Cyclones Recognized at Women In Sports Luncheon
- Head Women's Soccer Coach Kevin Davies with Arielle Hamilton
SOUTH ORANGE, N.J. (January 22, 2012) – The Centenary women’s basketball team and Arielle Hamilton of the women’s soccer Team accepted achievement awards at the National Girls and Women in Sports (NAGWS) Day luncheon at Seton Hall University on Sunday. Both awards distinguish the recipients as worthy of recognition of representing the role of the student-athlete.
Hamilton, a junior from Scotrun, Pa. was named the New Jersey Association of Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (NJAIAW) Woman of the Year and was presented the award by Centenary Head Women’s Soccer Coach Kevin Davies.
For the second consecutive year, the Cyclones’ women’s basketball team accepted the NJAIAW Team Academic Award for Winter sports for the 2010-11 season. Senior Jasmine Rosa and junior Heather Russell, along with Head Coach Justin Phoenix accepted the award on behalf of the 2010-11 team.
Hamilton was chosen by Centenary College as the female student-athlete to be distinguished as its recipient of the NJAIAW Woman of the Year. Hamilton joined girls and women from high schools and colleges from around New Jersey at the NAGWS luncheon held annually at the Richard Regan Recreation and Athletics Center on the campus of Seton Hall University.
Rosa and Russell were also present to accept the NJAIAW Team Academic Award which is awarded to the team with the highest grade point average within its specific participation season.
Each year, the NJAIAW hosts the NAGWS Day luncheon in celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day. This year’s national theme is “Title IX at 40: In it for the Long Run.” The 2011-12 luncheon is the 20th annual event celebrating the 40 years of Title IX.
Title IX was passed by the U.S. Congress on June 23, 1972, and signed by President Richard M. Nixon on July 1, 1972. It is a civil rights law prohibiting discrimination in education programs and activities receiving federal funds. Since Title IX, the number of male AND female student athletes has greatly increased with the number of male college athletes increasing from 170,384 in 1972 to 208,866 in 2001; the number of female college athletes increasing from 31,852 in 1972 to 150,916 -- a gain of over 400%.
Centenary Receives Award of Merit at NADIIIAA Community Service Awards Reception
- Head Women's Soccer Coach Kevin Davies, Associate Athletic Director Josh Huber, Head Men's Lacrosse Coach Matthew Klank, and Head Men's Soccer Coach Keith O'Connor with the Josten's/ NADIIIAA Award of Merit
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (January 15, 2012) – Centenary College was on hand Saturday to accept an Award of Merit as part of the Jostens/NADIIIAA Community Service Awards reception held at the NCAA National Convention.
Jostens and the National Association of Division III Athletic Administrators (NADIIIAA) honor institutions each year at the NCAA Convention for their excellence in community service. This year, Centenary College is a proud recipient of one of the two Award of Merit honorees. Director of Athletics, Billie Jo Blackwell, Associate Athletic Director Josh Huber, and Senior Woman Administrator, Iris Correa were presented the award by NADIIIAA President, Al Bean and Jostens’ representative Kelly McKenzie.
The Cyclones’ teams participated in many community service efforts in 2011, making them worthy of earning this distinction, however Centenary was chosen mainly in part for its efforts in helping a local child, Jacob Grimes, who suffers from A.L. Leukemia. Matthew Klank, Head Coach of the men’s lacrosse team observed a posting at a local grocery store about Jacob’s illness. The situation hit home for Klank who has a child of the same age, driving Klank to begin not only a fundraising effort for Jacob Grimes, but also a chance for Centenary teams to share their team camaraderie with the young boy. The men’s lacrosse, men’s soccer and women’s soccer teams all secured sponsors to donate an amount for each repetition of a lift-a-thon or similar event. The money raised was then donated to the Grimes family to assist in treatment costs. All in all, the teams raised over $8,000 and came away with an invaluable experience.
The Centenary College Athletic Department is honored to be recognized by Jostens and the NADIIIAA and looks forward to continuing its efforts to serve the community.
Former Women's Soccer Star Honored As Valedictorian
- Bianca Santulli Honored As Valedictorian
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (January 19, 2012) - Former women's soccer star Bianca Santulli found motivation for her Centenary College valedictorian speech from an eighth-grade snub.
Bridgewater Middle School held auditions for a speech at the school's eighth-grade graduation, and Santulli spent hours preparing her address, she said. She presented the speech to her language arts class, but it wasn't picked.
"I wanted to do it so bad," said Santulli, who lives in Somerset County. "I wrote so many drafts, and I didn't get picked. But I found it, so I went through it and that was kind of my motivation for a hook.
"I tried to find that same ambition I had then to want to do it, to really kind of use it now," she said.
Santulli, 22, delivered her speech last Saturday to classmates at Centenary's 137th January commencement. She focused on the lessons learned from hard work and dedication, and how to parlay her college education and experiences into a fulfilling adult life.
Not much different than her eighth-grade draft, she said.
"Thinking back on it now, it's funny, but (I focused on) what can we take from middle school and bring into high school," she said.
Centenary conferred degrees on 264 students during a ceremony last Saturday at the John M. Reeves Student Recreation Center.
Santulli graduated with a bachelor's degree in English with several education certificates. She performed her student teaching at Hackettstown Middle School and left such an impression, the school hired her.
As of Jan. 3, Santulli began working as a full-time supportive teacher, or teaching assistant, to help educate fifth-, sixth- and seventh-grade students. She said she liked the middle school since the beginning.
"Since my freshman year we went into the middle school and did a few projects," Santulli said. "I just really liked the atmosphere at the middle school, I liked the staff and I just kind of felt a connection there.
"So I chose to do my (student teaching) there, and I just fell in love with the school and the kids and just feel like I fit," she said.
Deanna Craig, an English teacher at Hackettstown Middle School, said she enjoyed working with Santulli.
"Besides seeing (Santulli) with the kids, I really saw her ability to just meld into the group," Craig said. "She was contributing just like a veteran teacher. You would have thought she taught for years."
Santulli, who also played for the college's soccer team that she captained for three years, said she chose Centenary for the small-school setting.
"It just felt right," she said.
Santulli plans to attend graduate school within the next year and look at possible places to live in Warren County with her boyfriend, Charlie Cannella, a former wrestler at Centenary.
Taking from her past, Santulli emphasized what the future holds for her and her classmates' future.
"We built our foundation here," she said. "But we have plenty more to build in the future using what we take away from here."
Overland Named Third Team All-Region
- Overland Named Third Team All-Region
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (December 12, 2011) – Senior Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton) of the Centenary College women’s soccer team has been named third team on the 2011 NCAA Women’s Division III All-Mid-Atlantic Team according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).
Overland finished the 2011 season with a total 13 goals and five assists in 19 games for the Cyclones and finished 102nd in the nation in total points with 31. This season, Overland also became Centenary’s All-Time assist leader as she now holds the record at 19 for her career.
With her performance this season, Overland was also named the 2011 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Player of the Year, a member of the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Team, and a member of the CSAC First Team All-Conference.
Cyclone Soccer Podcast
The Cyclone Soccer Podcast is online! Listen to head coach Kevin Davies as he breaks down Centenary's season.
2011 Women's Soccer Season Review
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (November 14, 2011) – One year after an exciting run through the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Championships in which the Cyclones’ fate was decided on a penalty kick shootout in each of the final three games, Centenary found itself in the same situation in the semi-final round of the CSAC Championships this year.
Unlike 2010, things did not go in favor of the Cyclones, falling to Neumann University after an exciting scoreless game in regulation and overtime, yet there were many achievements reached by the Cyclones both individually and as a team.
The Cyclones opened up the season in grand fashion, winning both games of the Cyclone Kickoff Classic, defeating Drew University 4-1 and Rowan University 1-0. Centenary skidded temporarily, losing their next three games but quickly got back on track, going on an eight game unbeaten streak. During the streak, the Cyclones recorded five consecutive shutouts in which Centenary outscored opponents 25-0.
The Cyclones, who finished the regular CSAC season 8-2-1 earned the third seed in the CSAC Championships, securing a home match versus Baptist Bible College. A rare October snowstorm dropped a foot of snow on Hackettstown, thus moving the first round game to Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. Centenary, who dropped the regular season meeting with Baptist Bible 1-0 came out strong, scoring two first half goals en-route to a 6-0 win. In the game, senior Tatiana Kingston (Mountainside, N.J./Governor Livingston) recorded a hat trick, scoring the second, third, and fourth goals of the game. Freshman Megan Williams (Glenside, Pa./Abington) notched the shutout with three saves, sending the Cyclones into the semi-final round at the second seeded Neumann University Knights where the Knights would prevail in PK’s 4-2.
The Cyclones finished the 2011 season 11-5-3, 9-2-2 (CSAC), outscoring opponents 52-16. Centenary posted nine shutouts on the year behind their strong goalkeeping corps. Williams kept opponents out of net five times, with junior Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) earning 3 shutouts and freshman Nikki Gillis (Howell, N.J./Howell) with one blanking.
Offensively, Centenary used a balanced attack with seven Cyclones finishing with five goals or more. Senior Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton) led the team with 13 goals and five assists for 31 total points. Junior Arielle Hamilton (Scotrun, Pa./Pocono Mt. East), and Kingston finished with 16 points each, Hamilton with seven goals and Kingston with 6. Seniors Courtney Flanagan (Hackettstown, N.J./Pope John XXIII) and Caitlin Veverka (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy) finished with six and five goals respectively while two freshmen, Laura Potter (Gilboa, N.Y./Gilboa-Conesville) and Samantha Sysak (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy) provided an immediate impact with five goals apiece.
Head Coach Kevin Davies saw several of his student-athletes earn postseason accolades including Brittany Overland who was named the CSAC Player of the Year. Overland was also named First Team All-Conference in a year where she became Centenary’s All-Time Assist Leader.
Overland was joined on the All-CSAC First Team by Kingston and senior Kristyn Lehmann (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial). Veverka and senior Sara Smith (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) earned Second Team All-Conference honors, with Hackelberg being named to the All-Conference Honorable Mention team. Rounding out the post season honors for Centenary is Arielle Hamilton who earned a place on the conference All-Sportsmanship Team.
The Cyclones will graduate several great performers, yet with the freshman who have already proven themselves, coach Davies and his staff see a very promising future.
Overland Named CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District
- Overland Named Academic All-District
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (November 8, 2011) – Senior Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton) was named to the 2011 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Capital One Academic All-District team.
Overland received a First Team District II, First Team All-Conference, and was named the 2011 Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Player of the Year after finishing the season leading the conference in both goals (13) and points (31). The senior forward currently holds a 3.71 G.P.A. as a Psychology major and finished the season ranked 91st in the nation in total points with 31.
History Fails To Repeat For Cyclones
- Cyclones Fall 4-2 In Penalty Kicks
ASTON, Pa. (November 2, 2011) – The Cyclones found themselves in an all too familiar place on Wednesday when the Colonial States Athletic Conference semi-finals came down to penalty kicks to decide who would advance to the CSAC Championship game on Saturday. Unfortunately for the Cyclones, they were unable to repeat last season’s performance and fell to the Neumann University Knights 4-2 in penalty kicks, eliminating them from the 2011 playoffs.
The Cyclones had plenty of opportunities throughout the game, outshooting the Knights 17-8 including a 6-3 shots on goal differential, but could not capitalize with a goal. Senior Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton) was a tremendous threat for the Cyclones and had numerous one-on-one opportunities late in the game that were stopped by Neumann’s freshman goalkeeper Briana King.
With time running out in regulation, the Cyclones put together a drive that looked like it might put Centenary ahead, but a Sara Smith (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) shot flew just high of the crossbar to keep the game scoreless and send it into overtime.
The Cyclones continued their attack in overtime when senior Tatiana Kingston (Mountainside, N.J./Governor Livingston) got a hold of a header that just sailed high over the crossbar to keep the game at 0-0 and advance it to a second overtime.
With tension growing thin, the Cyclones had yet another opportunity when freshman Laura Potter (Gilboa, N.Y./Gilboa-Conesville) crossed a ball from the near side into the box and Courtney Flanagan (Hackettstown, N.J./Pope John XXIII) and Arielle Hamilton (Scotrun, Pa./Pocono Mount East) scurried to knock the ball in, but instead missed wide left to send the game into penalty kicks for the second year in a row.
Last season, the Cyclones were able to win both the semi-finals and the championship game during penalty kicks, but were unfortunately shut down this year by King who finished the game with 6 saves as well as a major stop during the deciding penalty kicks.
The Cyclones will unfortunately have to give up their crown as the 2010 CSAC Championship Team, but finished the season strong with a final record of 11-5-3, including a 9-2-2 CSAC mark, the CSAC Player of the Year, and seven members of the team named to the 2011 All-Conference Team.
Watch the Cyclones Live on Wednesday!
- Watch the Cyclones Live!
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (November 1, 2011) - Wednesday's women's soccer CSAC Tournament semi-final game against #2 Neumann University will be available for fans through live stats and a live video feed.
For live stats, click here.
For live video, click here.
Seven Cyclones Named To WSOC All-Conference Team
- Overland Named Player of the Year
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (November 1, 2011) – The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) announced the 2011 women’s soccer All-Conference teams yesterday, and seven of the Centenary College women’s soccer players received honors. The Cyclones received three First-Team honors, two Second-Team honors, one Honorable Mention honor, one All-Sportsmanship honor, and one Player of the Year.
Senior Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton) was named the 2011 Player of the Year after scoring 13 goals, five assists, and two game-winning goals for the Cyclones this season. Overland also contributed with a hat trick on Oct. 13 against Rosemont in the Cyclones 6-0 win. Joining Overland on the First Team All-Conference are seniors Tatiana Kingston (Mountainside, N.J./Governor Livingston) and Kristyn Lehmann (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial).
Making the Second Team All-Conference this year for the Cyclones are junior Sara Smith (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) and senior Caitlin Veverka (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy). Freshman goalkeeper Alyssa Hackelberg (Randolph, N.J./Randolph) was named to the All-CSAC Honorable Mention Team, and junior Arielle Hamilton (Scotrun, Pa./Pocono Mt. East) received 2011 All-CSAC Sportsmanship Team accolades.
The Lady Cyclones continue to defend their 2010 CSAC Championship crown tomorrow when they travel to Aston, Pa. to take on the Neumann University Knights in the semi-final round of the CSAC Tournament.
Overland and Smith Earn Cyclone of the Week
- Overland and Smith Named Cyclones of the Week
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (October 31, 2011) - Senior Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton) and junior Sara Smith (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) were named Cyclone of the Week for the week ending on Oct. 30th.
Senior Brittany Overland was named the 2011 CSAC Women’s Soccer Player of the Year and a member of the 2011 All-CSAC First Team for her efforts this season. Overland contributed two goals in the Cyclones 7-0 win over Cedar Crest on Saturday in a 70-minute game, ending the regular season with 13 goals and five assists.
Junior Sara Smith recorded her first career hat trick on Saturday in the 7-0 win over Cedar Crest, scoring three goals on her three shot attempts in the short 70-minute game. The junior midfielder finished the regular season with 3 goals and two assists for the Cyclones.
For their efforts, Overland and Smith are named this week's Cyclones of the Week.
Kingston Hat Trick Leads Cyclones 6-0
- Kingston Scored A Hat Trick
SCRANTON, Pa. (October 31, 2011) – Senior Tatiana Kingston (Mountainside, N.J./Governor Livingston) scored her first hat trick of the season tonight to push the Cyclones past the Baptist Bible Defenders 6-0 to send them into the semi-finals of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Tournament.
The Cyclones attacked early when only three minutes into the game Courtney Flanagan (Hackettstown, N.J./Pope John XXIII) broke past two defenders and knocked one past the goalie to put the Cyclones up 1-0.
Only seven minutes later, Kingston added her first goal of the day when she blasted a shot form about three yards out of the left side of the box that Baptist Bible goalie mishandled to put the Cyclones up 2-0.
The Cyclones kept the offense pushing when Kingston knocked home two more goals in less than fifteen minutes to put the Cyclones up 4-0. The night wasn’t over yet for Centenary as junior Arielle Hamilton (Scotrun, Pa./Pocono Mt. East) was able to drive the ball up the middle and blast one past the Defenders goalkeeper.
In the 73rd minute, the Cyclones were able to seal the deal when CSAC Player of the Week Sara Smith (Dumont, N.J./Dumont) took a shot from the right side that snuck just across the goal line to the far post to give Centenary a 6-0 lead and send them into the CSAC Tournament Semi-Finals.
The Cyclones continue their run to defend their 2010 CSAC Championship crown on Wednesday when they travel to Neumann University to take on the Knights at 7pm in the semi-finals.
Cyclones Force Scoreless Tie
- Megan Williams With 6 Saves
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (October 24, 2011) – In the last home game of the 2011 season, the Centenary College women’s soccer team toughed out a 0-0 tie with the Richard Stockton College Ospreys to drop their record to 9-5-2 overall.
Stepping up in a major spot was freshman goalkeeper Megan Williams (Glenside, Pa./Abington) who made six saves on the day in only her fourth start of the season. Williams made two diving stops early in the game to keep the Ospreys off the board, which became enough for the Cyclones to hold on and force a draw.
Early in the game, freshman Laura Potter (Gilboa, N.Y./Gilboa-Conesville) had a huge opportunity for the Cyclones but her shot went just high, ricocheting off the top crossbar and out of play.
The Cyclones continued to battle and got an eventual foul call in the box to allow for senior Caitlin Veverka (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy) to take a penalty kick in hopes to put the Cyclones ahead. Unfortunately for Centenary, Veverka’s shot was deflected wide by Stockton goalkeeper Sarah Hinkle before eventually being cleared out of play to hold the score at 0-0.
Another opportunity came only 25 seconds into the first overtime when senior Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton) dropped a pass in to Arielle Hamilton (Scotrun, Pa./Pocono Mt. East) who ripped a shot on goal, but was denied by Hinkle to hold the game at 0-0.
The Ospreys were able to outshoot the Cyclones 20-5, but Williams’ effort in net proved to be enough to allow Centenary to hold on for the 0-0 tie. The Cyclones return to action for their last regular season game on Saturday as they travel to Allentown, Pa. to take on the Cedar Crest College Falcons at 1pm.