February 24, 2009

In this issue: Men's Basketball | Women's Basketball | Equestrian | Men's Lacrosse | Women's Lacrosse | Softball | Men's Track & Field | Women's Track & Field

Last Week
Feb. 18 Defeated Stevenson University 92-81
Feb. 21 Lost to Salisbury University 73-75

This Week
Season complete

Hood fell just short of earning one of the top six spots in the Capital Athletic Conference playoffs. The Blazers had to defeat Salisbury University Saturday in its regular season finale but suffered a heartbreaking 75-73 setback to the Sea Gulls. With the score tied at 73-73, Hood was whistled for a foul at the buzzer, and the officials elected to put 0.1 seconds back on the clock, sending Salisbury's Chris McGrew to the line for a one-and-one opportunity. He made both foul shots and Tim Abercrombie's desperation heave as time expired was off the mark and the Sea Gulls escaped with the victory. Sophomore Tyler Snoots (above) matched his career-high with 18 points off the bench in defeat. In Hood's home finale Wednesday against Stevenson, six Blazers reached double figures in a 92-81 Hood victory.

Last Week
Feb. 18 Lost to Stevenson University 52-65
Feb. 21 Lost to Salisbury University 63-71

This Week
Season complete

Junior Jen Willison (above) became the seventh Hood women's basketball player to score 1,000 career points Wednesday against Stevenson University. Willison reached this milestone in 68 career games, making her the second-fastest woman in program history to accomplish this feat. Sophomore Allyson Lethbridge scored a game-high 20 points in the loss to Stevenson, marking her fifth 20-point game of the season. In Hood's regular season finale against Salisbury, Willison notched her 11th double-double of the season with game-highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds but the Blazers came up short, falling 71-63. Hood finished the season in eighth place in the Capital Athletic Conference.

Last Week
Feb. 21-22 at University of Mary Washington

This Week
Feb. 28 at Goucher College

Hood had both a busy and successful weekend at the two Intercollegiate Horse Show Association competitions hosted by the University of Mary Washington on Saturday and Sunday. At the Saturday show, Katie Thomas placed sixth in the novice division on the flat and made her jumping debut for this school year in the novice over fences division. Since the University of Mary Washington does not limit entries in certain divisions, all three of Hood’s advanced walk-trot-canter riders competed, each in a different section. Freshman Katie Geiger placed fifth and seniors Emily Bernstein and Nadine Miglio earned a second and a third place ribbon, respectively. At the Sunday competition, Thomas won second place in her novice on the flat division by riding a beautiful equitation class. In her over fences section, Thomas placed sixth with a rhythmic and steady ride. The U. of Mary Washington competition was Thomas’s last IHSA show. In the advanced walk-trot-canter division, all three riders placed: Bernstein with a second, Miglio with a sixth and Geiger with a sixth. Walk-trot rider Amy Thompson improved her standing by earning a third place yellow ribbon. The team’s last Intercollegiate Horse Show competition will be hosted by Goucher College at the Garrison Forest School Saturday in Baltimore.

Last Week
Feb. 21 Lost to Virginia Wesleyan College 7-20

This Week
Feb. 24 vs. Gwynedd-Mercy College 3:30 p.m.
Feb. 27 at Shenandoah University 7 p.m.

Kris Miner, Dominique Shorter (above) and Blake Rust all tallied a pair of goals and Nick Spicer scored the first goal of his Hood career Saturday in a 20-7 loss to Virginia Wesleyan College. Nick O'Brien turned away 12 shots in defeat. Hood trailed 6-3 at halftime but an eight-goal third quarter by the Marlins was too much for the Blazers to overcome. Hood returns to action Tuesday when it hosts first-year program Gwynedd-Mercy College in its home opener at 3:30 p.m. at Thomas Athletic Field.

Last Week
Feb. 20 Defeated Wesley College 14-13
Feb. 22 Lost to No. 3 Salisbury University 0-21

This Week
No games scheduled

Junior Brandy Noel scored the game-winning goal with 25 seconds left in regulation to propel Hood to a dramatic 14-13 victory over Capital Athletic Conference rival Wesley College Friday afternoon in the season opener for both schools. Noel scored her fourth goal of the contest in the closing seconds to give Hood its first-ever CAC triumph in its second season in the league. After a winless CAC campaign in 2008, the Blazers got off to a strong start by avenging a 15-4 loss to the Wolverines from last season. Kelsey Blackwell also finished with four goals while Lauren Perzan had a pair. Britney Colandreo, Jen Graham, Katie Vu and Sarah Balukoff added one goal apiece for Hood. Freshman goalie Sam Liptrap (above) registered her first career victory in goal and made 14 saves. Hood is idle until March 5 when it hosts Lancaster Bible College at 3 p.m.

Last Week
No games scheduled

This Week
Feb. 27 vs. Roanoke College (at Methodist University) 10:30 a.m.
Feb. 27 vs. Fayetteville State University (at Methodist University) 2:30 p.m.
Feb. 28 vs. Goldey-Beacom College (at Methodist University) 9 a.m.
Feb. 28 at Methodist University 1 p.m.
Mar. 1 vs. Penn State University-Harrisburg (DH) 1 p.m.

Second-year head coach Kate Barrick (above) and the Blazers begin the 2009 season Friday at the Methodist University tournament. The Blazers then return home Sunday to host Penn State University Harrisburg in a doubleheader at 1 p.m. Ten veterans return to the Blazer dugout this spring from a squad which posted a 15-13 record in 2008.

Last Week
Feb. 21 at Susquehanna University Invitational Individual Results

This Week
No meets scheduled

Justin Everett and Chris DiGangi finished fourth overall in packed fields to highlight the performance of the Hood College men's track & field team at the final Susquehanna University indoor meet. Everett extended his fine early season jumping, adding a half inch to his indoor/outdoor record in the long jump, leaping 20' 8.5". He was the second collegiate athlete in a field of 35 jumpers. DiGangi narrowly missed topping his new school of last week, vaulting 13' 11.25" to finish as the third collegian in a field of 30 pole vaulters. Indoor bests were achieved by William Andrews in the men's 3000 meters and the men's distance medley relay team of Andrews, Ola Komolafe, Brendan Greenlees (above) and Blair Ames. Personal bests were set by Mike Richter (55 meter dash, 200 meters, 400 meters) and Ivan Chavdarov (400 meters). Hood is idle this week but returns to action March 7 at Salisbury University.

Last Week
Feb. 21 at Susquehanna University Invitational Individual Results

This Week
No meets scheduled

The Hood College women's track and field team traveled to Susquehanna University for its third indoor meet of the season. Indoor bests were achieved by Emma Arneson (above) in the long jump, good for 13th of 34 jumpers, and Kayla Murphy in the shot. Personal bests were set by Arneson (55 meter dash, 55 hurdles, 200 meters), Amanda Kwiatkowski (55 meter dash, 55 hurdles, 200 meters) and Mollie Widdowson (55 meter dash, 55 hurdles, 200 meters). Hood is idle this week but returns to action March 7 at Salisbury University.