Wildcats Weekly For September 8, 2019

Penn College golf, women’s tennis teams set to open

The last two of eight Pennsylvania College of Technology fall sports teams are scheduled to start their seasons this week as golfers go Wednesday at the Keuka College Invitational and women’s tennis opens Saturday hosting Elizabethtown College on the Elm Park courts.

ON THE HORIZON

Golf

With just three of his top nine players returning from last season, coach Matt Haile is hopeful that work and improvement this fall will pay dividends during North Eastern Athletic Conference play in the spring.

Senior Austin Moscariello of New Columbia and juniors Sean McNamara of Lancaster and Jordan Wise of McClure are expected to be among the starters when the Wildcats open their five-match fall season, according to Haile.

Others with an inside track in the early going are freshmen Kohltin Bartlow of Montgomery, Alex Acree of Brookville, Eli Francic of Franklin and Mikey Miller of Montgomery.

“Kohltin is a local player from Montgomery who had a lot of success in high school and has a very good attitude and all-around good game, shooting in the low to mid-70s. Acree is a transfer who played at Penn State Dubois and had success in the Penn State University Athletic Conference, with scores averaging in the 70s to low 80s,” said Haile, who is starting his 11th season.

“I’m hopeful to build upon our success from last season (Penn College finished third in the NEAC the last two years), and continue to work toward getting better than the day before and striving to meet our goals we set at the beginning of the season,” Haile said.

“We have a young team with only one staple of our lineup returning (Moscariello, who was an all-conference second team honoree and tied for 10th individually). I’m looking for our players to go out this fall season and get a feel for collegiate play and managing their class schedules and practice schedules. With a young squad, this is always a concern the first semester — getting them to manage their time accordingly and then managing their mental game during this difficult transition while they are competing in a match,” Haile said.

“Our team’s strengths will be the drive they have to get better. All of the guys on the team love to compete and I can see that drive when we are at practice working on different aspects of their games. With a little coaching and more reps, I’m confident that we can get them headed in the right direction toward success,” the coach said.

“With two weeks of practice under our belts, I see the need for better short game and course management. I see a lot our freshman not having the confidence on the greens when presented with a difficult putt/chip. We will need to work a lot on building that confidence and working on our techniques to make better attempts at salvaging pars and bogeys,” Haile said.

“Keys to our success this season will be how consistent we can be each match at new courses that most of the team will be playing for the first time. The players will need to adapt quickly to the green speeds and trust their swings on unfamiliar courses,” Haile continued.

“My outlook for the fall is to build confidence in each of the players by working on the areas that we need to improve in. By working on the areas of their games that they struggle in, will hopefully build the confidence they need when they are presented with shots in competition. I hear a lot of them set themselves up to fail before they even hit the shot. If we get the reps in and change the mindset that they CAN hit the shot, I think this will serve us well for the future,” Haile said.

Over the summer, Haile teamed with Ed Gunkle of Selinsgrove to win the Williamsport Country Club Invitational.

Women’s tennis

When Jessica Bower took over as coach last spring she inherited a team that had gone winless the previous fall. Although the spring season produced just one win — against six losses — valuable experience was gained as the rebuilding process continues.

Returning players include junior Cassie Shook of Westport at No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles and sophomores Alexis Youse of Pottsville at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles, Marcie Harman of Nescopeck at No. 6 singles and No. 3 doubles and Deirdre Satterly of Shippensburg at No. 3 doubles.

Newcomers who will add some much-needed depth to the lineup are freshman Olivia Eisenhauer of New Columbia at No. 1 singles and doubles, sophomore Tijana Mrkalj of Pittsburgh at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles and freshman Taylor Shipman of Cogan Station at No. 5 singles.

“We are going to be a stronger team this year,” Bower said. “Our team is young and we will be building on our skills to become stronger and more consistent throughout the fall.

“Our strengths are that these are a group of ladies who are working very hard to improve skills and have the desire to get better and win matches.

“Since we are a young team, we need to continue to play together to get to know each other’s playing style, especially in doubles. Some of the ladies have challenging class schedules, which makes it difficult to pair them together during practice. We still have time to work that out before our first match and we will continue that work during the fall nonconference season.”

The key to success, according to the coach, will be “experience. Gaining playing and match experience will be the key to improving this season. The freshmen are great additions to the team but we will continue practicing, playing matches and the experience will come.

“We will be a competitive force this year. We have some very consistent players and that works well in tennis. You don’t have to hit the ball hard, but you do have to hit it in bounds to keep the point going. All of our lineup is able to be consistent and we will keep building on that during the season. I am really excited to improve our record from last year and see this great group of ladies improve.”

Conference play takes place in the spring.

FLASHBACK

Men’s soccer

In its home opener Tuesday on its new synthetic turf field, Penn College fought back from an 0-2 first-half deficit to tie the match before Keystone College had the final say in the 71st minute for its 3-2 win. The nonconference loss dropped the Wildcats to 0-3. Scoring for Penn College were Colton Wartman of Ellicott City, Maryland, unassisted and Josiah Potts of Brooklyn, New York, on an assist by Dylan Snyder of Northumberland. Keystone led in shots, 14-11 (9-6 on goal, and in corner kicks, 8-5.

In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week (records through Sunday): At Penn State Harrisburg (2-3 overall, 0-0 NEAC), 1 p.m. Saturday.

Last meeting vs. Penn State Harrisburg: First-time opponent.

Women’s soccer

At St. Joseph’s College Saturday, the Wildcats scored late (88:31) on a goal by Erica Gallagher of Wyoming, assisted by Dominique Brown of Benton, to tie the match at 1 and, after two overtime periods, that’s the way things ended. Penn College led in shots, 19-15 (St. Joseph’s led in shots on goal, 9-8), and St. Joseph’s led in corner kicks, 7-4. Wildcats’ goalkeeper Taylor Gonzales of Lititz made eight saves.

Right back in action Sunday at College of Staten Island, Penn College fell behind 2-0 after the home team scored twice in the first 5:47. The Wildcats got on the board at 47:49 on a goal by Morgan Brooks of Bellefonte before Staten Island made it 3-1 in the 64th minute. Brown then got Penn College’s final goal in the 82nd minute to end the scoring in a 3-2 Wildcats’ loss that moved them to 0-2-1 on the season. Penn College led in shots, 15-14, but Staten Island led in shots on goal, 7-5, and corner kicks, 7-5.

In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week (record through Sunday): At Penn State Harrisburg (1-4 overall, 0-0 NEAC), 3 p.m. Saturday.

Last meeting vs. Penn State Harrisburg: Lost 2-0 last Sept. 19. (0-5 lifetime).

Women’s volleyball

Hosting Fairleigh Dickinson University Florham in its home opener Wednesday, Penn College lost, 3-0, to drop to 0-4 on the season. FDU led in points, 47-30; kills, 34-26; aces, 13-3; and assists, 31-25. The Wildcats led in digs, 49-48. Coryn Oswald of Langhorne led Penn College with 14 kills, Hannah Burnett of Middlebury Center was tops with 12 assists and Emalie Marnati of Canton was the leader in digs with 10.

Men’s tennis

In its season opener Saturday against Susquehanna University, Penn College lost, 9-0.

Men’s-women’s cross-country

Running at the Steven A. Ward Invitational at SUNY Cobleskill Saturday, Penn College ended sixth in an 11-team field. Matt Leiby of Danville topped the Wildcats with a 12th-place finish in a field of 96 over the 8K course in 29:08.

The Penn College women finished last in a 10-team field. Katie Plankenhorn of Montoursville led Penn College runners of the 6K course by finishing 49th with a time of 31:26.

SCHEDULE/RECORDS/RESULTS

Men’s soccer

Overall: 0-3

NEAC: 0-0

Tuesday, Sept. 3 – host Keystone College, L, 3-2

Wednesday, Sept. 11 – host Lycoming College, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 14 – at Penn State Harrisburg (NEAC), 1 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 15 – host Shenandoah University, 5 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21 – host Gallaudet University (NEAC), 1 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 25 – at Penn State Berks (NEAC), 4 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Penn State Abington (NEAC), 1 p.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 1 – at King’s College, 7 p.m.

Women’s soccer

Overall: 0-2-1

NEAC: 0-0

Saturday, Sept. 7 – at St. Joseph’s College, T, 1-1, 2 OT

Sunday, Sept. 8 – at College of Staten Island, L, 3-2

Saturday, Sept. 14 – at Penn State Harrisburg (NEAC), 3 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 15 – host Alfred State, 2 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 19 – host Keystone College, 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21 – host Gallaudet University (NEAC), 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 25 – at Penn State Berks (NEAC), 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Penn State Abington (NEAC), 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 2 – host Lycoming College (Battle for the Lumber), 7 p.m.

Women’s volleyball

Overall: 0-4

NEAC: 0-0

Wednesday, Sept. 4 – host Fairleigh Dickinson Florham, L, 3-0, 25-13, 25-17, 25-20

Wednesday, Sept. 11 – vs. Marywood University at Misericordia University, 6 p.m.; at Misericordia University, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 14 – host Alfred State, 10 a.m., host Cairn University, 2 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 18 – at Alfred State, 7 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 19 – host Penn State Berks (NEAC), 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21 – at Lancaster Bible College (NEAC), 11 a.m.

Thursday, Sept. 26 – at Penn State Harrisburg (NEAC), 7 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Hood College triangular vs. Lycoming College, noon; vs. Hood College, 2 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5 – host Gallaudet University (NEAC), 11 a.m.; host Elmira College, 3 p.m.

Men’s cross-country

Saturday, Sept. 7 – Steven A. Ward Invitational at SUNY Cobleskill, finished 6th in an 11-team field

Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Cazenovia College Invitational, 11 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5 – Bud Smitley Invitational at Penn State Harrisburg, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 12 – at DeSales Invitational, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 19 – at Gettysburg College Invitational, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 2 – NEAC Championships at SUNY Cobleskill, 11 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 16 – NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships at Bethlehem, TBA

End of season

Women’s cross-country

Saturday, Sept. 7 – Steven A. Ward Invitational at SUNY Cobleskill, finished 10th in a 10-team field

Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Cazenovia College Invitational, 11 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 5 – Bud Smitley Invitational at Penn State Harrisburg, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Oct. 12 – at DeSales Invitational, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Oct. 19 – at Gettysburg College Invitational, 10:30 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 2 – NEAC Championships at SUNY Cobleskill, 11 a.m.

Saturday, Nov. 16 – NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships at Bethlehem, TBA

End of season

Golf

Wednesday, Sept. 11 – at Keuka College Invitational, 10 a.m.

Monday, Sept. 23 – host Williamsport Country Club Invitational, noon

Monday, Sept. 30 – at Penn State Hazleton Invitational, 11 a.m.

Tuesday, Oct. 8 – at Gettysburg College Invitational, 12:30 p.m.

Monday, Oct. 21 – at Lebanon Valley College Invitational, noon

End of season

Men’s tennis

Overall record: 0-1

Saturday, Sept. 7 – host Susquehanna University at Elm Park, L, 9-0

Saturday, Sept. 14 – host Elizabethtown College at Elm Park, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21 – at Marywood University, 11 a.m.

Thursday, Oct. 3 – host Lycoming College at Elm Park, 4 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 6 – at King’s College, 2 p.m.

End of season

Women’s tennis

Overall record: 0-0

Saturday, Sept. 14 – host Elizabethtown College at Elm Park, 3 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 21 – at Marywood University, 11 a.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 2 – host Lycoming College at Elm Park, 4 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 6 – at King’s College, 2 p.m.

Sunday, Oct. 13 – host Berkeley College at Elm Park, 2 p.m.

End of season