By: Draven Dabrowski
Sports Columnist
As the fall season moves closer to its conclusion, the Owls continue to battle through conference competition, with one program reaching a historic milestone during an otherwise challenging week.
The university’s field hockey team provided the week’s biggest highlight with a 5-2 victory, giving Head Coach Kelley Frassinelli her 200th career win. The milestone adds to Frassinelli’s accomplishments as the winningest coach in program history.
Midfielder Ruby Webb, a senior, played a major role in the victory, finishing with one goal and three assists. Webb opened the scoring just over three minutes into the game before assisting on two more goals to help the university establish a 3-0 first quarter lead.
Midfielder Lindsey Onofrio, a junior, and midfielder Avery Vaccaro, a sophomore, each recorded a goal and an assist, while forward Kate Salvador, a senior, and forward Keana Criscuolo, a junior, also found the back of the net. Criscuolo scored her team leading 14th goal of the season, and goalkeeper Rachel Miller, a senior, finished with eight saves.
The victory improved the Owls to 7-8 overall and 3-3 in NE10 Conference play, keeping them in contention for a postseason appearance with three regular-season games remaining.
While field hockey celebrated, the football team experienced a difficult afternoon at Jess Dow Field, falling 25-14 and suffering its first conference loss of the season.
Quarterback Brandon Jorgensen, a graduate, completed 12 of 24 passes for 148 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Wide receiver Andres Perez, a sophomore, led the receiving group with four catches for 41 yards and a touchdown.
The Owls struggled to establish its rushing attack, with running back John Amaning, a graduate, finishing with 32 yards on 15 carries.
However, the defense created opportunities throughout the game.
Alex Perez, a graduate, and Emeka Yearwood, a freshman, each recorded an interception, while Jordan Eli, a junior, led the defense with 10 tackles.
Trailing 25-7 in the fourth quarter, the Owls put together an eight- play, 70-yard drive that ended with an 18-yard touchdown pass from Jorgensen to Perez.
Despite the late effort, the Owls fell to 4-2 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
Women’s volleyball also faced a setback, losing 3-1 despite showing resilience in the third set.
Outside hitter, Kerrigan Habing, a junior, led the team with 14 kills and 10 digs, recording a double-double. Right side hitter, Sydney Bennett, a graduate, contributed nine kills and six blocks, while setter Kimi Mitchell, a sophomore, finished with 27 assists.
After dropping the first two sets, the Owls responded with a 25-20 third-set victory. The university overcame an early deficit and maintained its lead throughout the remainder of the set.
The momentum did not carry into the fourth, however, as the team fell to 13-6 overall and 4-2 in NE10 play.
Women’s soccer rounded out the week with a 3-0 road loss after keeping the match scoreless through the opening half.
Goalkeeper Makenzi Pastreck, a sophomore, helped keep her team competitive, finishing with eight saves. The Owls also generated several scoring opportunities, including early attempts from Ryleigh Phillips, a sophomore, and forward Bella LaPerle, a senior.
The Owls increased its offensive pressure during the second half, placing four shots on goal, but were unable to find the back of the net.
Although three of the university’s teams suffered losses, field hockey’s milestone victory provided a bright spot for the Owls.
With conference schedules continuing and postseason opportunities approaching, the Owls will look to build on their performances in the coming weeks.
