An up and down week for Thoroughbred athletes

It was an up and down week for the fall sports teams as the season reached its midway point. Men’s tennis was dominant in its lone league match of the fall and golf secured a berth into the Liberty League championships in April. Field hockey went 1-1 against nationally ranked opponents to open conference play, men’s soccer also posted a 1-1 record for the week and women’s soccer soccer opened its Liberty League schedule with a pair of ties. Women’s tennis competed at the ITA Northeast Regionals and volleyball hosted the 2014 Skidmore Classic, playing its first home matches of the season.

Men’s tennis played its first Liberty League match, cruising to a 9-0 win at Bard College. Kai Yuen Leung ’17 notched a 6-1, 6-1 win at number-one singles and combined with Jonah Epstein ’16 for an 8-0 win at number-two doubles. Reigning Liberty League Doubles Team of the Week Nick Tong ’16 and Steven Koulouris ’18 were 8-3 winners at number-one doubles.  The team travels to Bates College for the Wallach Invitational Oct. 11-12.

Golf shot 302-303—605, placing third at the Liberty League qualifier and earning a spot in the Liberty League Championships to be held in Rochester in April. Mitchell Campbell ’17 was the team’s top finisher, tying for ninth with 73-75—148. Mackenzie Nelson ’17 tied for 13th with 79-73—152, one stroke ahead of teammate Tim Manwaring ’16, who shot a 76-77—153. The team closes out its fall schedule Oct. 11-12 at the NYU Invitational.

Seventh-ranked field hockey took on a pair of nationally ranked opponents on the road, topping No. 17 William Smith and falling 1-0 in overtime at the 20th-ranked University of Rochester. Dani DeGregory ’17 scored her fourth hat trick of the season against William Smith, while goalkeeper Amy Beck ’15 made five saves for her seventh win. The Thoroughbreds (7-2, 2-1 Liberty League) pressed in the second half against Rochester, outshooting the Yellowjackets 10-3, but Rochester hung on and found the winning goal 2:37 into overtime. Skidmore hosts fourth-ranked Middlebury at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Men’s soccer scored two goals in the final 15:32, securing a 3-1 win at MCLA before suffering a 2-1 setback against Vassar. Robby Smukler ’15 netted his first two goals of the season and Tim Sullivan’s ’16 first goal proved to be the game-winner. Goalkeeper Eli Kisselbach ’16 tied a season-high with eight saves in the win. Brock Bakewell ’15 scored an equalizer in the 78th minute against Vassar, but the Brewers struck back just over two minutes later, stealing the 2-1 win. The Thoroughbreds (5-4-1, 0-2 Liberty League) welcome Williams College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.

Women’s soccer played two overtime contests, drawing 1-1 at Union before battling to a scoreless tie at Vassar. Christina Sanzari ’18 tallied her first collegiate goal against Union and goalkeeper Deirdre Walsh ’17 made a career-high nine saves, including two in overtime, to preserve the tie. The Thoroughbreds (3-3-2, 0-0-2 Liberty League) dominated the two overtime periods against Vassar, outshooting the Brewers 7-2, but they could not find the winner. Walsh made two saves, earning her second shutout of the season. The team hosts Middlebury College at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 1.

Women’s tennis competed at the ITA Northeast Regionals Sept. 27-29. Madie Benn ’17 and Brianna Greene ’18 highlighted the tournament for the Thoroughbreds, advancing to the doubles semifinals. Benn got through to the singles quarterfinals, while the team of Yumi Karlshoej ’15 and Zoe Valella ’15 advanced to the doubles quarterfinals. The team competes at the New York State Tournament Oct. 10-12.

Volleyball was topped in matches against Sage, St. John Fisher, Hamilton and Middlebury at the 2014 Skidmore Classic.  The team dropped two tightly contested matches on the first day, falling 3-1 (14-25, 25-23, 21-25, 24-26) against Sage and 3-2 (23-25, 15-25, 25-19, 25-21, 9-15). Defensive specialist Marcela Familiar-Bolanos ’17 led the team in digs in all four matches, earning all-tournament honors. The Thoroughbreds open Liberty League play on the road Oct. 3-4 with matches against Clarkson, Vassar, Bard and St. Lawrence. ~ By Dan St.-Jacques