ESPN Announces MAAC Netflex Games for February 24

EDISON, NJ – ESPN has announced the two Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Men’s Basketball netflex matchups for Friday, February 24.

On ESPN2, Monmouth University will host Siena College at the OceanFirst Bank Center in West Long Branch, NJ at 7:00 p.m. Manhattan College takes on Iona College on ESPNU at the Hynes Athletics Center in New Rochelle, NY at 9:00 p.m.

Monmouth University is currently 12-2 in the MAAC and 20-5 overall. The Hawks are currently on a ten-game winning streak. Siena College is 8-6 in the MAAC and 11-14 overall. These two teams will meet for the first time in the 2016-17 season on Monday, February 13 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY for a 7:00 p.m. tip-off on ESPN3.

Manhattan College and Iona College will square off for the second time this season. The two teams first played on Tuesday, January 17 in Riverdale, NY. The Gaels defeated the Jaspers 82-67. The Gaels are currently 9-5 in the MAAC and 16-9 overall. The Jaspers are 4-10 in conference play and 9-16 overall.

The MAAC telecast schedule will feature 10 netflex games during the 2016-17 season. The netflex format allows ESPN to pick any game on schedule for the selected date to air on the designated platform (ESPN2, ESPNU, or ESPN3). ESPN will announce which game has been selected for the wildcard telecast 21 days out. The format enables the MAAC and ESPN flexibility to showcase the best possible matchups.

The 2016-17 MAAC season culminates at the 2017 MAAC Basketball Championships, March 2-6 at the Times Union Center in Albany, NY. The 2017 MAAC Men’s Basketball Championship Game will take place on Monday, March 6 at 9:00 p.m. and will air live on ESPN/2 with the winner earning the leagues automatic bid to the NCAA Championship.

For more information on MAAC Men’s Basketball, visit maacsports.com/basketball and remember to follow the conversation on social media using #MAACHoops

Marquis Wright & Peter Kiss Earn LifeStorage Weekly Awards

Player of the Week

Marquis Wright, Siena

Sr., 6-1, G, Waldorf, MD/North Point

Wright averaged 18.5 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.5 rebounds in leading the Saints to a pair of road wins last week at defending MAAC Tournament Champion Iona and archrival Marist. Wright recorded a stellar 5.0 assist-to-turnover ratio and came up huge in the clutch late in the two close road wins. In the 81-79 victory at Iona which snapped the red-hot Gaels’ seven-game home win streak and six-game winning streak overall, Wright scored 14 of his 16 points in the second half to rally the Saints back from a 13-point deficit with 13:18 to go. He scored nine of his points over the final four minutes, and calmly sank the go-ahead, game-winning free throws with 12.3 seconds left. He also dished out nine assists in the win. On Saturday, Wright scored 16 of his team-high 21 points in the second half and dished out six assists without committing a turnover in an 84-77 win at Marist. Wright was clutch down the stretch once again, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free throw line over the final 44 seconds to ice the win.

Rookie of the Week

Peter Kiss, Quinnipiac

Fr., 6-5, G, New York, NY/Notre Dame (MA)

Kiss had 18 points and 12 rebounds, including the game-winning basket with 1.9 seconds left, as Quinnipiac picked up a road win at Fairfield on Monday. Kiss broke ties three times in the last 1:10, giving the Bobcats their first lead of the second half with a free throw with 1:08 left, hitting a tiebreaking jumper with 42 seconds left, and after Fairfield knotted it back up with 31 seconds, he beat the shot clock buzzer with a 10-foot floater for the win with just 1.9 left. After being held to nine points in a loss to Saint Peter’s on Thursday, he came back with 17 points and eight rebounds in a 112-107 road loss at Rider on Saturday.

Don't miss the upcoming week of MAAC Men's Basketball!

Quinnipiac's Aryn McClure & Marist's Rebekah Hand Take Home LifeStorage MAAC Women's Basketball Weekly Awards

Player of the Week

Aryn McClure, Quinnipiac

So., F, Springfield Gardens, NY/Archbishop Molloy

Sophomore forward Aryn McClure led Quinnipiac University to a pair of wins over Marist College, 79-57 and Siena College, 76-60, two teams both seeded in the upper half of the MAAC standings. She dominated early and often, to the tone of two straight season-high scoring outings as she notched 16 points against Marist and followed with a 21-point performance at Siena. Averaging 18.5 points per game over the 2-0 week, McClure was efficient from the floor going 16-of-33 (48.5%) overall, while hitting the first three-pointer of her career (missed first 22 career attempts).

McClure’s 16-point game against Marist included five rebounds, four assists, and two steals in 27 minutes of play. Her top performance of the season came in the Bobcats’ road win over Siena as she notched 13 of her 21 points in the fourth quarter, while reaching the 20-point plateau for just the second time in her career (one point off her career-high). The Springfield Gardens, NY native scored 13 of the Bobcats’ 16 points in a span of 6:33 in the final quarter. McClure has been named MAAC Player of the Week for the second time this season (last, November 14).

Rookie of the Week

Rebekah Hand, Marist

Fr., G, Argyle, TX/Liberty Christian School

Reigning MAAC Rookie of the Week Rebekah Hand averaged 16.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 assists in a two game week for the Red Foxes. Hand shot 42.3 percent from the field, 37.5 percent from three, and was perfect from the free-throw line (4-of-4). In Hand’s first game against first place Quinnipiac, the guard scored 13 points, grabbed five rebounds, and swiped three steals. In her second game of the week, she notched her third double-double of the season scoring 19 points to go along with 11 rebounds against Niagara University. Hand also added an assist a block, a steal, and knocked down five three pointers against the Purple Eagles playing all 40 minutes of the game.

Don't miss the upcoming week of MAAC Women's Basketball!

Three MAAC Student-Athletes Selected by CoSIDA to Academic All-District Teams

EDISON, NJ – Fairfield University junior forward Samantha Cooper, Rider University junior guard Kamila Hoskova, and Siena College red-shirt senior forward Brett Bisping have been selected to the 2016-17 College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) Academic All-District Men’s and Women’s Basketball Teams.

All three First Team honorees have advanced to the CoSIDA Academic All-America Team ballot, where First, Second, and Third Team All-America honorees will be selected later this month. To qualify for the CoSIDA Academic All-District Team student-athletes must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.30, reached sophomore standing academically, be a starter or key reserve on his or her team, and participated in a minimum of 50% of their team’s games.

Fairfield’s Samantha Cooper was named to the CoSIDA Women’s Basketball Academic All-District 1 First Team. Cooper is a Biology major, who posted a 3.70 GPA and was one of five student-athletes selected to the District 1 team. The Sudbury, Ontario native is a three-time member of the MAAC All-Academic Team (2014, 2015 & 2016).

Rider’s Kamila Hoskova was selected to the CoSIDA Women’s Basketball Academic All-District 2 First Team. The Junior is a Mathematics/Economics major and compiled a 3.92 GPA. Hoskova was one of five members of the District 2 team, her 3.92 GPA tied for the highest mark on the team. She was also selected to the 2016 MAAC All-Academic Team after her sophomore campaign.

Siena’s Brett Bisping was selected to the CoSIDA Men’s Basketball Academic All-District 1 First Team. Bisping recorded a perfect 4.0 GPA in his first semester as a graduate student last fall, he registered a cumulative 3.42 GPA as an undergraduate where he majored in Finance and Economics. The red-shirt senior was named to the MAAC All-Academic team three times over the course of his career (2014, 2015 & 2016).

About CoSIDA:

CoSIDA (College Sports Information Directors of America) was founded in 1957 and is a 3,000+ member national organization comprised of the sports public relations, media relations and communications/information professionals throughout all levels of collegiate athletics in the United States and Canada. The 2016-17 academic year will mark the 60th year of the organization, making it the second oldest management association in all of intercollegiate athletics. CoSIDA became an affiliated partner with NACDA (National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics) in December of 2008.

Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest” Announces Lineup of Participating Restaurants for Inaugural Event at Albany Capital Center

ALBANY, NY; February 13, 2017 – The Albany County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Albany Convention Center Authority and SMG today announced the participating restaurants for the second annual “Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest” on Friday, March 3 at the Albany Capital Center from 4 to 6:30 p.m.

The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will invite fans to celebrate the return of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships to downtown Albany. The popular fan festival will serve as the inaugural event at the much-anticipated Albany Capital Center, the new state-of-the-art convention center.

During the pre-game event, fans will have the opportunity to sample gourmet mac-n-cheese dishes from numerous Albany-area restaurants, including: Allie B’s Cozy Kitchen; Ama Cocina; Angelo’s 677 Prime; Capitol Melts Grilled Cheese Café; Cider Belly Doughnuts; The City Beer Hall; Dave & Buster’s; Druthers Brewing Company; The Hollow Bar & Kitchen; Parish Public House; Public House 42; and Wellington’s.

Multiple varietals of craft beer from New York breweries will also be available, including: Brewery Ommegang; Brown’s Brewing Company; Ithaca Beer Company; and Saranac Brewery.

Tickets for the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest are available online at www.albany.org for $8. Tickets entitle guests to 10 tastings of any combination of mac-n-cheese or craft beer. Tickets will be available at the door on Friday, March 3 for $10.

This year’s festivities will feature the Air Elite Dunkers, the official dunk team for the NBA’s Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Hornets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and Toronto Raptors. The high-flying entertainers will showcase their aerobatic skills in a pair of 20-minute performances during the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest at the Albany Capital Center. The Air Elite Dunkers are presented by Pioneer Bank. Also, the Siena men’s basketball court will be relocated from the Times Union Center to the Albany Capital Center for the event.

Other entertainment will include performances by MAAC school pep bands; basketball-themed inflatables; face painting; a balloon artist; and music.

A portion of proceeds will benefit the Times Union Hope Fund which serves children in need throughout the Capital Region.

Times Union Senior Writer and Table Hopping Columnist Steve Barnes will emcee the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest, which will include a People’s Choice Award for the restaurant which serves the crowd’s favorite mac-n-cheese. The Table Hopping blog and timesunion.com are the title sponsors of the Mac-n-Cheese Bowl created at the suggestion of a Table Hopping reader. The eighth event, featuring mac-n-cheese from 30 Capital Region restaurants, is scheduled for February 18 at Siena College in Loudonville.

Sponsors of the Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest include Hannaford Supermarkets, Berkshire Bank, Upstate Ford, NYSCOPBA, Pioneer Bank and Dunkin’ Donuts. Additional funding to host and promote the MAAC Basketball Tournament was provided from Empire State Development/ I LOVE NY, which was awarded through the Regional Economic Development Council awards.

The Hannaford MAAC-n-Cheese Fest will supplement the MAAC Basketball Championships featuring men’s and women’s teams from Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Niagara University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, St. Peter’s University, and Siena College.

Flex ticket packages are currently available for the MAAC Basketball Championships. Flex ticket packages include four tickets redeemable for any open seat during any session of the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships, including both championship games. The tickets may be utilized for four seats to one session, one seat for four sessions, or any ensuing combination to enable fans to tailor the tournament experience to meet their needs.

Two sets of flex ticket packages, each comprised of four tickets, are available for this year’s tournament. The first package provides access to any open seat during any session and is $150. The second package provides access to any open seat in the lower level corners and end zones and is $100.

All-session passes are also available for fans seeking admission to additional games in the MAAC Men’s and Women’s Basketball Championships. All-session passes, which grant access to all 20 games of the men’s and women’s tournament, are $97, $122, $167 and $227.

Individual session passes are also currently available. Individual session passes, flex ticket packages and all-session passes may be purchased at the arena box office, charge by phone at 1-800-745-3000 and online at www.timesunioncenter-albany.com.

For a complete tournament schedule, visit www.maacsports.com.

The Capital Complex in Albany is the largest meeting space in upstate New York. Connected by an enclosed walkway, the Complex is comprised of the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, a 50,000 sq. ft. facility that includes a convention hall, seven meeting rooms and pre-function space operated by the New York State Office of General Services; The Egg, which includes two theaters that seat a total of 1400 people along with 10,000 square feet of event space; and two locations operated by SMG including the new Albany Capital Center, a 50,000 sq. ft. space with six meeting rooms and pre-function space; and the Times Union Center, upstate New York’s premier sports and entertainment facility with 17,500 seats and 50,000 sq. ft. of exhibit and pre-function space.

Quinnipiac Selected as Unanimous Men’s Lacrosse Preseason Favorite; Foster Cuomo & Jeff Edwards Earn Co-Preseason Player of the Year Honors

EDISON, NJ – The defending Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Men’s Lacrosse champion Quinnipiac University, has been selected as the unanimous 2017 preseason favorite, as voted upon by the leagues seven head coaches, totaling 49 points.

Quinnipiac went 6-0 in conference play last season en route to winning its first MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship in program history. The Bobcats defeated Marist College 13-9 in the 2016 MAAC Championship game to advance to the NCAA Men’s Lacrosse Championship. In preliminary round action, Quinnipiac knocked off Hartford 14-9, behind four goals from the 2017 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Co-Preseason Player of the Year, Foster Cuomo.

Monmouth ranks second in the preseason coaches’ poll with 38 points. Last season the Hawks were 3-3 in MAAC play and faced Marist in the semifinals of the MAAC Championship. Monmouth ranked first in the MAAC in 2016 with 7.57 caused turnovers per game and second with an 8.42 goals against average. Returning for the Hawks is 2017 Preseason All-MAAC member, senior defensemen Andrew Grajewski.

Marist comes in third in the preseason poll with 34 points and a league-best four players on the 2017 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason All-MAAC team. The Red Foxes were 4-2 in the MAAC a season ago and made it to the championship game before falling to Quinnipiac. J.D. Recor was second in the MAAC with 1.73 assists per game and second with 3.53 points per game. Goalkeeper Brian Corrigan ranked first in the MAAC with an 8.14 goals against average and a 58.7 save percentage. The senior goalkeeper ranked second with 11.75 saves per game.

In fourth-place in the preseason poll is three-time MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Champions, Siena College. The Saints placed defender Joe Arcarese on the 2017 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Preseason All-MAC team. Canisius College placed in fifth with 23 points. The Griffs are led by Co-Preseason Player of the Year, Jeff Edwards. Edwards led the MAAC with 2.17 assists last season. Detroit Mercy and Manhattan College round out the preseason poll in sixth and seventh place, respectively.

The 2017 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship will take place from Friday, May 5- Sunday, May 7 at a predetermined site, which is to be determined at this time. The 2017 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship game will take place on Sunday, May 7 at 10:00 a.m. and will air live on ESPNU. As part of the MAAC’s deal with ESPN, one regular season game on Friday, April 28 will be flexed onto ESPNU. One of the following games is eligible to be flexed onto ESPNU: Manhattan at Monmouth, Quinnipiac at Canisius or Siena at Marist.

For all information on the 2017 MAAC Men’s Lacrosse Championship, visit maacsports.com/menslax

Canisius Women’s Lacrosse Selected as Unanimous Preseason Favorite; Canisius’ Erica Evans Named Unanimous Preseason Player of the Year

EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) announced today that Canisius College has been selected as the 2017 Women’s Lacrosse Preseason favorite based on a vote by the league’s nine head coaches. The Griffs were a unanimous selection, receiving 81 points and all nine first place votes. Canisius’ junior midfielder Erica Evans was named the unanimous 2017 Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year.

The Griffs won the 2016 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship after a first place finish in the regular season (13-7, 8-0 MAAC). Canisius claimed the MAAC Regular Season Championship for the second year in a row in 2016. The Griffs defeated Monmouth University in the 2016 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship game, 17-5 to earn the league’s automatic bid to the 2016 NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse Championship.

Last season Canisius led the MAAC in goals scored (248), goals per game (12.40), points (343), points per game (17.15), shot percentage (48.6%), fewest turnovers per game (11.95), and goals against average (8.43). The Griffs ranked 16th in the nation in scoring offense (12.40 goals per game), 12th in fewest turnovers per game (11.95), 15th in scoring margin (+3.95), and 24th in points per game (17.15).

Canisius’ junior midfield Erica Evans earned the unanimous 2017 Women’s Lacrosse Preseason Player of the Year honor after a historic 2016 campaign. Evans was named the MAAC Midfielder of the Year for the second consecutive year last season and set conference records in goals scored (72) and points (91). She ranked third in the nation in goals scored and fifth in points. The midfielder recorded 19 assists, had a shooting percentage of 51.8 percent and led the Griffs with 81 draw controls, 47 ground balls, and 31 caused turnovers.

The Peterborough, Ontario native also received Preseason All-American honors from Inside Lacrosse in its latest publication Face-Off Yearbook 2017. She was named to the 2017 Inside Lacrosse Preseason All-American Second Team.

Monmouth placed second in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, receiving a total of 70 points. The Hawks were the 2016 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship runner-up after a third place regular season finish (12-8, 6-2 MAAC). Monmouth led the MAAC in save percentage (45.9%), saves (181), and ranked second in saves per game (9.05) last season.

Fairfield University and Marist College tied for third in the Preseason Coaches’ Poll, each receiving 57 points respectively. The Stags won the 2015 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship and posted a (9-9, 4-4 MAAC) mark in 2016. Fairfield was defeated by Canisius in the semifinals of the 2016 MAAC Championship. The Red Foxes finished last regular season in second place with a record of (9-8, 6-2 MAAC). Marist advanced to the semifinals of the MAAC Championship, but were edged by Monmouth.

The 2017 Preseason All-MAAC Team is comprised of four attacks, three midfielders, four defenders, and one goaltender. Canisius had a league-high three student-athletes selected to the Preseason All-MAAC Team.

Canisius’ Tessa Chad, Fairfield’s Riley Hellstein, Monmouth’s Alexa Smith, and Niagara’s Caroline Crump were all selected to the Preseason-All MAAC Team at attack. Canisius’ Erica Evans (unanimous selection), Fairfield’s Alex Fehmel, and Iona’s Erin Pugh make up the team’s midfielders. Iona’s Gabriella Di Domizio, Niagara’s Alexandra Higgins, Quinnipiac’s Kiera Kelly, and Siena’s Emily Conway join the team at defense. Canisius’ Rebecca VanLaeken was selected at goalie.

For all information on the 2017 MAAC Women’s Lacrosse Championship, visit maacsports.com/womenslax.

Marist's Hailey Wagner & Monmouth's Nicole Ceraso Earn First Women's Lacrosse Weekly Awards of 2017

Offensive Player of the Week

Hailey Wagner, Marist

So., M, Brookhaven, NY/Bellport

Marist College sophomore midfield Hailey Wagner tallied six points on three goals and a team-high three assists in a narrow loss to local rival Army West Point, 13-12 on February 11. Marist tied the score on one of Wagner’s goals and built a 10-8 advantage on her other two late in the first half of the 2017 regular season opener. She also won a draw control in the defeat.

Rookie of the Week

Nicole Ceraso, Monmouth

Fr., A, Massapequa, NY/Plainedge

Monmouth University freshman attack Nicole Ceraso led all scorers in goals with four and points with eight in her collegiate debut. It took the Massapequa, NY native 2:09 into her first start to score, putting the Hawks up 1-0 with an unassisted goal. Just over two minutes later she recorded her first career assist, feeding junior Alexa Smith on a marker that put the Hawks up 2-0. After Monmouth fell behind 9-3 with seven minutes to go in the first half, Ceraso assisted on a pair of goals and scored her second to cut the MU deficit to three going into the break. She scored two more goals during Monmouth’s run of six unanswered goals in the second half that tied the game up,12-12. The freshman attacker was 2-of-3 on free position attempts and committed just one turnover.

Don't miss the upcoming week of MAAC Women's Lacrosse!

Rider Men, Marist Women Win 2017 MAAC LifeStorage Swimming and Diving Championships

BUFFALO, NY - The 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference LifeStorage Swimming and Diving Championships concluded today at the Burt Flickinger Athletic Center in Buffalo, New York. The Rider University men won their sixth consecutive MAAC Championship title and the Marist College women claimed their eighth consecutive title.

The Rider University men improved their place in the standings after day two to first place and remained in that spot to go on to win the title with 840.5 points. Marist College moved into second place after day two, finishing after the four day event with 635 points. Bryant University finished in third place with 469.5 points followed by Canisius College (420), Iona College (400.5), Niagara University (324), Saint Peter’s University (246), Manhattan College (180.5), Fairfield University (172.5), and rounding out this years standings is Monmouth University (97.5).

Rider University continued to add to their point total throughout the championship, winning gold medals in five of six men’s events on day four. Senior Sam Cramer repeated his title and won the first gold medal of the night in the 1650-yard freestyle in 15:27.72, a NCAA Division I B time. Justin Carey, the 2017 Men’s Swimming Rookie of the Meet added another gold medal in the 200-yard backstroke (1:48.60), followed by teammate Luke Musselman in second and Greg Staebell of Canisius in third. Junior Zack Molloy and 2017 Men’s Most Outstanding Swimmer for the second consecutive year broke his second MAAC record in the men’s 100-yard freestyle with a NCAA DI B cut time of 43.47.

Ben Schulte of Bryant added his third individual gold medal and won his third consecutive 200-yard breaststroke in 1:59.89. His teammate Tavish Boyle finished in second place in 2:00.88. Freshman Cole May of Rider added another first place finish in the 200-yard fly (1:49.66), followed by Marist’s Manuel Garcia, and Bryant’s Oliver French. Rider capped the 2017 MAAC LifeStorage Swimming and Diving Championships off with a record breaking 400-yard freestyle relay. Vincent Gibbons, William Molloy, Matthan-Matthew Martir, and Zachary Molloy beat the record the squad set last year with a time of 2:59.18.

For the women, Marist earned the first place position on the leaderboard after day one and remained there to win the championship. Rider finished in second with 617, followed by Canisius (581), Iona (469), Niagara (328), Fairfield (319), Siena (289), Manhattan (194), Monmouth (122), and Saint Peter’s (58).

Junior Shannon Gordon started the night for the Red Foxes in the 1650-yard free touching the wall first in 17:17.10, followed by teammate and the 2017 Women’s Co-Outstanding Swimmer, Sara Nestrowitz. Senior Meredith Wurtz and the 2017 Women’s Co-Outstanding Swimmer for the second year in a row, then went on to add another gold medal for the Red Foxes and defend her title in the 100-yard free (51.95). Megan Berardelli, the 2017 Women’s Most Outstanding Diver, also added her second gold medal to the teams victory in the 1-meter diving with a final score of 258.00. Rider’s freshman Meg Tomayko earned the 2017 Women’s Diving Rookie of the Meet with a 1-meter score of 219.40.

Rider freshmen Natalie Carter and Casey Wrabley each won gold medals. Carter’s time of 2:04.66 in the 200-yard backstroke secured her the top spot on the podium while Wrabley’s time of 2:07.88 in the 200-yard butterfly also earned her a gold medal. Carter was named the 2017 Women’s Swimming Rookie of the Meet.

The Canisius Griffs also won two events tonight. Senior Marissa Watroba won the 200-yard breaststroke in 2:22.94. The Griffs then went on to finish the women’s events with a win in the 400-yard freestyle relay in 3:30.64, improving their seed time by more than seven seconds.

Junior Travis Wright of Canisius was named the 2017 Men’s Most Outstanding Diver for the second consecutive year. Marist freshman Raislan Aiken was awarded the 2017 Men’s Diving Rookie of the Meet Award.

Ian O’Rourke of Canisius was named the 2017 MAAC Diving Coach of the Year, Larry Van Wagner of Marist was named the 2017 MAAC Women’s Swimming Coach of the Year, and Steve Fletcher of Rider was named the 2017 Men’s Swimming Coach of the Year.

Canisius' Castro, Weathers & Niagara's Watkins Earn First MAAC Softball Weekly Awards of 2017

Player of the Week

Lauren Castro, Canisius

So., P/INF, Gilroy, CA/Gilroy

Canisius College sophomore Lauren Castro hit a team-best .545 (6-11) with four doubles and two runs scored last week as the Griffs went 2-2 at the CSU Dome Invite in Cleveland, OH. In Canisius’ win over Robert Morris University on February 11, she had three hits, including a double, and scored a run. She also doubled and scored a run in the team’s 5-4 loss to host Cleveland State in extra innings. In the Griffs’ loss to Bowling Green, the Gilroy, CA native had both of the Canisius’ hits, both doubles. In the circle, she went 1-1 in two starts, where she allowed five runs, three earned and struck out eight.

Pitcher of the Week

Madi Weathers, Canisius

Jr., P, Westminister, CA/Fountain Valley

Canisius College junior Madi Weathers made three appearances last week and picked up two saves in the Golden Griffins’ two wins at the CSU Dome Invite in Cleveland, OH. In the win over Cleveland State on February 11, she threw 1.2 innings, struck out three and then came back in the nightcap and tossed a perfect inning in relief as Canisius earned a 5-2 win over Robert Morris. In her first start of the season, she took a no decision after she allowed two runs, earned on five hits in 4.0 innings of work in a 5-4 loss to Cleveland State on February 12.

Rookie of the Week

Kendall Watkins, Niagara

Fr., INF, Williamsport, PA/Loyalsock Township

Niagara University freshman Kendall Watkins led MAAC rookies and ranked third among the Purple Eagles with a .385 batting average last weekend at the CSU Dome Invite in Cleveland, OH. Watkins led the conference with five runs scored and ranked second with four RBIs. She tallied two extra-base hits on the weekend, including a two-run home run for her first career hit in a 9-0 rout of Robert Morris on February 11. In the season’s opening weekend, Watkins also ranked first among MAAC freshmen with a .385 on-base percentage and a .692 slugging percentage, ranking fifth and fourth overall in those respective categories.

Don't miss the upcoming week of MAAC Softball!

Siena College Selected as 2017 Men’s Golf Preseason Favorite

EDISON, NJ – The 2016 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Champions, Siena College was selected as the 2017 MAAC Golf Preseason favorite according to a vote by the leagues nine head coaches.

The Saints and the Manhattan College Jaspers were tied after three rounds of golf in the 2016 MAAC Men’s Golf Championship with a score of 890. The Saints won the one-hole playoff two strokes ahead of Manhattan to claim the 2016 MAAC Men’s Golf Championship for the first time since 2007.

Siena finished the fall season with two third place finishes. September Golfer of the Month, senior Scott Kim returns for the Saints. Kim finished tied for eighth overall at the Cornell Invitational this past fall with a final score of 73. Kim also made the pivotal putt on the first playoff hole to help his team go on to win the 2016 MAAC Men’s Golf Championship.

Three teams received at least one first place vote by the league’s head coaches. Manhattan was selected second in the Coaches’ Preseason Poll with 68 points. Fairfield University came in third with 54 points, followed by Iona College with 53 points. Rider University placed fifth with 39 points. Saint Peter’s University came in sixth place with 37 points followed by Monmouth University with 31 points. Rounding out the 2017 Men’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ poll are Niagara University with 27 points and Canisius College with 18 points.

For all information on the 2017 MAAC Golf Championships, visit maacsports.com/golf

Albany & Quinnipiac Tied for First Place in 2017 MAAC Women’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ Poll

EDISON, NJ – The Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) announced today that the University of Albany and Quinnipiac University have tied for first place in the 2017 Women’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ Poll. Both Albany and Quinnipiac received an equal total of 71 points respectively. The Great Danes earned five first place votes, while the Bobcats picked up three.

Quinnipiac won the 2016 MAAC Women’s Golf Championship, its first in program history. The Bobcats finished the MAAC Championship with a three-day score of +69 (933), an 11-stroke advantage on second place Monmouth University. Albany placed fifth in the 2016 MAAC Women’s Golf Championship with a three-day total of +108 (972).

The Quinnipiac Bobcats completed the fall season with a second place finish at the St. John’s Invitational. The Bobcats finished 14 strokes ahead of Hofstra University, the third place finisher. Sophomore Luciana Tobia-Palza, the 2016 McLeod Trophy Winner at the MAAC Championship returns for Quinnipiac this season. In her last outing of 2016 Tobia-Palza finished in seventh place at the St. John’s Invitational.

The Albany Great Danes finished the fall season with a defeat of Siena College in a dual meet and a second place finish the Quinnipiac Classic. Returning for the Great Danes is junior Annie Songeun Lee, who was named MAAC Golfer of the Month for the month of September. Songeun Lee helped Albany to a fourth place finish out of 12 teams at the Rutgers Women’s Invitational in September. She led the entire field of 70 players with a par four scoring average of 4.03 and recorded six birdies.

Coming in at third place in the Women’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ Poll is Monmouth University with 60 points, followed by Siena College with 52 points. The University of Dayton finished in fifth place with 51 points, the University of Hartford was in sixth with 35 points, and Niagara University finished in seventh place with 29 points. Rounding out the Women’s Golf Preseason Coaches’ Poll are Fairfield University with 27 points and La Salle University with nine points.

This is La Salle’s first season competing in the MAAC and its first year of existence as a program. The Explorers added the Golf program in December of 2015 and named Jason Calhoun their first Head Coach the following January.

The 2017 MAAC Men’s & Women’s Golf Championships will be held at Disney’s Magnolia Golf Course in Lake Buena Vista, FL from April 20-23. For more information please visit maac.sports/golf.

Manhattan Names Lora Sarich New Head Volleyball Coach

EDISON, NJ – Manhattan College announced that Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Marianne Reilly has named Lora Sarich as the Jaspers’ new head volleyball coach. Sarich joins Manhattan after a four-year stint as the head coach at the University of Northwestern Ohio. While at Northwestern Ohio, Sarich was the winningest coach in program history.

“Lora brings a wide array of volleyball coaching and playing experience to our program,” Reilly said. “Having been a Division I student-athlete, she understands the challenges of balancing academics and athletics. She will serve as a fine role model to our student-athletes.”

Sarich led the Racers to a (27-11, 18-4 WHAC) mark in 2014. Northwestern Ohio finished third in the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) after earning 18 wins in league play and would advance to the 2014 WHAC Tournament semifinals.

Prior to Northwestern Ohio, Sarich served as the head coach at Point University (2012). Sarich assembled the Volleyball program at Point and was responsible for recruiting 16 players in her first year at the helm.

Sarich previously served as an assistant coach at Austin Peay State University (2011), volunteer coach at the University of Mississippi (2010), head coach at South Panola High School (2009), director of volleyball operations at the University of Georgia (2008), and was the co-head coach at the University of West Georgia (2007).

“I am excited to come into a program that has had success in the past and is hungry to get back on top,” Sarich said. “I look forward to creating a competitive culture and getting the Jaspers back among the top teams in the MAAC.”

The Bellevue, NE native graduated from the University of Toledo in 2007 and was a four-year letterwinner. The libero set a program record with 1,736 career digs and also holds the all-time records for digs per set in a season (4.79) in 2005 and digs per set in a career (3.94).

17 MAAC Cross Country Teams Earn USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors

EDISON, NJ – The U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) has named 17 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Cross Country teams to its Fall Scholar All-America Teams. This award recognizes teams that achieved a grade point average of 3.0 or higher during the 2016 Fall Semester. Overall, there were 431 teams that earned distinction from the USTFCCCA for their efforts both athletically and academically.

Eight Men’s Cross Country squads have been named to the USTFCCCA Men’s Scholar All-America Team for the Fall 2016 Semester. The teams include Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, and Siena College. Quinnipiac’s Men’s Cross Country finished the Fall 2016 semester with a 3.58 team GPA followed by Marist (3.47), Canisius (3.41), Iona (3.37), Rider (3.29), Siena (3.26), Manhattan (3.21), and Fairfield (3.18).

Nine Women’s Cross Country teams have been named to the USTFCCCA Women’s Scholar All-America Team for the Fall 2016 Semester. The teams include Canisius College, Fairfield University, Iona College, Manhattan College, Marist College, Monmouth University, Quinnipiac University, Rider University, and Siena College. Quinnipiac’s Women’s Cross Country finished the Fall 2016 semester with a 3.66 team GPA followed by Marist and Rider (3.50), Siena College (3.46), Canisius and Manhattan (3.44), Iona (3.43), Monmouth (3.35), and Fairfield (3.31).

The USTFCCCA also announced this year’s 2016 NCAA Division I Scholar Athletes of the Year. To qualify for this honor, athletes must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25 and finish in the top-25 (or 10 percent) at regionals or as an All-American at the national meet. In total, there were 265 athletes named USTFCCCA All-Academic. Representing the MAAC with five student-athletes was Iona College. Kieran Clements, Liam Dee, Jac Hopkins, and Chartt Miller represented the Men’s team and Teghan Henderson represented the Women’s team.

About the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCA)

The U.S Track and Field and Cross Country Association is a non-profit professional organization representing cross country and track & field coaches of all levels. The organization represents 6,000 coaching members encompassing NCAA track & field programs (DI, DII, DIII) and includes members representing the NAIA and NJCAA, as well as a number of state high coaches associations.

Caputo, Lant Earn Tennis Weekly Awards

Male Player of the Week

Anthony Caputo, Fairfield

So., 6’1”, Livingston, NJ/ Livingston

Sophomore Anthony Caputo, went 2-0 on the weekend in a Fairfield University win over Lafayette College, 7-0. At No. 2 doubles Caputo and partner Jeffrey Rodgers came out on top with a 6-4 victory. Caputo also picked up a win at the No. 2 singles position in straight sets (6-1, 6-1).

Female Player of the Week

Chloe Lant, Marist

So., 5’6”, Maidenhead, England

On Saturday event, Chloe Lant and Sophia Moeller teamed up to defeat Hofstra’s D’Asha Davis and Cameron Pestana, 6-3 at the No. 1 doubles position. Picking up her second victory of the week, Lant defeated Hofstra’s Jasmine King at No. 1 singles (6-2, 3-6, 6-3).

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