Checking in on the Hawks’ spring break athletics
As the majority of Saint Joseph’s University students left campus for spring break to see their families or take vacations, student athletes continued to work from March 10-19.
The softball team travelled to Clearwater, Fla. where they participated in the Under Armour Showcase and the Michelle Smith Spring Break Invitational. The team did not fare very well in their first tournament, losing every game to opponents from all over the country.
Their luck turned in the Michelle Smith Spring Break Invitational when they beat Fairfield University, Yale University, Long Island University – Brooklyn. Their losses came from Bethune-Cookman University and the University of North Florida. The week brought their record to 6-14 before they head into regular season play.
The baseball team’s week was impacted by the snow storm that wreaked havoc in the northeast, so they only had the chance to play two games over the break. The Hawks earned their first win of the season on March 10, beating the College of William and Mary in a close call, 3-2. Sophomore Charlie Concannon had two runs batted in and freshman Matt Cuppari had one run to earn their first win. Sophomore Tim Brennan’s pitching also contributed to the win.
The baseball team lost playing against Yale University, 13-9. The Hawks played well early on, but the Bulldogs came back to win it in the final innings. After the break, St Joe’s holds a record of 1-11.
Women’s lacrosse registered two losses for the break. Their first loss came from San Diego State University in a close match ending in a 13-12 loss for the Hawks. The scoring was back and forth until San Diego State netted the eventual game winner with under seven minutes left in the match. Freshmen Hope Anhut and Julia Pash led the St. Joe’s effort with four and two goals, respectively.
The team also lost at Sweeney Field to Duke University, 16-10. The Hawks earned a close win against Mount St. Mary’s University by a score of 12-11 on March 19. Senior Nora McCallion led the team with three goals. The game winner was scored by junior Aly Gormley with seven minutes left to play.
Men’s and women’s tennis travelled south to North Carolina and Florida to compete over the break. The men’s squad had three losses and one win over Fairleigh Dickinson University, 4-3, coming back from trailing early in the match. Senior Kyle Chalmers had two victories to lead the comeback.
The women’s team had three losses to Queens College, Davidson University and Bryant University during the week.
Men’s lacrosse found success early in the week, earning a 6-5 overtime victory over Monmouth University on March 10. Senior Ray Vandegrift scored the game winning goal with under three minutes left in overtime to get the victory. The team lost their next two games to Drexel University and the University of Delaware and now have a record of 3-5.
The women’s basketball team returned to action after their Atlantic 10 tournament run, playing in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament. This tournament is independent of the NCAA and consists of the nation’s best teams.
The Hawks fell to the University of Virginia in a close contest, 62-56. Sophomore Sarah Veilleux led the team with 17 points, junior Chelsea Woods had 12, and junior Adashia Franklyn had 9. Seniors Mackenzie Rule and Amanda Fioravanti rounded out their Hawk basketball careers with 6 points each. St. Joe’s women’s basketball ended their exceptional season with an overall record of 17-15.
The Hawks hope for successful Spring seasons from each of their teams.
