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(03/25/07 10:00pm)
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (3/16/07) - In their final day of action at the Rebel Spring Games, the Kean University softball split, defeating Springfield College, 6-1, in the opener, before falling to Coast Guard Academy, 9-1, in five innings. The Cougars wrapped up their Spring Trip with an 8-2 record.GAME ONE: FIVE RUN SECOND INNING LIFTS COUGARS, 6-1
Sophomore right-hander Meg Gierke (Glen Gardner, N.J.) scattered six hits and allowed only one run and one walk and the Cougars scored five runs in the second inning to defeat Springfield College, 6-1, in the first game of the day.
Junior centerfielder Katy McManus (Edison, N.J.) scored the game's first run, as she walked, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher and scored on a foul out by junior catcher Vicki Lanza (Edison, N.J.), giving the Cougars a 1-0 lead prior to a 40 minute rain delay.
After the delay, the Cougars scored four more runs to build a 5-0 lead after two innings. Freshman designated player Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill, N.J.) delivered the big hit with a double to centerfield to drive in a pair of runs.
In the top of the third, Springfield got on the scoreboard, scoring one run on a double by Denise Fumicello.
Kean tacked on one more run in the bottom of the sixth inning, as sophomore left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) drove in junior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.), who had a two-out double to centerfield.
Gierke improved to 5-0 with her fourth complete game of the season. At the plate, Buchanan and sophomore second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) each had two hits and one RBI, while Hedler was 1-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored.
GAME TWO:
Coast Guard sophomore first baseman Colleen Denny (Clarence City, N.Y.) hit two homers and drove in seven runs to lead the Bears past Kean University, 9-1, in five innings.
The Bears jumped out to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning, as Denny hit a three-run blast with one out.
Denny added a grand slam in the second inning, as Coast Guard extended the lead to 8-0. The Bears tacked on a single run in the third inning to jump ahead 9-0.
Kean got on a scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning, as junior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) had an RBI single to drive in junior first baseman Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) for the team's lone run.
Freshman designated player Allison Lizzi (Cherry Hill, N.J.) went 2-for-3 on the afternoon.
(03/25/07 10:00pm)
Whittier, Cali. (3/14/07) - Freshman Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) blasted two homeruns as the Kean University baseball improved to 6-1, defeating Whittier College, 6-4, Wednesday afternoon.The Cougars led throughout, tacking on the game's first run in the top of the first inning. Designated hitter Mike Shymanski (Edison, N.J.) recorded an RBI groundout, bringing home Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.) who reached on a bunt single.
Kean extended their lead to 3-0 in the second as Nolan launched a two-run homerun over the second-tier fence in leftfield.
After swapping single runs, Whittier responded by tacking on three runs in the bottom of the third on two RBI singles and an error.
The Cougars held on and recorded single runs in both the fourth and sixth innings. Nolan registered his second homerun of the afternoon, a solo shot to start off the fourth inning while outfielder Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) had an RBI single in the sixth.
Pitchers Tom Paglione (Hamilton, N.J.) and Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) combined efforts in today's victory. Paglione (1-0) tossed five innings allowing four runs, three earned while also striking out three and walking just one. Aich picked up his first save of the season by throwing four innings of shutout ball. He allowed two hits and struck out three.
Offensively Shymanski and Mattonelli were each 2-for-4 while shortstop Perry Schatzow (Ocean Twp., N.J.) was 1-for-4 with an RBI double.
(03/25/07 10:00pm)
ATLANTA, Ga. (3/16/07) - The accolades continue to pour in for Kean University sophomore sensation Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.), as the guard was recently named to the 2007 Kodak/Women's Basketball Coaches Association Honorable Mention All-American Team by the WBCA and Eastman Kodak Company on Friday morning. Beyruti had a record-breaking campaign in leading the Cougars to one of the most successful seasons in women's basketball history, coming one win away from advancing to the Final Four. The team tied the program record for wins in a season, finishing the year 27-4 overall and capturing the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship.
The sophomore becomes the fourth player under Head Coach Michele Sharp to earn Kodak/WBCA All-America honors, and the first to earn the honor as a sophomore.
The most prolific three-point shooter in program history, Beyruti was also named to the NJAC First Team after leading the conference in scoring and three-pointers. She finished the season with 545 points (17.6 points per game) and a school-record 110 three-pointers. The NCAA leader in three pointers per game (3.5), she became the first player in school history (men's or women's) to eclipse 100 three pointers in a season and her 110 treys is tied for fifth all-time in NCAA Division III single-season history.
Beyruti hit the biggest three-pointer in program history when she drained the game-winner in the NJAC championship game as time expired, giving the Cougar a 62-59 victory over host William Paterson University and the program's league record 11th NJAC title.
This season, Beyruti also broke the single-game three-point record on January 24, 2007, when she drained nine three-pointers en-route to a career-high 33 points in the Cougars' 82-48 victory over Rutgers-Camden. She is also the program's all-time three-point leader with 173 career three-pointers.
Earlier this week, Beyruti earned D3hoops.com Atlantic Region Second-Team honors.
This season, the Cougars faced three of the 10 players named to the 2007 NCAA Division III Kodak/WBCA All-America Team. Kean battled University of Scranton senior Taryn Mellody in the regular season and both Messiah College junior Nikki Lobach and New York University sophomore Jessica McEntee in the NCAA Tournament. In addition, the Cougars also played against William Paterson University senior Luci Custis, Montclair State University senior Stephanie Machin and University of Scranton senior Allison Matt who were all named Honorable Mention All-Americans by the WBCA along with Beyruti.
This year's team marks the 25th year of the Division III Kodak/WBCA All-America Basketball Team, which began in 1983. Selection committees in each of the eight WBCA geographical regions select ten of the top women's basketball players in the nation to be honored.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (3/13/07) - The Kean University softball team improved to 6-0 this season with victories over University of Wisconsin-Stout (3-1) and Lake Forest College (4-2) at the Rebel Spring Games on Tuesday morning.GAME ONE: THREE-RUN THIRD INNING POWERS KEAN PAST WISC.-STOUT
Junior centerfielder Katy McManus (Edison, N.J.) had a two-out double to score the go-ahead runs, as the Cougars rallied from an early 1-0 deficit to defeat University of Wisconsin - Stout, 3-1, in the day's opening game.
The Blue Devils plated the game's first run, as they took advantage of two Cougar errors in the game's first two plays. Junior Jackie Juan (La Crosse, Wisc.) delivered a sacrifice fly to centerfield to score junior Beth Lloyd to take a 1-0 lead before the Cougars threw out freshman Sarah Nelson (Chippewa Falls, Wisc.) who tried advancing to third on the play.
In the bottom of the third inning, Kean junior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) scored on an RBI single by sophomore second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) to tie the game. One batter later, McManus drove in both Steinman and sophomore left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) to give the Cougars a 3-1 lead.
On the mound, junior right-hander Kristen Hennings (Jackson, N.J.) allowed six hits and no walks, while striking out six in her second victory of the season.
GAME TWO: GIERKE EARNS COMPLETE-GAME, NINE-INNING VICTORY
Sophomore right-hander Meg Gierke (Glen Gardner, N.J.) had nine strikeouts and allowed just four hits, as the Cougars defeated Lake Forest, 4-2, in nine innings on Wednesday morning.
Gierke, who had a no-hitter through four innings, pitched the complete game victory to improve to 3-0 this season.
Junior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) led the game off with an infield single and would score on a RBI groundout by sophomore second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) to give Kean the early 1-0 lead.
Kean would tack on a run in the fifth inning, as Steinman had a RBI single to centerfield to score sophomore left fielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.), who had a two-out double to the left field fence.
In the bottom of the fifth, freshman Mallory Norton (Chicago, Ill.) broke up the no-hitter with a single through the left side and freshman Jill Pfund (Morceni, Mich.) had a RBI single to cut the Cougar lead to 2-1.
The Foresters tied the game in the bottom of the seventh, as senior Jenni Riddle (Bloomington, Ill.) had a two-out RBI single to score freshman Tracy Rainey (Roselle, Ill.) to force extra innings.
In the top of the ninth inning, international tie-breaking rules placed junior third baseman Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) second base to start the inning, and junior catcher Vicki Lanza (Edison, N.J.) put down a sacrifice bunt that resulted in a throwing error to score Schultz. The Cougars tacked on an insurance run when junior first baseman Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) singled to score freshman pinch runner Melissa Dietrich (Carteret, N.J.).
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
LaVerne, Cali. (3/9/07) - Sophomore Brandon Aich (Sayreville, N.J.) tossed six innings of relief to pick up the win allowing just one unearned run, as the Kean University baseball team opened up their California spring trip with an 8-5 win over the University of LaVerne Friday afternoon.With the win the Cougars improve to 3-0 on the season, while the Leopards fall to 7-8.
For the second time this season, junior Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.) got things started with a lead off homerun over the rightfield wall to give Kean an early 1-0 lead. Senior Perry Schatzow (Ocean Twp., N.J.) tacked on another run in the first with an RBI single to drive in Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) who also reached on a single.
After a long third inning, the Cougars were forced to play catch-up down, 4-2. Kean got things started in the top of the fifth as Schatzow lined a double into the gap in left-center to create a second and third situation, with just one out. Junior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) drove across the first run with an RBI single, followed by an RBI by third baseman Ryan Clark (Livingston, N.J.) with a squeeze bunt. That would tie the score at four all.
Kean then exploded in the sixth, recording four runs. Freshman Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) tacked on two with an RBI double.
Schatzow finished the day with a 3-for-4 performance while Clark had two RBI and two hits. Sophomore designated hitter Mike Shymanski (Edison, N.J.) was also 2-for-4 with two runs scored.
Aich (1-0) allowed just three hits in six innings of relief for the win. He also fanned three and walked four.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
Greensboro, N.C. (3-10-07) - Sophomore midfielder Josh Morales (Clifton, N.J.) scored off a Dennis Lukacsko (Lincoln Park, N.J.) assist with 1:01 left in overtime to give visiting Kean University a dramatic 12-11 men's lacrosse victory at Guilford College on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars (3-0) erased an 8-0 deficit to win the first men's lacrosse meeting between the two teams.
Todd Bochenek scored twice as the Quakers (0-3) opened the game by scoring the first eight goals. Senior Steve Gill (Patchogue, N.Y.) finally got Kean on the board 3:52 before halftime with the first of his game-high four goals. He tallied his second goal 43 seconds later and helped Kean get within 9-3 at halftime.
Lukacsko scored two goals and added an assist in the third quarter as the Cougars' comeback picked up. The Quakers held an 11-7 lead entering the fourth period.
Kean goalie Dave Nichols (Freehold, N.J.) made five of his nine saves in the fourth quarter, which enabled the Cougars to complete the rally. Freshman Scott Leatham's (Fair Lawn, N.J.) only goal of the game with 2:44 left tied the game at 11 and forced the extra time.
Gill (4g, 2a) and Lukacsko (3g, 3a) scored a game-high six points for Kean. Freshman Anthony Bertucci (Edison, N.J.) added a goal and two helpers for the Cougars.
Bochenek's two goals and two assists paced Guilford's offense. Colin Davis and Manny Sargeant also scored twice for Guilford . Quakers goalie Andrew Vigne made a career-high 18 saves in defeat.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (3/11/07) - The Kean University softball team pounded a combined 22 hits and 19 runs as they improved to 4-0 with victories over Manhattanville College (10-4) and Franklin & Marshall (9-2) at the Rebel Spring Games on Sunday afternoon.GAME ONE: Cougars Capitalize on Manhattanville Miscues in 10-4 Victory
Senior right-hander Mary Gardiner (Tinton Falls, N.J.) picked up the win in relief, as she allowed just two hits and no runs in two and two-thirds innings of work.
After Manhattanville took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning on a RBI single, Kean answered with an RBI single by junior third baseman Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score at 1-1. The Cougars added single runs in each of the next three innings to extend the lead to 4-1.
The Valiants had three doubles in the top of the fifth inning to knot the score at 4-4, however the Cougars scored an unearned run in the bottom half of the inning to regain the lead for good. Freshman pinch runner Melissa Dietrich (Carteret, N.J.) scored the go-ahead run on a throwing error following a wild pitch.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cougars broke the game open, scoring five unearned runs with two outs in the inning. Junior first baseman Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) delivered the big hit of the inning with a two RBI double down the left field line.
Schultz and sophomore second baseman Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) each went 2-for-3 with one RBI, while Hicks added a pair of runs to her two RBI double.
GAME TWO: Gierke, Cougar Bats Lead Kean Over F&M, 9-2
Sophomore right-hander Meg Gierke (Glen Gardner, N.J.) struck-out seven batters in six innings, as she picked up her second win in as many starts this season, as Kean defeated Franklin & Marshall College, 9-2, to close out the day's action. At the plate, seven different Cougars picked up hits, including five with multi-hit games, as the Cougars
Gierke allowed just four hits in six innings of work, as she has allowed no earned runs in two starts thus far this season.
Sophomore designated player Christy Giamella (Bound Brook, N.J.) hit the Cougars' first home run of the season with a solo shot in the fifth inning, as she went 2-for-2 on the afternoon.
Sophomore shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.), junior centerfielder Katy McManus (Edison, N.J.), junior third baseman Kara Schultz (Clinton, N.J.) and junior catcher Vicki Lanza (Edison, N.J.) each added two hits and a combined four RBI and six runs scored.
The Cougars quickly got on board with a two-out rally in the top of the first inning, as they scored three runs on three hits. Schultz, Lanza and junior first baseman Katie Hicks (Medford Lakes, N.J.) each had RBI singles in the rally.
Kean scored runs in all but two innings on the afternoon before surrendering a single runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
Redlands, Cali. (3/11/07) - The Kean University women's lacrosse team lost their first game of the 2007 season, falling to the University of Redlands, 15-13, Sunday afternoon.The Cougars, who trailed, 8-4, at the half, rebounded by outscoring their opponent, 9-7 in the second half, but it was not enough, falling just short.
Senior Gio Buono (Plainsboro, N.J.) tallied seven goals while Stephanie Cirino (Warminster, Pa.) recorded three goals, freshman Ashley Reynolds (Old Bridge, N.J.) registered two goals and freshman Julie Bachovchin (Piscataway, N.J.) had one.
Kean returned back to the east coast and will continue their schedule with their home opener on Saturday, March 17, taking on Neumann College.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
Orange, Cali. (3/10/07) - Patrick Ohail (Yorba Linda, Cali.) was 3-for-5 with 5 RBI as 2nd ranked Chapman University defeated 15th ranked Kean University, 14-2, Saturday evening in Orange, California.Junior Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) was 3-for-5 with an RBI in the Cougars (3-1) first loss of the season.
The Panthers tacked on three runs in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back. Their biggest offensive explosion was in the sixth inning as they plated eight runs in the inning.
Kean broke up the shutout in the top of the sixth inning as Ryan Clark (Livingston, N.J.) lined a single into right-center to bring across Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.). The Cougars added another run in the top of the ninth as freshman Tim Lowe (Edison, N.J.) scored on an RBI single by Ammirata.
Junior Andrew Cupido (0-1)(South Plainfield, N.J.) suffered the loss. He tossed five plus innings allowing seven runs and seven hits.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
KISSIMMEE, Fla. (3/10/07) - Sophomore right-hander Meg Gierke (Glen Gardner, N.J.) tossed a two-hitter as the Kean University softball team defeated third-ranked Washington University (St. Louis), 5-0, in the nightcap at the Rebel Spring Games on Saturday afternoon. Earlier in the day, sophomore outfielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) went 4-for-4 with two stolen bases as the Cougars opened the 2007 campaign with a 6-1 victory over Hendrix College.GAME ONE: Buchanan, Hennings Leads Cougars to Season-Opening Victory
Junior right-hander Kristen Hennings (Jackson, N.J.) had five strikeouts and allowed five hits as the Cougars defeated Hendrix College, 6-1, in the season-opener.
Sophomore Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) made her Kean debut with a 2-for-3 performance, while junior Katy McManus (Edison, N.J.) also went 2-for-3 with three runs scored.
GAME TWO: Gierke Tosses Two-Hitter in Shutout of Third Ranked Bears
Sophomore right-hander Meg Gierke (Glen Gardner, N.J.) had six strike-outs and allowed just two hits to shut down #3 Washington University (St. Louis).
Sophomore outfielder Jesse Buchanan (Washington Twp., N.J.) was 3-for-4 with one RBI, while sophomore Sara Steinman (Springfield, N.J.) was 2-for-4 with two RBI.
Junior shortstop Johanna Hedler (South Plainfield, N.J.) added two hits and an RBI as the Cougars opened the season 2-0.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
GRANTHAM, Pa. (3/2/07) -Junior forward Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) grabbed the 1000th rebound of her career and sophomore guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) scored a team-high 15 points, as the Kean University women's basketball team defeated Keuka College, 62-51, in the opening round of the NCAA Tournament at Messiah College on Friday evening.Cooper and senior forward Chi Clark (Maplewood, N.J.) each finished with a double-double for Kean (25-3). The 25 wins ties the second-highest total in school history and is the most since 1986-87, when the squad finished 27-4.
Junior forward Pam Gardner (Caledonia, N.Y.) led the Storm (18-8) with a game-high 24 points and added 13 rebounds.
The Cougars took an early 9-5 lead, as senior forward Chi Clark (Maplewood, N.J.) came off the bench to score four points in the opening four minutes. Keuka responded with an 11-2 run on the strength of nine points by junior forward Pam Gardner (Caledonia, N.Y.) to take a 16-11 lead with 13:46 left in the opening half.
Beyruti knocked down back-to-back three-pointers, the second of which gave her 100 for the season, as Kean regained the lead at 17-16. The Cougars extended the lead to nine points at 29-20, as Clark and Cooper each scored five points. Keuka cut the deficit to four points at 30-26 before the Cougars scored the final nine points of the opening half, and took their largest lead of the half into the lockerroom with the 13-point advantage at 39-26.
In the opening 20 minutes, Beytruti knocked down four three-pointers to lead the way with 12 points, while Clark added nine points and five rebounds off the bench.
Gardner paced the Storm with 10 points and six rebounds, while junior forward Abby Brewer (Ovid, N.Y.). had six points and four rebounds.
In the second-half, Kean extended the lead to as many as 16 points with 12:00 minutes left in the contest on a jumper by freshman Alysha Taylor (Galloway, N.J.). Keuka cut the deficit to single digits and puller within six points with 65 seconds remaining on a free throw by senior guard Alison Berwanger (Silver Springs, N.Y.), however the Cougars hit 5-of-8 foul shots to seal the 11-point victory and advance to the second round.
For the game, Clark had 10 points, 12 rebounds and three steals, while senior forward Ebony Allen (Camden, N.J.) added 11 points in 17 minutes for Kean. Sophomore guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) chipped in with nine points and dished out a game-high four assists.
Cooper reached the rebounding milestone early in the second half with a defensive board just 3:43 into the half. The double-double was the 11th of the season and the 34th of her career.
Also in double-figures for the Storm, Berwanger closed out her collegiate career with 11 points, eight rebounds and three steals for the North Eastern Athletic Conference Champions.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
GRANTHAM, Pa. (3/3/07) -Kean University sophomore guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) scored a game-high 30 points and junior center Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) pulled down 21 rebounds and scored 14 points as the Cougars upset host Messiah College, 89-84 this evening in the second round on the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship. With the win, the Cougars improve to 26-3 and advance to the Sweet Sixteen for the first time since 1987 when then-Kean Colleg Redlands, Cali. (3/11/07) - The Kean University women's lacrosse team lost their first game of the 2007 season, falling to the University of Redlands, 15-13, Sunday afternoon.
The Cougars, who trailed, 8-4, at the half, rebounded by outscoring their opponent, 9-7 in the second half, but it was not enough, falling just short.
Senior Gio Buono (Plainsboro, N.J.) tallied seven goals while Stephanie Cirino (Warminster, Pa.) recorded three goals, freshman Ashley Reynolds (Old Bridge, N.J.) registered two goals and freshman Julie Bachovchin (Piscataway, N.J.) had one.
Kean returns back to the east coast and will continue their schedule with their home opener on Saturday, March 17, taking on Neumann College. e landed in the Final Four, while Messiah's season ends with a final record of 26-3.
Kean came into the game a decided underdog against the fourth ranked and host Falcons. The Cougars, however, showed no signs of intimidation racing out to a 48-42 first half lead. Messiah entered the game with the 11th ranked defense in the nation allowing just 50 points a game. Cooper playing on an injured knee responded by recording a double-double in the first 20 minutes.
The Cougars used a 21-8 run midway through the first half to build a 29-18 lead, as senior forward Chi Clark (Maplewood, N.J.), Cooper and Kim Smith (Burlington, N.J.) each had four points apiece. Kean eventually extended the lead to 12 points at 42-30. Messiah used a 12-2 run to cut the lead to 44-42, before Kean scored the final four points of the half to take a 48-42 lead into halftime.
In the first half, Cooper paced the Cougars with 12 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore guard Beyruti added 11 points and four assists.For the Falcons, sophomore forward Ashley Brooks (Lancaster, Pa.) hit all five of her field goal attempts to lead Messiah with 11 points
.In a physical second half, the Falcons took their first lead since a 10-8 on a pair of free throws by Nikki Lobach (Hanover, Pa.) to take a 69-67 lead with 8:51 left in the game. After both teams exchanged a pair of baskets, the Cougars took the lead for good at 72-71 on a pair of free throws by Beyruti with 6:30 left in the game. Kean increased its lead to 77-71 on a three by Beyruti and lay-up by Chi' Clark (Maplewood, N.J.) and eventually held an 83-76 lead with just 3:22 on the clock. The Falcons valiantly fought back and cut the deficit to three on three separate occasions with the last coming on a pair of free throws by Lobach with just 49 seconds in the contest. However, on the Cougars next possession sophomore guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) drove the lane and got fouled. She then stepped to the line and calmly sank the free throws with 24 seconds left to push the advantage back to five at 89-84. Messiah then missed a three and a jumper at time expired sending the Cougars into the Sweet Sixteen.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
NEW YORK (3/9/07) - Senior forward Ebony Allen (Camden, N.J.) had a double-double with 19 points and 12 rebounds and sophomore guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) scored 17 points, including eight points in the final two minutes, as the Kean University women's basketball team advances to the NCAA Division III Elite Eight with a 68-60 victory over Randolph-Macon College on Friday evening at New York University. The Cougars, who are one win away from advancing to the Final Four for just the second time in program history, improve to 27-3 this season and tie the 1986-87 Final Four squad for the most wins in school history. They face New York University in the sectional final on Saturday, March 10, at 7 p.m., at New York University for a ticket to the Final Four in Springfield, Mass.
After trailing by five points (11-6) with 13:11 left in the opening half, the Cougars used a 14-4 run over the next six minutes to build a five point lead at 20-15 with just under seven minutes left to play in the first half. Senior forward Chi Clark (Maplewood, N.J.) tallied six points in the run, while freshman guard Alysha Taylor (Galloway, N.J.) and Allen each tallied four points.
The Yellow Jackets regained the lead at 25-24 on a three-pointer by junior guard Nicole Childress (Fredericksburg, Va.) before the Cougars scored the final four points of the half to take a 32-28 lead into halftime.
In the opening half, Allen hit 5-of-9 shots from the floor on the strength of six offensive boards as she had 11 points and nine rebounds at the break. The Yellow Jackets were paced by sophomore forward Lindsay Riesbeck (Newport News, Va.), who had eight points, six rebounds and four blocks in the first half.
The Cougars extended the lead to eight points on a pair of occasions midway through the second half, however Randolph-Macon put together an 11-2 run to take its first lead of the second half at 50-49 with 8:01 remaining in the game as Riesbeck scored six straight points to regain the lead. After the two teams traded baskets, Clark gave the Cougars the lead for good on a pair of free throws with 4:23 remaining.
Kean built the advantage back to five points and the Yellow Jackets could get no closer than three points the rest of the way, as Kean connected on 5-of-6 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory.
For the game, Jackson added seven rebounds and three assists, while Clark added 14 points and five offensive boards off the bench. Sophomore guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) was held in check by the Yellow Jackets, as she had just seven points and one three-pointers on 3-of-14 shooting.
The Yellow Jackets, who have advanced to three straight Sweet Sixteens, were led by Riesbeck, who had game-highs of 23 points, 13 rebounds and six blocks. Senior guards Salem Shaffer (Hampton, Va.) and Kristen Morgan (Brigantine, N.J.) closed out their collegiate careers with 14 points and 11 points, respectively.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
NEW YORK (3/10/07) - One of the most successful seasons in Kean University women's basketball history came to a close in the Elite Eight, as the Cougars' bid for a Final Four berth fell short at New York University, 76-64, on Saturday evening in the 2007 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship Sectional Finals before a raucous crowd of 1,756 on Saturday night at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center.Sophomore Jessica McEntee scored 23 of her 28 points in the second half, including 10 straight during a decisive burst, and grabbed 16 rebounds as the New York University women's basketball team advanced to the Final Four with the victory over the Cougars.
Sophomore guard Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) scored 17 points for the second straight night, as the Cougars (27-4) came up one win shy of reaching its second Final Four in school history. The New Jersey Athletic Conference Champions tied the school record for most wins in a season and became just the second team in school history to reach the Elite Eight.
In addition to notching her 19th double-double of the season, McEntee went 12-of-13 from the charity stripe to help the Violets overcome a second-half deficit.
Kean used a 21-7 run spanning the first and second half to erase a eight-point deficit with just over five minutes left in the first half and take a six point lead at 48-42 on a layup by junior forward Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) with 15:49 left in the game.
With the Cougars holding onto a 55-51 advantage, the Violets scored eight straight points and McEntee would 10 straight points for NYU, as they built a 65-58 lead with 6:55 left in the Cougars' season. Kean pulled no closer than five points the rest of the way, the last on a layup by Cooper before the junior fouled out with just under five minutes remaining.
McEntee had a three-point play and the Violets hit all four free throws in the final 2:22 to send the Violets to their third Final Four.
For the Cougars, Cooper hit 5-of-8 from the field as she notched her 13th double-double of the season with 14 points and 12 rebounds before fouling out. Freshman guard Cardiss Jackman (Tobyhanna, Pa.) tallied nine points and two steals in 23 minutes off the bench.
Sophomore guard Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) had a defender in her face the entire game as she was held to seven points. Her one three-pointer on the night gave her 110 for the season and moved her into a tie for fifth place in NCAA Division III single-season history.
Also reaching double digits for NYU were senior Stephanie Ryba (16 points) and sophomore Gena Brown (12 points). Senior Adrienne Rochetti played a solid all-around game, doling out six assists.
(03/18/07 11:00pm)
Orange, Cali. (3/11/07) - Senior Danny Zeffiro (Old Bridge, N.J.) tossed a complete game to pick up his second win of the season as the Cougars responded to yesterday's game with a 13-3 win Sunday evening against Chapman University.Zeffiro (2-0) allowed just three runs and seven hits while walking three and striking out three.
Chapman (15-2), ranked 2nd in Division III, was limited to three runs after exploding for 14 runs last evening.
Kean (4-1) junior Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.) was 4-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored.
The Cougars tacked on the game's first run in the top of the first inning using small ball, as De La Rosa started the game with a double into left field. Junior Eric Ammirata (Hamilton, N.J.) moved him to third on a groundout to the second baseman followed by an RBI groundout by Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.). Kean continued their offense, recording two runs in the second and a single run in the fourth before exploding for six runs in the fourth inning. Freshman Nick Nolan (Linden, N.J.) provided the big blow with a three run blast over the leftfield wall to give Kean a 10-1 advantage.
Offensively for the Cougars Mattonelli finished the evening with three RBI while Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) was 2-for-5 with two RBI. Junior Mark Blevins (Edison, N.J.) launched a solo shot to lead off the ninth inning.
(03/04/07 11:00pm)
HOBOKEN, N.J. (2/24/07) - Senior Joe Augustine (Highland Park, N.J.) tossed eight and a third innings of one hit ball to lead the Kean University (1-0) baseball team to its first victory of the 2007 season by defeating Stevens Institute of Technology, 4-0, Saturday afternoon at Dobbelaar Field.Despite the cold conditions, the Cougars pounced early as junior leadoff batter Maikel De La Rosa (Newark, N.J.) started off the season with a solo shot over the centerfield fence. Senior Joe D'Andrea (Hamilton, N.J.) tacked on another run in the first as he scored on a double play after reaching on a walk.
D'Andrea recorded the game's third run in the fifth inning as he crossed the plate on a wild pitch after again reaching on a walk. The Cougars registered their final run of the game in the top of the eighth as senior Perry Schatzow (Ocean Twp. N.J.) recorded an RBI single into centerfield, scoring junior Dan Mattonelli (Hamilton, N.J.) who reached on a leadoff double.
Augustine (1-0) picked up his first win on the mound. Augustine tossed 8.1 innings allowing just one hit (in the ninth) while also fanning 13 and walking just two. Junior Andrew Cupido (South Plainfield, N.J.) closed out the game with two thirds of an inning of shutout ball. Sophomore Alex Sota (Lancaster, Pa.) took the loss for the Ducks (0-2) as he allowed two runs and five hits while walking two batters and striking out one in four innings of work.
Offensively, Mattonelli led the way for Kean with a 4-for-4 performance including a double. Junior Derek Gianakas (Edison, N.J.) and freshman Matt Donoghue (Old Bridge, N.J.) each had a hit in the win.
Freshman Russ Grimes (South Brunswick, N.J.) had the lone hit for the Ducks in the ninth inning.
(03/04/07 11:00pm)
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (2/26/07) - The NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Committee announced today the field and bracket of 63 teams for the 2007 championship. The Cougars will be on the road to take on Keuka College (18-7) on Friday, March 2nd at host Messiah College, with tip-off at 5:30 p.m. Messiah (25-2) will host Westminster College (22-6) in the second game on Friday night.Kean received the NJAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament after claiming their league-leading 11th NJAC title Saturday afternoon, defeating William Paterson University, 62-59, at the buzzer. Keuka also received an automatic bid after winning the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) title, defeating Villa Julie College, 67-44. This is the first year that the winner of the NEAC Championship received an automatic berth into the NCAA Tournament.
Messiah defeated Moravian College, 79-57, on Saturday to win the Commonwealth Conference Championship for the third year in a row, earning an automatic bid to this year's tournament. Westminster College was one of four teams to receive a Pool "B" bid. Westminster is part of the Presidents' Athletic Conference (PAC), but they do not receive an automatic berth.
Thirty-nine conferences have been awarded automatic qualification for the 2007 championship. Four teams were selected from Pool B, which consists of independent institutions, and institutions that are members of conferences that do not meet the requirements for automatic qualification. The final 20 berths were reserved for Pool C, which are institutions from automatic-qualifying conferences that are not the conference champion and any remaining Pool B teams.
(03/04/07 11:00pm)
PITMAN, N.J. (2/26/07) - Senior righty Joe Augustine (Highland Park, N.J.) was selected as the New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Pitcher of the Week as announced by the conference office Monday, February 26th through all games thus far this season.Augustine earns this week's honor after propelling the Cougars to their first win of the season on Saturday, February 24th at Stevens Institute of Technology. Kean, who defeated the Ducks 4-0, will now wait for mother-nature to play their next scheduled contest.
Augustine tossed eight and a third innings of shutout ball allowing just one hit. That lone hit came with one out in the bottom of the ninth. Along the way, he also scattered two walks and fanned 13.
(03/04/07 11:00pm)
UNION, N.J. (2/22/07) - Senior forward Ebony Allen (Camden, N.J.) scored a season-high 21 points to lead the Kean University women's basketball team to the New Jersey Athletic Conference Championship Game after defeating The College of New Jersey, 79-68, in the NJAC Semifinals on Thursday evening at Harwood Arena.The Cougars face William Paterson University for the NJAC title on Saturday, February 24, in Wayne, N.J. Tip-off is set for 3 p.m.
Hillary Klimowicz (Scotch Plains, N.J.) led the Lions (13-14) with 13 points and 8 rebounds.
Both teams battled in the first half with Kean controlling the lead for all but 25 seconds. With a slim 10-9 lead at 13:33, the Cougars used a 9-2 run to widen the gap. Sophomore Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) drilled two treys in the run while freshman Alysha Taylor (Galloway, N.J.) netted a three of her own. TCNJ battled back and would tie the score on two occasions on jumpers by Sara Best (High Bridge, N.J.) and Chrissie Beha (Washington, N.J.).
At the break the Cougars led 29-27. Beyruti led Kean with nine points while junior Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) brought down six rebounds.
Best led the Lions with eight points and eight rebounds while freshman Alexandra Gregorek (Mahwah, N.J.) had eight points of her own.
With the score at 38-36, the Cougars used a 9-0 run early in the second half to take control. Freshman Cardiss Jackman (Tobyhanna, Pa.) led the surge with a layup at 16:45 followed by back-to-back jumpers by Allen. Kean led by as many as 16 points in the half.
Beyruti finished with 17 points including five from behind the arc while Cooper finished with a game high 13 rebounds. Sophomore Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) recorded 16 points, nine assists and seven rebounds. Jackman rounded out the double-digit scoring with 11.
Freshman Nicole Diaz (Egg Harbor Twp., N.J.) recorded 11 points for the Lions in the lost.
(03/04/07 11:00pm)
WAYNE, N.J. (2/24/07) -In dramatic fashion, the Kean University women's basketball claimed the 2006-07 New Jersey Athletic Conference (NJAC) Championship, defeating host William Paterson University, 62-59. With the win the Cougars earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.The Cougars (24-3) controlled most of the game before the Pioneers started chipping away and within the final minutes it became a see-saw battle. With just 6 seconds left in the contest, junior Pioneer Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, N.J.) tied the game at 59 with a three-pointer. Sophomore Ebony Jackson (Newark, N.J.) then drove the ball down the court passing it off to fellow sophomore Melissa Beyruti (Union City, N.J.) who drilled a trey of her own with time expiring to send the Cougars and their fans into a frenzy and a well deserved on-court celebration.
The Cougars led by 10 (57-47) with 3:27 to play, but the Pioneers were able to mount steam and mount a rally to eventually tie the score. Senior Luci Custis (Roselle, N.J.) converted a three-point play at the 2:07 mark followed by a pair of free throws by freshman Julie Haledjian (Montvale, N.J),to pull the Pioneers within five at 57-52 (1:43). Senior Melissa Moore's (East Orange, N.J.) putback with 59.8 seconds on the clock made the score 57-54 and Haledjian came away with a steal on the ensuing inbounds play, setting up a three-point attempt by junior Michelle Pellichero (Milltown, N.J.). Her shot would not fall, but Custis tracked down the rebound and converted the follow the 39.1 seconds left (57-56). Junior Lori Custis (Roselle, N.J.) was then whistled for her fifth foul on the other end of the court, and senior Ebony Allen (Camden, N.J.) was able to convert both free throws to again make it a three-point contest (59-56) with just over 16 seconds remaining. Pellichero took control of the ball at the top of the key for the Pioneers and dribbled to her right on the perimeter, looking for space to get off a shot. Her leaning attempt found the bottom of the net, knotting the score at 59-59 with 6.3 seconds remaining. Jackson then took the inbounds pass and raced down the floor, finding Beyruti on the right wing. Several Pioneer defenders had Beyruti surrounded, but the NJAC's leading scorer found a way to launch a shot, and it fell through the rim as time expired to give the Cougars their 11th conference title (1983-91, 2002).
Both sides started the contest a bit over-eager, as three of first five possessions were ended by offensive charges. Six ties and six more lead changes marked the game's first 13:32, but a 9-2 Kean burst gave the Cougars control and a seven-point lead (25-18, 4:10). Pellichero's three-pointer from behind a screen briefly cut that advantage to four (27-23, 1:46), but Kean was able to take a six-point advantage into locker room, 29-23, thanks to a fast-break layup by Colby Greenlee (Stoudsburg, Pa.) in the final 30 seconds. Eight different players were saddled with two fouls apiece at the break, including two starters for the Pioneers and three for the Cougars.
A 10-3 spurt by William Paterson early in the second half cut the lead to three, 36-33, and the Pioneers eventually pulled even at 42-42 with 9:40 to play. Freshman Elisa Brown (Norwalk, Conn.) was called for a foul on a Beyruti three-point attempt, and her three free throws ignited a 12-2 burst for the Cougars.
Allen posted 22 points and 10 rebounds for the Cougars, while Beyruti scored 19. Junior Chari' Cooper (Paulsboro, N.J.) had 11 rebounds in the win.
Luci Custis led the Pioneers with 20 points, adding seven rebounds. Pellichero scored 17 points, making five of 10 three-point attempts.