November 12, 1987
Collegian
PAGE 8
Lions Pulli ng It Together
Marjorie Suroviec
Collegian Staff Writer
The Penn State-Behrend
Women's Basketball team began
their season with a 12:01 a.m. prac
tice in Erie Hall on Oct. 15. The
team has had its ups and downs,
but steadily they are pulling it all
together to have a winning season.
There are only nine players on
this year's team, and some sports
critics see this as a potential pro
blem. If an injury wasto occur, the
team would not have many
replacements waiting on the bench.
However, it's not the number of
players that makes the team, but
it's the talent of players themselves.
"This year's team is very' in
telligent and basketball smart,"
said Coach Karin Sobotta. The
team's intelligence, however, is not
its only strength. "These dedicated
players are very self-confident and
team supportive," said Coach
Sobotta.
The team consists of 5
"veterans" and 4 new players.
Returning from last year's team are
: Bobbie Bauer, Lisa Butch, Lisa
Dorenkamp, Chris Huff and
Michelle Madison. "Everyone is
dedicated and willing to give 100
percent," said Lisa Dorenkamp
who, along with Chris Huff, are
the team's co-captains.
The team's biggest weakness ap
pears to be a lack of experience.
"We don't have any seniors play
ing, only one junior and four
sophomores... which is going to be
tough because freshmen usually
look up to the juniors and seniors
to set examples," said Michelle
Madison. Michelle is one of the
sophomores that will be called
upon to provide leadership. "I'm
really happy with Michelle because
she is quiet, but she is definitely a
leader by example," said Coach
Sabr—
Tough Defense Keeps Lions Competitive
Rick Cain
Collegian Staff Writer
The Lions soccer team rounded
out their season last week with
seven matches in two weeks. On
October 21, the Lions hosted
Grove City and lost 6 - 1. The
Grove City offense was on the
board in the first three minutes of
the match against a tough Lions
team who just couldn't seem to get
things to go their way. With Grove
City out-shooting the Lions 14 to 8,
and with only a 5 to 4 cornerkick
"Our team has a lot more con
fidence this year. Everybody is on
the same level of confidence and it
really shows on the court," said
Coach Sobotta.
One player who has really work
ed hard over the summer, as well as
in practice, is Bobbie Bauer. "Bob
bie has improved 100 percent and
she has the desire to play," said
Coach Sobotta.
advantage, the final score does not
give justice to the Lions tough play.
( Joe Kushon scored the Lions only
goal. )
The Lions then traveled to
Allegheny and were shut out 3 - 0.
Allegheny dominated with a 18 to 3
shots on goal edge to go along with
a 10 to 2 cornerkick advantage.
Head Coach Herb Lauffer said,"
We were caught flat in the middle
of the first half and just couldn't
get anything going in the remainder
of the match."
The Lions next match ended in a
heartbreaking 1 - 0 loss to
Coach Sabotta has asked each
player to keep a notebook to help
improve their mental game. These
notebooks contain motivational
tips, defensive and offensive plays,
rule changes and percentages of
successful shots.
"I think the three-ring binders
are a very good idea because they
will help us chart our progress and
determine where we can improve
Athletes of the Week
Paul Hurley: Defensive Star
nationally-ranked Fredonia in
overtime. The Lions were locked in
a defensive struggle through
regulation but Fredonia scored
during the first overtime session.
They were then unable to capitalize
during the remainder of the period
against solid Fredonia defense.
The Lions then lost to arch rival
Mercyhurst, 2 - 0. Coach Lauffer,"
To beat Mercyhurst you have to
break their defense early. We were
unsuccessful and in doing so we
lost a very intense physical match."
The Lions next match was
againat NAIA. champion
Gwen Jones returns a shot as Kathy; Wiiliamson and Erica Scribner watch.
Photo by Mary Beth Zawistoski
our game. We also get motivational
tips to help us mentally perform
better," said Lisa Butch, the
team's lone junior.
Because this year's team is so
young, Coach Sobotta is counting
heavily on freshmen and transfer
players to play an integral part on
the team.
"Connie Armstrong is a fun
damentally sound and extremely
Dave Bruce
Collegian Sports Editor
Paul Hurley .and Gwen Jones
have been chosen as athletes of the
week.
Paul is a freshman on the soccer
team. He went to Mercyhurst High
School and is a defensive back for
Behrend's team.
Coach Herb Lauffer called Paul
a " steady, important player who
has set up many scoring oppor
tunities during the last few
matches."
Coach Lauffer also commented
on the clutch defense Paul has
played, especially in the Pitt - Brad
ford match, which Behrend won
1-0.
This is the second consecutive
award for Gwen Jones, a freshman
on the women's volleyball team,
who was chosen athlete of the week
for the Oct. 29 issue.
Coach Jan Wilson said, " Gwen
is probably our best offensive
player; she has improved much in
backcourt play."
As a freshman, Gwen has taken
charge of the team and has had
outstanding matches against Grove
City, Bethany Salem and Canisius.
Congratulation to both athletes,
and if any former Athletes of the
Week have yet to pick up their free
two-dinner coupons, please stop by
the Collegian office.
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Houghton on Halloween.
Houghton grabbed the lead for
good in the first half with two goals
that would prove to be all the of
fense in the match. The real loss for
the Lions in this match was stop
perback Tim Fry. Fry suffered a
severe quadricep injury, which
later required surgery. Goalie Mark
Yingling was also hurt in this
match but was able to recover for
the next match.
NCAA Division 2 ranked Gan
non was the Lions next opponent
and were just too much for them.
Gannon would win thiematch 5 - 0
Photo by Mary Beth
coachable player with good basket
ball sense," said Coach Sobotta.
"Tammy Altsman is a small, but
talented guard who looked good at
our first scrimmage. She is very
coachable and easily takes the ball
inside."
Not only are the players
dedicated, but the coaching staff
works hard to assist the players.
Gwen Jones: Two-Time Winner
against a Lions team who proudly
stayed tight without rolling over
against their superior adversary.
Finally on November 5, the
Lions ended their season on a
positive note by defeating Pitt -
Bradford 1 -0, in a blinding snow
storm. Senior and co-captain Joe
Kushon scored the game winner,
his fourth of the season, and
sophomore goalie Mark Yingling
recorded the Lions fourth shutout
of the season. Coach Lauffer was
happy with the win saying, `,`lt is
always nice to come back with a
victory to end the season."
On looking back on the Lions
season as a whole, their final 5 - 13
record does not tell the whole
story. The Lions, having no con
ference affiliation, have one of the
toughest schedules in the country
for a Division 3 school. A large
number of the opponents are
highly ranked either regionally or
nationally. They also happen to
play most of their matches in the
North Western Pennsylvania area,
sports
Coach Sobotta's two assistant
coaches are Mike Alexa and Bill
Peppicello, who coach offense and
defense, respectively.
The Lady Lions' first test will be
the Fredonia Tournament on Nov.
20 and 21. Then they play Mer
cyhtirst on Nov. 24 and then play in
the Behrend Tournament on Nov.
2 and 28.
Photo by Mary Beth Zawistoski
where everyone knows the weather
changes faster than one can open
an umbrella.
Coach Lauffer said, "Under
very unusual conditions, we were
able to stick together as a unit. I
think the players accept the fact
that when we won, we won as team
and when we lost, we lost . as a
team. They represented themselves
and Penn State well and I am pro
ud to have coached them."
In totaling up the stats, senior
co-captain Joe Kushon led the
Lions with five goals, to bring his
career total to 24, second all time in
Behrend history. Eight players on
the team had one assist, while Mike
Cifelli and Gary Smelko led the
team with two each. Giving credit
to defensive standouts, senior co
captain Dave Titley and teamate
Doug McCarthy had excellent year
helping out sophomore goalie
Mark Yingling. All things con
sidered, these leaders helped keep a
struggling team together through
the worst of times.