13 The Daily Collegian
Lady spikers to face ND, W. Michigan
By CHRIS MARTIN
Collegian Sports Writer
Last weekend, the women's volley
ball team traveled by plane to Baton
Rouge to embark on a lengthy road
trip. This week the buses rolled to the
Midwest as the Lady Lions square off
against Notre Dame and Western
Michigan.
Although No. 8 Penn State ( 13-0)
arrived in style in Louisiana, this trip
is more akin to the perils of road life.
The team arrived in South Bend yes
terday following a 10-hour trip through
America's heartland.
The fatigue is a factor that Coach
Russ Rose has guarded against. The
Lady Lions will practice before this
evening's match against the Fighting
Irish.
"It will be tough but it shouldn't
affect us we just have to play our
game," outside hitter Kim Kumfer
said.
- It's going to be a long time sitting
down, but our practice should get rid
of any stiffness and soarness they'll
be ready to play," assistant coach
Karin Wallenstein said.
Wallenstein, a former Indiana Uni
versity assistant, knows the opponents
well and expects both squads to be
especially tough at home. Notre Dame
(5-5) is unblemished at its site, having
won three matches.
"They have good hitters. They have
a setter that's young but she works the
ball around real well. They're always
real fired up to play at home,"
Wallenstein said.
Penn State is no stranger to the luck
of the Irish at home. After beating
Notre Dame in their last regular sea
son match of 1988, the Lady Lions
bowed out of the NCAA tournament
with a four-set loss to the Fighting
Irish in South Bend.
After the battle against Notre
Dame, the squad heads to the Wolver
ine State to face Western Michigan
tomorrow evening in Kalamazoo. The
Broncos (1-8) have fallen on hard
times this year, including a four-set
loss to Notre Dame and a straight-set
defeat to LSU.
Steve Sergi (7) knocks the ball away from a Rutgers player. The Lions, 5-3 overall and
3-0 in the Atlantic 10, will play A-10 foes St. Joseph's and Temple this weekend.
No. 9 stickwomen wrap up road swing against JMU, Virginia
By KEN CAPECE
Collegian Sports Writer
The field hockey team concludes its
five-game East Coast road trip with a
pair of games this weekend in Virginia.
The No. 9 Lady Lions (6-1) start the
weekend at 1 tomorrow afternoon when
they meet James Madison on the turf at
JMU Stadium. On Sunday Penn State
will face a tougher challenge when it
battles No. 5 Virginia.
The Lady Lions come into this week
end's action on a roll. They have won
their last four games, earning shutouts
in two of the contests. For the season the
Lady Lions have held four opponents
scoreless, and have yet to allow more
than two goals in any game.
Despite these stunning statistics there
still might be room for improvement.
"If we want to be the best we can, we
can never be satisfied with where we
are," co-captain Kristen Winters said.
Against JMU tomorrow, the Lady
Lions will be concentrating on refining
their skills before Sunday's matchup
with the Cavaliers. Penn State has won
seven straight games from JMU and
nine of the 10 career matchups. The
Lady Lions' only loss in the series was
a 2-1 overtime loss in 1982. This season
doesn't look like it will change the trend
in history, as JMU enters with a dismal
record of 241.
Penn State's history against Virginia
is similar; the Lady Lions have won
eight of the nine games. This year how
ever, they will face a powerful Cavalier
The proud program is not accus
tomed to such a start. Coach Rob Buck
and his team compiled an 18-13 record
last year. The series is knotted at three
following a Lady Lion straight-set vic
tory in 1989. The Mustangs would like
to get back on track this weekend in its
home opener against Penn State.
"They are a team that, when they
have a vendetta, plays real tough, real
aggressive," Wallenstein said. "It's
their first home match and they
always get a lot of fans it's going to
help their team to have all that sup
port."
Junior outside hitter Julie Young
anchores a potent corps of aggressive
hitters. The team captain had 66 kills
in 6 matches and a team-leading 44
digs. The Broncos have three six-foot
ers who can deliver in kill situations.
The Lady Lions do not plan to
change their approach against this
weekend's opponents.
"We just want to improve our own
performance. If we play well things
will fall in place," middle blocker
Leanne Kling said.
The lengthy road trip may take its
toll on the squad. Several players are
nursing injuries that may loom large
problems as Penn State plays 13 of its
next 14 matches away from Rec Hall.
"It's difficult to play every weekend
on the road. We're not used to playing
in big gyms like Notre Dame and
Western Michigan. It's hard to play in
front of a big crowd," setter Michelle
Jaworski said.
Kling, who ranks 12th nationally in
hitting efficiency ( .471), repulled a leg
muscle Monday, but will play. Tammy
Cairl has played through a sprained
knee all season. Middle blocker JoAnn
Elwell has been hampered by a sore
ankle.
Elwell's play doen't seem to be both
ered by the setback. The MVP of the
Tiger Classic last weekend, Elwell has
also been selected as the Atlantic 10 co
player of the week. The senior ranks
fourth nationally in hitting percentage
( .608). She leads the A-10 in that cat
egory as well as blocks per game
(1.48).
Penn State also sits No. 4 nationally
Collegian Photo/Jett Farrar
'Wi t
w
. .
Susann Bisignaro battles an Old Dominion player for control of the ball in a game
earlier this year. The Lady Lions will play a pair of games on the road this weekend.
squad, which stands ahead of them in
the national rankings.
"We are really excited," Winters
said. "It is going to be a big weekend for
us. We are looking forward to the
chance to knock off Virginia."
Defensively, Virginia shows many
similarities to Penn State. Goalie Heat
her Christman has allowed just five
goals this season while making 76 saves.
Spots
Jenny Schuller (9) blocks the ball during a win over St. Bonaventure earlier this month. Schuller and the No. 8 women's
volleyball team continues its road swing this weekend with matches against Notre Dame and Western Michigan.
in team hitting percentage ( .406) and
16th in blocks per game) 3.2)
Outside hitter Sue Boner, and back
row specialists Erika Spencer and
Laura Stober will be important off the
bench this weekend. The reserves
have been called into critical situations
this season with positive results. As the
road trip continues and the injuries
Booters to battle pair of conference foes
By CHRIS OTTO
Collegian Sports Writer
What Coach Barry Gorman wants to see in the
men's soccer team is some consistency.
Coming off last weekend's big upset of Rutgers and
comeback victory against Rhode Island. the Lions
have a pair of relatively easy Atlantic 10 matches this
weekend.
Penn State (5-3, 3-0 in the A-10) will face St. Joseph's
at 7:15 tonight at Jeffrey Field and then travel to
Temple for a Sunday afternoon match with the Owls.
"This weekend is crucial for us," sophomore mid
fielder Steve Sergi said. "We'd like to put together sev
eral victories in a row. We haven't done that yet this
year."
Penn State will be favored in both matches, and
that's exactly what has Gorman worried.
"They're the kinds of games that concern you,"
Gorman said. "St. Joseph's hasn't been going well,
but it's a big game for them, and Temple has put
together some good wins recently.
"We're going to be favored, but we can't take them
for granted.-
St. Joseph's is 3-5, but played strong matches
against a pair of teams nationally-ranked opponents.
The Hawks lost to Rutgers 1-0 and dropped a 2-1 deci
sion to Philadelphia Textile.
In goal, St. Joseph's has redshirt freshman Eric
Bowman, who has experienced various degrees of suc
cess this fall.
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Collegian Photo/Jeff Farrar
She also has five shutouts
On the attacking end Virginia has a
highly talented unit. Forwards Amy
Breen (4 goals, 3 assists) and Heather
Goerenger (6, 1) lead this year's Cava
liers' offense.
"We will have to focus on every
aspect of our game against Penn State
if we are to do well," Virginia coach
Jane Miller said.
mount, their duties will increase
- It's difficult but that's part of the
role you have to keep your concen
tration and be ready to go in and do
what you need to do," Stober said.
The victory over LSU provided a big
boost for the traveling Lady Lions.
Penn State rallied from a one-game
deficit to beat the Lady Tigers in four.
Bowman made 19 saves in the Hawks' loss to Rutg
ers and made 13 more saves in earning his first colle
giate shutout against Rider, but he also gave up four
goals on Tuesday in a St. Joseph's loss to LaSalle.
Against Temple, the Lions will be looking to pay the
Owls back for the 2-1 loss they handed Penn State at
Jeffrey Field last fall.
On offense, Temple ( 5-2) is led by junior Itzhak
Assor and freshman Chris Cotton. Pat Kivlin, the
Owls' goalkeeper, had two shutouts this fall and has
allowed just six goals in seven games.
For the remainder of the season, Gorman would be
more than happy to see the Lions display the same
kind of intensity and determination they did in beating
Rutgers 3-0.
"We've got to maintain that type of play," he said.
"If we can get charged up for every game like we got
charged up for Rutgers, then we should do well."
Last weekend, the Penn State benefited from a
diversified scoring attack that saw some of the offen
sive pressure lifted from senior forward Danny Kelly,
who has four goals and five assists in Penn State's first
eight games.
Sergi, Steve Thomas and Eric Friberg all scored
their first goals of the season. Danny Gil and Thomas
Agesen each tallied his second goal of the fall.
"I've felt all along that these kids are capable of
scoring," Gorman said. "They can't wait for some
body else to do it. Everybody has to win the individual
battles.-
Stifling defense sparks Lady Lions
By KEN CAPECE
Collegian Sports Writer
Coach Charlene Morett Newman, taking a page from Joe
Paterno's winning playbook, has constructed a field hockey
team that thrives on defense.
Although the offense has flexed its muscle several times
this season, it has been the defense which has risen to the top
on every occasion. After seven games, the ninth-ranked Lady
Lions have allowed just four goals, while shutting out four
of their opponents.
Much of Penn State's defensive prowess can be attributed
to defenders Julie Johnston, Jill Cincera and Tracy Shilkret,
as well as midfielder Stacy Gilburg and goalie Michele Bren
nan. This swarming defensive unit has prided itself on its
speed, hustle and poise.
"We have speed defensively which most teams don't,"
Shilkret said. "Many defenses just blast the ball out or knock
it out of bounds. We look at our defense as being part of our
offense."
This interrelation of the two units was evident in one par
ticular play earlier this season against No. 2 Old Dominion.
Midway through the second half, after the Lady Lions had
taken a 1-0 lead, the Lady Monarchs attempted a corner shot.
Brennan knocked the shot from in front of the goal, away to
the left.
Shilkret retrieved the ball in the corner and fired a quick
pass downfield to forward Kristen Winters standing at mid
field. With another quick pass by Winters, the Lady Lions had
moved the ball deep into the ODU zone.
What is quickly becoming a Lady Lions' defensive trade
mark is the tenacity in which the defenders pounce on oppo
nents entering the attacking zone.
"Our No. 1 priority is to be relentless to the ball," Brennan
said. "We are told in practice not to allow the offense to come
in on us."
Collegian Photo/Jeff Farrar
"We needed (the game) to come
back down to reality and realize that
if we don't play well we can get beat."
Jaworski said.
"It was nice to see that we could
chip away at that lead, control our
emotions on the court, and get the
momentum on our side," Wallenstein
said.
Those who do manage to cross midfield are usually met by
one or two defenders, who either knock the ball away from
the attacker or intercept that player's attempted pass. As a
result, Penn State has allowed just 41 shots on goal so far this
season.
Last Saturday against Connecticut, a strong defensive
game by Jill Cincera helped yield the Lady Huskies to just
three shots on goal. They had been averaging 32 shots per
game before Saturday's contest.
Morett Newman believes that it was Cincera's ability to
knock the ball away from attackers as well as her poise which
were key factors in the Connecticut game.
"Our best defensive games are the ones when we play with
confidence, go for interceptions and take more chances in our
play," Cincera said.
Some of these chances often result in brilliant defensive
plays for the Lady Lions. One such example came late in the
first half against ODU, as Penn State set up for a corner shot.
Unfortunately for the Lady Lions, the centering pass skipped
under the stick of Lynette Kidder and rolled towards midfield.
Johnston, fearing an ODU breakaway, raced after the ball
and knocked it away from an Lady Monarchs' player before
she could head upfield.
"Defense is so much different from offense," Shilkret said.
"An offense can take 40 shots and only score on three and still
win the game. On defense if you make one mistake that can
be the difference between a goal and no goal."
Such a mistake becomes even more critical when a team
is facing a skilled opponent who survives on capitalizing on
the opposition's mistakes. When such a case occurs, the goal
ie is the last line of defense.
Brennan is that last line of defense for the Lady Lions. She
has 34 saves this season, including a season-high 17 against
ODU.
Friday, Sept. 28, 1990
Netmen to
play 3 frosh
at tourney
By DAVID PENCEK
Collegian Sports Writer
After a three-week layoff, the men's
tennis team will be in action for the next
three weeks, beginning today at the
West Point Invitational. The tourna
ment will have four singles and four
doubles flights.
The Lions saw much success at last
year's tournament, winning five singles
titles and three doubles championships.
Among those winning singles titles were
Scott Pickering, Dave Schoenly, and
Sean Snee. Doubles winners were
Schoenly and Dave Welch, Corey Gold
stein and Jason Rayman and Mark
Price and Mark Cavalier.
"We hope we can duplicate last year's
performance," Schoenly said.
In observance of Yom Kippur. Coach
Jan Bortner's team will have to do with
out the services of experinced players
Brad Fielding, Price and Goldstein.
Three freshman, Greg Gaunt, Don
Grosser, and Chad Skorupka, will be
making the trip to fill the void.
The lineup will have many players
playing in a higher position than they
are used to. Schoenly is seeded first with
his doubles partner Scott Pickering
seeded second. Gaunt occupies the third
position, followed by Snee, Payne, Sko
rupka, Grosser and Mullen.
The top two doubles teams, Schoenly
and Pickering and Gaunt and Skorupka
have already played together this sea
son. But the third and fourth teams of
Payne and Grosser and Snee and Mul
len will be paired for the first time.
With so much time between the
Bloomsburg Invitational and this week
end's tournament, the team has been
working harder.
"We've been working on our volleying
and return of serve," Bortner said.
"We've also been working on our foot
work for our doubles teams. -
The field of teams for the tournament
is not as strong as the field the team had
to face in Bloomsburg, but there will
still be some stiff competition.
The best team going in appears to be
Please see NETMEN, Page 24.
Sergi, who scored 60 goals during his high school
career, also emphasized the importance of having
many different goal scorers.
"I think a lot of times I found myself looking at Dan
ny Kelly wondering when he was going to put us on
top," Sergi said. "We have a lot of talent on this team
a lot of proven goal scorers.
"Danny Kelly is going to be our leading scorer, but
we've got to help him out."
Gorman also said he was pleased with the play of
two key freshmen, Gavin Reid and Chris Kelly.
"I think they have given us 150 percent," Gorman
said. "These are two kids that are not afraid to make
a mistake. That's a key thing in being a ball player.
"They will accept their mistakes and get on with the
job. They don't let their mistakes bother them or affect
their play."
On defense, a new alignment featuring Einar Dahie
flanked by Friberg and Trevor Scanlon has proven to
be strong thus far.
"I think moving Einar to sweeper has really been
a plus for us," Gorman said. "His experience was a
big factor in the win against Rutgers."
Goalkeeper Keith Engelhardt is also improving. In
giving up just one goal last weekend, he lowered his
goals against average to 1.30.
NOTES: Senior forward Tom Beckett continues to
be sidelined by a knee injury which he suffered during
the match at Seton Hall on Sept. 16. Beckett will prob
ably remain sidelined for about two more weeks, Gor
man said.
Please see DEFENSE, Page 24