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(03/30/08 10:00pm)
UNION, N.J. (3/24/08) - Junior Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) and senior Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) were both named to the D3hoops.com All-America teams, as announced by D3hoops.com on Saturday, March 22, during the NCAA Division III National Championship game. Beyruti, who was also named a Women's Basketball Coaches Association/State Farm Coaches All-American team, garnered third-team all-america honors by D3hoops.com. Cooper was tabbed an honorable mention all-american from both D3hoops.com and the WBCA/State Farm after leading the Cougars to the Elite Eight for the second straight year and a school record 28 wins this season.
Beyruti (pictured right) and Cooper were also named New Jersey Athletic Conference first-team all-stars, while Beyruti earned D3hoops.com Atlantic Region first-team honors and Cooper garnered second-team accolades.
A two-time first-team NJAC all-star, Beyruti led the conference in both scoring (19.0) and three-point field goals made (108/3.4). The 5-8 guard ranked 28th in the nation in scoring, and for the second straight year she led the nation in three point field goals made, as her 108 three-pointers was the seventh highest total all-time in NCAA Division III history.
Beyruti had 110 three-pointers a year ago, tied for the fifth highest total all-time, and her 281 career three-pointers rank 14th in NCAA Division III career history.
This season, Beyruti became the 14th player in program history to score 1,000 career points and her 1,468 career points broke the all-time record of 1,417 points held by Jaquana Abdullah (1999-2003).
Cooper (pictured left) has left her name near the top of the Kean and NCAA record books after becoming just the third player in school history to score 1,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds.
A four-time NJAC all-star, the 6-2 center closed out her career with 1,519 career rebounds, the third highest total in NCAA Division III history and tied for 10th all-time among NCAA all-divisions history.
Cooper led the NJAC in rebounding for four straight years, averaging 14.1 rebounds this season to rank third in the nation. Her 450 rebounds this season shattered her own school record and rank 14th in NCAA Division III single season history.
This season, Cooper averaged 11.6 points a game to rank third on the team and became the 15th player in program history to score 1,000 career points. She finished her career with 1,231 career points to rank sixth in program history.
The Cougars won the NJAC title for the second straight year and advanced to the NCAA Division III Sectional Final before closing out the season with a 98-86 loss to Oglethorpe University.
(03/30/08 10:00pm)
La Plume, Pa. (3/22/08) - Junior Drew Campbell (Hillsborough, N.J.) earned two wins in relief as the Cougars swept Keystone College, 8-7, in both games of this afternoon's doubleheader. Campbell (3-1) (pictured right) tossed a combined seven and a third innings allowing no runs and just four hits. He also fanned nine and walked just three.
Kean improves to 13-4 overall while host Keystone falls to 8-5 after suffering five straight loss after starting the season 8-0.
Game One
Kean jumped out to a quick 5-0 after two innings of play as senior Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) drove in two and scored twice. Outfielder Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) also recorded an RBI double in the span.
Keystone then took the momentum and scored seven uncontested runs in their next three at-bats aided by six Cougar miscues.
KU tied things up in the top of the fifth as senior Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) registered an RBI groundout and freshman Mike Moceri (Yardville, N.J.), who reached on a double, scored on a wild pitch.
The Cougars needed extra innings, to push across the winning run as Burke came across the plate after reaching on a walk.
Gianakas and shortstop Mike Diaz (Westfield, N.J.) each had two hits in game one while Burke was 1-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI.
Game Two
The nightcap was very similar to game one as both teams traded runs early and often but knotted things up at seven-all after the fourth inning. It was again in the eighth inning as Kean pushed across the winning run.
Gianakas provided what would be the winning RBI with a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to bring home Dave Zavistoski (Edison, N.J.) who reached on a walk.
Campbell, who entered the game in the seventh, closed the door, facing the minimum six batters over the final two innings of action.
Offensively in game two Gianakas was 2-for-4 with two RBI while freshman Jared Orgel (East Hanover, N.J.) (pictured left) was 1-for-5 with two RBI and a double.
The Cougars will return home to Jim Hynes Stadium to take on Drew University on Monday, March 24th at 3:30 p.m.
(03/23/08 11:00pm)
Pitman, N.J. (3/4/08) - Freshman pitcher Courtney Smyth (Abington, Pa.) has been tabbed as the New Jersey Athletic Conference Rookie Pitcher of the Week as announced by the conference office on Monday. Smyth pitched a one-hitter in her intercollegiate debut, striking out six batters while allowing just one unearned run and two walks against Bates College.
(03/23/08 11:00pm)
Union, N.J. (3/8/08) - Sophomore attack Scott Leathem (Fair Lawn, N.J.) netted a game-high five goals as the Kean University men's lacrosse team defeated Centenary College, 17-7, Saturday afternoon in a chilly and wet Kean Alumni Stadium. Junior Chris DeCarlo (Sandy, Utah) tallied four goals in the win for Kean who improve to 3-2 overall. For the Cyclones (0-2) senior Ryan Mangold (Hillsborough, N.J.) led the way with four goals of his own in the loss.
Both teams traded goals to start off the match before the Cougars gave themselves a little cushion with three goals to end the first period. Leathem, sophomore Sean Cope (Succasunna, N.J.) and junior C.J. Gannon (Morris Plains, N.J.) (pictured right) all had goals in the run.
Kean then controlled the second period outscoring the Cyclones 5-2 to give themselves a 9-4 advantage at the break.
The final two periods belonged to the Cougars as Kean scored the final eight goals of the contest. Leathem picked up three while DeCarlo added two in the span.
Offensively Leathem finished with six points as he also added an assist while junior attack Eric Gillar (Milltown, N.J.) recorded three points with one goal and two assists on the afternoon.
In goal, senior Dave Nichols (Florham Park, N.J.) registered 12 saves in just over 55 minutes of action. Sophomore John Gesumaria (Cranford, N.J.) recorded two saves in the final five minutes.
The Cougars will enjoy a short break before heading out to Colorado for their spring break trip taking on three opponents.
(03/23/08 11:00pm)
UNION, N.J. (3/7/08) - Junior guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) scored a season-high 29 points, including 21 in the second half, to lead the Kean University women's basketball team to a 83-76 victory over Utica College in the first round of the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament on Friday evening. The 11th-ranked Cougars (26-3) face Brandeis University, a 74-71 winner over University of Southern Maine, on Saturday evening in Harwood Arena at 6 p.m.
Freshman guard Devon Croll (Vernon, N.Y.) led the Pioneers (17-11) with 19 points and six rebounds.
Beyruti (pictured right) scored 16 points in the opening 6:08 of the second half as the Cougars erased a 33-31 halftime deficit and built a 12-point advantage at 51-39 with 13:52 remaining. Kean extended the lead to as many as 19 points (71-52) on a three-point play by sophomore guard Cardiss Jackman (Tobyhanna, Pa.) with 6:48 left in the game.
The Pioneers cut the deficit back to single digits, knocking down 9-of-11 free throws in the final minutes to keep the game within striking distance. Utica trimmed the Cougar lead eight points with 2:20 remaining and would eventually trim the Cougar lead to seven points with 25 seconds left and again on a lay-up by sophomore forward Jessica Berry (Rome, N.Y.) with nine seconds left to put the final margin at 83-76.
In a first half that featured nine lead changes and two ties, the Cougars built their largest lead of the half on a lay-up by Beyruti with 6:14 left in the opening half. Utica answered with nine straight points to take a 30-27 lead with 2:13 left and senior guard Karen Crisanti (Geneva, N.Y.) hit a three-pointer with 11 seconds left to take the 33-31 lead into intermission.
Beyruti led the Cougars with eight points in the first half, while junior guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) had seven points and three assists. Crisanti had 11 points and seven rebounds to lead the Pioneers in the first half.
Jackson (pictured left), who finished with 11 points, became the program's all-time leader in career assists, as her seven assists give her 472 for her career, breaking the mark of 465 held by Crystal Gadsen.
Senior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) finished with a game-high 17 rebounds and nine points, while freshman forward Tiffany Patrick (Piscataway, N.J.) had her second straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds.
Croll led four players in double-figures, as she finished 10-of-12 from the free throw line. Berry had 17 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while junior guard Mallory Davis (Vernon-Rockville, Conn.) added 16 points and nine rebounds. Crisanti rounded out the Utica players in double-figures with 11 points and nine rebounds.
(03/23/08 11:00pm)
UNION, N.J. (3/15/08) - Junior guard Anna Findley (Hiram, Ga.) scored 44 points, including 28 in the second half, to lead the Oglethorpe University women's basketball team to a 98-86 victory over host Kean University and advance to its first ever NCAA Division III Final Four appearance.
Findley hit 8-of-10 shots from three-point range, including 5-of-6 in the second half, as the Stormy Petrels (27-5) connected on 56.7 percent (17-of-30) of their shots in the final 20 minutes and 72.7 percent (8-of-11) from long range in the NCAA Sectional Finals. Findley's 44 points are tied for the third highest total in all NCAA Division III women's basketball this season, while the 98 points scored by Oglethorpe was the most points Kean allowed all season.
The Cougars (28-4) close out the season in the Elite Eight for the second straight year, as they finish with a school record 28 wins and just the third appearance in the Elite Eight in school history. Junior guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) had 25 points, and senior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) closed out her career with her 58th career double-double with 20 points and 12 rebounds.
After the Cougars extended a two-point halftime lead to six points (48-42) just 61 seconds into the second half, Oglethorpe went on a 10-2 run to take the lead for good on a three-pointer by Findley with 16:47 left on the clock.
The Stormy Petrels pushed the lead out to eight points (61-53) just two minutes later and would extend the lead out to 12 points on another three-pointer by Findley to lead 76-64 with just 8:54 remaining.
Kean responded with a 9-1 run, cutting the deficit to four points at 77-73 following back-to-back three-pointers by Beyruti with 5:17 left in the game. Oglethorpe junior guard Tina Grace (Pensacola, Fla.) answered with a three-pointer to extend the lead back to seven points and the Stormy Petrels led by as many as 13 points with 2:25 remaining.
The Cougars cut the lead back to single digits on three more occasions, however Oglethorpe hit 6-of-8 free throws in the final minute to punch its ticket to the Final Four.
In a first half that featured five ties and four lead changes, the Stormy Petrels took an early eight point lead (18-10, 14:05), before Kean battled back and took a 44-42 lead into halftime. Findley led all scorers with 16 points, while Beyruti had 13 points and freshman forward Tiffany Patrick (Piscataway, N.J.) had 10 points and seven rebounds to lead Kean.
In her final intercollegiate game, Cooper hit 8-of-10 shots from the floor en-route to a season-high 20 points. She closed out her career with 1,231 career points and a school-record 1,519 career rebounds, the third highest total in NCAA Division III career rebounding history and tied for 10th among all-divisions in NCAA history.
Beyruti knocked down five three points, giving her 108 for the season and 281 in her career, ranking seventh in NCAA DIII single season and 14th in NCAA DIII career history, respectively.
Patrick finished with her fourth double-double in the last five games, as she had 12 points and a game-high 14 rebounds. Sophomore guard Cardiss Jackman (Tobyhanna, Pa.) added 11 points and five rebounds, while junior guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) rounded out Kean in double-figures, finishing with 10 points, six rebounds and four assists.
For Oglethorpe, junior guard Katie Kulavic (Norcross, Ga.) and Grace each finished with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Kulavic added e team-high six assists and Grace added five assists. Junior guard Hannah Brooks (Rockmart, Ga.) added 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists.
(03/23/08 11:00pm)
UNION, N.J. (3/7/08) - Senior right-hander Tom Paglione (Hamilton, N.J.) tossed six shutout innings allowing just one hit while sophomore designated hitter Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) belted a solo homer as 11th-ranked Kean University blanked Albright College, 6-0 at the newly-refurbished Jim Hynes Stadium in the team's official home opener on Friday afternoon. Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.), Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.), and Michael Moceri (Yarville, N.J.) each had two hits as the Cougars improved to 3-2.
Sophomore Shane Stein (New Ringgold, Pa.) had the lone hit for Albright, which was playing its season opener.
Paglione (1-0) surrendered just a two-out single in the bottom of the second as he picked up his first win of the season. He struck out six and did not walk a batter as he threw 66 pitches, 46 for strikes.
Kean got the only runs it would need when Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) lined a double to lead off the bottom of the third inning. De La Rosa singled in the infield to put runners at the corners and O'Neill would score as the throw down to second to get De La Rosa stealing went into centerfield. After De La Rosa took third on the overthrow, Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) lofted a sacrifice fly for the second run.
The Cougars would add four more runs in the sixth before the game was called. Nolan (pictured right) led with a solo shot down the left field line for his second round-tripper of the season and a 3-0 Kean advantage.
Jared Orgel (East Hanover, N.J.) reached on an error and Burke executed a perfect hit-and-run with Orgel going to third. After Burke stole second, Chris Carrano (Lincoln Park, N.J.) singled home Orgel and O'Neil's sacrifice fly brought home Burke as Kean led 5-0. Carrano scored the final run as he came home on a passed ball.
Sophomore right-hander Casey Lawrence (McSherrytown, Pa.) took the loss. Lawrence went the first five innings and allowed two runs and six hits, while striking out seven and walking one.
(03/23/08 11:00pm)
Union, N.J. (3/9/08) - Sophomore Joe Bartlinski (South Amboy, N.J.) (pictured right) tossed seven innings fanning 11 to earn the win in game one while senior Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) was 4-for-5 with a double and triple on the afternoon as #11 Kean University swept visiting SUNY Brockport, 8-2 and 4-3 in the nightcap. With the wins, Kean improves to 5-2 overall while Brockport falls to 0-2 in their first two games of the 2008 season.
Juniors Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J) and Drew Campbell (Hillsborough, N.J.) each earned saves on the afternoon. Aich (1-1, 2 saves) tossed four innings allowing just one run in game one while Campbell (1 save) threw one and a third of scoreless, hitless ball in the nightcap.
Game One
In a nine-inning affair, the Cougars pounded out 12 hits on their way to their fourth win of the season. After falling behind 1-0 in the top of the first, KU plated eight unanswered runs beginning in the third inning. Sophomore Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) got things going with a two out, two RBI single. In the bottom of the fourth, Burke hit his third triple of the season for an RBI followed by an RBI single by senior Ryan Clark (Livingston, N.J.).
Kean sealed the game in the bottom of the sixth as they scored three runs on the aide of two Brockport errors.
Offensively Burke finished 3-for-3 while catcher Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) (pictured left) was 2-for-3.
Game Two
In a seven-inning matchup, the Cougars broke a 2-2 tie in the bottom of the fourth with two runs and held on to win by the final of 4-3.
KU recorded single runs in the bottom of the first and second innings. Senior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) recorded an RBI sacrifice fly to bring across the game's first run while Clark registered an RBI groundout for the 2-0 lead.
Brockport tied things up in the top of the fourth, but Kean responded in their own half of the inning as Clark provided a two-out, two RBI single for a 4-2 lead.
The Golden Eagles made things interesting in the sixth, but Campbell entered with two outs and a runner on second, forcing a ground ball out to get out of the jam.
Kean will get right back into things with a rescheduled game on Monday, March 10th as they take on FDU-Florham at 3 p.m. at Jim Hynes Stadium.
(03/09/08 11:00pm)
EWING, N.J. (2/29/08) - It was a complete team effort, as the Kean University women's basketball team placed all five starters in double-figures as they captured the 2008 New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship with a 70-61 victory over host The College of New Jersey at Packer Hall on Friday evening. Junior guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) led the #12/13 Cougars (25-3) with 17 points, including 11 in the second half, while senior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) and freshman forward Tiffany Patrick (Piscataway, N.J.) each recorded double-doubles to help the Cougars capture their second-straight NJAC title and earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.
The Cougars won back-to-back titles for the first time since they won the last two of their nine straight championships from 1982-83 through 1990-91, and it was the first time a NJAC team defended its title since Rowan University won four straight from 1995-96 through 1998-99.
For TCNJ, junior center Hillary Klimowicz (Scotch Plains, N.J.) scored a career-high 28 points and added 17 rebounds and five blocks. The 2008 NJAC Player of the Year, Klimowicz hit 12-of-19 from the floor and scored 22 of her points after intermission to get the Lions back within striking distance.
After Kean extended their lead to as many as 20 points on their first possessions of the second half on a three-pointer by Beyruti, TCNJ cut the deficit to single digits for the first time when they pulled within eight points at 53-45 with just under 10 minutes remaining.
The Lions pulled to within eight points on three other occasions, and to within seven points at 68-61 on a layup by Klimowicz with just 21 seconds remaining before Kean junior guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) sealed the Cougar victory with a pair of free throws for the final 70-61 advantage.
Sophomore guard Cardiss Jackman (Tobyhanna, Pa.) scored all 10 of her points in the first half to give the Cougars 36-19 halftime advantage, as Kean held the Lions to just 8-of-35 shooting (22.9 percent).
In the game, Cooper (pictured left) had 11 points and 18 rebounds to record her 20th double-double of the season, while Patrick had her first-career double-double with 10 points and 14 rebounds. Cooper now has 1,471 career boards, third highest total in NCAA Division III history and 14th among all-divisions on the NCAA all-time list.
Jackson added 10 points, six assists, five rebounds and four steals for the Cougars, as her six assists gave her 465 for her career, tying the program record held by Crystal Gadsen (1999-2003).
The Cougars await the NCAA Tournament bracket announcement on Monday, March 3, to find out the opponent and destination of the first round.
(03/09/08 11:00pm)
UNION, N.J. (3/3/08) - After capturing the New Jersey Athletic Conference women's basketball championship and earning an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament, Kean University will host first and second round action, beginning Friday, March 7. The Cougars (25-3) will take on Utica College (17-10) in one first-round game, while Brandeis University (18-7) battles University of Southern Maine (25-3) in the other match-up.
Ranked throughout the entire regular season, #12/13 Kean captured its second straight NJAC title with a 70-61 victory over host The College of New Jersey on Friday evening. The Cougars are one of three NJAC teams, as the Lions and William Paterson University also received at-large bids. Last season, the Cougars advanced to the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history and tied the 1986-87 Final Four team for most wins in a season (27). It is the first time Kean has hosted an NCAA tournament game since the 1998 men's soccer tournament.
Utica College won their first-ever Empire 8 Conference championship with a 55-46 victory over host Stevens Institute of Technology, earning their first NCAA tournament bid since 1986.
Brandeis was one of four University Athletic Association teams to earn bids to the NCAA tournament, as they finished 18-7 overall, 9-5 in the UAA. Overall, the Judges have a 5-4 record against teams in the tournament field. They split games with conference opponents University of Chicago, Washington University and University of Rochester, while also defeating Emmanuel College and Wheaton (Mass.) College. Brandeis also fell to Tufts University.
Southern Maine is appearing in their 14th-straight NCAA tournament and 22nd tournament overall after capturing the Little East regular season title. A 2006 Final Four team, the No. 11/13 Huskies fell to Eastern Connecticut State University in the conference tournament in overtime, 65-60.
Brandeis and Southern Maine square off on Friday, March 7, at 5:30 p.m., followed by the Utica-Kean game at 7:30 p.m. The two winners meet on Saturday, March 8, at 6 p.m.
(03/09/08 11:00pm)
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (3/1/08) - The Kean University softball team picked up another pair of victories, including a win over nationally ranked Bridgewater College (Va.), at the Atlantic versus East Beach Blast on Saturday evening. The Cougars defeated Christopher Newport University, 2-1, in the opener, and followed that up with the 3-1 win over the #19 Eagles to close out the weekend a perfect 4-0 to open the 2008 season.
In the opener, sophomore right-hander Cassie Shotwell (Dunellen, N.J.) (pictured left) earned her first career victory, striking out five while allowing just four hits and one earned run.
At the plate, senior Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) and sophomore Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill, N.J.) each had a hit and an RBI, while senior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) was 1-of-2 in the victory.
Against Bridgewater, rookie Jess Mattos (Carteret, N.J.) allowed just one earned run and five hits to go alongwith three stirkeouts to pick up the victory in her first intercollegiate start.
Trailing 1-0 in the sixth inning, senior catcher Vicki Lanza (Edison, N.J.) had a solo homerun to tie the game. The following inning, the Cougars took the lead when Steinman had an RBI single to score Hedler, who had singled to right field and advanced to second on a pass ball earlier in the inning. Senior Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) followed with a RBI double to score Steinman for the insurance run.
Steinman finished 3-of-3 with an RBI, while Hicks was 2-for-4 in the game.
The Cougars return to action on Saturday, March 8, when they take on Swarthmore College at Montclair State University. The non-conference doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.
(03/09/08 11:00pm)
Piscataway, N.J. (3/2/08) - Senior Frank Albano (Valhalla, N.Y.) picked up two saves after tossing three scoreless innings as Manhattanville College earned a sweep of Kean University, 5-3 in extra innings and 3-2 in the nightcap. Sophomore Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) launched his first homerun of the season, a two-run blast in game two to tie the game at two apiece, but it wasn't enough for the Cougars (1-2).
Game 1
In what was supposed to be a seven inning affair, Kean jumped on the board with a single run in the bottom of the sixth as senior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) singled home senior Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.). The Valiants (2-0) fought back and plated three runs in the top of the seventh as catcher Jeff Dunn (Durango, Colo.) hit a two-run blast to leftfield to give Manahattanville a 3-1 edge.
The Cougars did not go away quietly as they tied things up in bottom of the same inning. Nolan led things off with a double down the right field line and after pitch-runner Mike Hohman (Spotswood, N.J.) entered the game, he quickly came around and scored after senior Bryan Burke (Lindenhurst, N.Y.) hit the right-center gap with a triple. Senior Kevin O'Neill (Union, N.J.) recorded the game-tying RBI with a ground-out.
Pinch-hitter Joe Gallace (Harrison, N.Y.) registered the game-winning hit with a two RBI single in the top of the ninth to seal the win in game one.
Junior Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) suffered the loss in game one. He (1-1) tossed 2.2 innings of relief allowing two runs and two hits. Sophomore John Kain (Harrison, N.Y.) earned the win in relief for the Valiants. Kain (1-0) tossed one scoreless inning allowing just one hit.
Game 2
Game two turned out to be just a seven inning contest after game one went into extra innings. After falling behind 2-0 early, KU tied things up with Nolan's two-run blast in the bottom of the second. The Valiants broke the tie in the top of the sixth as Mike Mooney (Mahopac, N.Y.) hit a two-out single.
Albano entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and retired all six batters that he faced to earn his second save of the afternoon. Senior Danny Alvarez (Port Chester, N.Y.) earned the win after tossing five innings allowing two runs and five hits.
The Cougars will be back in action on Monday, March 3rd as they take on #9 Eastern Connecticut State University at 3 p.m. back at Rutgers University.
(03/09/08 11:00pm)
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (2/29/08) - The Kean University softball team opened up the 2008 campaign with a pair of victories at the Atlantic vs. East Beach Blast on Friday evening. The Cougars recorded a 10-1 victory over Bates College in the opener, before posting the 4-0 shutout over Messiah College in the nightcap. Against Bates, rookie Courtney Smyth (Abington, N.J.) pitched a one-hitter in her intercollegiate debut, striking out six batters while allowing just one unearned run and two walks.
At the plate, senior Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) was 3-for-3 with three RBI, while junior Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) was 2-for-2 with three RBI. Junior Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) added a pair of hits and two runs scored.
On the mound against Messiah, senior Kristen Hennings (Jackson, N.J.) earned the shutout victory against Messiah, allowing just two hits, while fanning three batters.
Sophomore Allison Thibault (Garfield, N.J.) and Hicks (pictured right) each had two hits, as Thibault also had a run scored. Steinman and Buchanan both had one hit and one RBI in the victory.
The Cougars return to action on Saturday, March 1, when they take on Christopher Newport (4 p.m.) and Bridgewater College (6 p.m.) in the final day of action at the Beach Blast.
(03/02/08 11:00pm)
GLASSBORO, N.J. (2/23/08) - Rookie guard Keith Williams (Jersey City, N.J.) had 17 points, seven steals and six rebounds, however the Kean University men's basketball team could not offset six in double figures for Rowan University, falling 80-65 in the New Jersey Athletic Conference regular season finale on Saturday afternoon. Senior forward Matt Byrnes (Mays Landing, N.J.) led the Profs (18-7, 7-5 NJAC) with 23 points, including 20 points in the final half. Rowan earned the second seed for the South Division in the upcoming NJAC tournament, while the Cougars (9-16, 4-9 NJAC) are the third seed in the South and are in the NJAC tourney for the first time since 2000-01.
Rowan held a slim two-point lead, 32-30, at halftime as junior forward Rahim Shiver (Cherry Hill, N.J.) had nine points and junior guard Kevin Darby (Atco, N.J.) added eight points in the opening half. For Kean, senior guard Lamar Wright (Galloway, N.J.) (pictured left) was one of three players with six points, while also adding a pair of steals.
In the second half, a 9-2 Rowan run extended the lead to double-digits for the first time (46-36) less than five minutes into the half. Kean scored five straight points to cut the deficit in half, however the Profs broke the game open with a 16-5 run to build a 16-point lead at 62-46 with 10:48 left.
Rowan would lead by as many as 19 points with just 64 seconds remaining en-route to the 15-point victory to sweep the season series with Kean.
Wright finished with 16 points, three rebounds and two steals, while freshman guard Dean Hughes (Pemberton Twp., N.J.) (pictured right) scored a career-high 11 points off the bench.
Kean faces NJAC North Division Second Seed Ramapo College in the opening round of the NJAC playoffs on Tuesday, February 26.
(03/02/08 11:00pm)
GLASSBORO, N.J. (2/23/08) - Senior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) moved into third place on the NCAA Division III career rebounding list, finishing with her 17th double-double of the season, however the #7/8 Kean University women's basketball team was upset by host Rowan University, 78-75, in the New Jersey Athletic Conference regular season finale on Saturday afternoon. Junior guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) (pictured right) led the Cougars (22-3, 10-3) with a game-high 24 points, as defending conference champion Kean will look to defend their NJAC championship from the second seed in the South Division.
Cooper had 13 points and a game-high 17 rebounds, giving her 1,428 career boards and moving her into third place in NCAA Division III history. She also is just 14 rebounds shy of moving into 15th place NCAA all-time among Division I, II and III history.
Senior guard Kristina Wallace (Logan Twp., N.J.) led the Profs (15-10, 7-6) with 23 points, seven assists and four steals, as Rowan heads into the NJAC tournament as the third seed in the South Division.
With just 3:11 left in the game, Kean took a six point lead at 73-67 following a three-pointer from junior guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.). Rowan responded with eight straight points to take a two point lead (75-73), capped off by a three-point play by Wallace with just under two minutes remaining.
After Cooper tied the game up at 75-75 at the 56 second mark, Rowan sophomore forward Jessica Nimbley (Middletown, N.J.) gave Rowan the lead for good with a jumper with 38 seconds left. The Cougars had several opportunities on their next possession to tie the game or take the lead, however they were unable to convert and Prof junior Brynn DeGroff (Wildwood Crest, N.J.) converted 1-of-2 foul shots for the three-point advantage.
A final three-point attempt with three seconds left didn't fall for the Cougars, and Kean finished the regular season with an identical 22-3 record to last season's NJAC championship and Elite Eight squad.
The Cougars built a 39-32 advantage at halftime, as Beyruti led Kean with 12 points in the opening half. For Rowan, sophomore forward Jillian Kane (Ridgefield Park, N.J.) had 10 points
The second half saw a Jackson layup extend the Cougar lead to as many as 12 points (54-42) with 14:19 left. Rowan pulled within two points at 63-61 on a three-pointer by Wallace with just under eight minutes remaining before the Cougars extended the lead back out to six points on three separate occasions, including the final time with 3:11 left.
Beyruti knocked down five three pointers, moving her into a tie for 21st place in NCAA Division III history with 251 career three-pointers.
Sophomore guard Cardiss Jackman (Tobyhanna, Pa.) had 13 points, while Jackson (pictured left) finished with 11 points, four assists and three steals.
Kane hit 8-of-12 from the floor and knocked down all five of her free throws to score 23 points off the bench for the Profs.
The Cougars open defense of their NJAC title at home with an opening round game against Rutgers-Newark on Monday, February 25. Tip-off is set for 7 p.m., with the winner advancing to a semifinal match-up against NJAC North Division top-seed William Paterson University two days later.
(03/02/08 11:00pm)
Pitman, N.J. (2/21/08) - After capturing the 2007 NCAA Division III National Championship, Kean University has been selected as the 2008 preseason baseball favorite in the New Jersey Athletic Conference. The defending national champions, who finished their 2007 campaign with an overall record of 43-8, are seeking their second conference title since the inception of the NJAC baseball championship back in 1958. Kean was selected to finish first on five-of-the-ten ballots cast by the league's head coaches. Under the direction of 2007 NJAC Coach of the Year Neil Ioviero, the Cougars have posted an overall record of 281-125-2 during his 11 seasons in a Cougar uniform. Kean captured the 2007 NJAC regular season championship with a 15-3 conference mark and advanced to the NJAC Tournament championship game.
The Cougars return four all-conference players from its national championship squad including senior outfielder/catcher Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.), senior second baseman Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.), senior third baseman Ryan Clark (Livingston, N.J.), and senior outfielder Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.).
NJAC Poll
1. Kean (5)
2. Montclair State (4)
3. Rowan (1)
4. The College of New Jersey
5. Richard Stockton (dark horse)
6. Ramapo
7. William Paterson
8. Rutgers-Camden
9. Rutgers-Newark
10. New Jersey City
(03/02/08 11:00pm)
TOMS RIVER, N.J. (2/25/08) - The Kean University men's and women's indoor track and field teams competed at the New Jersey Athletic Conference Indoor Championships at the Bennett Indoor Athletic Complex on Monday afternoon. The women's team placed sixth with 15 points, while the men finished seventh with 17 points. The College of New Jersey swept both team championships for the 11th straight year. Freshman Jan Bush (Willow Grove, Pa.) (pictured right) was the school's top finisher, placing second overall in the shot put with ECAC qualifying throw of 11.74 meters. Junior Erin Jones (Upper Saddle River, N.J.) had a busy afternoon, finishing fourth in the pole vault (2.90 meters), while also competing in the 55-meter hurdles and high jump.
The women's 4x200 meter relay team of freshmen Jamie Grenger (Hazlet, N.J.) and Asha Winters (Ewing, N.J.), sophomore Tyher'Ra Thomas (South Plainfield, N.J.) and junior Demeka Pressley (Trenton, N.J.) placed fifth in a team of 1:50.96. The same four also added a sixth place finish in the 4x400 meter relay in a time of 4:29.44.
In men's action, junior Jason Staggers (Jackson, N.J.) (pictured left) had a solid showing, placing third in the triple jump (12.92 meters), fifth in the high jump (1.90 meters) and eighth in the long jump (6.36 meters). Sophomore Peterson Paquiot (Elizabeth, N.J.) was fifth in the pole vault (3.65 meters), while freshman John Badala (Scotch Plains, N.J.) was sixth in the shot put (13.39 meters).
Freshman Marques Wallace (Vauxhall, N.J.) placed sixth in the 200-meter dash, crossing the finish line in 23.10 seconds. In the men's 4x200 meter relay, Wallace teamed up with freshman Joe DiMeglio (Metuchen, N.J.), sophomore Matt Gough (Jefferson Twp., N.J.), and junior Seun Oyelaja (Lagos, Nigeria) to place fifth in 1:36.15.
Gough, Staggers, junior Dwayne Dobbins (Mount Holly, N.J.) and junior Reginald James (Willingboro, N.J.) placed fifth in the 4x400 meter relay (3:32.51), while Dobbins, sophomore Ashwin Anantharaman (Hightstown, N.J.), freshman Rolland Ying (East Brunswick, N.J.) and freshman Chris Pegeron (Plainfield, N.J.) were sixth in the distance medley relay (11:20.20).
(03/02/08 11:00pm)
Chestertown, Md. (2/24/08) - There may be snow on the ground, but the Kean University men's lacrosse team got the spring season underway on Sunday as they traveled to take on #11 Washington College (Md.) where the Shoremen picked up a 20-5 victory over the Cougars. Sophomore Scott Leathem (Fair Lawn, N.J.) netted two goals for Kean (0-1) in the loss. Jimmy Kielek (Baltimore, Md.), Kolyn Kirby (Chestertown, Md.), and Nick Gregory (Riva, Md.) all recorded hat-tricks in the win for Washington who improved to 2-0.
The Cougars fell behind 7-0 after the first period before notching their first goal of the season with 12:13 to go in the second period as sophomore Mike Terry (Maplewood, N.J.) scored an unassisted goal. Washington went into the break with a 10-1 lead.
Kean would go on to score two goals in the third and fourth periods, as Leathem picked up two goals while sophomores Sean Cope (Succasunna, N.J.) and Anthony Bertucci (Edison, N.J.) (pictured right) had single goals. Junior C.J. Gannon (Morris Plains, N.J.) had the lone assist for KU.
In goal, senior Dave Nichols (Florham Park, N.J.) recorded nine goals while allowing 11 goals in the loss in just over 38 minutes in the loss.
The Cougars will travel to Widener University on Wednesday, February 27th for a 4 p.m. faceoff.
(02/24/08 11:00pm)
EWING, N.J. (02/13/08) - The sixth-ranked Kean University women's basketball team fell to host The College of New Jersey, 79-71 in a key New Jersey Athletic Conference South Division showdown on Wednesday evening. The Lion victory snapped the Cougars' 16 game-winning streak and tied the head-to-head series this season after the Cougars (21-2, 9-2 NJAC) won the first meeting four weeks ago, 60-44, over TCNJ (17-5, 8-2).
Junior guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) led the Cougars with 15 points, while Lions junior center Hillary Klimowicz (Scotch Plains, N.J.) had her 17th double-double of the season with 19 points, 14 rebounds and six blocks.
After Kean scored the first basket of the game, the Lions used a 15-2 run to build an early double-digit lead, 15-4, less than five minutes into the contest as rookie forward Kelsey Kutch (Hillsborough, N.J.) had eight points in the spurt.
The Lions extended the lead to as many as 12 points, before Kean trimmed the deficit in half by closing the opening half on a 13-7 run to trail 35-29 heading to the lockerrooms.
Kutch led the Lions with 12 first-half points, while Beyruti (pictured left) and freshman Brittany Powell (Tinton Falls, N.J.) each scored six points for the Cougars. Kean hit just 26.3 percent (10-of-38) of its shots, while the Lions connected on 12-of-30 for 40.0 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes of action.
The Cougars netted the first two baskets of the second half to pull within two points, 35-33, just 67 seconds into the half. Kean would tie the game on three separate occasions in the second half, the final time at 51-51 with just under 10 minutes remaining, however the Cougars were never able to regain the lead, as a 6-1 Lions' run pushed the lead back out to five points (57-52) with 8:08 left in the game.
Kean again cut the deficit to just a single point three more times in the final 5:07, including at 68-67 with 1:52 left, however TCNJ converted 11-of-12 free throws in the final two minutes to seal the nine-point victory and snap Kean's five-game winning streak over the Lions.
The Cougars were held to just 34.8 percent shooting (24-of-69) for the game, nearly 10 percent lower than their season average of 44.5 percent. The national leaders in rebounding margin at 15.0 coming into the contest, the Cougars were out-rebounded (45-38) for just the third time this season, and second time by the Lions.
In addition to Beyruti, three other Cougars finished in double-figures, as rookie forward Angelica Bermudez (Belleville, N.J.) had 13 points off the bench, including nine in the second half. Senior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) had a double-double with 10 rebounds and 10 points, while Powell (pictured right) added 11 points, including 3-of-5 shooting from long range.
TCNJ used an impressive performance from the line in the second half as they shot 82.8%, making 24 of 29 free throws. Among the leaders down the stretch, Kutch hit all 12 of her free throws, making 6-6 in each half, while Klimowicz made 9-of-10 for the game and was 7-8 in the second half.
Senior Sara Best (High Bridge, N.J.) added 17 points for the Lions, making 6-of-11 shots from the floor, while Kutch finished with 18 points in the game.
The Cougars have a week to rebound from the loss, as they have a bye weekend before hosting Richard Stockton College in the final regular season home game on Wednesday, February 20. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m.
(02/24/08 11:00pm)
UNION, N.J. (2/20/08) - For the fifth straight week, the Kean University women's basketball is ranked in the top 10, falling just slightly after suffering just its second loss of the season in the Cougars only game last week. Ranked sixth a week ago in both the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll and USA Today ESPN Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll, the Cougars dropped to seventh and eighth, respectively after falling to The College of New Jersey (79-71) in a New Jersey Athletic Conference South Division battle. Kean is also ranked third in the NCAA Division III Atlantic Region rankings.
In the most recent NCAA statistical rankings, the team and several Cougars players are ranked in numerous categories. As a team, Kean is ranked first in the nation in both scoring offense (86.0) and scoring margin (30.7), while also ranking second in rebound margin (15.0). The Cougars also rank fourth in steals (16.7), tied for fifth in winning percentage (.913), and 13th in assists (17.4).
Other team rankings have Kean 16th in blocked shots per game (5.2), 18th in field goal percentage (.445), 34th in field goal percentage defense (.342), 55th in scoring defense (55.3) and 60th in assist-to-turnover ratio (0.86).
Individually, senior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) is third in rebounds per game (14.3), while her 1,398 career rebounds are currently fifth all-time in NCAA Division III history and are just 6 rebounds away from fourth place and 22 rebounds shy of moving into third place all-time.
The 2006-07 NCAA Division III leader in three point field goals made, junior guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) is currently tied for seventh in the category this season (3.0), while also ranking 50th in three-point field goal percentage (.365) and 51st in scoring (17.4). Her 242 career three-pointers moved her into a tie for 25th place in NCAA Division III career history.
Junior guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) is ranked in a pair of categories, currently eighth in assists per game (6.3) and 27th in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.95). The three-year starter at point guards needs just 31 more assists to become the program's all-time leader in the category with 466 career assists.