The Friday Fives: Week 2

Welcome back for the second edition of the Friday Fives! It's the end of another work week and there are 50+ America East games over the next three days so let's get right into it.

Plays of the Week



Games to Watch

- WSOC: Boston U. hosts in-state rival Massachusetts tonight. If you're in the area stop by early, as the first 200 fans receive a replica jersey. (Stats/Live Stream)

- MSOC: UMBC visits George Mason, who came in just outside the top 25 in this week's poll. (Stats/Live Stream)

- XC: Five America East schools are in New Hampshire tonight as the Wildcats host Albany, Boston U., Maine and Vermont in the Pre-Conference meet. (Stats)

- FH: New Hampshire takes on another ranked foe, as No. 7 Northeastern comes to town. (Stats/Live Stream)

- FB: Some gridiron goodness for you this weekend, as Albany travels to No. 5 Youngstown State. Tim McDonnell of TSN talked about this matchup in his Week 3 Preview.

The Numbers Game

- WSOC: Amelia Pereira of Hartford netted six points last night, becoming the second America East player to accomplish that feat this season.

- MSOC: Binghamton's Jake Keegan ranks fifth in the nation in points per game and is tied for fifth in goals per game.

- FH: Felicitas Heinen from Fairfield is the America East leader in seven different offensive categories.

- VB: Stony Brook's Melissa Rigo has registered three of the five highest America East single game kill totals this season. She also leads the conference in kills per set (4.33)

- FB: If you were watching Thursday Night Football, you probably saw Jerron McMillian, a Maine alum turned Green Bay Packer, grab his first career NFL interception  in only his second career game.

Linked Up: Friday Fives Edition

Hartford made an awesome promo video to announce its 2012-13 basketball season ticket sales.

New Hampshire held a massive cookout on campus yesterday.

Binghamton Athletic Director Patrick Elliot has been selected to serve on an NCAA Cabinet.

Women's soccer player Sarah Furminger was the Bearcats' Athlete of the Week.

Albany announced its 2012 Great Dane Hall of Fame class.

#FollowFriday

This week, check out some of the conference Twitter lists. Once you subscribe, it's easy to follow all things America East!

America East Athletics

America East Athletic Directors

America East Women's Soccer

America East Reporters

America East Academics

Daily Word: A Legend Walks Away

(Thanks to Matt Bourque for contributing to today's post)

Jim Calhoun made an unforgettable name for himself at the University of Connecticut. He won three national championships, made four Final Fours and helped 29 players forge professional careers for themselves. He is, in a word, legendary. But how many people remember that Calhoun got his start at Northeastern during their America East days?

Calhoun in the huddle as the coach of Northeastern.

Long before Calhoun became a Hall of Fame coach, he was winning America East Championships (5 in 6 years between 1981-'86). Calhoun was 250-137 while at Northeastern, a program that was in Division II when he started, before departing for UConn in 1986. His Huskies won games in the NCAA Tournament in 1981, '82 and '84. In 1982, Northeastern defeated St. Joseph's before dropping a 76-72 decision to Villanova in triple overtime. It was one of the most memorable postseason games ever for an America East team.

Perhaps even more memorable for Calhoun and others was the 1984 NCAA tournament. Northeastern had steamrolled through conference play, going 14-0 behind Mark Haisel and Reggie Lewis, before moving on to beat Long Island U. for the right to play sixth-seeded VCU. The Huskies held a one-point lead with two seconds remaining in the game when Rolando Lamb hit this incredible turnaround jumper (check out Calhoun's reaction at 0:48) as time expired to defeat Calhoun and Northeastern. As fate would have it, 25 years later Calhoun recruited Rolando's son, Jeremy Lamb, to UConn where he became an integral part of the Huskies' 2011 championship squad.

Calhoun is not the only former America East coach to move on to big time success in the Big East. Rick Pitino (Boston U./Louisville), Mike Brey (Delaware/Notre Dame) and Jay Wright (Hofstra/Villanova) all joined Calhoun as America East Coach of the Year at one point before moving on to their current positions in the Big East.

So as Calhoun moves on to the next part of his life, we remember the 14 seasons he spent with the America East. To help you remember as well, check out this vintage Northeastern basketball video, in which Calhoun makes several appearances.

For some more reading material on Calhoun, make sure to check out these stories:

Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News talks about Calhoun as the "workingman's coach".

ESPN has the full story on his retirement.

Box Scores, Recaps and Highlights

Men's Soccer

Anthony Santaga converted on a penalty kick in the 77th minute to give Hartford a victory: vs. Massachusetts (Box/Recap/Highlights)

Women's Soccer

Binghamton erased a 2-1 deficit to improve to 5-1: vs. Cornell (Box/Recap/Highlights)

Volleyball

Three players notched at least 10 kills as Binghamton snapped its losing streak: vs. Siena (Box/Recap)

Providence fell in straight sets: vs. Brown (Box/Recap)

AEC in the Community

Vermont student-athletes have been busy in the community of late and more events are upcoming soon. The men's and women's soccer teams both visited with local elementary schools this week to talk with kids one-on-one and show off some fancy footwork. You can check out photos from those visits here and here.

Some upcoming community events for the Catamounts include the men's hockey Walk for Wishes and the Catamount Classic Lacrosse for a Cure tournament.

Hartford will also be competing in the Catamount Classic, but the lacrosse team is adding a unique twist to the fundraising.

Linked Up

Maine's Corey Conner makes an appearance in the Bangor Daily News.

The University at Albany has named a new president.

Check out this All-Access pack that Stony Brook is offering.

Vermont just realeased the first episode of Catamount Weekly.

And in case you missed it, America East schools were recognized in the U.S. World News & Report Best College Rankings. UMBC was also named the top up-and-coming school in the nation for the fourth straight year.

What's Next?

Just two games tonight as Hartford hosts Holy Cross in women's soccer and Boston U. faces its sixth ranked opponent of the season as Brown comes to town. Both of those games are being streamed live (Hartford/Boston U.)

Daily Word: Down on the Farm

One of the proudest moments for the America East conference last year was seeing 12 players get picked in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. Now, with the Minor League season coming to a close, we'll get you caught up on how each of them performed during their first professional season.

Jankowski in last year's College World Series.

Note: A player's triple slash line includes (in order) batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percetage. Ex. .292/.345/.437

Travis Jankowski (Stony Brook) 

• Drafted by the San Diego Padres, currently playing in high-A for the Fort Wayne TinCaps
• 2012 stats: .280/.314/.366 in 265 PA, 1 HR, 27 RBI, 17 SB
• Fort Wayne will begin the Midwest League Championship tonight. So far, Jankowski has hit .272 in the playoffs, reaching base safely in every game while hitting leadoff and playing center field.

Patrick Cantwell (Stony Brook)

• Drafted by the Texas Rangers, finished 2012 in low-A for the Spokane Indians
• 2012 stats: .255/.342/.335 in 232 PA, 1 HR, 22 RBI, 11 2B

Mike Augliera (Binghamton)

• Drafted by the Boston Red Sox, finished 2012 in short season low-A for the Lowell Spinners
• 2012 stats: 1-3, 4.42 ERA, 38.2 IP, 43 SO, 3 BB (as a starter)
• The Press and Sun has a profile of Augliera here.

Jeff Gibbs (Maine)

• Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, finished 2012 in low-A for the Yakima Bears
• 2012 stats: 0-4, 13.10 ERA, 22.2 IP, 20 SO, 40 BB (primarily as a starter)
• Yakima lost in the first round of the Northwest League playoffs. Gibbs did not pitch.

Maxx Tissenbaum (Stony Brook)

• Drafted by the San Diego Padres, finished 2012 in low-A for the Eugene Emeralds
• 2012 stats: .292/.399/.374 in 210 PA, 3 HR, 29 RBI, 2 SB

William Carmona (Stony Brook)

• Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, finished 2012 in low-A for the Lakewood Blue Claws
• 2012 stats: .281/.329/.423 in 213 PA, 4 HR, 30 RBI, 10 2B

James Campbell (Stony Brook)

• Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, finished 2012 in high-A for the Great Lakes Loons
• 2012 stats: 0-1, 3.86 ERA, 18.2 IP, 18 SO, 9 BB (as a reliever)

Steve Perakslis (Maine)

• Drafted by the Chicago Cubs, finished 2012 in high-A for the Peoria Chiefs
• 2012 stats: 4-0, 3.42 ERA, 26.1 IP, 26 SO, 6 BB (as a reliever)

Jasvir Rakkar (Stony Brook)

• Drafted by the Chicago Cubs, finished 2012 in the Arizona Rookie League for the AZL Cubs
• 2012 stats: 0-0, 2.70 ERA, 10 IP, 13 SO, 5 BB (as a reliever)

Sean Lucas (Albany)

• Drafted by the Cincinnati Reds, finished 2012 in high-A for the Dayton Dragons
• 2012 stats: 3-1, 2.27 ERA, 31.2 IP, 29 SO, 5 BB (as a reliever)

Lee Sosa (Binghamton)

• Drafted by the Oakland Athletics, finished 2012 in the Arizona Rookie League for the AZL Athletics
• 2012 stats: 1-2, 4.74 ERA, 24.2 IP, 29 SO, 22 BB (as a reliever)
• The AZL Athletics lost in the championship game to the AZL Rangers. Sosa pitched an inning and a third in that game, giving up no runs on one hit and two walks.

Tyler Johnson (Stony Brook)

• Drafted by the Oakland Athletics, finished 2012 in the Arizona Rookie League for the AZL Athletics
• 2012 stats: 5-1, 3.33 ERA, 27 IP, 21 SO, 7 BB (as a reliever)
• Johnson pitched two innings in the Athletics first round victory in the AZL playoffs, yielding two runs on three hits and two walks while striking out two.

Now that you're all caught up there, let's get into last night's action...

Box Scores, Recaps and Highlights

Volleyball

Hartford grabbed a five-set victory: Holy Cross (Box/Recap)

Emily Vandegrift had a double-double as UMBC won in five sets: St. Francis (Box/Recap)

New Hampshire has won four out of five after its victory last night: Bryant (Box/Recap/Highlights)

Men's Soccer

2 late goals by the nation's third ranked team spoiled UMBC's upset bid: Maryland (Box/Recap)

Linked up

Maine has some big names lined up for its women's basketball coaches clinic.

Amanda Weaver's family issued a thank you message.

The UMBC President won the Heinz Award

A New Hampshire researcher is doing research for the NFL.

The EPA is giving Albany funds for atmoshperic research.

What's Next

Two more volleyball games tonight as Providence hosts Brown and Binghamton visits Siena. We also have two soccer games tonight with the Hartford men hosting Massachusetts and the Binghamton women at home against Cornell.

Daily Word: Heinen Continues to Roll

You've read a lot about America East field hockey this year, and the good news just keeps on coming. The NFHCA released their newest poll today and the America East is now represented by five teams thanks to the newest addition, Fairfield. Only the ACC, with six, has more teams in the poll as the America East continues to be a national contender.

One of the reasons Fairfield has found so much success in the early goings is Felicitas Heinen. Having just earned her second straight America East Player of the Week honor, Heinen is on absolute tear. She is the conference leader in points (17), points per game (2.83), goals (7), game winning goals (2) and is second in assists (3). Heinan has made her mark on the national statistics as well. As of today she is tied with six others for fourth in goals and points. The Munich, Germany native played for the Muenchener field hockey club, which is in the top amateur league in Germany, before coming to Fairfield. Unfortunately for her America East opponents, the dynamic defender is just a sophomore.

In women's soccer, the America East has two players in the top 25 for points per game with Sarah Furminger ranking 18th and Shyla Bergeron in a tie for 23rd. Bergeron's six goals are also put her in a tie (with 11 others) for fifth in the country. 

No games yesterday, so let's get right into today's links...

Linked Up

Here's how some of our schools are remembering the victims of the September 11th attacks:

• Hartford is remembering six alumni who perished
• Boston U. is also honoring its victims. Also, it is remembering former hockey player, Mark Bavis.
• Binghamton has orchestrated a campus wide commemorative program.
• Two Stony Brook marching band members are featured in this Newsday article.

Binghamton already has a commitment for its men's basketball 2013 recruiting class.

We showed you a feature on Hartford women's soccer player Amelia Pereira last week and now she's in the news again. This time, she's on TV.

UMBC was named a "Great College to Work For".

UNH student-athletes are lending a hand to a local yard sale.

What's Next?

UMBC will travel to College Park to face in-state rivalry Maryland tonight in men's soccer. The Terps website has a preview which includes live coverage links so you don't miss any of the action.

In volleyball, there are three games tonight, with the America East team as the visitor in each: UMBC will face St. Peter's, New Hampshire squares off against Bryant and Hartford will battle Holy Cross.

AEC in the Community: Walk for Weaver

Weaver in the 2011 America East semifinals.

Amanda Weaver was part of a run that saw the University of Hartford women's basketball team make three NCAA Tournament appearances in her four years. Included in that run was the program's second NCAA victory, a 59-55 triumph over Syracuse in 2007-08. Also a captain for her senior year, when you look at Weaver's career as a Hawk, it is impossible to tab her as anything other than a winner.

Now, Weaver is looking to add another victory to her record, but this opponent is a bit different. After graduating in 2011, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. As a result, her pursuit of a graduate degree in physical therapy has been put on hold as she wages her battle. In what is truly a heartwarming story, her team, her school and her community have banded together with Weaver.

Over this past weekend, the Hawks hosted the "Walk for Weaver". In a speech at the event, head coach Jen Rizzotti told the crowd that she wouldn't even bother showing them the chart which outlined the goal for the fundraiser because the $45,000 that was raised went so far past their expectations. What a job by the University of Hartford, the women's basketball team and the Hartford community.

Also a big round of applause to current and former members of the women's basketball teams from New Hampshire and UMBC for participating in the fundraiser.

Links

The Hartford UNOTESdaily has a recap of the event.

Here is a press release from Hartford Sports Information.

Hartford also has a photo gallery from the walk.

The York Daily Record has news of another fundraiser for Weaver in her hometown of York, Pa.

Lori Riley of the Hartford Courant has more on Weaver.

Below, check out a collection of videos about Amanda and the amazing fundraiser that happened over the weekend. You can also check out her blog, or make a donation yourself by contacting the Hartford women's assistant coach, Bill Sullivan, at bisulliva@hartford.edu.

Daily Word: Weekend Roundup

Photo Credit: Steve McLaughlin

It was another solid weekend for the America East field hockey squads, as the tough non-conference slates continued. Maine and Fairfield were responsible for two-thirds of the conference victories, as the America East posted a 6-5 mark. Of those 11 games, five were played against ranked foes. Boston U. was the only team to grab a victory in those matchups, a 2-1 victory over crosstown rival No.17 Boston College. The Terriers victory on Friday put the squad at 5-0 for the season, which matched the team's best start ever.

Elsewhere around the conference, men's soccer went 5-5-4 highlighted by Boston U. earning a tie against the No. 4 Connecticut Huskies. Women's soccer was 3-9-2 on the weekend as Albany and Binghmaton both had perfect weekends. In volleyball, Stony Brook (3-1) and New Hampshire (2-1) both posted solid weekends. Finally in cross country, the Boston U. men and the Hartford women raced to victories in the opening meet for both squads.

There's plenty more action to recap, so let's get into it.

Box Scores, Recaps and Highlights

Field Hockey

Zoe Adkins and Annabelle Hamilton provided the scoring for Maine's perfect weekend: Rutgers (Box/Recap), Bryant (Box/Recap)

Fairfield has won four straight games: Lehigh (Box/Recap), Saint Joseph's (Box/Recap)

Boston U. got to 5-0 before losing their first game of the season: Boston College (Box/Recap), Syracuse (Box/Recap/Highlights)

New Hampshire earned a weekend split after a tough loss to the No. 2 team: Syracuse (Box/Recap), Holy Cross (Box/Recap)

A pair of top 15 teams handed Albany 2-1 losses: Michigan (Box/Recap), Connecticut (Box/Recap)

Vermont is still in search of its first win: Quinnipiac (Box/Recap/Highlights)

Men's Soccer

Boston U. continued their brutal non-conference slate, earning two ties: Providence (Box/Recap) UConn (Box/Recap)

In the Smith Barney Windjammer Classic at Vermont, the Catamounts were co-champions with New Hampshire as both had three named to the All-Tournament Team:

• Vermont vs. CCSU (Box/Recap/Highlights), Vermont vs. Niagra (Box/Recap/Highlights)
• New Hampshire vs. (Box/Recap), New Hampshire vs. CCSU (Box/Recap)

Liam Paddock netted a game winner as UMBC went 1-0: Mount St. Mary's (Box/Recap)

Stony Brook split against a pair of tough opponents: Charlotte (Box/Recap), St. Joseph's (Box/Recap)

Hartford got two goals late on Sunday to earn a weekend split: Villanova (Box/Recap), Penn (Box/Recap)

Jake Keegan had two more goals, but it wasn't enough for Binghamton: Hofstra (Box/Recap/Highlights)

A pair of late goals did Albany in on Sunday, as they had an 0-2 weekend: FDU (Box/Recap/Highlights), Hofstra (Box/Recap)

Women's Soccer

Shyla Bergeron's big weekend powered Albany to a 2-0 mark: Canisius (Box/Recap/Highlights), Cornell (Box/Recap/Highlights)

Binghamton got an overtime victory in its only game of the weekend: Siena (Box/Recap/Highlights)

New Hampshire went to double overtime twice as it got a loss and a tie: Rhode Island (Box/Recap/Highlights), Providence (Box/Recap)

Hartford only gave up one goal on the weekend as it went 0-1-1: Fairfield (Box/Recap), Quinnipiac (Box/Recap/Highlights)

Boston U. played the nation's No. 5 team tough the whole way: Stanford (Box/Recap), Santa Clara (Box/Recap)

Stony Brook fell to the No. 21 nationally: Rutgers (Box/Recap)

Eve L'Abbe's first career goal wasn't enough for Maine: Dartmouth (Box/Recap)

UMBC couldn't get the offense going as it went 0-2: Bucknell (Box/Recap), Longwood (Box/Recap)

Vermont fell in another close game: Brown (Box/Recap/Highlights)

Linked Up

In case you missed it, Maine built a brand new indoor batting cage.

Check out this listing of UMBC related Twitter accounts.

Stony Brook really got the offense going against Pace in football.

Albany made some men's basketball hires.

The Binghamton Pipe Dream has a great profile on Athletic Director Patrick Elliott.

What's Next

No games for tonight, but keep an eye out for the weekly awards releases on AmericaEast.com and keep an eye on the blog for another post later today.