Centenary College News: Athletics: Women's Soccer

41 Cyclones Receive Fall 2011 CSAC All-Academic Team Honors

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 16:45:00 -0500

ASTON, Pa. (January 26, 2012) – The Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) has announced the CSAC All-Academic Team for the Fall 2011 semester, and it includes 578 student-athletes from the conference's 12 member institutions. Among the 578 athletes are 41 student-athletes from Centenary College who qualified for the prestigious honor.

The All-Academic honor rewards varsity student-athletes who attain a grade-point average of 3.2 or higher during their season of competition. The Fall All-Academic Team encompasses student-athletes who participated in the sports of men's and women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, women's tennis, women's volleyball, and field hockey.

"This recognition is well deserved for each one of these student-athletes," said CSAC Interim Commissioner Jennifer Dubow. "They have all assumed leadership roles on their campuses by demonstrating that a complete education includes both academics and athletics. Being able to perform at such a high level academically while competing athletically is truly a testament to all of these young men and women."

Of these honorees, 39 were First Team All-CSAC selections in their sport, while 38 were Second Team picks and 40 were Honorable Mention selections. In addition, 47 were named to the All-Sportsmanship Team in their respective sports.

Also noteworthy is that the Athlete of the Year in all seven CSAC fall sports received All-Academic laurels, including men's soccer Co-Players of the Year Ryan Jones (Marywood) and Andrew Leissing (Neumann), women's soccer Player of the Year Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton), women's tennis Player of the Year Rachel Fein (Gwynedd-Mercy), field hockey Player of the Year Lauren Alessi (Cabrini), volleyball Player of the Year Jelena Markovic (Centenary), and CSAC cross-country champions Katherine Klinges and Matt VanDenHengel, both of Gwynedd-Mercy.

Centenary College CSAC All-Academic Team Recipients

Cyclones Recognized at Women In Sports Luncheon

Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:08:00 -0500

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%.

NJAIAW Program

Centenary Receives Award of Merit at NADIIIAA Community Service Awards Reception

Fri, 20 Jan 2012 14:37:00 -0500

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.

Overland Named Third Team All-Region

Mon, 12 Dec 2011 16:19:00 -0500

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.

FAR/FAB Scholar Athletes For Fall Sports Announced

Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:32:00 -0500

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (November 30, 2011) – The Centenary College Faculty Athletic Representatives (FAR) and Faculty Advisory Board (FAB) announced the Scholar-AthleteAcademic Recognition Awardees for the Fall sports season today. The FAR/FAB Scholar Athlete Recognition Award aims to recognize six student-athletes for each athletic season that have displayed a high level of academic achievement.

The recipients of the FAR/FAB Scholar Athlete Recognition Awards for the Fall 2011 season are members of the Cyclones volleyball, women’s cross country, and women’s soccer teams. The Volleyball team that returned to the CSAC Tournament this year had three teammates receive this honor including seniors Kelsey Walter and Devon Paffendorf as well as junior Jelena Markovic. Markovic, who was named the Colonial States Athletic Conference Player of the Year for her on-court performance, now receives recognition for her efforts in the classroom.

Head Volleyball Coach Dinu Dan expressed pride in his young women saying, “I am proud of the emphasis these ladies put forth. Their stellar academic and athletic performance is great representation for Centenary.”

Joining the three volleyball team members are seniors Chelsea Gummerson and Kelly Nielsen of the women’s cross country team and senior Mary Anderson of the women’s soccer team.

J.J. Cusick, Head Cross Country Coach acknowledges the achievements of Gummerson and Nielsen stating, “Kelly and Chelsea have demonstrated great responsibility by excelling academically over the last four years while competing in collegiate athletics.”

Kevin Davies, Head Women’s Soccer Coach is also pleased the dedication of one of his players is being recognized.

“Since joining the team two years ago, Mary has worked as hard, if not harder on her game than anyone. As well as working hard on the soccer field, Mary has the same work ethic in the classroom.” Davies gives additional praise stating, “I could not find a better person to receive this award.”

The FAR/FAB Scholar Athlete Recognition Award recipients were nominated by their individual coaches and had to meet specific criteria. Nominees must possess a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, be nominated by their coach by the 15th of the month that their season concludes, and demonstrate strong academic commitment, team representation, and additional commitment to the college.

All FAR/FAB Scholar Athlete Recognition Award recipients will be honored at the athletic banquet which will be held in early May.

Overland Received CoSIDA All-Academic Honors

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 16:02:00 -0500

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.

CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Team

History Fails To Repeat For Cyclones

Wed, 02 Nov 2011 23:24:00 -0400

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.

Box Score

Seven Cyclones Named To WSOC All-Conference Team

Tue, 01 Nov 2011 13:22:00 -0400

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.

2011 All Conference Teams

Kingston Hat Trick Leads Cyclones 6-0

Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:33:00 -0400

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.

Box Score

Women's Soccer CSAC Opening Game

Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:55:00 -0400

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (October 30, 2011) - The Centenary College women's soccer team will open up the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) Tournament tomorrow with a first round game against Baptist Bible College at 4pm on the campus of Marywood University in Scranton, Pa. The defending 2010 CSAC Champion Cyclones hold the number three seed entering the tournament and are set to play the number six defenders as the home team.

Cyclones Force Scoreless Tie

Mon, 24 Oct 2011 19:28:00 -0400

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.

Box Score

Men's Soccer Snaps Losing Streak

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 19:05:00 -0400

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (October 22, 2011) – The men’s soccer team was able to snap their three game losing streak today as they defeated the Keystone College Giants 2-1 and improve their record to 9-5-2, 4-3 in conference play.

The Cyclones were the first to jump on the board when senior Matt Winkler (Great Meadows, N.J./Hackettstown) knocked home a loose ball rebound off Keystone goalkeeper Dany O’Rourke to put Centenary up 1-0 in the 28th minute.

The Giants responded only three minutes later when James Bell was able to chip the ball past senior goalkeeper Jason Rogers (Washington, N.J./Warren Hills) to even the score at 1-1. Rogers would stand his ground for the rest of the game however, recording five saves in the Cyclone victory.

Coming out of the second half, the Cyclones picked up their intensity as freshman Quinn Khouri (Eldersburg, Md./Liberty) was able to head home the eventual winning goal off a Patrick Bourland (Vienna, N.J./Hackettstown) pass to give the Cyclones a 2-1 lead.

Despite a few opportunities to extend the lead when an Alex Walters (Sciota, Pa./Pleasant Valley) header tipped off the crossbar and another went just over, the Cyclones were able to hold on for the remainder of the game and take home an important conference victory.

The Cyclones return to action on Tuesday as they travel to Gwynedd-Mercy to take on the Griffins at 7pm. The men’s soccer team will be hosting their senior day on Saturday before they host Rosemont University at 1pm.

Box Score

Senior Day Upset

Sat, 22 Oct 2011 18:38:00 -0400

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (October 22, 2011) – On a very momentous day where the Centenary women’s soccer team recognized their five graduating seniors, the Cyclones were unable to remove Neumann University from the number one spot in the conference as they fell to the Knights 3-2 in an overtime thriller.

Prior to the start of the game, Head Coach Kevin Davies and the rest of the women’s soccer team paid tribute to the five graduating seniors that have contributed so much to the Cyclone tradition: Kristyn Lehmann (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial), Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton), Mary Anderson (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), Arielle Hamilton (Scotrun, Pa./Pocono Mt. East), and Caitlin Veverka (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy).

Less than one minute after the opening whistle, the Cyclones jumped attacked when two of the graduates that were honored earlier teamed up as Overland took a pass across midfield from Hamilton before knocking it home for a 1-0 Cyclone lead. The Knights didn’t wait long before Tonia Russo was able to net a loose ball in the fifth minute to tie the game at 1-1.

Following the two early goals, the game turned into a defensive battle with both teams stepping up to keep the score tied 1-1 going into the half. The Knights were the first to jump out in the second half though as Emily Sanders was able to punch home a goal from Ashley Hawkins to give Neumann a 2-1 lead.

The Cyclones would not rest for long however as the Overland and Hamilton duo struck again in the 62nd minute when Hamilton was able to drill home an important equalizer off an Overland pass in the box to send the game into overtime.

With only ten seconds remaining in the first overtime, Neumann was able to capitalize on a corner kick as Heather Hopkins knocked a loose ball out in front of the net home to give the Knights the 3-2 overtime victory over the Cyclones.

The Lady Cyclones return to action on Monday as they host Richard Stockton University at 4pm on Cyclone Field for their last home game of the 2011 season.

Box Score

Women’s Soccer Suffers First CSAC Loss

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:28:00 -0400

CLARKS SUMMIT, Pa. – The Centenary women’s soccer team suffered its first Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC) loss of the season, falling at Baptist Bible, 1-0, Wednesday in Clarks Summit, Pa. The Lady Cyclones drop to 9-4-1 overall and 7-1-1 in the CSAC while BBC improves to 7-7-1, 4-4-1 in conference action.

Centenary outshot its opponent, 24-5, including an 11-3 edge in shots on goal. The Cyclones took nine corner kicks and limited Baptist Bible to just one. But Defenders’ goalkeepers Cierra Bryon and Jacklyn Dauth combined for 11 saves to preserve the shutout.

CC had many opportunities but could not put the ball in the back of the net. Senior Courtney Flanagan (Hackettstown, N.J./Pope John XXIII) led the way with eight shots, including five on goal, but Baptist Bible was able to hold back the Cyclones’ offense. Finally, in the 88th minute, BBC’s Erin Laws slipped the ball past Centenary goalkeeper Megan Williams (Glenside, Pa./Abington) for the gamewinner. Williams finished with two saves in the loss.

The Cyclones return to action with a key conference matchup against Neumann on Saturday at 1:00 p.m., as part of Senior Day. Mary Anderson (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), Arielle Hamilton (Scotrun, Pa./Pocono Mt. East), Kristyn Lehmann (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial), Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton) and Caitlin Veverka (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy) will all be honored prior to the game. The winner of that game will put itself in a good position to take first-place in the CSAC and earn home field advantage throughout the conference tournament.

Cyclones Announce White Out Day

Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:21:00 -0400

HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (October 19, 2011) – The Centenary College Sociology and Criminal Justice Club and the Sports Management Association presents: "White Out Day" on Saturday for the soccer men and women doubleheader. Come support the Cyclones by wearing your Centenary gear and get a free limited edition "White Out" t-shirt.

“White Out Day” will start with the women’s soccer team as the Lady Cyclones take on Neumann University at 1pm. Prior to the game, Centenary will pay tribute to their five graduating seniors as part of a senior day celebration, honoring Brittany Overland (Andover, N.J./Newton), Caitlin Veverka (Bayonne, N.J./Holy Family Academy), Arielle Hamilton (Scotrun, Pa./Pocono Mt. East), Mary Anderson (West Milford, N.J./West Milford), and Kristyn Lehmann (Jackson, N.J./Jackson Memorial).

Following the women’s game, “White Out Day” continues as the men’s team takes on CSAC rival Keystone at 3pm. For more information on the “White Out Day” festivities, feel free to contract Kim Garcia at garciak@centenarycollege.edu.