Penn College elevating men’s lacrosse
Starting during the 2020-21 season, Pennsylvania College of Technology will elevate men’s lacrosse from a club sport to an intercollegiate program, it was announced last week. The team will expand the college’s sports offerings to 16 intercollegiate programs. “We are very excited to elevate our men’s lacrosse club team to NCAA Division III level,” said John D. Vandevere, director of athletics. “This is going to make a significant impact on our campus, our department and it will create another great event for our community to attend for our growing fan base of Wildcat athletics.” The national and regional popularity of lacrosse will allow Penn College to expand its recruiting footprint. Lacrosse is the fastest-growing sport in the country, according to U.S. Lacrosse, boasting a 24% increase in the number of high schools sponsoring the sport since 2012, while the college ranks have had about 140 new programs since 2014. Pennsylvania has 205 high schools that sponsor lacrosse and are sanctioned by the PIAA, while neighboring states New York and Maryland combine for about 500 high schools that sponsor the sport. “We are excited about the prospect of adding one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., particularly in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic, to our intercollegiate athletics portfolio. For years, the lacrosse community has told us that we could readily recruit and field competitive teams,” college President Davie Jane Gilmour said. “Success in this high-intensity sport not only requires endurance, strength and vision, but also demands discipline, strategy and teamwork — characteristics that just so happen to be the hallmarks of a Penn College student.” “And it’s fun to watch, too,” Gilmour added. Penn College has offered men’s lacrosse as a club program since 2012, which generally fields a team of 22 players. The intercollegiate program will have a roster size of about 35 to 40 players and will play its home contests on the newly constructed UPMC Field. Penn College will compete as an NCAA Division III program in the North Eastern Athletic Conference, which consists of 12 institutions in New York, Pennsylvania and Washington, D.C., and whose matches are played during the spring season. The Wildcats already are members of the NEAC for 12 of their 15 intercollegiate sports. A national search for a full-time coach is underway.
FLASHBACK
Men’s soccer
In conference play Wednesday at Penn State Berks, the teams battled to a 2-2 double-overtime draw. Penn College scored goals in each half, the first by Daniel Jackson of Phoenixville (assisted by Josiah Potts of Brooklyn, New York) and the second by Colton Wartman of Ellicott City, Maryland (assisted by Declan Gatchell of Manchester). Berks got both of its tallies in the second half. Berks led in shots 17-14 (9-8 on goal) and corner kicks 10-4.
Saturday at Penn State Abington, the Wildcats dropped a 3-1 decision to go to 1-6-1 overall and 1-2-1 in the NEAC. After PS Abington had taken a lead in the first minute, Cole King of York Springs, assisted by Greg Conkle of Carlisle, put Penn College on the scoreboard to even the match at 42:45. But second-half goals by Abington made the difference. Abington led in shots 13-6 (8-2 on goal) and in corner kicks 9-4.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week (records through Sunday): Host Lancaster Bible College (6-2 overall, 3-1 NEAC), 1 p.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. Lancaster Bible College: Lost 4-1 last Nov. 3. (1-5 lifetime).
NEAC standings through Sunday: SUNY Poly 4-0, Penn State Harrisburg 4-0, SUNY Cobleskill 2-1, Lancaster Bible College 2-1, Penn State Abington 2-2, Keuka College 2-2, Penn College 1-2-1, Penn State Berks 1-2-1, Morrisville State College 1-2-1, Wells College 1-3, Cazenovia College 0-3-1, Gallaudet University 0-4.
Statistically speaking: Wartman and Potts lead the team with three goals each. Potts leads the team with three assists and nine points.
Women’s soccer
Wednesday in NEAC action at Penn State Berks, the Wildcats fell, 5-0, as the home team dominated. Berks led in shots 38-8 (18-3 on goal) and corner kicks 9-1. Lifetime against Berks, Penn College now is 0-8.
At Penn State Abington Saturday, Penn College won, 2-0, to improve to 3-4-1 overall and 2-2 in the conference. Kaelan Cronan of Leesport tallied at 20:02, on an assist from Tiffany Brown of Mechanicsburg, and Francesca Timpone of Smithtown, New York, got the second goal, unassisted, at 64:40. Penn College led in shots 14-11 (7-3 on goal). Each team had three corner kicks.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week (records through Sunday): Host Lancaster Bible College (5-5 overall, 2-2 NEAC), 3 p.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. Lancaster Bible College: Won 2-0 last Oct. 10. (1-2-2 lifetime).
NEAC standings through Sunday: Penn State Berks 4-0, Keuka College 4-0, Penn State Berks 3-0-1, SUNY Poly 3-1, Cazenovia College 2-1-1, Penn College 2-2, Morrisville State College 2-2, Lancaster Bible College 2-2, Gallaudet University 0-3-1, SUNY Cobleskill 0-3-1, Penn State Abington 0-4, Wells College 0-4.
Statistically speaking in the NEAC top 5: Dominique Brown of Benton is tied for fourth with 16 points and fifth with six goals. Goalkeeper Taylor Gonzales of Lititz is fourth with a .770 save percentage.
Women’s volleyball
In conference play Wednesday at Penn State Harrisburg, Penn College lost, 3-1 (25-13, 25-12, 17-25, 25-12) to drop to 0-3 in the NEAC. PS Harrisburg led in points 69-36, blocks 12-3, kills 41-30, assists 37-22 and aces 16-10. Each team had 45 digs. Individual leaders for the Wildcats were Abbi Mingus of Monroe Township with seven kills, Peyton Homan of Spring Mills with two blocks, Corianne Wilson of Edgewater, Maryland, with 11 digs, Mackenzie Mahler of Quakertown with 19 assists and Kylee Butz of Lawrenceville with seven service aces.
“Hannah Burnett of Middlebury Center was a small, but feisty outside hitter for our Wildcats. She was fearless as she swung against a rather large PSH block. It was fun to see her step into the role that unfortunate recent injuries have left open. To have our libero holding her own in a role typically reserved for much taller players was inspiring,” coach Bambi Hawkins said afterward.
Saturday in nonconference action at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland, Penn College lost to Lycoming College 3-0 (25-13, 25-9, 25-13) and Hood College 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-20) to drop to 1-13 overall.
Against Lycoming, the Warriors led in points 58-22, kills 40-19, aces 16-3, blocks 2-0, assists 37-18 and digs 32-25. Individually for Penn College, Mingus and Emalie Marnati of Canton each had five kills, Mahler had 17 assists and Burnett had six digs.
Against Hood, the home team led in points 52-23, kills 36-19, aces 11-2, blocks 5-2, assists 34-19 and digs 47-45. Wildcats leaders were Burnett with eight kills, Marnati with two blocks, Mahler with 14 assists and Burnett with 11 digs.
In North Eastern Athletic Conference action this week (record through Sunday): Host Gallaudet University (4-16 overall, 1-2 NEAC), 11 a.m. Saturday.
Last meeting vs. Gallaudet University: Lost 3-0 last Oct. 13. (0-4 lifetime).
NEAC standings through Sunday: Penn State Harrisburg 3-0, Lancaster Bible College 3-0, Morrisville State College 3-0, SUNY Poly 2-1, Wells College 2-1, Keuka College 2-1, Penn State Berks 1-2, Penn State Abington 1-2, Gallaudet University 1-2, Penn College 0-3, SUNY Cobleskill 0-3, Cazenovia College 0-3.
Statistically speaking: Mingus leads the team with 47 kills, Mahler leads the team with 158 assists and 53 points, Burnett leads the team with 118 digs.
Golf
Penn College finished fourth in a 10-team field Monday at the Williamsport Country Club Collegiate Invitational. Penn State Berks took team honors with an even 300 while the Wildcats recorded a 324, second-best among the five NEAC teams in the field. Individually, Kohltin Bartlow of Montgomery led Penn College with a 75, good for a fifth-place tie in a 59-player field. Susquehanna University’s Devin Peart medaled with a 68.
Women’s tennis
In a recent addition to the schedule, Penn College posted a 5-4 win Saturday at NCAA Division II Lock Haven University to go to 1-2 overall. Wildcats winning both their singles and doubles matches were Olivia Eisenhauer of New Columbia at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, Cara DiCiano of Denver at No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles and Alexis Youse of Pottsville at No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles.
Men’s-women’s cross-country
Running competitively for the first time since Sept. 7, the Penn College men finished second Saturday in an eight-team field at the Cazenovia College Invitational. Matt Leiby of Danville placed fourth overall while Chris Hogan of Halifax, Dean Fulton of Palmyra, Jake Mashack of Bloomsburg and Jonah Isaacson of Muncy all ran in the top 20, according to coach Nick Patton.
The women ran incomplete as a team, although Katie Plankenhorn of Montoursville placed 25th overall while Cinnamon Digan of Mifflinburg, Nikki Crow of Elizabethtown and Megan Nosker of DuBois all had solid performances, the coach said.
ON THE HORIZON
Field dedication Saturday
Dedication of UPMC Field, the college’s new synthetic turf field, will be held Saturday as part of the Homecoming Weekend festivities. College President Davie Jane Gilmour will offer welcome remarks
at noon, followed by an on-field donor recognition presentation at 12:50 p.m. Men’s and women’s soccer matches against Lancaster Bible College will follow at 1 and 3 p.m., respectively.
SCHEDULE/RECORDS/RESULTS
Men’s soccer
Overall: 1-6-1
NEAC: 1-2-1
Wednesday, Sept. 25 – at Penn State Berks (NEAC), T, 2-2 (2 OT)
Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Penn State Abington (NEAC), L, 3-1
Tuesday, Oct. 1 – at King’s College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – host Lancaster Bible College (NEAC), 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 8 – at Juniata College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – at SUNY Poly (NEAC), 1 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 13 – at SUNY Cobleskill (NEAC), noon
Wednesday, Oct. 16 – host Elmira College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19 – at Cazenovia College (NEAC), 1 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26 – at Morrisville State (NEAC), 1 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 29 – at Wilkes University, 7 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1 – host Wells College, 4:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2 – host Keuka College, 1 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 5-9-10 – NEAC playoffs, TBA
Women’s soccer
Overall: 3-4-1
NEAC: 2-2
Wednesday, Sept. 25 – at Penn State Berks (NEAC), L, 5-0
Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Penn State Abington (NEAC), W, 2-0
Wednesday, Oct. 2 – host Lycoming College (Battle for the Lumber), 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5 – host Lancaster Bible College (NEAC), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 8 – host Susquehanna University, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – at SUNY Poly (NEAC), 3 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 13 – at SUNY Cobleskill (NEAC), 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19 – at Cazenovia College (NEAC), 3 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 22 – at Juniata College, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26 – at Morrisville State (NEAC), 3 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 1 – host Wells College, 6:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2 – host Keuka College, 3 p.m.
Tuesday-Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 5-9-10 – NEAC playoffs, TBA
Women’s volleyball
Overall: 1-13
NEAC: 0-3
Thursday, Sept. 26 – at Penn State Harrisburg (NEAC), L, 3-1 (25-13, 25-12, 17-25, 25-12)
Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Hood College triangular vs. Lycoming College, L, 3-0 (25-13, 25-9, 25-13); vs. Hood College, L, 3-0 (25-16, 25-15, 25-20)
Saturday, Oct. 5 – host Gallaudet University (NEAC), 11 a.m.; host Elmira College, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – vs. Morrisville State College (NEAC), noon; vs. Cazenovia College (NEAC) at Reading, 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19 – at SUNY Poly (NEAC), noon; vs. SUNY Cobleskill (NEAC), 2 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26 – host Wells College (NEAC), noon; host Keuka College (NEAC), 6 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2 – host Penn State Abington (NEAC), 10 a.m.; host King’s College, 2 p.m.
End of regular season
Men’s cross-country
Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Cazenovia College Invitational, 2nd in an 8-team field
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Bud Smitley Invitational at Penn State Harrisburg, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – at DeSales Invitational, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19 – at Gettysburg College Invitational, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2 – NEAC Championships at SUNY Cobleskill, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16 – NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships at Bethlehem, TBA
End of season
Women’s cross-country
Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Cazenovia College Invitational, no team entered
Saturday, Oct. 5 – Bud Smitley Invitational at Penn State Harrisburg, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 12 – at DeSales Invitational, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Oct. 19 – at Gettysburg College Invitational, 10:30 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 2 – NEAC Championships at SUNY Cobleskill, 11 a.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16 – NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships at Bethlehem, TBA
End of season
Golf
Monday, Sept. 23 – Williamsport Country Club Collegiate Invitational, 4th in a 10-team field
Monday, Sept. 30 – at Penn State Hazleton Invitational, 11 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 8 – at Gettysburg College Invitational, 12:30 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 21 – at Lebanon Valley College Invitational, noon
End of season
Men’s tennis
Overall record: 1-2
Thursday, Oct. 3 – host Lycoming College at Elm Park, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6 – at King’s College, 2 p.m.
End of season
Women’s tennis
Overall record: 1-2
Saturday, Sept. 28 – at Lock Haven University, W, 5-4
Wednesday, Oct. 2 – host Lycoming College at Elm Park, 4 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6 – at King’s College, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 13 – host Berkeley College at Elm Park, 2 p.m.
End of season
