Winning weekend for Skidmore athletics
Five Skidmore athletic programs went a combined 17-1 this weekend as men's and women's soccer each notched two wins, women's volleyball compiled a 3-1 record, field hockey squeaked out a victory, and women's tennis dominated its fall opener.
Kelsey Russell ’14 was named tournament MVP, and Christine Belotti '14 and Morgan Governale '15 were All-Tournament selections as the women's soccer team remained undefeated at the Rutland Herald Invitational tournament at Castleton State. The Thoroughbreds took down UMass-Boston 2-1 on Saturday and captured the championship Sunday with a 1-0 win against Simmons College. Skidmore hosts SUNY Oneonta at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 14.
The men's soccer team made use of its home-field advantage, recording wins against the Sage Colleges and the College at Old Westbury. Adam Beek '15 tallied the game-winning goal in the 63rd minute of the Thoroughbreds’ 2-1 win against Sage Friday, and Brock Bakewell '16 registered his second career hat trick in the 4-1 victory against Old Westbury Sunday. The team returns to action Sept. 13-14 when it hosts SUNY Potsdam at 7:30 p.m. Friday and SUNY New Paltz at 6:30 p.m. Saturday.
The women's volleyball team improved to 6-1 on the season, winning three of four matches at the Rochester Invitational tournament. Skidmore opened with a 3-0 shutout against Oswego State and suffered a 3-1 setback against SUNY New Paltz Friday, and it needed only six sets to down the host University of Rochester and St. John's Fisher Saturday. The team travels to the Union Invitational Sept. 13-14.
In field hockey, the Thoroughbreds rallied from a 4-2 deficit, scoring three unanswered goals for their second win of the year. Sam Skott '15 contributed with her first two goals of the season and Kelly Blackhurst '14 chipped in with two goals and two assists. Skidmore plays its home opener 4 p.m. Wednesday against SUNY Oneonta.
Women's tennis was nearly perfect in the team's 9-0 win against Liberty League rival Bard College in the team's fall opener. The Thoroughbreds dropped only four games in singles and won every match in straight sets. They travel to the Williams Invitational Sept. 14-15. ~ By Dan St.-Jacques