PLAYER OF THE WEEK: JON GARCIA

Wins 55 meter hurdles at NCAAs

ADA, OH — After his championship performance, senior Jon Garcia will go down as one of the most decorated student-athletes in University of Massachusetts Dartmouth history.

Garcia earned his third NCAA championship and sixth All-America honor when he finished first in the 55 meter hurdles at the NCAA Division III Championships at the Ohio Northern University Sports Center Saturday, March 15. He is the first Corsair student-athlete to win three national championships. His six All-America honors ties him with distance runner Jim White, who received his last award in 1986, and diver Tom Egan, who received his final honor in 1992. Both White and Egan won two national titles and received All-American honors six times.

Garcia finished first in 7.46 seconds, three-hundredths of a second in front of the second place finisher, Jon Schellin of Wisconsin-Whitewater. Beresford Brown of Moravian was third in 7.52 seconds. The championship is Garcia’s second indoor title. He also won the championship in the 110 meter hurdles outdoors last spring.

“I got off to a good start, and I wanted to take advantage of it,” said Garcia. “All week, I was working on my start, coming out of the blocks.  I wanted to attack the first hurdle and keep that momentum going all the way.

I was a little sloppy going over the first hurdle, but I picked it up going over the second and third hurdles. Basically, I was in the lead and just kept it.”

Winning a national title is something Garcia will always remember.

“It feels great,” said Garcia. “I love winning this championship. My focus was on finishing the race and running the best time that I could.” Garcia is on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in graphic design in May, and will spend the outdoor season as an assistant coach, helping the hurdlers, sprinters and jumpers with an eye towards training for a possible run at the Olympic Games in 2012.

As is the custom at the NCAA Track and Field Championships, UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Jon Hird presented the post-event awards, even though his view of the proceedings was limited. “I had Jon’s camera, and I had a great spot to watch the race, but an official came along and said this is where he had to stand, and we had to move,” said Hird. “I had to stand in a place where it was three deep, and I got a good look at the start and the first hurdle, but that was all I saw. I knew that he had won when I saw them all line up and cheer at the very end.”

The meet was the final competition for both Garcia and the Corsairs.

Track athlete of the year

NEW ORLEANS — On the heels of his third national championship and sixth All-America honor, senior Jon Garcia has earned another honor.

Garcia has been named NCAA Division III New England Men’s Indoor Track and Field Athlete of the Year by the United States Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. He is one of eight regional award winners.

“The honor is well-deserved,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Jon Hird. “I don’t think that there are any male track and field athletes in New England who are more deserving than Jon.”

Garcia received the award on the basis of a vote of the coaches in the region. He earned his third national championship and sixth All-America honor when he finished first in the 55 meter hurdles at the NCAA Division III Championships at the Ohio Northern University Sports Center last Saturday. Garcia is the first Corsair student-athlete to win three national championships, and his six All-America honors ties him with distance runner Jim White, who received his last award in 1986, and diver Tom Egan, who received his final honor in 1992. Both White and Egan won two national titles and received All-American honors six times.

Corsairs’ magical ride comes to an end

By Adam K. Ellis

With 12:49 left to play, sophomore guard Jeff Macchi drove the lane and threw up a tightly defended shot that tediously worked its way around the rim twice before finally dropping through.

Capping a 12-2 run, the heart-stopping lay-up ignited a crowd of 2,200 that came to watch their Corsairs play host to United States Coast Guard in an NCAA Division III second round playoff game. As UMD fans watched their team push the lead to thirteen (45-32), the Tripp Athletic Center erupted in chants of, “UMD! UMD!” Playing witnesses to a team that began the season winning their first twenty games, optimistic fans seemed certain victory was imminent.

Unfortunately for the Dartmouth faithful, Macchi’s layup was the last anyone saw of the Corsair offense.

Sparked by the savvy leadership of senior guard Al Sowers and scoring prowess of junior forward Craig Johnson, the Coast Guard Bears used an 18-2 run to close out the game, defeating the Corsairs 50-47.

After a series of turnovers, missed opportunities and wild shots, the Coast Guard climbed back within scoring range on the strength of two big Sower three-pointers and countless layups by Johnson. But with three minutes remaining the Corsairs were still feverishly clinging to a 47-46 lead, despite scoring just two points for the better part of the second half.

As the Corsairs attempted to push the ball up the court following a timeout, Coast Guard freshman forward Javon James intercepted a Corsair pass, took two dribbles and slammed down an emphatic dunk, sending an abrupt silence to the arena. The basket gave the Coast Guard a 48-47 lead, their first since early in the first half- a lead they would never relinquish. After the game, UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Brian Baptiste tried to explain his team’s ice cold shooting.

“We had a heck of a dry spell,” explained a disenchanted Baptiste. “We really went a long time without scoring a basket. We were taking shots that we took all season, and we normally make, but they didn’t go in for us tonight. But I’m proud of the way my guys played. You can’t take anything away from them.”

To Baptiste’s credit, his Corsairs never stopped fighting until the last second of the game. Following a Coast Guard free throw, the Corsairs worked the ball around the court with less than thirty seconds remaining. As the shot clock waned, junior guard Reece Freeman found freshman swingman Brandon Stephens wide-open on the wing for a look at a three-pointer. The shot rattled in-and-out of the basket into the hands of a Coast Guard forward, who was immediately fouled.

Following a made free-throw that gave the Bears a three point lead, the Corsairs were granted another attempt to save their season as Corey Tynes ripped down a rebound and swung it across court to their point guard Freeman.

As Freeman crossed past half court, there appeared to be some confusion. As the play ensued, a disorientated Corsair squad fretted nervously about, uncertain as to what play to run. The chaos led UMD to toss up a turnaround-fall-away prayer from their statistically worst 3-point shooter. The prayer went unanswered and Coast Guard walked off with the win.

“Down the stretch, we folded,” a dejected Freeman groused. “I’m disappointed. I feel like it’s my job as the guard and leader to the get my teammates open shots and I didn’t do that enough.”

Fellow backcourt mate senior A.J Tavares was quick to back-up his teammate.

“I don’t think you can put the blame on any one person. We took shots we made all season long. Tonight, no one could buy a bucket. But let me say this one thing: This was the best team I’ve ever been on, period. And you can’t take nothing away from us.”

Sadly for the Corsairs, this was the last game for a trio of solid seniors: LEC Player of the Year and starting center Dan Holbrook, local native and four-year starter A.J Tavares, and walk-on starting swingman Corey Tynes.

With the defeat, UMass Dartmouth dropped to 25-4, while Coast Guard improved to 23-6 with the victory. The Bears advanced to the sectional round of the NCAA Division III Championships for the first time in school history, while the game marked the final action of the season for the Corsairs.

Baseball defeats Becker

NORTH DARTMOUTH, Mass. — Sophomore center fielder Jeff Macchi and senior catcher Kevin Narey got the big hits as the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s baseball team scored nine runs in the first three innings and went on to defeat visiting Becker, 9-4, at the UMass Dartmouth Athletic Complex Tuesday afternoon.

Macchi’s two-double and Narey’s bases-loaded single keyed a five-run first inning, and Narey singled in a run and Macchi singled home two more in a four-run third as the Corsairs broke a nine-game losing streak and won for the first time this season.

Becker junior right-hander Aaron Sayad walked two batters and hit a third in the first inning, with freshman shortstop Anthony Fiorita walking with the bases full to force in a run. Freshman right fielder Ryan McDermott doubled in the other run for UMass Dartmouth in the third inning. Freshman designated hitter Karrone Stanley and senior second baseman Roger Graham each knocked in a run for the Hawks.

Freshman left-hander Tom Lucia made his first start of the season a successful one, allowing one earned run and striking out five batters in five innings to improve his record to 1-0. Sophomore right-hander Adam Gustafson and freshman right-hander Brian Pedrotti finished up. Sayad pitched into the fourth inning and took the loss for Becker.

“It was good to win, and we got to play just about everybody,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Bob Curran.

“Our pitching was good, Tom Lucia did fine. It was nice to get out of the blocks early and get the lead.”

The Corsairs improved to 1-9 with the victory, while Becker dropped to 2-9 with the defeat. UMass Dartmouth will return to action when they visit Bridgewater State Wednesday, while Becker will play a doubleheader at Fitchburg State Sunday afternoon.

UMD SEASON FINALE

Corsairs fall to Trinity in playoffs

By Trevor Medeiros

What started off as a night to remember soon turned into a night to forget for the UMass Dartmouth hockey team, as visiting Trinity College scored five goals in the second period en route to a 7-3 NCAA Division III tournament win over the Corsairs at Hetland Arena back on March 12.

The game marked the first time ever that a UMD hockey team hosted a NCAA tournament game. It also marked the first time an ECAC Northeast Conference team has ever hosted a tournament game, as well. Over 1,500 fans gathered at Hetland in New Bedford for the historical match, and they witnessed a competitive and physical opening period. The visiting Bantams scored first, however, as Ryan Masucci beat UMD goalie Jeff Green with a rebound off a faceoff from the right circle seven minutes into the game.

Then, fans witnessed arguably the most lop-sided period in recent UMD hockey history. Daniel Maturi scored off another rebound in front three minutes into the second to give Trinity a 2-0 lead. Five minutes later, Chris Oetting scored in the top right corner of the net to extend the Bantams’ lead to 3-0. A short time later Matthew Crum scored off a wrist shot that just slipped past Green’s possession (4-0).

“First period, we came out strong. Second period, we came out a little flat,” said UMD senior Paul Garabedian. “They capitalized. We just couldn’t respond.”

Add an Adam Houl powerplay goal, and a one-timer by Chris Diozzi, and the stunned Corsairs headed into the second intermission facing a 6-0 deficit.

“I think that you witnessed a very, very good hockey team,” said UMD head coach John Rolli, when asked about Trinity after the game. “They’re good finishers.”

While the game’s outcome was already decided heading into the final period, the Corsairs made sure they went down in a blaze of glory. Green was pulled for freshman goalie Colin Tracy, who played well, giving up only one goal.

The Corsairs finally got on the board midway through the third when Garabedian scored on a slap shot following a Trinity turnover. Just over a minute later, Garabedian tallied a short-handed goal when he took a centering pass from Paul Moran. Nick Paquin scored the Corsairs’ final goal of the season a few minutes later after receiving a nice pass on a two-on-one from Chris Shore.

“Our seniors and everyone else wanted to leave with a bang,” said Garabedian. “We didn’t want to play hard all season to lose 7-0.”

Despite the outcome, Rolli was also pleased with how strong his team finished.

“Doing things the right way is at the top of the list.”

The game marked the end of the season for the Corsairs (18-9-1). It also marked the end for the senior group of Garabedian, Jeff Grant, Jon Finn, Mike McNulty, and Captain Tyler Crocker. They leave UMD as perhaps the most successful class in the program’s illustrious history, compiling 90 wins, four ECAC Northeast Tournament championship appearances, three wins, and three NCAA tournament appearances in four years.

“I had a great four years,” said Garabedian. “I made some friends that I’ll keep for the rest of my life.”

A UMD fan’s take of the ECAC Northeast Championship

By Scott Ferrara

As some 1000 other students went to the ECAC Championship Hockey game a few weeks ago, so did I.

I am a junior at UMD and I love hockey. I have played hockey since I was five years old and in my teenage years was a stick boy for the local Division I college hockey team at Iona College. I was told while the second period of Saturday’s game was ending to stop ringing my bell; I could not believe my ears. I have been ringing my bell at most of the UMD Corsairs Men Hockey games for three years, including the last two championship games.

For ten seasons of Division I Hockey I rang a cowbell at 95% of the games, for the other 5% I just forgot the cowbell. I could understand why the NCAA officials do not like air horns, because when they misfire and lose some of there compression they make a whistling sound.

That whistling sound could be misconstrued as a stoppage of play whistle; a cowbell does not sound anything like a whistle. Secondly, most of the ringing takes place during a stoppage of play and if it is during a play, it’s during a good save or a goal, where most of the spectators are screaming anyway.

You would not believe how mad I was because I could not be a fan to the best of my ability. I understand a need to police students who are rowdy, vulgar and drunk, but me vigorously ringing a cowbell is not offensive and encourages the rest of the students to come and cheer with me.

At the start of next season I will still ring my cowbell at every game, including any playoff games and championship games that UMD will take part in. I am really disappointed that during the mostly tied third period I could not ring my bell. Regardless of that, I am so happy UMD won the ECAC Championship for a three-peat and am looking to four in a row next year.

Stood up: Intramural softball stumbles out of the blocks

By Benjamin Brown

The highly anticipated opener of the 2008 intramural softball season was marked by an unsatisfying stumble out of the blocks as Roberts Hall failed to show up for the game this past Monday.

Players from Pine Dall Hall, who were scheduled to play the freshmen resident hall during the opener, found themselves without competition as they strolled onto the field near Cedar Dell. The previous year’s champions were looking forward to a hard fought victory. Instead, the hall was forced to accept an effortless forfeit in place of glorious competition.

“I was ready for a heated match-up,” said sophomore Patrick Mayhew of Pine Dale Hall. “I was disappointed that they didn’t show.”

When asked to comment on the cause of Monday’s forfeit, Roberts Hall Resident Director Wes Highley credited the team’s absence to a lack of information.

“I personally didn’t know about the game until 12 p.m. today,” said Highley.

The freshmen resident hall, unlike Pine Dale, was not adorned with gleaming red posters advertising the time, place, and date of the opening game. Matt Clifford, a sophomore RA from Roberts claimed that not many of the students knew about the game, and that he “didn’t like how the game was scheduled for the first day back from spring break.”

Sophomores from Pine Dale have offered their own explanations for the absence of Roberts Hall.

“They were scared. They knew they couldn’t compete with us sophomores,” said Lenny Walker, Pine Dale resident.

All was not lost for the opening day of this year’s intramural softball season, however. Players from the Pine Dale team managed to spark interest in a group of nearby students looking for a little competitive action. While only practice, the game allowed Pine Dale Hall valuable insight into the strengths and weaknesses of their team.

Tim Mason, sophomore from Pine Dale Hall, was able to comment on the team’s condition: “We need a solid infield. We didn’t make the plays that we needed to, but it feels good to be here.”

The players feel confident in their team cohesion, and are looking forward to another successful season for Pine Dale Hall. The team is now looking forward to their match against Oak Glen, a team with which a steady rivalry has been building.

Field hockey earns academic honors from NFHCA

GLEN ALLEN, VA — The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth’s field hockey team and nine members of the squad have received academic honors from the National Field Hockey Coaches Association.

The Corsairs received a ZAG/NFHCA Division III National Academic Team Award. They were one of 83 teams to have a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better as of the end of the fall semester.

In addition, freshman midfielder Jackie Anderson,  sophomore forward Kimberly Crosby, freshman defender Kate Dorrance, freshman midfielder Becca Festinger, senior defender Amy Guerin, junior midfielder Connie Jones, freshman midfielder Jenna Miedzionoski, freshman forward Dawn Powers and junior forward Rebecca Stephens were named to the ZAG/NFHCA Division III National Academic Squad. Each of the players honored has a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better.

“I’m extremely proud of the team, and the players that were honored,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Nicole Castonguay. “They’re at UMass Dartmouth first and foremost for the academics, and having them succeed in the classroom, will help them have success on the field. We hope to continue our academic success.”

Holbrook takes home All-American honors

KANSAS CITY, MO — Senior center Dan Holbrook of the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth men’s basketball team has received another prestigious honor.

Holbrook has been named a second team State Farm Division III All-American by the National Association of Basketball Coaches. In receiving the award, Holbrook becomes the fourth Corsair to be so honored, joining Kevin Kolek, who was honored in 1989, Waldemar Sender, who received the award in 1991, and Steve Haynes, who was honored in both 1992 and 1993.

Holbrook was earlier named first team State Farm All-Northeast Region by the NABC, as well as first team All-Northeast Region by D3hoops.com. He led the Little East Conference in rebounding (10.9 rebounds per game), while ranking second in scoring (16.4 points per game), fourth in field goal percentage (.556), and eighth in assists (2.79 assists per game). He had 13 double doubles in 28 games, including a pair in the final two games of the 2008 Little East Conference Tournament. He scored at least 20 points eight times, with a career high of 32 at UMass Boston February 19th. Holbrook was thrice named LEC Player of the Week and was the only Corsair so honored during the 2007-08 season.

“It’s a great honor and an outstanding accomplishment,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Dan Holbrook. “When Danny was named Little East Conference Player of the Year, I knew he would be in the running for these awards. It’s a nice surprise and a great honor.”

The Corsairs finished first in the LEC during the regular season, advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Championships, and had an overall record of 25-4.

Tim Walsh named LEC lacrosse rookie of the week

PROVIDENCE — Freshman attackman Tim Walsh has been honored by the Little East Conference.

Walsh has been named Little East Conference Men’s Lacrosse Rookie of the Week.

Walsh led UMass Dartmouth in scoring with eight goals and four assists in their first four games as the Corsairs began the season with a 4-0 record and got off to their best start in nine years.

“Tim Walsh has worked hard in preparation for his first year of college lacrosse and has done an outstanding job in the field,” said UMass Dartmouth Head Coach Kevin Mahoney. “We are looking forward to having him here for the rest of the season and the next three years.”

MMA

Free agent: Fedor Emelianenko is back on the market

By Timm Freitas

Midway last semester, acclaimed heavyweight Fedor Emelianenko announced that he signed a contract with upstart MMA organization M-1 Global. Well, it seems that after one cross promotion show, the organization is going under and Emelianenko will be on the market once again.

Now many would think that EliteXC or the UFC would be front runners in signing the star, but there are other upstart organizations that may also have a chance at landing the fighter who is considered by many to be the best in the world. Dream Entertainment is a new organization that has signed the likes of Mirko Fillopovic and may be searching to boost their roster. And it is known that Emelianenko enjoys fighting in Japan, so if the price is right, this partnership may be a perfect fit.

World Victory Road is another organization that may have some pull in signing the Russian heavyweight because they have Josh Barnett under contract and Barnett is ranked within the top ten heavyweights in the world. A bout between Barnett and Emelianenko could put a smaller organization on the map. Also, the company doesn’t force its fighters to sign exclusive contracts, therefore allowing Emelianenko to fight for other organizations if the right competition arrives.

And then again, there are the two largest MMA productions, the UFC and Pro-Elite. Perhaps Fedor will sign with one of the two and begin fighting top competition again. If he were to sign with one of the organizations, it is believed Pro-Elite may have more influence in gaining the fighter because they have the money to afford him, they have a prime-time television spot, and they have no bad blood with Emelianenko or his agent.

The only thing the UFC could offer the fighter is more money than the competition. Since Emelianenko turned down the UFC late last year, UFC President Dana White has publically diminished Emelianeko’s reputation and completely disrespected his agent. And now that he is back on the market, it may be hard to make up for those actions.

Needless to say, Dana White has once again expressed interest in signing the fighter and Emelianenko has also stated he is willing to go into contract talks with the UFC again. So, once again Fedor is on the block and it will be interesting to see where he signs.

March Madness living up to its name

By Trevor Medieros

Last Thursday, the opening day of the NCAA Division 1 men’s basketball tournament left many prominent members of America’s workforce asking themselves “I called out of work for this?!”

The day consisted of several blowouts and little drama. However, after watching what took place over the weekend, it became pleasantly obvious why we all love March Madness.

How much madness did we witness? Well, we only saw Hilltoppers battle Toreros, an ex-NBA star’s son drop 40 on Gonzaga, only to come back two days later and topple a 7-foot giant, an underrated coach return from rock bottom to dethrone basketball royalty, and of course, a standard diet of great finishes and monumental upsets.

If you had Western Kentucky in the Sweet 16 in your bracket, I should pat you on the back, but I’m not since you probably cheated.

Still, I can’t hate on the Hilltoppers. Not after Ty Rogers became a March Madness legend with his incredible game-winning three at the buzzer against Drake. Western Kentucky punched their ticket to the Sweet 16 after beating the San Diego Toreros, who pulled off a shocker themselves, beating mighty UCONN in the first round.

Now, the ‘Toppers get UCLA in the next round, and if you think the buck automatically stops in Phoenix for WKU, let’s not forget how the Bruins had to use some magic of their own to pull out a win against Texas A&M.

It only took two clutch shots by Kevin Love and Darren Collison, along with an emphatic steal (and dunk) on the last play of the game to send the Bruins to the West semifinals.

Even though America will be pulling for Rogers and company, UCLA definitely has the easiest path to the Final Four, especially now that Duke was sent packing by West Virginia and Bob Huggins.

A few years ago, if seemed like happiness on the basketball court would never come again for Coach Huggybear. He was fired by Cincinnati, the school he turned into a powerhouse, after he was arrested for drunken driving.

After spending a year unemployed, Huggins was given a second chance by Kansas State, where he recruited Michael Beasley.

Then, Huggins took the job at his alma mater, WVU, and in his first season with the Mountaineers, he has them two wins from a trip to San Antonio. And if the two Joes (Alexander and Mazzulla) play like they did against the (once) mighty Blue Devils, they can punch their tickets right now.

If you’re familiar with the NBA circa 1996, then you’re definitely familiar with Del Curry. And if you watched what darling Davidson did last weekend, you know the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.

That’s right; Stephen Curry (Del’s son) is the newest household name in college basketball after single-handedly carrying Davidson into the Sweet 16.

First, he scored 40 against fellow mid-major Gonzaga. Then, he came back and dropped 30 against Roy Hibbert and mighty Georgetown in a 74-70 upset. What’s even more impressive is that Davidson rallied from a 17 point deficit to topple the Hoyas.

A tough match-up with Wisconsin awaits, but after what we witnessed in the first weekend of March Madness, we all know that anything’s possible.