Athletes use break to launch spring campaigns

Men's lacrosse is off to a 4-1 start highlighted by its win over No. 6 Dickinson last Wednesday in Florida. The Thoroughbreds upended the Devils behind three goals from senior Ben Cornell (Natick, Mass.) and 17 saves from junior goalie Connor Dowling (Darien, Conn.). The Thoroughbreds returned home and on Saturday had a dominating 14-2 win over Clark that saw eight different players score a goal. Sophomore Mike Perlow's (Briarcliff, N.Y.) led the effort with four goals and one assist. Skidmore hosts Williams at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23. 

Baseball posted a 7-1 record during its spring break trip to Fort Myers, Fla. The Thoroughbreds allowed just 18 runs in seven wins and saw strong pitching performances from senior Nick Laracuente (Tenafly, N.J.) and junior Zack Rudman (Pittsford, N.Y.). At the plate, sophomores Leejay Pollacchi (Porter Corners, N.Y.) and Matty Tatkow (Sudbury, Mass.) had a strong week. Skidmore begins defense of its 2010 Liberty League championship this Saturday at Rochester.

Women's lacrosse posted a 2-0 record this past week to improve to 3-0 on the year. In an 11-10 victory at McDaniel, the Thoroughbreds rallied from a four-goal deficit at half to win on senior Lindsay Stavola's (Montauk, N.Y.) game-winner with 48.9 seconds remaining. Stavola finished with three goals and an assist and classmate Kimberly Segalas (Stamford, Conn.) had four goals. In its second game of the week, Skidmore cruised to a 14-2 win over Wisconsin-Concordia as 13 different players recorded at least a point. Senior Sydney Weill (Woodbridge, Conn.) finished with a game-high five points on three goals and two assists to lead the way. The Thoroughbreds host Castleton at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 22.

Men's tennis opened its spring trip with a 5-2 win over Division I Lafayette, but then suffered four straight defeats to top-20 teams. Freshman Oliver Loutsenko (Bellmore, N.Y.) had a successful week, posting 2-0 records in matches against Lafayette and Bowdoin. Skidmore returns to action this Saturday at Stevens.

Women's tennis posted a 2-2 record highlighted by wins over No. 23 UT Tyler and No. 20 Rochester. The Thoroughbreds dominated in the UT Tyler match, winning 8-1 as senior Rachel Loeb (Greenwood Village, Colo.), junior Tory Engros (Bronxville, N.Y.), sophomore Nataly Mendoza (San Francisco, Calif.) and freshman Sophia Bryan-Ajania (San Rafael, Calif.) all posted 2-0 records. Skidmore travels to Vassar this Saturday, March 26.

Golf opened its spring schedule with an 11-stroke victory at the Saints Invitational in Port St. Lucie, Fla. The Thoroughbreds secured second through sixth, led by junior Peter Anderson (Wellesley, Mass. ) and freshman Scott Pinder (Saskatoon, SK ) tying for second place with a 73, one stroke behind first. Skidmore returns to action April 2 at the Yale Invitational.

Softball went 2-8 at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. The Thoroughbreds suffered two extra-inning losses and four losses by two runs or fewer. They dominated in their wins, defeating Hood 16-7 in six innings and Roger Williams 9-2. Softball is at Utica at 1 p.m. Saturday. ~ By Cody Berschwinger