Wednesday, November 29, 2006
Assumption College Weekly Sports Note Book

Basketball teams sweep past Saint Anselm;
Football's Jake Beers named all-New England;
Dustin Zitzmann, Jared Kelly receive WAFA awards

WORCESTER, Mass. --- Junior forward COREY DIETHORN (Pittsburgh, PA/Sewickley Academy) scored on a nifty feed from freshman guard COURTLAND BLUFORD (Ft. Washington, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) with three seconds left to lift men's basketball past Saint Anselm, 65-62, in a Northeast-10 Conference game Sunday.

Diethorn led all scorers with 22 points and added 10 rebounds, while junior guard LEROY BYRON (Worcester, MA/North) (12 points), Bluford (10 points, 8 rebounds) and junior forward GREG TWOMEY (Groton, MA/Groton-Dunstable) (8 points, game-high 11 rebounds) played well in support roles. Chris Vetrano and Jeff Dickson each had 14 points to pace the Hawks.

In the opener sophomore guard BETH PLASSKI (New Bedford, MA/New Bedford) scored a career-high 21 points and junior forward CHARDE FLOYD (Worcester, MA/Worcester Academy) provided more spark scoring all 12 of her points in the second half as the Greyhounds women rallied to defeat Saint Anselm, 75-71.

Junior guard BRITT BISHOP (Mendon, MA/Nipmuc) and freshman forward KAYLA PARKER each had a career-best 11 points. The Greyhounds shot a remarkable 66.7 percent in the second half, making 16-of-24 attempts. Cassaundra Thorpe had a game-high 23 points and Justine Lyons added 21 points to pace the Hawks two-person offense.

With 4:34 remaining Diethorn made 12-footer jumper to put the Greyhounds seemingly in command at 58-48. However the Hawks' Chris Vetrano keyed a late game comeback scoring eight points---including the game-tying free throws with nine seconds left---in a 14-4 run to tie the game at 62-62.

Bluford then rushed the ball upcourt, penetrated the lane and dished to Diethorn underneath for the game-winner. The Hawks managed a 40-foot heave at the buzzer. With the win the Greyhounds are now 2-2 overall, but tied for first place in the conference with a 2-0 record after beating two New Hampshire rivals, Franklin Pierce last Tuesday and Saint Anselm. Saint Anselm is now 2-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference.

The Greyhound men found themslves tied with Bentley, Saint Rose and Saint Michael's for first-place in the conference after the day's proceedings.

The women moved took the lead for good 40-39 as senior guard ASHLEY LAMBERT (Cumberland, RI/Cumberland) hit a sideline jumper on a feed from Floyd with 14:41 left. They increased the lead to 10 points, 62-52, as Parker converted an inside move with 4:44 left.

The Greyhounds led 73-66 with 21 seconds left---senior guard JESS PAULSON (North Providence, RI/LaSalle Academy) made both ends of a two-shot foul. A three-point play by the Hawks Christina Buckley cut the advantage to 73-70 and then Buckley hit one of a two-shot foul situation with five seconds left to make it a two-point game (73-71). Bishop then converted both ends of a two-shot foul to seal it.

Saint Anselm's women led 30-25 at the end of a foul-ladened first half, converting an amazing 24 points off-the-break. A jumper by Plasski got the Hounds within five at the buzzer.

In the nightcap the Hawks led 28-27 at the halftime break as the Greyhounds crawled back from a seven-point deficit (24-17) at the 4:55 mark---the Hawks Kyle Powers converted a conventional three-point play. Hounds junior forward MIKE FOTI (Franklin, MA/Franklin) scored his only two points of the game at the buzzer to narrow the gap to one.

The Greyhounds are at Northeast-10 Conference rival Bryant University WEDNESDAY in another doubleheader at 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.

ZITZMANN IS TOP FRESHMAN; KELLY TOP DEFENDER
AS WORCESTER AREA FOOTBALL ANNOUNCES STARS

Junior defensive end JARED KELLY (Canton, MA/Xaverian) has been selected as the Worcester Area Football Association Defensive Player-of-the-Year and freshman middle linebacker DUSTIN ZITZMANN (Pinellas Park, FL/Dixie Hollins), the Northeast-10 Conference's leading tackler, was tabbed as the association's Freshman-of-the-Year.

Kelly finished the season with 29-18--47 tackles including 14.5 for loss (88 yards) and a team-leading nine quarterback sacks. He also had four defensive breakups, 20 quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a recovered fumble.

He was previously named a first-team Northeast-10 Conference all-star.

Zitzmann led the team and the conference with 40-64--104 tackles becoming the first freshman to record over 100 tackles in a varsity season for the Greyhounds. He also had 5.0 tackles for loss (15 yards), one quarterback sack, one interception (11 yards), five defensive breakups and four quarterback hurries.

Named to the first-team were:
senior running back KEVIN L'ECUYER (Leominster, MA/Leominster) (534 yards, 6 tds) . . . junior tight end JAKE LONGENECKER (Fernandina, FL/Manchester West, NH) (34 rec., 387 yards, 1 td) . . . junior wide receiver JAKE BEERS (Duxbury, MA/Duxbury) (51 rec., 685 yards, 7 td) . . . junior guard MIKE OTTERBEIN (Manchester, CT/Manchester) . . . junior defensive end JARED KELLY (Canton, MA/Xaverian) (29-18--47 tackles, 9 sacks, 20 hurries) . . . freshman middle linebacker DUSTIN ZITZMANN (Pinellas Park, FL/Dixie Hollins) (40-64--104 tackles) . . . sophomore defensive back CHRIS MARTINO (Lindcroft, NJ/Middletown South) (30-25--55 tackles, 2 int.) . . .

Named to the second team were:
freshman wide receiver DAVID CANNEY (Templeton, MA/North Middlesex) (32 rec., 318 yards, 2 tds) . . . freshman kickoff specialist DAVID CANNEY (Templeton, MA/North Middlesex) (26 ret., 483 yards, 18.6 avg) . . . junior tackle MATT CERINS (Manchester, CT/Manchester) . . . junior guard MIKE SENELLA (Simi Valley, CA/Bishop Alemany) . . . senior center PAT KWEDOR (Mashpee, MA/Mashpee) . . . senior placekicker MIKE TOBIN (Woburn, MA/Woburn) (3-6 fg, 14-18 xp, 23 pts) . . . senior defensive end JOSH KELLY (Canton, MA/Xaverian) (11-19--30 tackles, 4 sacks, 15 hurries) . . . sophomore defensive tackle TERRY STANFORD (Ridgefield Park, NJ/Ridgefield Park) (23-23--46 tackles, 3 sacks) . . . senior linebacker MATT CINAR (Watertown, MA/Watertown) (38-39--77 tackles) . . . senior defensive back PETER MILLIGAN (Melrose, MA/Melrose) (23-31--54 tackles) . . .

FALL SPORTS HONOR LIST
Women's Volleyball All-Conference
Third Team: LAUREN RASWYCK (Jr., Libero, Litchfield, NH/Campbell)
Daktronics Northeast All-Region Volleyball Team
Second Team: LAUREN RASWYCK (Jr., Libero, Litchfield, NH/Campbell)

New England Football Writers All-Region Team
First Team: JAKE BEERS (Jr., WR, Duxbury, MA/Duxbury)
Football All-Conference
First Team: JAKE BEERS (Jr., WR, Duxbury, MA/Duxbury)
First Team: JARED KELLY (Jr., DE, Canton, MA/Xaverian)
Second Team: MIKE OTTERBEIN (Jr., Manchester, CT/Manchester)
Second Team: PATRICK KWEDOR (Sr., Mashpee, MA/Mashpee)
Second Team: JOSH KELLY (Sr., DE, Canton, MA/Xaverian)
Second Team: DUSTIN ZITZMANN (Fr., LB, Pinellas Park, FL/Dixie Hollins)
Football Academic All-Conference
First Team: JARED KELLY (Jr., DE, Canton, MA/Xaverian)
3.30, Accounting
First Team: MIKE OTTERBEIN (Jr., OT, Manchester, CT/Manchester)
3.41, Accounting

Women's Soccer All-Conference
First Team: KRISTIN CANNON (Sr., D, E. Greenwich, RI/E. Greenwich)
Third Team: HOLLY MC GRATH (Sr., Midfielder, Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck)
Women's Soccer Academic All-Conference
Second Team: KRISTIN CANNON (Sr., D, E. Greenwich, RI/E. Greenwich)
3.26, Marketing
Third Team: ASHLEY HOGAN (Jr., MF, S. Hadley, MA/S. Hadley)
3.41, Management
Third Team: ASHLEY MC MAHON (Jr., Bethel, CT/Immaculate)
3.46, Social Rehabilitation

Men's Golf All-Conference
First Team: ROB YOUNKER (So., Waltham, MA/Waltham)
Finished Third Overall in NE-10 championship
Men's Golf Academic All-Conference
Second Team: JAMIE FARREA (So., Portsmouth, RI/Portsmouth)
3.34, Marketing

MEN'S BASKETBALL

HEAD COACH: Serge DEBARI
CAPTAINS: Justin HOTCHKISS '07 and Greg TWOMEY '08
RECORD TO DATE: Won 2, Lost 2
NORTHEAST-10 CONFERENCE TO DATE: Won 2, Lost 0
WEEKLY HONOR ROLLS: junior forward COREY DIETHORN (Pittsburgh, PA/Sewickley) was named to the Northeast-10 Conference and Worcester Area Basketball honor rolls after averaging 15.5 points (10-for-17 fg, 11-for-14 ft) and 6.5 rebounds in a 2-0 week. Scored 22 points (6-for-11 fg, 10-for 12 ft), including the game-winning basket with two seconds left, and 10 rebounds in a win at Saint Anselm. He also had nine points (4-for-6 fg) in a win over Franklin Pierce.
Freshman guard COURTLAND BLUFORD (Ft. Washington, MD/St. Vincent Pallotti) was named the Worcester Area Basketball Rookie-of-the-Week after averaging 11.5 points and two assists. He scored 13 points in the win over Franklin Pierce and added 10 points, eight rebounds, three steals, three assists---including the game-winning hoop in a road win at Saint Anselm. SCHEDULE:
Nov. 17 at Nyack, NY Lost, 64-81
Nov. 18 Mercyhurst, PA Lost, 67-81
Nov. 21 FRANKLIN PIERCE * Won, 61-51
Nov. 26 at Saint Anselm * Won, 65-62
Nov. 29 at Bryant * 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 at Bentley * 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 STONEHILL * 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 MERRIMACK * 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 16 S. NEW HAMPSHIRE * 3:30 p.m.
Dec. 21 ADELPHI 5 p.m.
Dec. 27 at Puerto Rico Bayamon 6 p.m.
Dec. 28 at Puerto Rico Rio Piedras 6 p.m.
Jan. 3 PACE * 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 LEMOYNE * 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 9 BRYANT * 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 at Saint Michael's * 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 MASS. LOWELL * 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 at S. Connecticut State * 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 at Franklin Pierce * 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 at Massachusetts Lowell * 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 SAINT ANSELM * 3:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 at American International * 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 3 at So. New Hampshire * 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 SAINT ROSE * 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 14 at Merrimack * 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 at Stonehill * 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 20 BENTLEY * 7:30 p.m.
Northeast-10 PLAYOFFS: February 24, 26; March 1, 3

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

HEAD COACH: Kerry PHAYRE
CAPTAINS: Jess PAULSON '07 and Charde FLOYD '08
RECORD TO DATE: Won 2, Lost 3
NORTHEAST-10 CONFERENCE TO DATE: Won 1, Lost 1
WEEKLY HONOR ROLLS: sophomore guard BETH PLASSKI (Fall River, MA/Fall River) averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.5 steals in a 1-1 week. Scored 21 points, adding four assists and two steals in 40 minutes in a road win at Saint Anselm to earn honor roll status for both the Northeast-10 Conference and Worcester Area Basketball.
SCHEDULE:
Nov. 15 MERCY, NY Won, 72-44
Nov. 17 Bowie State, MD Lost, 46-58
Nov. 18 at Shippensburg, PA Lost, 60-65
Nov. 21 FRANKLIN PIERCE * Lost, 53-70
Nov. 26 at Saint Anselm * Won, 75-71
Nov. 29 at Bryant * 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 at Bentley * 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 5 STONEHILL * 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 7 MERRIMACK * 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 16 S. NEW HAMPSHIRE * 1:30 p.m.
Dec. 29 at Molloy, NY 5 p.m.
Jan. 3 PACE * 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 6 LEMOYNE * 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 9 BRYANT * 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 at Saint Michael's * 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 17 MASS. LOWELL * 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 at S. Connecticut State * 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 23 at Franklin Pierce * 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 25 at Massachusetts Lowell * 5:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 SAINT ANSELM * 1:30 p.m.
Jan. 31 at American International * 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 3 at So. New Hampshire * 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 6 at Bridgeport 6 p.m.
Feb. 10 SAINT ROSE * 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 14 at Merrimack * 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 at Stonehill * 1:30 p.m.
Feb. 20 BENTLEY * 5:30 p.m.
Northeast-10 PLAYOFFS: February 25, 27; March 2, 3

MEN'S ICE HOCKEY

HEAD COACH: Kevin ZIFCAK
CAPTAINS: Dan SURETTE '07 and Jim TRAHON '08
RECORD TO DATE: Won 1, Lost 4
NORTHEAST-10 CONFERENCE TO DATE: Won 0, Lost 1
SCHEDULE:
Nov. 10 vs. Fitchburg State Lost, 3-4, ot
Nov. 11 vs. Framingham State Won, 7-6, ot
Nov. 15 FRANKLIN PIERCE * Lost, 3-4
Nov. 25 vs. Bowdoin (at Colby) Lost, 1-10
Nov. 26 vs. Colby (at Bowdoin) Lost, 1-10
Nov. 28 at Western New England 8:30 p.m.
Dec. 2 at So. New Hampshire * 3 p.m.
Dec. 5 SAINT ANSELM * 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 9 at Stonehill * 7:40 p.m.
Saint Michael's Tournament
Dec. 30 vs. Saint Michael's * 1 p.m.
Dec. 31 Third-Place/Championship TBA
Jan. 6 at Mass. Dartmouth 4:30 p.m.
Jan. 11 SUFFOLK 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 13 WENTWORTH 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 16 SALVE REGINA 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 18 FRAMINGHAM STATE 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 20 PLYMOUTH STATE 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 27 at Franklin Pierce 4:30 p.m.
Jan, 30 at Johnson & Wales 6 p.m.
Feb. 1 at Fitchburg State 7 p.m.
Feb. 3 STONEHILL 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 7 BECKER 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 10 at Nichols 8:15 p.m.
Feb. 15 at Worcester State 5:30 p.m.
Feb. 17 CURRY 7:30 p.m.
Northeast-10 PLAYOFFS: February 21, 24, 28, 2007

MEN & WOMENS INDOOR TRACK

HEAD COACH: Gary JUSSEAUME
MEN'S CAPTAINS: Joe KOWALCZYK '06, Patrick BIGGINS '07, Brian CACCAVALE '08
WOMEN'S CAPTAINS: Caitlyn CLARK '06, Nicole PANKEY '07, Christie TOWER '07, Teresa KUEHHAS '08
INDOOR SCHEDULE:
Dec. 2 Northeastern Invitational
Jan. 20 Tufts Invitational
Jan. 27 Wesleyan Invitational
Feb. 3 Smith Invitational
Feb. 10 M.I.T. Invitational
Feb. 17 Northeast-10 Indoor Championships at Southern Connecticut
Feb. 23-24 New England Invitational at Boston University
Mar. 3-4 IC4A & ECAC Championships at Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA
Mar. 9-10 N.C.A.A. Division II Championships at Reggie Lewis Center, Boston, MA