By: Draven Dabrowski
Sports Columnist
A last second field goal, and three convincing wins highlighted a weekend of mixed emotions for the university’s athletics, as the Owls experienced both sides of competition on Saturday, Oct. 24.
The Owls field hockey team continued its strong stretch of play with a 3-1 victory improving to 7-8 overall.
Midfielder Lindsey Onofrio, a junior, led the Owls offensively, scoring twice on two shots. Forward Keana Criscuolo, a junior, added another goal, while midfielder Avery Vaccaro, a sophomore, and midfielder Ruby Webb, a senior, each contributed an assist.
Goalkeeper Lyndsay Troisi, a junior, played all 60 minutes, recording six saves while allowing just one goal. Despite being outshot 15-9, the Owls made the most of its opportunities, putting five shots on goal.
This win marked another positive result for the team, who will look to carry that momentum into their next matchup against Adelphi University on Tuesday, Oct. 27.
Women’s soccer also found success offensively but settled for a 2-2 draw Saturday, Oct. 24 bringing its overall record to 6-4-6.
After falling behind early, forward Frida Norret, a sophomore, responded in the 33rd minute, intercepting a pass before working her way through the defense and scoring her fifth goal of the season.
Just four minutes later, forward Bella LaPerle, a senior, gave her team a 2-1 lead after connecting on a corner kick delivered by Ryleigh Phillips, a sophomore. The goal was LaPerle’s fourth of the season.
The Owls lead slipped away in the 80th minute when Saint Michael’s College scored the tying goal, leaving the Owls with a draw.
Goalkeeper Makenzi Pastreck, a sophomore, recorded six saves in the match.
The Owls will conclude their regular season Oct. 28 against Assumption University.
While women’s soccer narrowly missed a victory, the football team suffered a difficult finish in a 32-29 loss Saturday Oct. 24.
Quarterback Brandon Jorgensen, a graduate, delivered a career performance, completing 20 of 31 passes for 317 yards and four touchdowns.
Wide receiver Seth Westover, a graduate, also recorded a career high 170 receiving yards on seven receptions, including two touchdowns.
The university entered halftime leading 14-7 before extending its advantage to 21-7 early in the third quarter. However, the Owls surrendered 22 unanswered points and found themselves trailing 29-21 late in the fourth.
Jorgensen responded by connecting with wide receiver Andres Perez, a sophomore, for a 13-yard touchdown with 45 seconds remaining. The two connected again on the two-point conversion to tie the game at 29.
Despite the comeback, they surrendered a game winning field goal as time expired, dropping to 4-3 overall and 2-2 in NE10 conference play.
Defensively, Tyler Coard, a freshman, led the Owls with 12 tackles, while Emeka Yearwood, a freshman, recorded his conference leading fourth interception.
The women’s volleyball team provided one of the weekend’s most convincing performances, sweeping Saint Michael’s in three sets on Oct. 24.
Outside hitter Kerrigan Habing, a junior, led her team with 11 kills and 11 digs, recording a double-double while adding three service aces.
Right side hitter Sydney Bennett, a graduate, contributed eight kills with a .438 hitting percentage, while setter Kimi Mitchell, a sophomore, directed the offense with 26 assists, eight digs and three aces.
The Owls controlled the opening two sets, winning 25-14 and 25-12 before completing the sweep with a 25-18 victory in the third.
They improved to 14-7 overall and 3-3 in conference play, finishing with 37 kills and 11 service aces.
Two wins, a draw and a heartbreaking loss told four different stories for the university this weekend. With postseason opportunities approaching, the Owls have little time to dwell on Oct. 24 results as the teams enter their final stretch of their schedules.
