowed the Terriers to mask their low shooting percentage of 26 percent.
The Terriers play on offense was aneimic at times during the first 10 minutes. In one sequence, two BU players bricked 3-point attempts while closely guarded. The second rebound attempt resulted in the BU player jumping too soon and grabbing the rim instead of the ball.
By the 14-minute mark of the half, the Minutemen had already established a 20-point lead with the score 35-15.
Being located in one of America's 20 largest cities and with an undergraduate student body of over 20,000, you have to wonder how the Terriers average about 1,500 fans per home game. But judging by BU's offensive performance this evening, you can understand why people won't consistently come out and watch this team. The team's slow-down, half-court style is reminisicent of the UMass team's from the Steve Lappas era but stand in sharp contrast to this year's up-tempo Minutemen.
The Lowe, Lowe and Lo show
Men's Basketball
Michael King
There's a good chance that someone named with the last name that's pronounced as 'low' will be one of the primary factors in tonight's game against Boston University. The Minutemen have junior point guard Chris Lowe, who leads the team in assists and averages about 11 points per game. UMass also has freshmen center Papa Lo who is developing into a shotblocking sensation. Last time out against CCSU last weekend, Lo blocked six shots in 12 minutes of action.
Meanwhile the Terriers are led by sophomore point guard Corey Lowe. He averages a team-high 19.1 points per game and 4.6 rebounds.
There's a surprisingly large crowd at the Mullins Center this evening, considering the New England Patriots kick off in less than 45 minutes. Though the crowd will be well below its average size especially since students are not on campus.
Michael King
There's a good chance that someone named with the last name that's pronounced as 'low' will be one of the primary factors in tonight's game against Boston University. The Minutemen have junior point guard Chris Lowe, who leads the team in assists and averages about 11 points per game. UMass also has freshmen center Papa Lo who is developing into a shotblocking sensation. Last time out against CCSU last weekend, Lo blocked six shots in 12 minutes of action.
Meanwhile the Terriers are led by sophomore point guard Corey Lowe. He averages a team-high 19.1 points per game and 4.6 rebounds.
There's a surprisingly large crowd at the Mullins Center this evening, considering the New England Patriots kick off in less than 45 minutes. Though the crowd will be well below its average size especially since students are not on campus.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
ECAC preseason poll
Men's Lacrosse
Michael King
The coaches of the ECAC Lacrosse League picked UMass to finish second in the conference this season. The Minutemen are coming off a 7-7 campaign from 2007 that did not lead to an NCAA tournament bid. UMass has talent at most positions including junior Doc Schneider, defenseman Sean Krygier and junior attackman Jim Connolly.
Georgetown was picked to win the league and has enough depth to outclass the other teams in the league. The Hoyas have a unique combination of senior leadership and skilled sophomores that could make them national title contenders in May.
Here how the league shapes up:
1. Georgetown
2. UMass
3. Loyola
4. Penn State
5. Rutgers
6. St. John's
7. Fairfield
8. Hobart
Michael King
The coaches of the ECAC Lacrosse League picked UMass to finish second in the conference this season. The Minutemen are coming off a 7-7 campaign from 2007 that did not lead to an NCAA tournament bid. UMass has talent at most positions including junior Doc Schneider, defenseman Sean Krygier and junior attackman Jim Connolly.
Georgetown was picked to win the league and has enough depth to outclass the other teams in the league. The Hoyas have a unique combination of senior leadership and skilled sophomores that could make them national title contenders in May.
Here how the league shapes up:
1. Georgetown
2. UMass
3. Loyola
4. Penn State
5. Rutgers
6. St. John's
7. Fairfield
8. Hobart
Friday, December 14, 2007
Demon Deacons take first semi
Michael King
Men's Soccer
Wake Forest won the first semifinal match-up with two second half goals against Virginia Tech. Forward Marcus Tracy scored both goals for the Demon Deacons.
The first came off of a free kick from the right side of the field near the 18-yard box. Tracy jumped in the air and simultaneously redirected the ball into the goal. In the 83rd minute, Tracy beat the goalie with a shot from 15 yards out to the right side.
Virgina Tech had several opportunities to score within the last 20 minutes, including one shot that hit the post. On several occasions, the Hokie forwards were looking for foul calls within the 18-yard box but received no favor from the referee.
Wake will play the winner of Massachusetts and Ohio State Sunday at 3 pm at SAS Soccer Park.
Photo by Brian Tedder
UMass 0, Ohio State 0 at halftime
Live from the College Cup
Joe Meloni
CARY, N.C. - UMass and OSU entered the break tied, 0-0. But the score is the only stat not heavily in slanted in favor of the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes forced far more chances than the Minutemen, and maintained possession for a significant portion of the half. In the 10th minute, Roger Espinoza crossed into the UMass penalty area in front of goalkeeper Zack SImmons. Doug Verhoff perfectly timed the bicycle kick and lined it on net, but it flew over the crossbar.
UMass's best chance came in the third minute. After stealing a pass, Mike DeSantis played the ball long to brother Mark. The sophomore dribbled around a defender and linded up a left-footed shot, but OSU back Eric Brunner blocked the shot.
Sophomore back Dan Lepone received a yellow card in the final minutes of the half for a hard tackle on an OSU midfielder as they both pursued a loose ball.
Check back after the second half for more From the Press Box...
Joe Meloni
CARY, N.C. - UMass and OSU entered the break tied, 0-0. But the score is the only stat not heavily in slanted in favor of the Buckeyes.
The Buckeyes forced far more chances than the Minutemen, and maintained possession for a significant portion of the half. In the 10th minute, Roger Espinoza crossed into the UMass penalty area in front of goalkeeper Zack SImmons. Doug Verhoff perfectly timed the bicycle kick and lined it on net, but it flew over the crossbar.
UMass's best chance came in the third minute. After stealing a pass, Mike DeSantis played the ball long to brother Mark. The sophomore dribbled around a defender and linded up a left-footed shot, but OSU back Eric Brunner blocked the shot.
Sophomore back Dan Lepone received a yellow card in the final minutes of the half for a hard tackle on an OSU midfielder as they both pursued a loose ball.
Check back after the second half for more From the Press Box...
And in the other game
Live at the College Cup
Joe Meloni
CARY, N.C. - At halftime, the national semifinal match between Wake Forest and Virginia Tech is scoreless. Both teams forced chances, but superb goalkeeping maintained the 0-0 tie.
As the half ended, the Minutemen entered the SAS Soccer Park. The normally upbeat team kept a reserved demeanor as it ascended the bleachers led by captain Zack Simmons.
UMass and Ohio State kick off at 7 p.m. as of right now. But all of that depends on the first game. Late in the opening period, Wake forward Marcus Tracy dribbled through the VT defenders and walked in alone on goalkeeper Markus Aigner. Tracy tried to hit the far post with Aigner covering the near side, but the shot skipped wide, rolling harmlessly out of bounds.
Aigner and Demon Deacon goalkeeper Brian Edwards each made a pair of saves in the game. The match adopted an agressive feel late in the half. A hard tackle on the right flank by VT's Robert Edmans drew a yellow card from official Alex Gorin.
Check back after the game for more From the Press Box...
Photo by Brian Tedder
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Men's Soccer preps for Final Four
Men's Soccer
Michael King
As UMass coach Sam Koch prepares for the program's first-ever NCAA College Cup appearance, he recieved a special call earlier this week from a former UMass coach who took his team to the Final Four in 1996.
"[John] Calipari called me and told that's its just another game and that we should keep doing what we've been doing. That was refreshing, because that's what we've been trying to do," Koch said.
Though the experience of the former men's basketball coach would be an asset to any coach, Koch hopes to have more success in the Final Four than his counterpart. Calipari's squad was defeated by eventual national champion Kentucky in the semifinal game.
Michael King
As UMass coach Sam Koch prepares for the program's first-ever NCAA College Cup appearance, he recieved a special call earlier this week from a former UMass coach who took his team to the Final Four in 1996.
"[John] Calipari called me and told that's its just another game and that we should keep doing what we've been doing. That was refreshing, because that's what we've been trying to do," Koch said.
Though the experience of the former men's basketball coach would be an asset to any coach, Koch hopes to have more success in the Final Four than his counterpart. Calipari's squad was defeated by eventual national champion Kentucky in the semifinal game.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Hockey
Joe Meloni
A two-goal third period sealed UMass's 4-1 victory over New Hampshire. Senior P.J. Fenton capped a career performance with a goal and an assist in the frame.
The win lifts UMass to a second-place tie with idle Boston College.
The Fenton score came on a power play when he redirected a shot from sophomore winger Will Ortiz through the legs of UNH's Brian Foster.
Fenton's senior season hasn't gotten off to a very prolific start, coming into tonight's matchup he had four points in the season's first 14 games.
Quirk's score came late in the period with the Minutemen already ahead 3-1. Fenton shot from the point hit the skate of Foster and kicked over to Quirk who slapped home the rebound. The Minutemen are now 38-0-1 in their last 39 games when scoring at least four goals.
Joe Meloni
A two-goal third period sealed UMass's 4-1 victory over New Hampshire. Senior P.J. Fenton capped a career performance with a goal and an assist in the frame.
The win lifts UMass to a second-place tie with idle Boston College.
The Fenton score came on a power play when he redirected a shot from sophomore winger Will Ortiz through the legs of UNH's Brian Foster.
Fenton's senior season hasn't gotten off to a very prolific start, coming into tonight's matchup he had four points in the season's first 14 games.
Quirk's score came late in the period with the Minutemen already ahead 3-1. Fenton shot from the point hit the skate of Foster and kicked over to Quirk who slapped home the rebound. The Minutemen are now 38-0-1 in their last 39 games when scoring at least four goals.
UMass up after 2
Hockey
Jeremy Rice
UMass 2, UNH 1
The Minutemen jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Mike Radja's second period goal closed the gap, but the Mass Attack looks like the sharper team tonight in the Mullins Center.
UMass broke a 98 minute, 47 second scoreless streak at 1:17 with David Leaderer's second goal of the season. P.J. Fenton sent a cross-ice pass in the neutral zone that found a speedy Chris Davis. Davis carried the pucked into the offensive zone and sent a shot at Brian Foster, who let the rebound trickle to his right in the crease, where Leaderer poked it home for the 1-0 lead.
Freshman Michael Lecomte made it a two-goal game with a smart play on a loose puck. Fenton again was the second assist on the play, digging the puck out of the corner. Marcou gathered it at the right face off circle and quickly fed Lecomte in the slot. Lecomte one-timed it over Foster's right shoulder.
Radja's goal brought the Wildcats back within striking distance at 16:24. The UNH assistant captain fought off nearly every Minuteman on the ice as he skated from behind the goal line to the right of the net, carried the puck across the crease and backhanded the shot past UMass goalie Paul Dainton.
Fenton is now 20th all-time at UMass with 44 career assists.
Six total players were given two-minute minor penalties at 17:28 for hitting after the whistle, as a scuffle broke out in front of the UNH net. Lecomte, Alex Berry and James Marcou for UMass, and Jamie Fritsch, Peter LeBlanc and James van Riemsdyk for UNH.
UMass was outshot 18-12 in the second period.
More From the Press Box after the third period ...
Jeremy Rice
UMass 2, UNH 1
The Minutemen jumped out to a 2-0 lead before Mike Radja's second period goal closed the gap, but the Mass Attack looks like the sharper team tonight in the Mullins Center.
UMass broke a 98 minute, 47 second scoreless streak at 1:17 with David Leaderer's second goal of the season. P.J. Fenton sent a cross-ice pass in the neutral zone that found a speedy Chris Davis. Davis carried the pucked into the offensive zone and sent a shot at Brian Foster, who let the rebound trickle to his right in the crease, where Leaderer poked it home for the 1-0 lead.
Freshman Michael Lecomte made it a two-goal game with a smart play on a loose puck. Fenton again was the second assist on the play, digging the puck out of the corner. Marcou gathered it at the right face off circle and quickly fed Lecomte in the slot. Lecomte one-timed it over Foster's right shoulder.
Radja's goal brought the Wildcats back within striking distance at 16:24. The UNH assistant captain fought off nearly every Minuteman on the ice as he skated from behind the goal line to the right of the net, carried the puck across the crease and backhanded the shot past UMass goalie Paul Dainton.
Fenton is now 20th all-time at UMass with 44 career assists.
Six total players were given two-minute minor penalties at 17:28 for hitting after the whistle, as a scuffle broke out in front of the UNH net. Lecomte, Alex Berry and James Marcou for UMass, and Jamie Fritsch, Peter LeBlanc and James van Riemsdyk for UNH.
UMass was outshot 18-12 in the second period.
More From the Press Box after the third period ...
Stalemate at Mullins
Hockey
Jeremy Rice
Massachusetts 0, New Hampshire 0
Despite being short on personnel both on the ice and on the bench, the Massachusetts hockey team is scoreless after one period with New Hampshire.
Wildcat goaltender Kevin Regan is not playing. In his place is sophomore Brian Foster, who is 2-0-1 this season in three games played with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
UMass forward Chase Langeraap was ejected from the game with 5:30 remaining in the first period after incurring a 5-minute game misconduct for hitting from behind in the corner of the UNH end of the ice. Although the hit looked inadvertent, Langeraap was forced to hit the locker rooms, and UMass coach Don Cahoon did not appear to put up much protest to the call.
Freshman Doug Kublin and junior John Wessbecker are not in the game tonight. Martin Nolet returned once again to his usual defeseman position next to captain Mike Kostka. Redshirt fresman Kevin Kessler is the sixth blue liner for UMass.
Shortly after an unproductive power play, the Mass Attack found itself two men down on the ice and one more short on the bench. Following Langeraap's game misconduct, Will Ortiz was whistled for slashing, and UNH's Kevin Kapstad was still in the penalty box for roughing.
UNH played a brief 4-on-3 before getting back to full strength for one minute, 20 seconds of the two-man advantage. UMass, however, stiffened up in their own zone, giving up very scoring chances to the Wildcats.
More From the Press Box after the second period...
Jeremy Rice
Massachusetts 0, New Hampshire 0
Despite being short on personnel both on the ice and on the bench, the Massachusetts hockey team is scoreless after one period with New Hampshire.
Wildcat goaltender Kevin Regan is not playing. In his place is sophomore Brian Foster, who is 2-0-1 this season in three games played with a 2.55 goals-against average and a .918 save percentage.
UMass forward Chase Langeraap was ejected from the game with 5:30 remaining in the first period after incurring a 5-minute game misconduct for hitting from behind in the corner of the UNH end of the ice. Although the hit looked inadvertent, Langeraap was forced to hit the locker rooms, and UMass coach Don Cahoon did not appear to put up much protest to the call.
Freshman Doug Kublin and junior John Wessbecker are not in the game tonight. Martin Nolet returned once again to his usual defeseman position next to captain Mike Kostka. Redshirt fresman Kevin Kessler is the sixth blue liner for UMass.
Shortly after an unproductive power play, the Mass Attack found itself two men down on the ice and one more short on the bench. Following Langeraap's game misconduct, Will Ortiz was whistled for slashing, and UNH's Kevin Kapstad was still in the penalty box for roughing.
UNH played a brief 4-on-3 before getting back to full strength for one minute, 20 seconds of the two-man advantage. UMass, however, stiffened up in their own zone, giving up very scoring chances to the Wildcats.
More From the Press Box after the second period...
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