orts
Erie weather:
on Mercyhurst
Behrend fields
circle of the field. Though the field is not aes
thetically pleasing, the real problem is the
fields are becoming impossible to play on.
With half a season left, the field conditions
have left the teams unable to play at home, or
even practice some days.
"Its dangerous some days on the field, be
cause it because impossible to gain footing,
and we slide a lot in the mud," said sophomore
soccer player Meredith Gipson said. "It'd really
be nice to play on our own field and have our
fans to be able to support us. But it is Erie and
the weather never cooperates."
The issue with the field is that it does not
have a proper drainage system. The clay base
makes it very difficult to let water drain when
there is a downpour. Once the
field is soaked, the process of
driving it is a whole different
story. It may take four days of
perfectly dry weather to have
the slight semblance of hope to
play there, but one day of a
heavy rain can ruin that.
"Playing on our own fields
would give us an advantage
over teams who play on turf all
the time and would have to
move to grass to play us, " said
freshman soccer player Eric
Hackworth. "Since we don't
have a turf field we aren't used
to the way the ball moves, so
other teams who play on turf everyday have a
step ahead of us."
Recently when the fields have been too wet
to play on, the teams have traveled to Mercy
hurst to practice and play. Though it is an in
convenience because the players have to find
their own rides to and from the alternative lo
cation, but it beats not having anywhere to
practice. Behrend's athletic department has
worked hard to keep good relations with both
Gannon and Mercyhurst, so when facilities are
unable to be used, they can aid each other.
"We have a good relationship with both Mer
cyhurst and Gannon, and because of this we
help each other when-we can," said athletic di
redtor Brian Streeter! , Mercyhurst had prob.
~Smithis.
United Way Night
Saturday, October 16th
United r . )
Way
unfted WaY of Erie CountY
Purchase tickets for $lO.OO
with proceeds going to
United Way!
continued from Front Page
"It'd really be nice
to play on our own
field and have our
fans able to
support us."
Meredith Gibson
Sophomore forward
m y
h •
Mit%
ATI
Hot
October 27 vs. Plymouth
November 10 vs. Guelph
January 5 vs. Niagara
February 16 vs. Owen Sound
March 2 vs. Ni
vs. •wen
January 15 vs. London
March 12 vs. Kitchener
vem
teams play
field until
dry up
lems with their pool so they have been swim
ming in our pool. So, when our fields have
been this bad, they have accommodated us,
giving us time to practice and play on their
turf."
While other facilities are available if neces
sary, Behrend's main goal is to be able to play
on campus. They have aerated the fields and
plan to do so again on Monday. Along with
that, leaf blowers are used to blow off water
from large puddles, and filling solutions have
been used to try and sop up to water. Until the
new facilities are present next year, the athletic
department is doing everything they can to
make the fields as best as usable as they can
be for the athletes.
"Our new turf fields will be great for the en
tire campus," Streeter said. "Not only will it
have a track for the track team, but also a soc
cer field that can also be used
for lacrosse if the school ex
pands to having men and
women's lacrosse team. Also,
intramurals and people just
looking to run or use the field
for a game of pick up football
can use the field."
Until next year, the soccer
teams look forward to seeing
what will happen with the
fields. The best thing that can
be done is hope for good
weather. If the field is dry, it
can be played on and as both
teams are still undefeated in the
conference, the hopes of host
ing the AMCC finals. Right now the best alter
natives are hoping to use Mercyhurst or
Gannon's field, or going up to Fredonia Uni
versity, like the women's team did last year.
"When it comes to the new field, we want to
make sure it is done right," Streeter said. "We
don't want to cut corners. We want to make
sure it is the best we can do for the student
body."
The men and women both take on Penn
State Altoona at home (tentatively) on the
Behrend fields at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. on Satur
day Oct. 16.
Both teams are having their senior night, so
it is really hoped the game will take place-at--
the home fields.
Looking for something to do?
We're affordable, fun and exciting!
Bev - erag - ejt_
Pop
and
RIDE...JUMP...GALLOP: Afer traveling to Slippery Rock to participate in
the IHSA show. Behrend has not participated in an IHSA show event in the last decade.
Sophomore Megan Sipos (above) placed fifth in the event.
Sipos, a humanities major, rides English style and has been riding with Behrend for the
last two years. The next showing for the Penn State Behrend Equestrian Club is Oct. 30 at a
place •arbe.determined
) , .•
... :
1 - 1
'4411
Show
your
November 5 vs. Owen,Su9o ,
November 12 vs. Saginaw
January 14 vs. Barrie
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
lezetßidays
B'elire n-d
October 29 vs. Windsor
December 17 vs. Brampton
for the Hun
into the game!
abil
get
Eric Dye / The Behrend Beacon
$5 l
kW,