The Behrend beacon. (Erie, Pa.) 1998-current, October 08, 2010, Image 13
Rookie: Vasy steps up after injury plagues women's team continued from Front Page "My goals for the season are to stay undefeated in the AMCC, and make it far into the playoffs and go all the way to the finals," Vasy said. "As for my career, just to stay healthy and in shape always give my best ef fort to be an asset to the team in every game until my four years is up." Having a utility player like Vasy has been key for a team that has been stricken with injury. Two of Eric Dye / Behrend Beacon Sophomore outside hitter Lexy Weissinger dives for the ball. She had nine digs and four spikes in the match against Altoona TorteHa: continue for his team's AMCC playoff run continued from Front Page does on the field that has made him a great player, but it's what he does off the field as well. He is in the gym every day during the offseason, and is constantly working to im prove his game. Tortella has aLivays been working above aitl.beyond the call of duty to get to the place he is today. MlOl January 5 vs. Niagara February 16 vs. Owen Sound March 2 vs. Niagara November 6 vs. Owen So United Way Night Saturday, October 16th United i f-i) Way United Way of Erie County Purchase tickets for $lO.OO with proceeds going to United Way! these players lost to injury are Vasy's best friends Katie Mundy and Cayla Walters. While Mundy and Vasy both played for Norwin and gone to school to school together through out the years, Walters and Vasy grew up together since birth. While these two hold a special bond between them, to most they behave like sis ters. "When growing up Sam was the first out of us two to start playing soccer when my dad first asked me if I wanted to play I said no and changed my mind the first game I saw Sam playing," Walters said. "So after that I signed up and we've been playing ever since. We started out at Hoping for his success to "In high school, I would come home from school and would be in my backyard or the fields for hours just with ball on my foot," Tortella said. High school was not his first time on the soccer field. He started playing at the age of three, and his Dad was his biggest influence. "He knew nothing of the game of soccer, until I started playing, but he was at every IButkalltgh - t Dogs; Hot October 27 vs. Plymouth November 10 vs. Guelph January 15 vs. London March 12 vs. Kitchener Looking for something to do? We're affordable, fun and exciting! :Be - e - iTa - te - s SW] Concert tiny kickers and played the whole way up to travel until I started play ing for Penn Trafford and my high school team. Once we got to high school it was always weird playing against each other, but the score of the game never changed how we felt off the field. Even though we went to different high schools we still got to play together on our cup team so we never really stopped playing with each other it just depended what sea son it was." "Even if we weren't in season, we were always practicing together kicking around, running, and trying to push each other to make us better. So yes growing up we always were Lady Lions: Young guns getting job done continued from Front Page plays. We need to improve on playing more as a team," said Magnusen. "We seem to become six individuals on the court instead of playing as a team." The third game was the strongest for the Lions. Stefanie Kelley was successful in the libero position. She served six straight points to end the game at a score of 25-12. The fourth game started off game of mine, pushing me to to be doing your schoolwork excel in the sport I love," on the bus to and from Tortella says of his father. games," said Tortella. It's not just about athletics Tortella has a great team for this soccer star. It's about around him. He believes in the balance between soccer them and knows that they can and academics. Tortella is an make it to new heights. They accounting major with a all have their eyes set on the minor in management. The AMCC championship, and balance is difficult for every with this extraordinary senior student-athlete, but he finds a -t at the helm, they definitely way to make it work. t have the ability to reach their "It takes a lot of dedication goals. ,and,' Popcorn involved together" Although Walters is out this year with a season ending injury, her hard work towards recovery and support really benefits the team. Going to school together seemed obvious for these two, and the jump into the col lege world was not nearly as brutal because, as they put it, they "had each other". "Going to school and rooming with Sam is awesome," Vasy said. "We went to rival schools so I never got the chance to ever see her in school or be in any of her classes. The fact that now I get to see her everyday and have a couple classes together though is great I love it. I love being slowly for the lions. They trailed early in the game, but made a huge come hack and went on to win 25-18 thanks to Danielle Woods's game point ace serve. However, Behrend did not keep their winning streak. loosing the last game 15- 9. "We still have time to turn around our streak but it is tough having a small upper class," Magnusen said. "Having a large younger class will be beneficial in the future. At the same time, we need to play in the present and not for tste'dl I e — g - eiFed d s. \you r November 5 vs. Owen Sound November 12 vs. Saginaw December 17 vs. Brampton February 4 vs. Sault Ste. Marie February 18 vs. Niagara February 25 vs. Peterborough March 11 vs. Plymouth ALL GAMES START AT 7PM Hocke Wednesday, October 27th First BUCK NIGHT of the year! Bring in a canned food item pay just $2.00 for admission BA') tirowd October 29 vs. Windsor January 14 vs. Barrie for the Hun into the game! able to see her face to face everyday and be able to have someone to talk to and help me out that I know wouldn't steer me in the wrong di rection." The Lady Lions are currently un defeated in the AMCCs and showed they could hold there own against one of the nations best teams. Namely Nationally ranked 16 Al legheny, as they fell to the Gators 2- 1 in overtime. Vasy will be looked to for stability as the team travels to Franciscan in hopes to make their record 3-0 in the conference. the future Woods collected 26 digs during this match to bump her up to fifth place on the all-time digs list with 1,496 career digs. Kelley tallied a team high 27 digs and four aces, Mary Sperry had 10 kills and 16 digs, Kelly Treser had 13 kills and three blocks, Magnusen had 20 assists and four blocks. "We can pull out of this funk and win some more games in the future," Mag- nusen said De Omens of Mx" rto $14463-3191 and In Clinic • Ak,t 3 •A 4 0%1 s, -- 5 - 1 for