After their best regular seasons in recent years, Pennsylvania College of Technology men’s and women’s cross-country runners are looking for more when they compete Saturday in the North Eastern Athletic Conference Championships at Morrisville, New York.
Assessing the season thus far, third-year Wildcats coach Nick Patton said, “Both teams competed very well throughout the entire regular season, from beginning to end. Obviously, we made some pretty big improvements both on the men’s and women’s side and I’ve been happy with the progress we’ve made.”
Each team has had a strong leader in sophomore Josh Velez, of Lewistown, for the men and freshman Sidney Trunzo, of Williamsport, for the women, who earlier this season finished first in their respective races at the Morrisville State College Invitational, site of this week’s 8K and 6K races. The last time Penn College had individual men’s and women’s conference champions was 2007, and Patton thinks it could happen again.
“I definitely think we have that capability. We have put in the work all season and have had some great workouts the past few weeks, as well as some good races. We just need to go to NEACs and run our own races and we will be fine. We most certainly have the ability to run at that level,” the coach said.
“They (Velez and Trunzo) both have done well with leadership things. Having both Sidney and Josh, it just kind of motivates the teams to show we can compete with these other schools. I’m just really happy with how they have performed both on and off the course with their teammates,” Patton said.
Having already seen the Morrisville course this season gives his team an advantage, he said. “We know what the course looks like (and) we’ve already been discussing where we want to make our move; when would be a good time to get going.
“It’s rolling hills, for the most part. There are a few short, steep hills that are deceiving. … We know they’re there so we’ll use that to our advantage, as well.”
Competing for the men, in addition to Velez, will be Thomas Runner, of Elkridge, Maryland; Matt Leiby, of Danville; Ben Ericksen, of Norwich, New York; Chris Traugher, of Bath; Chris Hogan, of Halifax; Austin Weinrich, of Jenkintown; David Pfahler, of Telford; David Carlson, of Elizabethtown; and Hayden Beiter, of Williamsport.
Competing for the women, in addition to Trunzo –who last week was awarded NEAC Runner of the Week honors for the second time this season after she finished first at the Bryn Athyn College Invitational on Oct. 13 – will be Joelle Perelli, of Bath; Mallory Hoffman, of Minersville; Annikea Miller, of Lancaster; Nikki Crow, of Elizabethtown; Tiffany G riffie, of Newville; and Brittany Weiskopff, of Bloomsburg.
“We're just going to go and compete. We want to improve on last year’s finish of fifth place (men) and we should be able to do that. … They want to improve as a team and be up there this year,” Patton said, adding of the women’s squad, “If we’re inside the top eight, or just a little outside of it, that’s a great improvement upon last year. The last few years we’ve been stuck in 12th place; it should not be the case this year.”
In their first season as a full-fledged member of NCAA Division III, the Wildcats also will compete in the DIII Mideast Regional meet Nov. 11 hosted by Dickinson College. The top seven individuals and top four teams will go on to the Division III Championships on Nov. 18.
“I think that going there and competing at that high of a level will be a good thing to see,” Patton added.
FLASHBACK
Men’s Soccer
In NEAC play at Keuka College on Wednesday, the Wildcats settled for a scoreless, double-overtime tie. Keuka led in shots, 30-14 (16-7 on goal), and in corner kicks, 7-2.
At Penn State Abington on Saturday, Penn College lost, 2-0. Abington led in shots, 18-7 (9-1 on goal), and in corner kicks, 8-1.
Back in action on Sunday at College of St. Elizabeth, Penn College won, 8-0, to go to 7-10-1 overall and 4-4-1 in the conference. Austin Dowrick, of Olney, Maryland, had two goals and Quinton Smith, of Elliottsburg, two assists as the Wildcats outshot the home team, 37-4 (22-3 on goal), and led in corner kicks, 8-2.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week: Host SUNY Cobleskill (5-9-2 overall, 3-4-1 NEAC through Sunday), 1 p.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. SUNY Cobleskill: Won, 1-0, Oct. 15, 2016.
Statistically speaking: Goalkeeper Malcolm Kane, of Ardsley, is No. 1 in the NEAC with a .843 save percentage, tied for first with 1.07 goals against average, fourth in saves with 75. Chris McFarland, of Coatesville, is fourth with 51 shots in the NEAC.
NEAC North Division standings through Sunday: Morrisville State College 3-3-1, Keuka College 2-1-1, Penn College 2-2-1, SUNY Poly 2-2-1, Cazenovia College 2-2-1, SUNY Cobleskill 1-2-1, Wells College 1-3.
Women’s Soccer
On Wednesday at Keuka College, Penn College went above .500 in conference play with a come-from-behind 2-1 win. Francesca Timpone, of Smithtown, New York, knocked in the game-winner on a free kick from 45 yards out at 58:28. Keuka led in shots, 14-5 (6-3 on goal). Each team had one corner kick.
On Saturday at Penn State Abington, Ashley Donat, of Lehartsville, scored two goals and assisted on another in a 5-0 win. In a strong offensive effort, Penn College led in shots, 22-3 (16-1 on goal), and in corner kicks, 7-1.
At the College of St. Elizabeth on Sunday, Hailee Hartman, of Lampeter, had two goals and two assists, becoming the Penn College all-time goal leader with 33, in a 9-0 rout that boosted the team’s record to 8-6-3 overall and 5-2-2 in the NEAC. Hartman also is the career leader in points, with 85, and assists, with 21. Also for the Wildcats, who are 5-0-2 in their last seven matches and have outscored their opponents 28-4 during that stretch, Donat had three goals and an assist. Penn College led in shots, 28-4 (18-2 on goal), and corner kicks, 6-1. Goalkeeper Taylor Gonzalez, of Lititz, made two saves in recording her second straight shutout.
Also last week, Donat, a freshman, was named the NEAC Offensive Player of the Week after recording 11 points in two matches the previous week.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week: Host SUNY Cobleskill (0-15 overall, 0-8 NEAC through Sunday), 3 p.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. SUNY Cobleskill: Won, 5-0, Oct. 15, 2016.
Statistically speaking: Penn College is second in the NEAC with 47 goals and 303 shots. Hartman is third with eight assists and seventh with 57 shots. Gonzalez is sixth with 1.35 goals against average.
NEAC North Division standings through Sunday: SUNY Poly 3-0-1, Morrisville State College 3-1-1, Keuka College 2-1-1, Penn College 2-2-1, Wells College 2-2, Cazenovia College 1-3, SUNY Cobleskill 0-4.
Women’s Volleyball
Hosting SUNY Poly on Saturday, the Wildcats lost, 0-3 (18-25, 15-25, 14-25), to fall to 3-13 overall and 2-6 in the NEAC. Sophie Coldsmith, of Gettysburg, led Penn College with 15 assists and Jordyn Smeltzer, of Manchester, was tops with 16 digs.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week: At Cazenovia College (4-20 overall, 2-6 NEAC through Sunday), 2 p.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. Cazenovia College: Won, 3-0, Sept. 24, 2016.
Statistically speaking: Coldsmith is fifth in the NEAC with 0.67 service aces per set.
NEAC North Division standings (through Sunday): Wells College 6-0, Morrisville State College 4-1, SUNY Poly 3-2, Keuka College 3-2, Penn College 1-4, SUNY Cobleskill 1-4, Cazenovia College 0-5.
SCHEDULE/RECORDS/RESULTS
Men’s Soccer
Overall: 7-10-1
NEAC: 4-4-1
Wednesday, Oct. 18 – at Keuka College (NEAC), T, 0-0 (2 OT)
Saturday, Oct. 21 – at Penn State Abington (NEAC), L, 2-0
Sunday, Oct. 22 – at College of St. Elizabeth (NEAC), W, 8-0
Wednesday, Oct. 25 – at Wilkes University, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28 – host SUNY Cobleskill (NEAC), 1 p.m.
(End of regular season)
Women’s Soccer
Overall: 8-6-3
NEAC: 5-2-2
Wednesday, Oct. 18 – at Keuka College (NEAC), W, 2-1
Saturday, Oct. 21 – at Penn State Abington (NEAC), W, 5-0
Sunday, Oct. 22 – at College of St. Elizabeth (NEAC), W, 9-0
Wednesday, Oct. 25 – at Juniata College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28 – host SUNY Cobleskill (NEAC), 3 p.m.
(End of regular season)
Men’s Cross-Country
Thursday, Oct. 19 – at Immaculata University Invitational, did not compete
Saturday, Oct. 28 – NEAC Championship at Morrisville State College, noon
Saturday, Nov. 11 – NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Qualifier at Big Spring High School, Newville, 11 a.m.
(End of season)
Women’s Cross-Country
Thursday, Oct. 19 – at Immaculata University Invitational, did not compete
Saturday, Oct. 28 – NEAC Championship at Morrisville State College, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 11 – NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Qualifier at Big Spring High School, Newville, 12:15 p.m.
(End of season)
Women’s Volleyball
Overall: 3-13
NEAC: 2-6
Saturday, Oct. 21 – host SUNY Poly (NEAC), L, 0-3 (18-25, 15-25, 14-25)
Monday, Oct. 23 – host Penn State Altoona, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28 – at Cazenovia College triangular vs. Alfred State College, noon; vs. Cazenovia College (NEAC), 2 p.m.
(End of regular season)
For more on the North Eastern Athletic Association, visit the conference website.
For more, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
Assessing the season thus far, third-year Wildcats coach Nick Patton said, “Both teams competed very well throughout the entire regular season, from beginning to end. Obviously, we made some pretty big improvements both on the men’s and women’s side and I’ve been happy with the progress we’ve made.”
Each team has had a strong leader in sophomore Josh Velez, of Lewistown, for the men and freshman Sidney Trunzo, of Williamsport, for the women, who earlier this season finished first in their respective races at the Morrisville State College Invitational, site of this week’s 8K and 6K races. The last time Penn College had individual men’s and women’s conference champions was 2007, and Patton thinks it could happen again.
“I definitely think we have that capability. We have put in the work all season and have had some great workouts the past few weeks, as well as some good races. We just need to go to NEACs and run our own races and we will be fine. We most certainly have the ability to run at that level,” the coach said.
“They (Velez and Trunzo) both have done well with leadership things. Having both Sidney and Josh, it just kind of motivates the teams to show we can compete with these other schools. I’m just really happy with how they have performed both on and off the course with their teammates,” Patton said.
Having already seen the Morrisville course this season gives his team an advantage, he said. “We know what the course looks like (and) we’ve already been discussing where we want to make our move; when would be a good time to get going.
“It’s rolling hills, for the most part. There are a few short, steep hills that are deceiving. … We know they’re there so we’ll use that to our advantage, as well.”
Competing for the men, in addition to Velez, will be Thomas Runner, of Elkridge, Maryland; Matt Leiby, of Danville; Ben Ericksen, of Norwich, New York; Chris Traugher, of Bath; Chris Hogan, of Halifax; Austin Weinrich, of Jenkintown; David Pfahler, of Telford; David Carlson, of Elizabethtown; and Hayden Beiter, of Williamsport.
Competing for the women, in addition to Trunzo –who last week was awarded NEAC Runner of the Week honors for the second time this season after she finished first at the Bryn Athyn College Invitational on Oct. 13 – will be Joelle Perelli, of Bath; Mallory Hoffman, of Minersville; Annikea Miller, of Lancaster; Nikki Crow, of Elizabethtown; Tiffany G riffie, of Newville; and Brittany Weiskopff, of Bloomsburg.
“We're just going to go and compete. We want to improve on last year’s finish of fifth place (men) and we should be able to do that. … They want to improve as a team and be up there this year,” Patton said, adding of the women’s squad, “If we’re inside the top eight, or just a little outside of it, that’s a great improvement upon last year. The last few years we’ve been stuck in 12th place; it should not be the case this year.”
In their first season as a full-fledged member of NCAA Division III, the Wildcats also will compete in the DIII Mideast Regional meet Nov. 11 hosted by Dickinson College. The top seven individuals and top four teams will go on to the Division III Championships on Nov. 18.
“I think that going there and competing at that high of a level will be a good thing to see,” Patton added.
FLASHBACK
Men’s Soccer
In NEAC play at Keuka College on Wednesday, the Wildcats settled for a scoreless, double-overtime tie. Keuka led in shots, 30-14 (16-7 on goal), and in corner kicks, 7-2.
At Penn State Abington on Saturday, Penn College lost, 2-0. Abington led in shots, 18-7 (9-1 on goal), and in corner kicks, 8-1.
Back in action on Sunday at College of St. Elizabeth, Penn College won, 8-0, to go to 7-10-1 overall and 4-4-1 in the conference. Austin Dowrick, of Olney, Maryland, had two goals and Quinton Smith, of Elliottsburg, two assists as the Wildcats outshot the home team, 37-4 (22-3 on goal), and led in corner kicks, 8-2.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week: Host SUNY Cobleskill (5-9-2 overall, 3-4-1 NEAC through Sunday), 1 p.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. SUNY Cobleskill: Won, 1-0, Oct. 15, 2016.
Statistically speaking: Goalkeeper Malcolm Kane, of Ardsley, is No. 1 in the NEAC with a .843 save percentage, tied for first with 1.07 goals against average, fourth in saves with 75. Chris McFarland, of Coatesville, is fourth with 51 shots in the NEAC.
NEAC North Division standings through Sunday: Morrisville State College 3-3-1, Keuka College 2-1-1, Penn College 2-2-1, SUNY Poly 2-2-1, Cazenovia College 2-2-1, SUNY Cobleskill 1-2-1, Wells College 1-3.
Women’s Soccer
On Wednesday at Keuka College, Penn College went above .500 in conference play with a come-from-behind 2-1 win. Francesca Timpone, of Smithtown, New York, knocked in the game-winner on a free kick from 45 yards out at 58:28. Keuka led in shots, 14-5 (6-3 on goal). Each team had one corner kick.
On Saturday at Penn State Abington, Ashley Donat, of Lehartsville, scored two goals and assisted on another in a 5-0 win. In a strong offensive effort, Penn College led in shots, 22-3 (16-1 on goal), and in corner kicks, 7-1.
At the College of St. Elizabeth on Sunday, Hailee Hartman, of Lampeter, had two goals and two assists, becoming the Penn College all-time goal leader with 33, in a 9-0 rout that boosted the team’s record to 8-6-3 overall and 5-2-2 in the NEAC. Hartman also is the career leader in points, with 85, and assists, with 21. Also for the Wildcats, who are 5-0-2 in their last seven matches and have outscored their opponents 28-4 during that stretch, Donat had three goals and an assist. Penn College led in shots, 28-4 (18-2 on goal), and corner kicks, 6-1. Goalkeeper Taylor Gonzalez, of Lititz, made two saves in recording her second straight shutout.
Also last week, Donat, a freshman, was named the NEAC Offensive Player of the Week after recording 11 points in two matches the previous week.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week: Host SUNY Cobleskill (0-15 overall, 0-8 NEAC through Sunday), 3 p.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. SUNY Cobleskill: Won, 5-0, Oct. 15, 2016.
Statistically speaking: Penn College is second in the NEAC with 47 goals and 303 shots. Hartman is third with eight assists and seventh with 57 shots. Gonzalez is sixth with 1.35 goals against average.
NEAC North Division standings through Sunday: SUNY Poly 3-0-1, Morrisville State College 3-1-1, Keuka College 2-1-1, Penn College 2-2-1, Wells College 2-2, Cazenovia College 1-3, SUNY Cobleskill 0-4.
Women’s Volleyball
Hosting SUNY Poly on Saturday, the Wildcats lost, 0-3 (18-25, 15-25, 14-25), to fall to 3-13 overall and 2-6 in the NEAC. Sophie Coldsmith, of Gettysburg, led Penn College with 15 assists and Jordyn Smeltzer, of Manchester, was tops with 16 digs.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week: At Cazenovia College (4-20 overall, 2-6 NEAC through Sunday), 2 p.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. Cazenovia College: Won, 3-0, Sept. 24, 2016.
Statistically speaking: Coldsmith is fifth in the NEAC with 0.67 service aces per set.
NEAC North Division standings (through Sunday): Wells College 6-0, Morrisville State College 4-1, SUNY Poly 3-2, Keuka College 3-2, Penn College 1-4, SUNY Cobleskill 1-4, Cazenovia College 0-5.
SCHEDULE/RECORDS/RESULTS
Men’s Soccer
Overall: 7-10-1
NEAC: 4-4-1
Wednesday, Oct. 18 – at Keuka College (NEAC), T, 0-0 (2 OT)
Saturday, Oct. 21 – at Penn State Abington (NEAC), L, 2-0
Sunday, Oct. 22 – at College of St. Elizabeth (NEAC), W, 8-0
Wednesday, Oct. 25 – at Wilkes University, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28 – host SUNY Cobleskill (NEAC), 1 p.m.
(End of regular season)
Women’s Soccer
Overall: 8-6-3
NEAC: 5-2-2
Wednesday, Oct. 18 – at Keuka College (NEAC), W, 2-1
Saturday, Oct. 21 – at Penn State Abington (NEAC), W, 5-0
Sunday, Oct. 22 – at College of St. Elizabeth (NEAC), W, 9-0
Wednesday, Oct. 25 – at Juniata College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28 – host SUNY Cobleskill (NEAC), 3 p.m.
(End of regular season)
Men’s Cross-Country
Thursday, Oct. 19 – at Immaculata University Invitational, did not compete
Saturday, Oct. 28 – NEAC Championship at Morrisville State College, noon
Saturday, Nov. 11 – NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Qualifier at Big Spring High School, Newville, 11 a.m.
(End of season)
Women’s Cross-Country
Thursday, Oct. 19 – at Immaculata University Invitational, did not compete
Saturday, Oct. 28 – NEAC Championship at Morrisville State College, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 11 – NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Qualifier at Big Spring High School, Newville, 12:15 p.m.
(End of season)
Women’s Volleyball
Overall: 3-13
NEAC: 2-6
Saturday, Oct. 21 – host SUNY Poly (NEAC), L, 0-3 (18-25, 15-25, 14-25)
Monday, Oct. 23 – host Penn State Altoona, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 28 – at Cazenovia College triangular vs. Alfred State College, noon; vs. Cazenovia College (NEAC), 2 p.m.
(End of regular season)
For more on the North Eastern Athletic Association, visit the conference website.
For more, visit the Wildcat Athletics website.
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