Friday, October 24, 2008
A Behrend Water Polo player prepares to block an opponent's shot on the goal in the Junker Center pool
The Behrend men's water polo
team prepares for playoffs
By Ti Banas
staff writer
tjbs2 I 7@psu.edu
The Behrend's Men's Water Polo
team was defeated in their last game of
the regular season, but now looks ahead
to the post season.
Men's Water Polo had a brutal match
in the Junker Pool on Oct. 18, as they
lost to the Washington and Jefferson
Presidents in overtime, 8-6.
In the first quarter, the Behrend Lions
took an early goal from sophomore cen
ter Jon Bacon.
In the second quarter of play, there
was a lot excitement as both team scored
The first came from Washington and
Jefferson Presidents Senior Andrew
Whittam. The next came from Lions
junior utility Jacob Bernstein. This
ended the second quarter 2-1 in favor of
A Behrend player directs the Lions's offense on the way to a goal.
the Blue and White.
The Presidents held off the Lions
offense, giving up no goals in the third
and scoring one of their own.
The Lions were able to fight back in
the fourth quarter, scoring three more
goals. The first came from Bacon, his
second of the game, and sophomore
defenders Matthew Pluta and Kevin
Wolak scored the other two.
Washington and Jefferson scored two
goals in the fourth quarter to even the
score to 5-5, forcing the game into over-
In overtime, Washington and
Jefferson scored three goals, to
Behrend's two, finishing the game 8-6 in
favor of the Presidents.
Both of the Lions' goals in overtime
came from Bacon, who ended the game
with four goals.
"I'm glad I was able to convert on the
goals when needed, but we still didn't
SPORTS
Athlete Spotlight:
Arica Christman
Behrend freshman Arica Christman has
had a first year at college which not many
students can match. In the first few months
of her Penn State Erie experience, she has
torn through the regular season of tennis on
one of Behrend's best women's tennis teams,
travelled to the AMCC Championships, and
walked away as one of the team's most valu
able players in their Championship weekend.
Her start in tennis was not so dramatic; she
began playing tennis in ninth grade, continu
ing through high school at Sharon playing on
the varsity tennis team. All of her friends
were on the team, and she knew it would be
a great place to just have fun. Over time, her
love for the game developed, and when time
came to apply for college, a decent athletic
program was a must.
"I knew I wouldn't play at University
Park," she says. "Behrend was perfect; it
was close to home, and gave great athletic
and academic opportunities."
Her impressions of the school up until
get the win when we should have," he
said.
Behrend players Keith Yaegle and
Robert Westhelle both played well in
the goal and had key saves throughout
the game.
"I feel that we are ready for whatever
the upcoming teams throw at us," said
Westhelle.
After the game, many of the Lions
players felt as if they should have won,
and felt that this game gave them much
to think about and to work toward in
the upcoming practices.
"We will focus more on scoring, and
scoring the easy goals when needed,"
said Head Coach Joe Tristan.
Amongst Tristan's improvements for
the team lie many problems with the
team's offense. Moving the ball continu
ally, converting on every opportunity,
and and putting the ball in the net are all
things that he will work with the team
on.
"You cannot win if you don't score,
being that the game of water polo con
sists of putting the ball in the net," said
Tristan
In the upcoming practices before the
championships, the team will be focus
ing on putting the ball in the net, and
converting on every aspect of the game.
Tristan then added that the team will
be shooting for third in the Division 111
NCAA Eastern Championships on
October 25, 2008, which will be held at
John Hopkins. This game will be played
against Connecticut College at 1:00 p.m.
and then later against Johns Hopkins at
4:00 p.m.
The season will conclude with the
NCAA championships on Dec. 2 and 3.
now have been great. "Coach [Jeff Barger]
has been awesome. He's really laid back, not
too strict, and makes it a great environment
to have fun." She also knows that the friend
ships that she has made during her time on
the team will continue throughout college.
"All of my friends are here," she says.
At the beginning of the season, she knew
that the team was good, but didn't know
what to expect with the rest of the season. "I
wasn't sure how we'd do late in the season,
but at the championships, everyone did
great. We did really good."
Christman was one of the biggest leaders
in the Lions's victory. According to the
Athletic Department, she took the number
one spot in singles play, winning 6-1 and 6-
3. She also took the number two doubles
with teammate Stephanie Cattron, winning
8-5. They beat Frostburg, who was ranked
first amongst competitors, to claim the title.
e Behrend Beacon
By Connor Sattely
managing editor
cisso6o@psu.edu
BIG TEN
SHOWDOWN
PENN
OHIO STATE
The Behrend Beacon I 9
SPORTS DEPARTMENT
Arica Christman prepares to serve.
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