The women's soccer team, which clinched its second consecutive UCAA title when it beat William Smith, 3-1, on the road on October 24, is looking to become the first Union College team ever to compete in five consecutive NCAA tournaments (they currently are tied with the men's soccer teams of 1983, 84, 85 and 86 with four-straight appearances in the national tournament). In order to assure themselves of that standard, the Dutchwomen must win the four-team UCAA tournament in order to capture the conference's automatic bid. Last year Union won the regular-season and tournament titles to earn a spot in the NCAA New York Regional, which was held at William Smith. The Dutchwomen lost to NYU in the opening round, 4-3 on penalty kicks.
Ninth-year head coach Brian Speck led his squad to an overall record of 115-32-12 along with four UCAA championships, two New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association titles (in 1999 and 2000), and four NCAA invitations. Speck's team will finish its regular season this week with games at 10-3-3 Nazareth (Saturday at 1 p.m.) and 3-13-1 St. John Fisher (Sunday at 1 p.m.).
Union's high-powered offense, which has scored 64 goals, has four of the top five spots in the UCAA's overall scoring statistics. Sophomore Erika Eisenhut leads the conference with 17 goals and 38 points. Six of her goals have resulted in the game-winner, also a circuit high. Junior Brittany Cressman (11-12-34) is second in the league while sophomore Cassandra Mariani (9-4-22) and senior Corinne Hennessy (7-3-17). Cressman's dozen assists is a league high.
The Dutchwomen are equally tough on the defensive side as their 10 goals allowed is a conference low. Sophomore goaltender Julie Gawronski, who ranks just seventh in total saves (41) and ninth in saves per game (2.41), is the top-rated netminder with her sparkling 0.57 goals against average.
Next Saturday's first round games will pit No. 2 William Smith (6-1 / 11-4-1) against No. 3 Hamilton (4-2-1 / 8-3-1), while Union plays No. 4 St. Lawrence (4-2-1 / 10-4-1). The two winners will meet Sunday for the tournament title and the NCAA berth.
The Dutchwomen go into this weekend's regular-season finale at 14-1-1.
The women's volleyball team suffered a little bit of a drop off this season after three consecutive years of growth. Fourth-year head coach Sandy Collins came into the season with a record of 66-38. Her first season in 2000 saw the Dutchwomen qualify for the NYSWCAA postseason tournament for the first time since 1996. Her second season produced a record of 25-13 and the program's first-ever invitation to the ECAC postseason party. Last year, Collins, who took over as the athletic department's equipment manager over the summer, led her team to a record of 23-11 and Union's first-ever NCAA berth in 2002.
With just two players lost to graduation the Dutchwomen went into the year with high hopes. However, a couple of matches went in favor of the opposition leaving Union with an overall record of 15-15 and out of contention for this weekend's state tournament. In order to return to the national tournament, the Dutchwomen would have to win next weekend's UCAA tournament (which does not carry an automatic bid because the conference does not have the required seven team minimum) and hope for a break.
“We always play some of best volleyball against conference opponents,” said Collins. “The intense rivalries that exist between us and Vassar and us and Skidmore are pure motivation. Clarkson has beaten us three times this year and we will certainly be looking for redemption against them, especially on our home court.”
Here is a quick look at the teams:
VASSAR-(15-7)–has won the last two tournaments and defeated Union in four games in the opening round of last year's NCAA Tournament. Key players for Vassar include Anita Stavin, McKenzie Johnson, and Ashley Manlove;
UNION–(15-15)-the Dutchwomen have finished second in the event for the past two years. Key players include Jess Meliosky, Sarah Pontius, Julie Moran, and Ashley Clark;
CLARKSON-(25-6)-key players include Heather Sill, Stephanie Thornton, and Kim Spierre;
SKIDMORE-(19-15)-key players include Courtney Lambert, Erin Black, Shanley Irving, and Darryl Manzer
ST. LAWRENCE–(9-23)-key players include Serena Shallish, Beth Patterson, and Kristen Ely.
Seedings will be determined on Monday November 3. On Friday, Union will play Skidmore at 4:00 followed by matches at 6:00 and 8:00. Saturday's matches will be 11:00, 1:00 and 3:00.