MAAC Slated to Host Four Future NCAA Championships
EDISON, NJ – The NCAA announced today that the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) will host four NCAA Championships starting in 2019. A total of 613 sites were selected by the NCAA during this bid cycle.
Along with Canisius College and Niagara University, the MAAC will host the 2019 Men’s Frozen Four from April 11-13, 2019 at the KeyBank Center along with the Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds on March 17 & 19, 2022. The 2019 Frozen Four marks the second time Buffalo will serve as the host city for the NCAA DI Men’s Ice Hockey Championship. The KeyBank Center recently held the 2017 Men’s Basketball First & Second Rounds and will do so again in 2022.
“The MAAC membership and staff are very excited to again host the Frozen Four in Buffalo, which is rapidly becoming the center for amateur ice hockey in the northeast,” MAAC Commissioner Richard J. Ensor said. "I want to single-out the Buffalo Sabres and Pegula Sports and Entertainment for their commitment to the bidding process. The return of the NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament to Buffalo is equally as exciting. The MAAC looks forward to working with our co-hosts Canisius and Niagara to present these premier championships that will again showcase the City of Buffalo as a great destination site for NCAA Championships.”
“This is an exciting day, not only for the City of Buffalo, but for Canisius, the MAAC and Niagara,” Canisius Director of Athletics Bill Maher said. “Hosting NCAA championship tournaments of this magnitude, which shine the national spotlight on our region, is a source of tremendous pride. This area has embraced NCAA events each time we have hosted. That pattern of success is a key factor in the NCAA’s continued willingness to have Buffalo serve as a host city for its marquee championship events.”
“Western New York has proven on multiple occasions that it is an ideal host location for elite sporting competitions,” Niagara Director of Athletics Simon Gray said. “Having the Frozen Four and NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament returning to this region is a testament to the incredible fan base in this area. Niagara is proud to partner with the MAAC and Canisius on hosting two of the most exciting NCAA events.”
Along with Siena College, the MAAC will serve as the host for the 2019 Women’s Basketball Regional from March 29- April 1 as well as the 2020 Men’s Basketball First & Second Rounds on March 19 & 21.
Siena Vice President and Director of Athletics John D’Argenio said, “To be selected as the host for the Women’s Regional and Men’s First and Second Rounds is a great testament to everyone in the Capital Region community. Siena looks forward to continue to work with the MAAC and Times Union Center on these two events, so that the Capital Region can shine when the games are played.”
“It’s great to see Albany awarded the 2019 Women’s Basketball Regional and the 2020 Men’s Basketball First and Second Rounds, reflecting its commitment to hosting tremendous events at the Times Union Center,” notes Ensor. “The difference between now and 2003, in regards to men’s basketball, is the Times Union Center has updated it systems, a renovated atrium entrance, media support areas, along with the brand-new Albany Capital Center, which is available for use by the NCAA for its premier event.”
“The Times Union Center is honored to be selected to host the 2019 Division I Women’s Basketball and 2020 Division I Men’s First and Second Rounds. The Times Union Center has a long history with the NCAA and we are excited to continue the tradition of hosting outstanding championships. Thanks to the capital investment made by Albany County, the Times Union Center is currently undergoing major renovations which helped us to earn these selections and will be sure to enhance the student-athlete and visitor experience,” notes Bob Belber, SMG Regional Manager of the Times Union Center.
For more information on the NCAA Championships Site selections, visit www.ncaa.com/site-selections
Wagner Wins Back-to-Back MAAC Water Polo Regular Season Titles
EDISON, NJ – The Wagner College Seahawks have been crowned the 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Regular Season Water Polo Champions. This marks the second consecutive season and sixth time overall that the Seahawks have captured the MAAC Regular Season title.
Currently with a 13-0 mark, the Seahawks look to close out MAAC play with an undefeated record for the second year in a row after finishing 12-0 in conference play last season. The 2017 MAAC Regular Season Champions take on the Villanova Wildcats (5-8) in their final game of the season on Saturday, April 15 at 12:00 p.m.
The Seahawks are the number one seed in the upcoming 2017 MAAC Water Polo Championship and take on the number four seed in the first semifinal matchup on Saturday, April 29 at 12:00 p.m. Wagner looks to win its fourth consecutive MAAC Water Polo Championship.
The 2017 MAAC Water Polo Championship takes place at McCann Natatorium on the campus of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY. Semifinal matchups begin on Saturday, April 29 at 12:00 p.m. The consolation game takes place on Sunday, April 30 at 12:00 p.m., followed by the championship game at 2:00 p.m. All games will be streamed live on MAAC.TV.
Iona College, Marist College, and Virginia Military Institute make up the remainder of the field. Final seeding is yet to be determined with the regular season concluding on Saturday, April 15.
Tickets for the 2017 MAAC Water Polo Championship can be purchased at maac.ticketleap.com
For all information regarding the 2017 MAAC Water Polo Championship, visit maacsports.com/waterpolo.
2017 MAAC Water Polo Championship Field Set
EDISON, NJ - The 2017 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Water Polo Championship playing field has been set. Iona College, Marist College, Wagner College, and Virginia Military Institute (VMI), are the final four teams that will compete for the MAAC Water Polo Championship trophy. The Championship takes place at McCann Natatorium on the campus of Marist College in Poughkeepsie, NY, April 29-30.
The Wagner College Seahawks will be the No. 1 seed after clinching the regular season title for the second consecutive year. The Seahawks concluded the regular season for the second year in a row undefeated in MAAC play at 14-0 (23-10 overall). Wagner looks to take home the school’s fourth consecutive MAAC Water Polo Championship Title. Wagner will face the No 4. seed Iona Gaels in the first semifinal matchup of the day on Saturday, April 29 at 12:00 p.m.
The Seahawks are led by sophomore attack Erica Hardy. She leads Wagener in overall points and assists and finished the season with 129 points, 68 goals, and 61 assists. Hardy ranks first in the MAAC in points and assists, and sixth in goals.
The Seahawks are currently ranked 19th nationally in the Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) poll.
The No. 4 Gaels finished the 2017 campaign with a record of 8-6 in MAAC play and 11-13 overall. Iona is led by three-time MAAC Offensive Player of the Week Hannah Schultz. Schultz leads the Gaels in points (94) and goals (89). She ranks tied for first in the conference in goals and first in goals per game with 3.87.
The second semifinal matchup between the No. 2 seed Marist Red Foxes and the No. 3 seed VMI Keydets will take place at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, April 29.
The Red Foxes ended the season with a conference record of 11-3, and an overall record of 19-13. Senior Utility Amanda Amorosa led Marist in points (107), goals (61), and assists (46). During her final season with the Red Foxes, Amorosa broke two school records becoming the all-time leading scorer and the all-time assists leader. The Red Foxes are currently tied for 23rd in the nation according to the CWPA.
For the first time in school’s history, the VMI Keydets will be making their first appearance in the MAAC Water Polo Championship as the No. 3 seed. This season the Keydets finished 11-3 in MAAC play, and 22-6 overall, marking the first time VMI has reached 20 wins. Junior center, Shelby Barkley broke the program’s record for career goals scored. Barkley also lead the team in points (101) and goals (80). In the most recent CWPA national poll the Keydets received votes for the first time this season.
The consolation game takes place on Sunday, April 30 at 12:00 p.m., followed by the championship game at 2:00 p.m. All four championship games will be streamed live on MAAC.TV.
Tickets for the 2017 MAAC Water Polo Championship can be purchased at maac.ticketleap.com
For all information regarding the 2017 MAAC Water Polo Championship visit maacsports.com/waterpolo.
Villanova's Clark, VMI's French, and Siena's Fernandez Take Home Final Weekly Awards
Offensive Player of the Week
Dominique Clark, Villanova
Villanova leading goal scorer Dominique Clark scored an impressive 12 goals in only two games this past week as Villanova defeated Georgetown 11-8, but fell to conference foe Wagner 18-9 in the season finale.
Clark found the back of the net eight times against the Colonials on Thursday, and managed to score four times against MAAC Regular Season Champion Wagner on Saturday.
Defensive Player of the Week
Isabel French, VMI
French totaled 32 saves in two games for an average of 16 per match for the weekend. She earned a 57.1 save percentage and helped team to wins over No. 23 Marist Sat. morning (17-15 win in OT) and Iona College in the afternoon (10-9 win). Against Marist, she recorded 19 saves, one steal in 38 minutes of play with the two overtime periods. The 19 saves ties a personal record, which ranks No. 2 in program history for saves in a single match). Versus Iona, 13 saves in a complete 32 minutes; 59% save percentage.
Rookie of the Week
Diana Fernandez, Siena
Diana Fernandez totaled eight goals, seven ejection drawn, five assists, and eight steals for the Saints in three wins this week. Fernandez scored four goals in victories over LA Salle and Connecticut College and led Siena with four assists against Utica. The Freshman totaled 104 points this season and set a new single season school record with 94 ejections drawn.
Marist's J.D. Recor Named Senior CLASS Award Finalist
OVERLAND PARK, KS – Marist men’s lacrosse senior J.D. Recor was selected as one of 10 finalists for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award, it was announced April 13.
The field of 20 candidates announced in February was cut in half after votes from national media. Nationwide fan votingbegins immediately and fans are encouraged to submit votes online at the Senior CLASS Award website now through May 9. One vote is permitted per day per device.
Fan votes will be combined with those of the media and Division I head coaches to determine the winner, which will be announced during the 2017 NCAA Men’s Lacrosse National Championships in Boston from May 27-29.
An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence: community, classroom, character and competition.
Recor broke Marist’s all-time assists record in the Red Foxes’ victory over Drexel on March 4. The previous record had been held by Chris Pistello for nearly two decades. In the same contest Recor also became the fourth Red Fox to reach 200 career points. He is six assists shy of breaking the all-time Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference record. Entering this weekend he is in the top five in the country in three of the six NCAA active career offensive categories: assists (124; first), assists per game (2.10; second), and points (211; fifth).
In more than three years at Marist, Recor has given back to the local and campus communities. At the start of each fall semester he has volunteered for Freshman Move-In Day and he has been active in the annual Hunger Walk and Giving Tree around the holidays. He has also participated in the Friends of Jaclyn Angel Walk, which honors and remembers all children and families affected by pediatric brain tumors and other childhood cancers, as well as the Make the World Purple Walk for domestic violence prevention. Recor made weekly visits to the Poughkeepsie Children’s Home during the fall semester, helping the children with their homework and leading physical activity programs.
Marist will be back in action at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, April 15, when it faces Manhattan in Riverdale, New York.
Wasserman, Corrigan & Filtch Earn Weekly Awards
Offensive Player of the Week
Jr., 6-3, A, Southlake, TX/Grapevine Faith
Junior Bryce Wasserman led Monmouth with six points as the Hawks improved to 4-0 in the MAAC for the first time in program history with an 11-8 win over Detroit Mercy. After he scored twice and assisted on two more goals against VMI, Wasserman scored twice against the Titans, including the game winner, to extend his scoring streak to 11 games. He leads Monmouth with 31 points on the season, on the strength of 20 goals and 11 assists. Wasserman added three ground balls and caused one turnover to help the Hawks improve to 10-3 overall.
Defensive Player of the Week
R-Jr., 5-10, GK, East Quogue, NY/Westhampton Beach
Corrigan made 12 saves on 27 shots faced when Marist took down Manhattan for its second straight MAAC win on April 15. He allowed just five goals in just over 51 minutes of play and scooped up four ground balls. He compiled a .706 save percentage and picked up his seventh win of the year.
Rookie of the Week
Fr., 5-11, M, Marcellus, NY/Marcellus
Filtch tallied a team-high three points in Siena’s 11-10 win over Canisius. He recorded two goals and dished out one assist in the victory. He scored on just the two shots he took for a perfect 1.000 shot percentage.
Fairfield's Fehmel, Manhattan's Prestiano & Siena's Deaken Take Home MAAC Women's Lacrosse Weekly Honors
Offensive Player of the Week
Sr., M, Shoreham, NY/Shoreham Wading River
Alex Fehmel tallied 12 points, seven groundballs, four draw controls, and caused four turnovers in two wins for Fairfield. Against Quinnipiac University she recorded a season-high six goals to lead the Stags to a 17-5 win. Against Marist College on Saturday, the midfielder added another six points behind five goals and an assist. The senior scored the game-winning goal in the Stags’ 10-9 victory over the Red Foxes in overtime on Saturday afternoon.
Defensive Player of the Week
So., GK, Yorktown Heights, NY/Yorktown
Nikki Prestiano went 2-0 with 22 saves and a .512 save percentage against Iona College and Siena College last week, as Manhattan won consecutive MAAC games for the first time since 2014. She made 11 saves in the double-overtime victory over Iona, including two late stops in regulation that kept the game tied. Prestiano only allowed two goals over the final 33:41 of the 10-9 victory. She also picked up five ground balls in the win. Prestiano then stopped 11 Siena shots in the Jaspers’ 15-12 win on Saturday. Her goals against average in the two games was 10.19.
Rookie of the Week
Fr., M, Orangeville, Ontario/The Hill Academy
Alexis Deaken earned her fourth MAAC Rookie of the Week honor this season. The freshman tallied seven goals on 13 shots (all on goal), six ground balls, and caused three turnovers. Deaken scored five of her seven goals against Niagara University on Wednesday.
Quinnipiac's Tobia-Palza, Canisius' Dantonio Earn Final Weekly Golf Awards
Luciana Tobia-Palza, Quinnipiac
So., 5-6, La Paz, Bolivia/IMG Academy
Luciana Tobia-Palza finished 2nd out of 32 golfers, competing as an individual, at the 2016 Hartford Invitational at Tumble Brook Golf Club. Tobia-Palza shot a season-best 73 (+1) for the first round before following with an 80 (+8) for the second round to complete the tournament at 153 (+9). Tobia-Palza’s 153 was a season-best for the second-year golfer while her second-place finish was also a season best.
So., 5-9, Lancaster, NY/St. Francis
Canisius sophomore golfer John Dantonio was the top individual performer for the Golden Griffins April 15 at the Battle at the Warren event, hosted by Notre Dame in South Bend, Indiana. The Lancaster, New York native fired a career-best 72 in the second round of the 36-hole event, moving him up seven places on the final leaderboard to earn a tie for 10th. His two-round score of 150 stands as his career-low in a 36-hole tournament, and his 10th place finish at the Battle at the Warren is the first top-10 finish in his career as a Griff.
MAAC Places Nation-High Seven Institutions in Top 25 of NCAA Division I Team Works Helper Helper Community Service Competition
EDISON, NJ – A total of seven Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) institutional members were named in the nation’s Top 25 NCAA Division I Team Works Helper Helper Community Service Competition. The MAAC had more members in the Top 25 than any other Division I conference in the nation.
No. 2 Fairfield University, No. 8 Manhattan College, No. 10 Canisius College, No. 13 Rider University, No. 17 Iona College, No. 23 Marist College, and No. 24 Monmouth University make up the seven MAAC institutions in the nation’s Top 25.
“Connecting student-athletes and member schools to their communities highlights the impact of leadership, collaboration and dedication in college sports and cities across the country,” said Victor Hill, NCAA Associate Director of Championships and Community Programs. “NCAA Team Works is proud to recognize the difference student-athletes make beyond the classroom and competition, while also supporting the student-athlete experience and celebrating their success in life through service projects and community engagement.”
Fairfield finished in second place behind two-time winner George Washington University. The Stags tallied a total of 1,011 hours of community service and received 100 percent participation from their student-athletes.
“The fact that a little piece of my time can help a kid's day is really great. It might be something kids remember for a really long time,” said Fairfield Women’s Basketball player Kristine Miller. “It was really awesome! There are no words to express it,” added Fairfield Men’s Basketball Player Jonathan Kasibabu on a recent charity even he took part in.
No. 8 Manhattan finished with over 1,000 hours of community service, while No. 10 Canisius recoded nearly 800 hours.
“Given the high time demands of student-athlete's today, we have limited hours day-to-day for free time. At Manhattan College, I take pride in knowing that our student-athletes dedicate their free hours to giving back to our community! For all that the surrounding community has done for us, it is the least we can do as people in society to give back to those who need it more. Not only is community service fun, but it also teaches our student-athletes the importance of giving, diversity, and putting others before yourself. We as Manhattan College Athletics have grown together as a family through community volunteering and will continue to do so in the coming years!” noted Madison Arndt, Manhattan College SAAC President and NCAA Division I SAAC Representative for the MAAC.
For more information on the NCAA Team Works Helper Helper Community Service Competition, visit www.HelperHelper.com.
About Helper Helper:
Helper Helper is a provider of volunteer management software that allows athletic departments to coordinate and track the community service efforts of their student athletes. Helper Helper was founded by former University of Michigan basketball player Krista Clement to simplify the volunteer process for students and in turn, help them create a lasting impact within their communities and themselves.
Pepper, Mueller, Berry, & Pasko Earn Outdoor Track & Field Performers of the Week
Men’s Field Performer of the Week
So., Ramsey, NJ
At Moravian’s Greyhound Invitational, Michael Pepper cleared 47’ 10.00” in the triple jump en route to a first place result. The sophomore registered a fifth place finish in the long jump, leaping to a mark of 22’ 7.75”, while also hurling the javelin for 137’ 09”.
Men’s Track Performer of the Week
Gr., Amtzell, Germany
Mueller won the 100 meters at the Metropolitan Outdoor Championships on Saturday, helping the Jaspers to second place in the team standings. He finished in a time of 10.77 seconds, then returned to the track for the 200 meters, taking fifth in 22.62 seconds. Mueller also ran the second leg on Manhattan’s 4x100 meter relay squad that posted a time of 42.13 seconds to place second.
Women’s Field Performer of the Week
So., Somerset, NJ
Sophomore thrower Ashley Berry had an impressive performance for Rider at the Chester Quarry Classic hosted by Widener. In the one-day event, Berry won the discus throw and finished third in the hammer throw. In the discus throw, Berry posted an ECAC-qualifying mark of 43.20M and she set a new PR in the hammer throw with a toss of 48.10M. It topped her previous career best by 3.50M.
Women’s Track Performer of the Week
Sr., Castleton, NY
Pasko had quite a day at the Bucknell Outdoor Classic. She not only broke the school record in the 10000M, but she now has the best time in the MAAC and sits in 38th place in the NCAA East. She finished fourth overall in the face with a time of 35:11.29. The top 48 go to the NCAAs.
Marist Sweeps Weekly Tennis Awards
Jr., 6-1, Weston, FL/UNC-Wilmington
Gianlucca Massa went 4-0 this past week combined in singles & doubles as the Marist men’s tennis team won both of its matches, extended its winning streak to nine, and wrapped up a berth in the MAAC Championship. Massa won every set he played this past week. In a 6-1 victory at Fairfield on April 11, Massa prevailed at both first doubles and third singles. He teamed with Javier Restrepo for a 6-3 doubles victory, and earned a 6-2, 6-4 triumph at third singles. On April 13 against Siena, Marist earned a 7-0 win as Massa prevailed at second singles and second doubles. He earned a 6-1, 6-3 victory at second singles, and combined with Carlos Moreno for a decisive 6-1 win in doubles.
So., 5-8, Hilton Head Island, SC/Hilton Head Christian Academy
Ariel Shulman went a combined 2-0 in singles and doubles as Marist earned a hard-fought 4-3 victory at Fairfield in its only match of the week. The win locked up a berth in the MAAC Championship for the Red Foxes. Shulman won every game in her match at second singles for a 6-0, 6-0 victory. She also played first doubles, and combined with Amy Galloway for a 6-2 victory.
Jacksonville Sweeps Weekly Rowing Awards
1st Varsity 8 Boat of the Week
In the SIRA's the Varsity 8 raced in the semifinals out of Bow 4 against Rollins, Kansas State, and Wichita State, and crossed the finish line second in 7:01.271. Kansas State ftinished first on 6:53.550. Wichita State (7:12.761) and Rollins were behind the Dolphins.In the A Final, the Varsity 8 took Bow 2 and placed fourth with a time of 6:51.049. Kansas State also won in 6:44.936. Jacksonville beat out Purdue and Wichita State.1V8: Coxswain- Claire McLenna, 8-Delaney Plunkett, 7-Sarah Goodman, 6-Meg Coyle, 5-Stacey Price, 4-Veronika Stasaityte, 3-Yailene Herrera, 2-Nicole Martin, 1-Victoria Tkacz.
2nd Varsity 8 Boat of the Week
In the SIRA A Final, JU crossed the line in 7:10.715, good for second behind Kansas State (7:02.899). Jacksonville, out of Bow 3, beat out Old Dominion (7:24.290), Colorado, and Georgia Tech. 2V8: Coxswain- Emily Niermann, 8-Sara Miller, 7-Rochelle Martinez, 6-Madison Boyer, 5-Jessica Shipkowski, 4-Jennifer Pavlik, 3- Samatha Amadio, 2-Emily Woods, 1- Alex Pulliam.
Varisty 4 Boat of the Week
The Varsity 4 came in second in the A Final and the SIRA's with a finishing time of 8:10.538. Kansas State took first in 8:02.106. Out of Bow 5, JU defeated FIT, Marietta College, Oklahoma City, and Charleston.V4: Coxswain-Lauren Whetzel/Devonna Irby, 4-Maddie Black, 3-Alexis Feraco, 2-Tori West, 1- Katharina Dinsmore
Rodgers, Silfer Earn Student-Athlete of the Week Awards
Men’s Tennis | Sophomore | 5-11| Scotch Plains, NJ/Scotch Plains-Fmnwood
The sophomore Finance major from Scotch Plains, N.J. holds a 3.76 GPA in the classroom. On the courts, Jeffrey Rodgers has been competing at a high level all season to help Fairfield be in the hunt for a spot in the 2017 MAAC Championships. In the No. 3 singles spot, he has a winning record of 3-2 in league play with wins over Rider, Saint Peter’s, and Niagara. In doubles action, Rodgers competes in the second spot for the Stags. With partner Ethan Ammon, the two have teamed up to win three consecutive matches in April.
Softball | Senior | Outfield | 5-8 | Cicero, NY/Cicero – North Syracuse
Canisius senior Lindsey Silfer, the 2017 MAAC Softball Preseason Player of the Year, holds a 3.67 grade point average as a health and wellness major at Canisius College. On the field, Silfer is a career .358 hitter, and her 70 hits in 2016 matched a school record. For her efforts as a junior, the Cicero, New York native became just the fifth player in Canisius history to be named the MAAC Player of the Year.
She is just one of four players in school history to collect more than 200 hits for her career, and she ranks eighth in the program’s record books with 103 career runs batted in. In the classroom, she is a two-time MAAC All-Academic honoree.