The Alternative Press

Both Rob Arent (New Providence, Sr.) of Bucknell and Chris Johnson (Murray Hill, Jr.) of Colgate posted two victories at last weekend's Patriot League Outdoor Track & Field Championships in Worcester, Mass. Arent flew home a winner in the men's 110-meter hurdles, which he ran in 14.39, and the men's 400-meter hurdles, which he ran in 53.08. He also got second place in the 400-meter dash; his 48.17 was bettered only by Lafayette's Nick Hepp, who made it in at 48.00. Arent has now won the 400 hurdles race at this meet three years running.

In recognition of his accomplishments, Arent was named the Susquehanna Valley Limousine Bison Athlete of the Week. He has now won this award on three occasions during his collegiate career. He also received Bucknell's Christy Mathewson Award (named after the late New York Giants hurler, a Bucknell alum) as the school's outstanding senior athlete.

Colgate's Johnson required more time to earn his laurels, as he runs long. He scored at both 5,000 meters (14:13.86) and 10,000 meters (30:04.92). The latter time smashed the previous meet record for the distance by 36 seconds. That mark had been set in 2004.

Also at the Patriot meet, Lehigh's E'lana Lemon (West Orange, Jr.) was runner-up in the women's hammer throw. She heaved the implement 54.92 meters, which was exceeded only by Lafayette's Rachel Pena, who threw it 55.08.

Bucknell's Tayler Siegrist (Madison, Jr.) contested the javelin throw and finished seventh. Her best throw sailed 36.49 meters, while teammate Kat Folger was good for a throw of 44.37.

Kayla McDonald (Summit, Jr.) of the University of Chicago took third place in the women's 800 meters at the recent University Athletic Association Championships meet in Pittsburgh. After running the fastest qualifying time of 2:14.69, McDonald improved upon that in the finals by running 2:13.63; however, Washington University's Erica Jackey shot past in 2:11.76.

BASEBALL

John Puttress (New Providence, Jr.) drove in the winning run for Northeastern in a 7-5 victory over Hofstra last Friday in Hempstead, N.Y. The catcher out of New Providence High laced a single to left field that brought in the Huskies' sixth run and moved along a runner who would provide an insurance run when the next batter doubled. Puttress went 2-for-5 in this game, while teammate Rob Fonseca (Madison, Fr.) had a 1-for-5 game. Puttress maintained a hot bat throughout the weekend, although Northeastern (18-26) dropped the remaining games to Hofstra by scores of 10-2 and 15-9. He went 2-for-4 on Saturday and 3-for-5 on Sunday. Fonseca went 2-for-4 in the latter game.

SOFTBALL

Kait Fiore (Millburn, Sr.) was perfect in three at-bats as Denison edged DePauw, 1-0, on Sunday in Meadville, Pa. The leftfielder out of Millburn High sprayed three singles and stole a base as the Big Red improved to 27-17.

Cyndil Matthew (Westfield, Jr.) knocked out two singles and a triple from four at-bats in Massachusetts' 6-1 win over Fordham in the Bronx on Saturday. Matthew, a leftfielder out of Westfield High, also stole a pair of bases and scored two runs. On Sunday, the Minutewomen traveled to Philadelphia, where they swept a doubleheader from La Salle. In the 5-1 opener, Matthew blasted her first home run of the season, to go with a single and a stolen base, her 31^st of the season. UMass worked their season mark to 35-11 overall and 19-0 in the Atlantic 10. 

Alexa Maldonado (Short Hills, Sr.) had a 3-for-11 weekend at the plate, including two doubles, as Notre Dame swept a 3-game road series from Pittsburgh by scores of 5-0, 9-1 and 4-0. That puts the Fighting Irish at 36-13 for the season and 16-3 in the Big East.

WOMEN’S LACROSSE

Stellar defense from Georgia Bird (Summit, Sr.) contributed to Dartmouth's 6-4 win over Penn in the Ivy League Tournament finale in Philadelphia on Sunday. Bird earned All-Tournament accolades for her play. Teammate Frances Bird (Summit, Fr.) assisted on one goal and brought up two ground balls for the Big Green (12-4). The Birds are Kent Place graduates.

Amherst blitzed Keene State, 19-1, on Wednesday at home in a first-round NCAA Division 3 playoff game. Hillary Densen (Summit, Jr.) accounted for one goal and four assists, while teammate Claire Bennett (Westfield, Sr.) caused one turnover and recovered one ground ball. Next up for Amherst (13-4) is a Saturday encounter with The College of New Jersey in Cortland, N.Y.

Trinity (Conn.) won the New England Small College Athletic Conference crown last weekend with victories over, first, Hamilton, 9-8, in overtime on Saturday and, then, Middlebury, 11-10, on Sunday. Megan Leonhard (Summit, Jr.) put two goals on the board for the Bantams in the Hamilton contest. She also scooped up two ground balls and had one draw control. She then scored once against Middlebury and again had two ground balls and one draw control. Leonhard didn't score in Wednesday's 19-1 rout of Bridgewater State in first-round NCAA Division 3 action. Trinity (17-1) next faces Buffalo State on Saturday at a yet-to-be-determined site.

Susquehanna made it to the finals of last week's Landmark Conference Tournament, where they lost to Catholic, 12-10. Emma Ehler (Chatham, Soph.) bore much of the offensive burden for the Crusaders, scoring six goals. She also assisted on another tally, and managed three draw controls, plus one ground ball. Previously, Susquehanna romped, 18-5, over Drew to reach the title tilt. Ehler scored twice here, assisted on two goals and rustled up three ground balls. Teammate Meredith Crane (Maplewood, Fr.) scored one goal and came up with a ground ball. Susquehanna finished with a 15-2 record.

William Smith advanced to last weekend's Liberty League championship game with a 14-10 win over Rochester Institute of Technology on Friday. The Herons' Lucy Johnson (Short Hills, Sr.) scored six goals, while teammate Abbie West (Summit, Fr.) notched two. Johnson also accounted for four ground balls and six draw controls in this game, while West added an assist, three ground balls and one draw control. William Smith then ended the season at 9-9 with a 16-7 loss to Rensselaer Poly on Saturday. Johnson scored twice, lifted four ground balls, controlled six draws and caused one turnover. West retrieved one ground ball, while teammate Taylor Anderson (Westfield, Fr.) had one draw control.

MEN'S LACROSSE

Princeton hosted the Ivy League Tournament last weekend and advanced past the semifinal round with a 9-6 win over Brown. Princeton's Rob Castelo (Westfield, Soph.) scored his first goal of the season, in addition to lifting one ground ball. Teammate Chad Wiedmaier (Chatham, Sr.) forced one Brown turnover and came up with three ground balls. The Tigers dropped Sunday's championship game, 15-7, to Yale. Both Castelo and Wiedmaier caused a turnover and retrieved a ground ball. Princeton (11-4) will meet Virginia on Sunday afternoon in Charlottesville, Va. in a first-round NCAA Tournament game.

Fairfield reached the championship game of the ECAC Tournament in Denver with an 8-7 victory over Ohio State last Wednesday. Colin McLinden (Madison, Fr.) set up three goals for the Stags and came up with one ground ball. Fairfield then lost the title game on Friday to Loyola, 14-7, with McLinden earning one assist. Fairfield is 12-4.

Widener advanced to the championship game of the Middle Atlantic Conference after eliminating Lycoming, 17-7, on Tuesday and Albright, 7-5, on Thursday. Mac Nestler (Chatham, Soph.) was in goal for the Pride and made nine saves in the Lycoming game and six against Albright. Widener then lost the title game on Saturday in overtime, 12-11, to Eastern. Nestler made 11 saves here. Widener finished the season with a 9-8 record.