USTA/ITA regional doubles championship tops strong week

Senior Spencer Cheng (Wainbridge Island, Wash.) and freshman Jimmy Sherpa (West Vancouver, B.C.) earned a trip to the USTA/ITA Small College Championships after a 6-4, 6-3 win over TCNJ's Eckardt/Riley in the Division III Northeast Regional finals. Cheng and Sherpa will play Oct. 14-17 in Mobile, Ala. In singles, freshman Oliver Loutsenko (Bellmore, N.Y.) made it to the semifinals and was one of six Thoroughbreds to reach the round of 16 in the 64-player tournament, which took place this past weekend. 

Field hockey improved to 8-1 and has won seven straight after a 2-0 week highlighted by duplicate shutouts. The Thoroughbreds beat No. 13 Middlebury and Utica College by identical scores of 3-0. Against the Panthers, junior Annie Rosencrans (Riverside, Conn.) scored two goals and senior goalie Liz Catinella (Sudbury, Mass.) made seven saves. At Utica, freshman Kelly Blackhurst (North River, N.Y.) and seniors Brittany O'Brien (Ridgefield, Conn.) and Claire Superak (Carrboro, N.C) each scored to lead Skidmore. The team returns to action Friday, Oct. 8, at Vassar.

Women's soccer posted a 2-0 week featuring a 1-0 at 25 ^th-ranked Amherst. Freshman Christine Bellotti (Medfield, Mass.) scored the game's lone goal and Meghan Sleezer (Gloversville, N.Y.) made seven saves in the shutout. The Thoroughbreds came back to post a 6-1 win Saturday over Utica. Freshman Jenna Spooner (Northampton, Mass.) scored twice and senior Kate Ito (Hopkinton, Mass.), junior Elena Stansky (Worcester, Mass.), and sophomore Michelle Finan (Richmond, Vt.) also tallied scores. Skidmore improved to 5-3-2 and will host St. Lawrence at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 8, in Liberty League action.

Women's tennis went 2-0, picking up a 6-3 win at UAlbany and beating Union 9-0. Freshman Melissa Hirsch (Alamo, Calif.) posted a 4-0 record on the week, winning number-three singles and doubles at Albany and number-one singles and doubles at Union. Classmate Molly Nolan (Montauk, N.Y.) went 3-1, winning at number-two doubles against the Great Danes and earning wins at number-two singles and doubles at Union. The Thoroughbreds return to action Saturday, Oct. 9 at the Gail Smith Doubles Tournament, hosted by Middlebury College.

Men's soccer helped Coach Ron McEachen earn his 100 ^th career victory at Skidmore with a 5-1 win over MCLA in its only action of the week. Junior Pat Wildes (Hamden, Conn.) scored twice and classmate Diego Reinero (Princeton, N.J.) and sophomore Aaron Krepack (Mill Valley, Calif.) each had a goal and an assist for the Thoroughbreds. They improved to 4-4-2 on the year and host Southern Vermont at 4 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 5.

Volleyball posted a 2-2 record at the Oneonta Red Dragon Invitational this past weekend. Senior Meredith Palmer (Montvale, N.J.) was an All-Tournament Team selection after recording double-digit kills in all four matches, totaling 55, and also led the team with 15 blocks. Skidmore is now 11-3 and returns to action Friday, Oct. 8, at the Liberty Preview Tournament, hosted by Union College.