Teams to Vie for Seventh Consecutive Conference Titles

Published 10.12.2009

News
Wildcat Weekly

Alyssa M. Covas (9) and some her Wildcat teammates, during Thursday's match against Penn State Abington. (Photo by Michael S. Fischer, student photographer)Vol. 8, No. 9 (Through Sunday, Oct. 11)

Wildcat TalesFollowing is a look ahead, as two Pennsylvania College of Technology's sports teams seek to defend their Penn State University Athletic Conference championships, and a recap of last week's action. During the past week, Penn College teams won 11 games and lost two.

On the HorizonSince 2003, Penn College golf and men's cross-country teams each have won six straight conference championships. The golfers look for their seventh consecutive title Monday and Tuesday on Penn State's Blue Course, while the men's cross-country squad does so Saturday at Penn State Scranton.

Although the Wildcats haven't had the same measure of success during the regular golf season as teams in the recent past going 12-4 with one tourney win, two seconds and a third first-year coach Matt Haile said they are two good rounds from ending the campaign on a high.

"Definitely, it's not going to be a walk in the park, but, if Eric Schall (Jersey Shore) and Craig Flint (Port Allegany) can break through and peak, I think we're right there," Haile said. "Anything can happen in a two-day tournament. If our guys play two solid rounds, keep it under 85, I think we'll be in contention for another (championship)."

Joining Schall and Flint will be Kevin Durnin (Havertown), Dean Bell (Schwenksville), Kurt Linhart (Zionsville) and Dan Krammer (Burlington, Conn.). Scores of the low four count toward the team title.

In addition to the men's cross-country runners shooting for another team title, Mark Cordeiro (Canton) is defending his individual crown.

"There's nobody close to him. The closest guy is 2 1/2- to 3-minutes back, and that is Jeff Faherty (Sussex, N.J.) on our team. Unless Mark pulls a hamstring, he should get another individual championship," coach Mike Paulhamus forecast.

Top Wildcats in addition to Cordeiro are Faherty, Brad Robinson (West Chester), Seth Beckman (Linden) and Corvin Oberholtzer (Wellsboro).

"We're running pretty good and I feel confident on the guys' side," Paulhamus said. He noted that, on the women's side, the loss of one runner will make taking double team championships a bit tougher. Men run an 8-kilometer distance and women a 6-K course.

Leading the Lady Wildcats is Tamara Pavlov (Lewisburg), who took an individual title two years ago. Also running will be Hollie Schuster (Jersey Shore), Abigail Schuler (Waynesboro), Abigail Park (Cochranville) and Alyssa Giedroc (Howard).

Going into the championships, the men are 27-9 overall and 9-0 in the PSUAC. The women are 15-9-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

FlashbackMen's SoccerOn Saturday, Morris Sayon (Upper Darby) scored one goal and had two assists and Steven Bullock (Manheim) scored twice as Penn College outdid Penn State Mont Alto. The Wildcats dominated with 37 shots on goal to just two for Mont Alto. On Saturday, Penn College travels to twice-beaten Penn State Beaver. In the most recent Penn State University Athletic Conference standings, Penn College is tied for first with Penn State York. In the most recent United States Collegiate Athletic Association rankings, it is sixth.

Women's SoccerEarly in the week, stepping up against NCAA Division III Susquehanna University, the Wildcats fell, 4-0. On Saturday, they rebounded as Katie Moltz (Pottstown) scored two goals in a 3-0 win over Penn State DuBois and they maintained their No. 1 ranking in the USCAA.

Women's VolleyballThe Wildcats opened the week with a three-game win over Penn State Hazleton. Alyssa Covas (Pottsville) had six aces and five kills, Tara Powell (Burgettstown) had 15 kills and Ashley Matson (Troy) had three blocks and four kills. In their second outing of the week against Penn State Abington, the Wildcats won all three games. On Saturday, the Wildcats completed a 4-0 week and ran their win streak to eight matches with 3-0 victories over Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State York. Against Wilkes-Barre, Kate Todorich (Mountain Top) had seven aces and Covas had nine kills. Against York, Lyndsey Smith (Mechanicsburg) had 10 digs; Powell, 10 kills; and Covas, six blocks and four kills. Penn College is ranked fourth in the PSUAC and No. 20 in the USCAA.

Coed TennisPenn College swept Penn State Mont Alto on Wednesday, taking all nine singles and doubles matches. It did the same on Saturday against Penn State Lehigh Valley to remain No. 1 in the PSUAC standings. Double winners Saturday were Bob Kemrer (Milton), Jay Myers (Houlton, Maine), Danielle Trout (Harrisburg) and Rachel Emmons (Washington, N.J.)

Cross-CountryAt the Penn State Lehigh Valley Invitational, the Penn College men finished first among four teams (3-0 overall and PSUAC) and the Penn College women were second to Penn State Scranton (0-1, 0-1). Mark Cordeiro (Canton) led the men with a first-place finish in 29:29. Holly Schuster (Jersey Shore) placed second overall for the Penn College women in 21:15.

Recent Results/Upcoming Games Cross-Country Men's overall record: 27-9 PSUAC record: 9-0 Women's overall record: 15-9-1 PSUAC record: 2-1Saturday, Oct. 10 at Penn State Lehigh Valley Invitational, men finished first in a four-team field, women finished second in a two-team field Saturday, Oct. 17 PSUAC Championships at Penn State Scranton, 1 p.m.

Golf Overall record: 12-4 PSUAC record: 12-4Monday-Tuesday, Oct. 12-13 at PSUAC Championships, Penn State Blue Course

Team Tennis Overall record: 9-0 PSUAC record: 9-0Wednesday, Oct. 7 host Penn State Mont Alto, W, 9-0 Saturday, Oct. 10 at Penn State Lehigh Valley, W, 9-0 Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Penn State York, 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 host Penn State Wilkes-Barre (2), noon

Men's Soccer Overall record: 13-1-1 PSUAC record: 8-0-1Saturday, Oct. 10 host Penn State Mont Alto, W, 6-1 Saturday, Oct. 17 at Penn State Beaver, 4 p.m.

Women's Soccer Overall record: 6-3Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Susquehanna University, L, 4-0 Saturday, Oct. 10 host Penn State DuBois, W, 3-0 Thursday, Oct. 15 host Reading Community College, 5 p.m.

Women's Volleyball Overall record: 12-9 PSUAC record: 10-3Tuesday, Oct. 6 at Penn State Hazleton, W, 3-0 (25-16, 25-13, 25-19) Thursday, Oct. 8 host Penn State Abington (nonconference), W, 3-0 (25-4, 25-9, 25-9) Saturday, Oct. 10 host Penn State Wilkes-Barre and Penn State York, def. Penn State Wilkes-Barre, 3-0 (25-1, 25-12, 25-6); def. Penn State York, 3-0 (25-23, 25-15, 25-15) Tuesday, Oct. 13 at Penn State Wilkes-Barre, 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 15 at Penn State Schuylkill, 7 p.m.