Football Leads The Way In Solid Fall Semester For Worcester State Athletics
Under the tutelage of 30th-year head coach Brien Cullen
‘77, the football team (6-4, 4-3 NEFC Bogan)
recorded its second consecutive winning season.
Senior quarterback Corey Spencer put up the second-most passing yards (2,825) and touchdowns (23) in single-season history while junior AJ Scerra hauled in a school-record 85 passes. Third-year Bryan Narcisse also put up the second most sacks (6.5) and tackles for a loss (18.5) in the NEFC while senior Graham Asum finished the regular season first in the NCAA Division III in average kickoff return yardage (31.7 YPG).
Along with NEFC Bogan Division Defensive Rookie of the Year Y-Kim Sheppard, the four all earned spots on the All-Division squad. Asum also became the first WSU football player to be recognized on the Division II/III All-New England Writers Team since 2005.
Next season the Lancers will look to compete for a league championship in the MASCAC.\
The women’s soccer team (8-7-3, 5-1-1 MASCAC) stamped its ticket to its ninth consecutive MASCAC Tournament, but finished its run in the conference semifinals where they were defeated by Bridgewater State in penalty kicks after drawing to a scoreless tie.
Senior Brianne Beckman enjoyed a tremendous season that saw her lead the squad in goals (8) and points (32). Junior Gaby Gonet netted 10 goals and dished a squad-best seven helpers as freshman Alicia Macomber potted four markers – two for game winners in conference play. The trio each received a nod to the All-MASCAC team.
Fifth-year head coach Kevin Cumberbatch loses just two to graduation as the squad should remain competitive and vie for a conference title next fall.
After a slow start, the men’s soccer team (4-11-2,
2-3-2 MASCAC) won three of its last four matchups and earned its
second consecutive MASCAC Tournament berth. The Blue and Gold,
however, were defeated in the conference quarterfinals by
Bridgewater State in a 2-1 setback.
Junior transfer Brendan Whitson paced the squad with nine goals and five assists as classmate Alex Wolfel finished with seven tallies and 18 points to move into tenth on WSU’s all-time scoring list. Whitson and Wolfel along with senior DJ Gustafson and junior Kyle Venne were named to the All-MASCAC team.
Next year’s team will be in the mix to compete for a league crown as third-year head coach Jason Willis loses just two student-athletes to graduation
With a young roster that included six upperclassmen, the field hockey team under the direction of first-year head coach Chris Pothier finished the campaign at 3-15 overall and 1-10 in the ultra-competitive Little East Conference.
Senior Ally Valencia paced the Lancers with three goals and six assists for a team-best 12 points while All-LEC honoree Kelli McPherson chipped in with a squad-high four markers. Fourth-year Torey Kuchachik finished with seven defensive saves to her credit as the defensive unit broke the school record that was set last season.
Under the watchful eye of ninth-year head coach Bernie Chase, the women’s volleyball team finished the season at 12-15 overall and 3-3 in MASCAC play. The Lancers made its sixth-straight MASCAC Tournament appearance, but fell to Salem State, 3-1, in the conference quarterfinals.
Sophomore Alyssa Jasper propelled the squad with a team-high 234 kills while senior Becky Lebel finished with solid totals of 215 kills, 104 digs, 41 total blocks and 31 service aces. Second-year Amanda Lewis dished out 660 assists and junior Vicki O’Brien paced the defense with 243 digs. All four were selected by the leagues head coaches to receive All-MASCAC accolades and Lebel was honored for her four-year contributions by the New England Women's Volleyball association.
Worcester State loses only Lebel to graduation as an experienced group returns for Chase next season.
The women’s tennis team finished the season at 6-8 (3-5 LEC) and qualified for its first-ever postseason berth to the Little East Conference Tournament, since joining the league three seasons ago. The Lancers eventually fell to Salem State in the opening round of the playoff.
Junior Laura Sarkis posted a solid 9-4 mark in singles action as she would double-up with classmate Brooke Michanczyk for six wins in pairs play. Michanczyk also moved into 11th place with 32 career wins and sophomore Miranda Biron wrapped up her season at 7-5 individually.
The squad does not graduate anyone off the roster in the offseason and should remain strong under the guidance of first-year head coach Albana Xhemollari ‘11.
With a new team and a young rotation, the men’s golf
team struggled and finished in eighth place at the
GNAC Championships at Blackstone National. Junior Jeremy
Ross paced the effort with a two-day card of 172 as he
earned a spot on the GNAC Sportsmanship Team.
At the NEIGA Championships, senior Dane Goolsky and sophomore David Rixham helped the squad finish the fall on a high note as they tied for 27th place and posted the 14th-best finish out of 21 teams in a deep field of Division III institutions.
Second-year head coach Mark Gurski ‘00 will look to the off season to get his team ready for the spring.
The men’s cross country team, with 14th year head coach Al Halper at the helm, improved its finish from last season and placed fourth at the MASCAC Championships and finished ninth in the final New England Alliance standings.
Sophomore Pat Bova propelled the effort with 20th place for the Blue and Gold. At the Division III New England Championships, Worcester State placed 32nd out of 50 teams as senior Tim Mazieka and junior Pat Daley both crossed the finish line as the 15th and 16th best finishers among MASCAC institutions.
Senior Erin Donohue earned spots on the All-MASCAC and All-New England Alliance team as she highlighted five females on the women’s cross country squads strong runner-up finish at the MASCAC Championships.
At the Division III New England Championships, Donohue was again the standout with 93rd place individually as the team finished in 25th place out of 51 institutions. Third-year Ali Barrett also was consistent with 125th for the 10th highest time among competitors in the conference.
First-year head coach Gary Jusseaume ’73 graduates three, but a solid core remains for next season.
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