 "Photo: P.J. Stanley/Collegian")
TOP 10 STORYLINES
Men’s lacrosse program’s comeback season – A 7-7 record in 2007 after making the national championship game in 2006, eight players getting kicked off the team before 2008, a 5-9 finish in 2008 – and then a resurgent 2009 season that saw the men’s lacrosse program return to the NCAA Tournament and national prominence.
Baseball program rumors/skiing cut – For a while it seemed like the baseball program would be cut due to a budget deficit at UMass. Next think you know, the men’s and women’s skiing programs are cut instead.
Derek Kellogg’s first year as UMass coach – Travis Ford bolted for
They teased fans with wins over
Football happenings – A preseason No. 3 ranking resulted in a 7-5 record and a rare absence from the postseason. Then-coach Don Brown resigns to take the defensive coordinator position at
Women’s lacrosse recovers from adversity – After several players, including 2008 star Kaytlin McCormick quit the team after last season, 2009 looked as though it would be a down season with so many newcomers.
But it was not so, as UMass won the Atlantic 10 Tournament in dramatic fashion and reached the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1984.
Field hockey team rises to prominence – UMass had a good year in 2007 under first-year coach Justine Sowry, but the Minutewomen took it to another level this season. With senior leaders like Erin Parker, Katelyn Orlando and Mary Shea, UMass won the NCAA play-in game and then lost a heartbreaker, 3-2, to
Tony Gaffney explodes from nowhere – 2007-08 stats: 3.2 PPG, 4.8 RPG, 1.69 BPG in 20 minutes per night. And now a year later he has a chance to make the NBA. Amazing.
Atlantic 10 Tournament blues continue – For the seventh season in a row, the
Brandice Balschmiter rewrites record books – She got her 1,000th career strikeout. She set a school record with 19 strikeouts in one game. She broke the school-record for most career wins. The list goes on and on for perhaps the best pitcher in UMass softball history.
Matt Goldstein-Whitney Mollica – If you have the guts to get on one knee and propose to your girlfriend at the place of your employment and in front of 4,621 people – you make this list. It’s that simple. Congratulations to Matt (who does the PA at hockey games) and to Whitney, who has had a terrific four-year career as the third baseman on the softball team.
TOP 5 MOMENTS
Lowe’s got ice water in his veins – With only two seconds remaining in a 69-68 game at
It was a key win for the Minutemen who, at the time, were still fighting for a spot in the A-10 tournament.
Gaffney’s tip turns the tables – Despite some early season collapses late for the Minutemen, UMass coach Derek Kellogg’s team was able to pull off some last-minute heroics.
During the waning seconds of UMass’ game against
The goal that wasn’t – During the second overtime period of UMass’ NCAA match against Harvard, freshman Chris Roswess fired a shot toward a crowd at the front of the net where a Minuteman barely tipped it across the line as … never mind.
What appeared to be the game-winning goal for UMass was not, as the referees determined that the ball didn’t cross the line before being kicked away by Harvard goalie Austin Harms. The implications of the non-goal were obvious as UMass went on to lose the game 1-0, ending their tournament hopes.
Irwin scores with seconds left – With under a minute left in Game 3 of the Hockey East tournament, it appeared that the Northeastern Huskies would close out the series. However, with 34.8 seconds remaining, it was freshman defenseman Matt Irwin that beat out Brad Theissen to tie the game 2-2.
UMass went on to lose the game in overtime, but still gave it a chance to get back into game and upset the Huskies.
Men and Women’s lax clinch in OT – Clinching a postseason berth came down to the last second for both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams.
The Minutewomen, who were tied at 14-14 in overtime in their A-10 championship match against
For the Minutemen, it was senior Tim Balise that extended the season. Tied at 10-10 in overtime against
TOP 5 MALE ATHLETES
James Marcou – It’s safe to say that without the sophomores scoring touch and knack for clutch performances, the
Marcou led the Minutemen with 15 goals and 32 assists – good for 12th in the nation with 47 points. He was one of the few Minutemen that continued to score while the rest suffered from cold streaks, which undoubtedly shortened UMass’ season and hurt its tournament ranking. Fortunately for the Mass Attack, Marcou still has a couple of more seasons in him.
Tony Gaffney – The senior was the backbone of the
A true definition of a senior leader, Gaffney was the voice of motivation and optimism at times when the season looked all but lost. His last-second lay-up against
Doc Schneider – We still don’t know how he got his nickname, but that’s all right, he gave us enough to talk about in his four years here. Schneider started in all 16 of UMass’ games in his final season as goalkeeper. The five-time ECAC Defensive Player of the Week led the conference in save percentage (.653) and goals-against average (7.43).
The senior continued to earn praise even after defeats.
Zack Simmons – To start off, being in FIFA ’09 has to be one of the coolest achievements ever as well as one of the best pickup lines. Trust me, I’ve played against him virtually, he’s not that bad. But beside that, back-up goalkeeper Shane Curran-Hays has a lot to live up to.
There isn’t much to say about Simmons that hasn’t been said, however. The senior started all 21 games for the Minutemen posting a .84 GAA and stopping 84 shots on the season. Oh, and in the classroom, Simmons has nearly a 4.0 GPA and is pursuing two majors.
Jason Cook – Usually your freshman year is a time to get settled, learn the program, the coach and the playing style. But for freshman Jason Cook it seemed as if he learned all of that years ago. Cook was named the Atlantic 10’s Most Outstanding Diver and finished first in 16 different races this season. He was the first diver in UMass history to compete in the NCAA Diving Championships.
There’s already a lot this young swimmer has accomplished and he has three more years to add to his résumé.
TOP 5 FEMALE ATHLETES
Alesha Widdall – The sophomore took over the reins as the
Katelyn Orlando – Another big reason as to why the Minutewomen advanced to the NCAA tournament. The senior was named the A-10 Offensive Player of the Year and the only senior forward on the team, so the leadership she provided was vital.
She led the Minutewomen in goals, with 15, and also led the team with 31 points.
Brandice Balschmiter – It seems like every week that Balschmiter seems to break a UMass record or reach another milestone. The senior now owns UMass’ all-time win record, strikeout record and has thrown more than one no-hitter this year – all of this done pretty much effortlessly.
Don’t tell her that, though. Balschmiter is never satisfied with how she pitches and if she feels like her outing was “OK” then she’ll just focus her attention on her team’s win instead of how she pitched that day. A-10 teams have to be pleased she’s graduating.
Jackie Lyons –
Carly Normandin/Samantha Salato – It’s hard to find faults or weaknesses within the
Together, along with Balschmiter, the three could end up carrying the Minutewomen a long way in the NCAA Tournament.
TEAMS OF THE YEAR
Field hockey – If the 2008
Good problem to have.
Outside of an early season loss to a “pitiful” No. 13 Boston College team and a meaningless, non-conference loss to
The truth of the matter is, UMass coach Justine Sowry won the games they were supposed to while still toppling two ranked opponents during the regular season en route to a second consecutive NCAA tournament appearance.
Men’s Lacrosse – The UMass men’s lacrosse team had a rockier road in returning to the NCAA tournament.
After a preseason incident that resulted in the suspension of eight players, the team completely rebounded, overcoming the criticism to win the ECAC title and reach the NCAA tournament.
Led by goalkeeper Doc Schneider and attack Jim Connolly, the Minutemen were able to battle their way through their tough conference schedule, including devastating losses to
COACHES OF THE YEAR
Alexis Venechanos – When a team loses its top two scorers, its senior goalkeeper and has to integrate 14 freshmen and a walk-on junior onto a roster of 24 players, it’s supposed to be a rebuilding year.
Only no one told that to Venechanos.
Before the season she declared that her goal was to make the NCAA tournament; something that hadn’t been accomplished since 1984.
It seemed unlikely, especially after the Minutewomen lost their first three games and carried a 3-6 record heading into conference play.
But that record was misleading, Venechanos intentionally scheduled one of the hardest schedules in the country facing five teams ranked in the top 15, reasoning that by the time conference play started, her players would be prepared for anything.
She was right.
The team went 8-1 against A-10 foes, including a 13-12 win over their nemesis Richmond, a 16-4 rout of defending Atlantic 10 champion Temple and a 15-14 overtime win in the A-10 Championship game where the team had to overcome a 10-3 deficit in 90 degree heat.
That championship win defined the type of team Venechanos built. A team prepared to overcome any challenge, and always believe victory was possible – no matter how unlikely it may seem.
Greg Cannella – Recently, there was a column in The Collegian about how Cannella, the coach of the men’s lacrosse team, is the ultimate leader for a program. Read that column and you’ll know why he won our men’s coach of the year.
Cannella is the epitome of a class act and does things the right way. That’s why the off-campus incident involving eight players before the 2008 season was such a shock. Cannella and the Minutemen overcame that and had a tremendous 2009 season, culminating in the ECAC championship and NCAA Tournament appearance. Cannella reinstated two of the suspended players, reunited the team and restored the image of the men’s lacrosse team – all while bringing back the program into national prominence. Not bad.
TOP 10 GAMES
Men’s lacrosse at
After
Women’s lacrosse vs.
The Minutewomen trailed by as many as seven goals to the underdog Hawks, but quickly stormed back to make a game of it. Led by Jackie Lyons’ five goals and three assists, UMass tied it and forced overtime.
Men’s lacrosse at
Balise was the hero for a mere 23 seconds, as Jim Connolly scored the game-winner before you could say, “Holy Cow,” to claim the key conference game, 7-6, in overtime. Without that win, UMass doesn’t win the conference or make the NCAA tournament.
Men’s basketball vs.
Tony Gaffney somehow made sure that it did. He fought for the rebound and tipped the ball – and it spun around the rim and went down as timer expired. So what if they lost in overtime?
Men’s basketball at
As 6,522 fans screamed at the top of their lungs while Lowe headed to the line for two shots, the senior calmly sank both to give UMass the thrilling 70-69 win at The Palestra, considered to be the most famous venue in all of college basketball.
Men’s basketball at
They beat the defending national champions and No. 25 Jayhawks, 61-60, and on the road, no less.
Hockey at Northeastern (Hockey East playoffs Game 3) – This game provided a dramatic conclusion to a thrilling first-round series.
Matt Irwin gave the Minutemen belief they could pull off the massive upset when he tied the game at 2 with 34.8 seconds in the third period to force overtime. But the Huskies scored the series-winner midway through the extra session to end UMass’ season.
Men’s soccer vs. Harvard (NCAA Tournament Round 1) – The goal that wasn’t?
In overtime of a scoreless game against Harvard at Rudd Field on a ridiculously cold day, the Minutemen appeared to have the game-winner, but the officials ruled that the ball didn’t cross the goal line. Collegian photographer Maxwell Sparr had a picture of it, and it appears that the ball did and it should have given UMass the win.
The goal that was … Harvard scored minutes later to end UMass’ season. Perhaps the worst part of it was the fact that Harvard’s Andre Akpan didn’t even try to score on the play. His attempted cross snuck into the goal.
Women’s basketball vs.
And it still trailed by 16 points with 13:11 left, but minutes later they trailed by four. It went back-and-forth the rest of the way but a foul shot by Sakera Young gave UMass the win with two seconds left.
Field hockey vs.
But UMass proved that it belonged on the same field with the nation’s elite and hung tough in the second half to cut the lead to 5-4 with seven minutes left. The
HONORABLE MENTION: Football against Maine (UMass loses by one on missed extra-point), Baseball versus Fairfield and vs. Richmond (Minutemen score 25 vs. Stags and 24 vs. Richmond), Hockey against Boston College (UMass wins in overtime vs. No. 4 Eagles), Men’s soccer against Boston University and versus Saint Louis (UMass wins in double overtime over rival Terriers, and in double OT vs. the Billikens).
PERFORMANCES OF THE YEAR
Cruz catches fire – On Sept. 13 against James Madison, WR Victor Cruz was unstoppable.
Cruz caught 13 passes for 262 yards and two touchdowns to shatter the school’s receiving record. He carried the Minutemen’s passing attack almost singlehandedly. The rest of the team caught 13 passes, for a combined 77 yards.
Despite his efforts UMass lost a 52-38 shootout to JMU, but that doesn’t erase Cruz’s amazing individual performance.
Tony’s near triples – After the Minutemen lost to
He could’ve used another Gaffney all season. The senior’s 16-point, 19 rebound, five-block performance against then-No. 12
He proved that with follow-up performances against
Connolly 7, Yale 6 – After enduring two consecutive losses to Yale in the past two years, Jim Connolly decided he had had enough.
Jim Connolly outscored the entire Bulldog offense in the Minutemen’s 18-6 victory over Yale. His seven goals were a career high and one shy of the school record in a win that proclaimed to the rest of the country that UMass had turned the corner since its disastrous 2008 season.
Balise saves season – The stakes couldn’t have been higher in UMass’ final regular season game against
That day Tim Balise had arguably the best game of his career, scoring five goals including the championship-winner in overtime in the Minutemen’s 11-10 win.
His performance was the benchmark to a senior season that saw him score 30 goals and help heal some of the wounds from the infamous 2008 season.
Balschmiter fans 19 – In a game where the Minutewomen’s offense wasn’t at its best, Brandice Balschmiter had to be dominant.
She was exactly that in the Minutewomen’s 3-2 win in extra innings over George Washington. Balschmiter set a school record by recording 19 strikeouts with no walks against the Colonials. She needed every one of them to give the next person on the list a chance to win the game.
Salato goes deep x 7 – That person is Samantha Salato, who hit two home runs, including the game-winning homer eighth against George Washington.
Those homers were part of a ridiculous April in which Salato crushed nine homers on her way to tying the single-season home run record of 15.
Normandin drives in seven – Coming off an 11-6 loss to
Carly Normandin led by example, driving in a record-tying seven runs in the Minutewomen’s 13-0 mercy rule win over
That performance along with her stellar overall season in which she lead the team in batting average (.426 ) runs (49), hits (66), and stolen bases (20) earned her recognition as the Atlantic 10 Player of the Year.
BREAKOUT PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
Tony Gaffney – Senior forward Tony Gaffney came a long way, going from just some guy to the guy over the course of a couple seasons.
Starting at
Oh, how things change.
The 2008-09 A-10 Defensive Player of the Year, team MVP, and Collegeinsider.com Defensive All-American Team, numbers skyrocketed in his final season at UMass, going from 3.2 points and 4.8 rebounds per game to 11.2 points and 10.2 rebounds per game.
Carly Normandin – Last season, Carly Normandin was third on the UMass squad with a .324 average, a respectable mark. However, that mark was nothing compared to the .426 average she currently boasts.
Normandin broke out this season by going from a good offensive player on a strong team to arguably the best player on the team. And that’s saying a lot considering that Brandice Balschmiter is still pitching.
In 2009, Normandin has led the team in average, runs, hits, doubles, triples, total bases, slugging percentage and on-base percentage.
How about the mens cross-country team, who won the A-10 XC championships this past fall by 1 point over Duquense, in a conference that has been typically dominated by LaSalle and Charlotte? This was the program's second win in school's history! Ken O'Brien was voted the men's coach of the year. Such a conference win shows how every runner gave it their all and how important every runner/player is in such a high key event.
I definitely think the Daily Collegian sports writers are biased on which sports they cover on this website, whereas umassathletics.com does a much more thorough and even distribution of all of the sports happenings from the entire academic year.