Courtesy of Erica Pica ’23
Fall sports are in full swing and we’re here to give you an inside look at the fall sports teams and their expectations for this season. The records and scores are as of October 1st but you can see all updated scores and schedules at camelathletics.com.
Women’s Cross-Country
Last season, the Connecticut College Women’s Cross Country team placed seventh at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships. As a result, the team was nationally ranked twenty-eighth in the USTFCCCA Division III Preseason ranking. This marks the first time the women’s team has been nationally ranked since 2008. Though expectations are higher, the basic guiding principles of the team remain unchanged. “We expect our team to follow what we call the 5 C’s: character, common sense, commitment, confidence, and competitiveness,” said senior captain Julia Curran. By following the 5 C’s, the team hopes to achieve many of their season goals. While the team hopes to improve on “team performances at NESCACs and Regionals compared to last year,” equally important for the team is to “promote an inclusive and supportive team environment, and give 100% in the classroom and when competing,” said senior captain Sarah Anderson. Catch the women’s cross-country team in action at the Connecticut College Invitational at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford on Saturday, October 15th.
Men’s Cross-Country
Coming off a season in which they finished sixth at the NCAA Division III Mideast Regional Championships, the men’s cross country team was nationally ranked thirty-first in the USTFCCCA Division III Preseason ranking to open this season. This season, the Camels hope to perform even better. While many key runners have left, nine first-year and transfer runners have joined. Of these runners, first-year Jonathan Norton and transfer junior Branden Mellit have already scored points in the varsity lineup for the Camels. The team is captained by seniors Matt Carter, Chris Verstandig, and Max Notarnicola. Come watch the men’s cross-country team at their home meet at Harkness Memorial State Park in Waterford on Saturday, October 15th.
Field Hockey
The field hockey team is off to a 2-6 start, already matching their win total for last season. This year’s captains are juniors Hope Melanson, McKalynn Jacobsen, and Kylee Quinn. The captains told The College Voice they hope “to make the NESCAC tournament which requires two in-conference wins which we all believe we can accomplish.” To do so, the field hockey team has worked to celebrate achievements en route to their goal. “We remind ourselves that Rome is not built in a day and that we need to appreciate the baby achievements we obtain. For example, the box score against Tufts this year showed the immense progression we have made; we held our own against the No. 4 team in the country, almost matching them in SOG and corners.” Three seniors graduated last year, including All-NESCAC second team goalkeeper Jackie Mountford ‘22. However, seven “kind, dynamic, and hard-working” first-years have joined and first-year Bridget McGann has already scored six goals in eight matches. Though no seniors are on the team this season, the Camels have seventeen returnees and hope to continue improving this season. The field hockey team will play their next home match against Bates College at Silfen Field on October 22nd.
Women’s Rowing
The oldest varsity sport at Connecticut College, women’s rowing, hopes for a successful fall season this year. Following a spring season in which the women’s rowing team competed at the National Invitational Collegiate Regatta, the Camels look to continue improving this fall. “Our team’s main goals for this season are to improve our endurance and speed,” said junior captain Annabelle Tanger. This fall, the Camels will be without “a few members of the team that are studying abroad,” said junior captain Mattie Wernerfelt. But “we have a really strong first-year class coming in that we’re super excited about.” Equally exciting for the team is the chance to compete in a historical race. “We are looking forward to competing at The Head of the Charles this fall,” said junior captain Emma Lanahan. This race is the biggest two-day regatta in the world and features over 11,000 rowers according to Regatta Central. Watch the women’s rowing team race their next race at the Head of the Snake at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester on Saturday, October 15th.
Men’s Rowing
After an impressive spring season in which the team won the Amherst Invitational, the Camels hope to build on their success this fall. “We’re trying to place as well as possible in longer head style races of the fall season against some solid competition,” said senior captain Eric Pica. “Medaling at least once in our 1V boat would be huge.” Additionally, the opportunity to compete in the Head of the Charles race excites the team. “The race we are all looking forward to is the Head of the Charles in Boston, MA, as there will be thousands of people in attendance and is “the race” in the world of rowing,” said Pica. While a class of eleven seniors graduated last year, the team has been bolstered by the addition of many underclassmen. “Ian Cullen is a freshman making an immediate impact,” said Pica. “He has earned his seat in the 1V this season and is doing fantastic.” Support the men’s rowing team at their next race, the Head of the Snake, at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester on Saturday, October 15th.
Co-ed Sailing
Following an impressive spring season which capped off with the team finishing thirteenth at the ICSA National Championships, the Camels hope to fight for the national title this season. With a returning cast of twenty six sailors, including twelve seniors, the Camels have no shortage of experience. In addition, the team has added seven first years to help the team improve. With the completion of new docks, there is plenty of reason for optimism this season. Catch the co-ed sailing team at their next home race, the ACC Round 2, on October 22nd and 23rd in New London.
Women’s Soccer:
Following a strong season in which the women’s soccer team appeared in the first round of the NCAA Division III Tournament, the Camels hope to build on their success and go farther. “Our team mantra this season is we get to, we want to,” said senior captain Myra Johnson. “With this, our expectations for this year are high with hopes of making it further than before.” While this may be challenging, the Camels hope to stay focused by being “instantly focused on working hard for the next game on our schedule.” Of the eleven new first-years and transfers, first-year Alexa Warner and transfer sophomore Sarah Hobbs have already had a significant impact on the field. The women’s soccer team is currently 5-2-1 and plays their next home game against Bates College on Saturday, October 22nd at Freeman Field.
Men’s Soccer
Coming off last season’s NCAA Division III national championship win, the men’s soccer team expects to go far once again. The Camels lost three key senior players but have added a group of eleven first-years ready to contribute. First-year striker Gavin Vanden Berg has already scored three goals in six appearances. The team is captained by seniors Augie Djerdjaj, Steve Yeonas, and Oliver Pinyochon. The Camels are currently 3-2-2 and play their next home match against Babson College at Silfen Field on Wednesday, October 12th.
Women’s Volleyball
Coming off a 9-11 record and an appearance in the NESCAC tournament last season, the women’s volleyball team hopes for more improvement this season. “We’re always looking to improve our program every year,” said senior Georgia Quesnelle. “I think that’s just an expectation every single year that we’re in the program.” The Camels have opened this season 5-6, including a conference win against Bates. This is no doubt due to the help of incoming first-years. “We have 5 first years, which is a relatively big class,” said sophomore Katherine Randall. “They’re all solid players and we’re really excited.” With only one senior graduating, the women’s volleyball team looks to grow this season as they hope to “ultimately win a NESCAC championship,” said junior Natasha Shrivastava. Catch the Camels in action in their next game at home against Wesleyan University at the Luce Fieldhouse on Thursday, October 13th.
Men’s Water Polo
Coming off a difficult season in which the team only won one game, the Camels look to grow this season with a revamped team. “Our program is still bouncing back after struggling with the pandemic, but this season will still be a great rebuilding experience,” said senior captain Sam Guy. “We have a good group of freshmen who will get a lot of impactful minutes throughout the season, so we hope to see significant strides from all of them.” Three first-years in particular have already made a mark on the team. “Sebastian Parilov immediately became our starting goalie, Jack Haddad has speed and puts effort in on both sides of the pool, and Carson Neidert has given us depth at the center position,” said Guy. In addition to improving, the Camels hope to finish in the top four of the Division III Eastern Conference Tournament. The Camels are currently 1-3 and play their next home matches at the athletic center against MIT and Harvard on Saturday, October 8th.
