Wesleyan Magazine: Spring 2007

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Marlin Athletics

Women's soccer advances to Round of 4 in NCAA tournament

Women's soccer advances to Round of 4 in NCAA tournament

The Virginia Wesleyan women's soccer team experienced unparalleled success in the 2006 season, highlighted by an 18-4-4 record, the program's first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) championship title and a trip to the national semifinals of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) tournament in Orlando, Fla.

The road to Florida

The Marlins defeated the top-seeded Quakers of Guilford College 2-0 to claim the 2006 ODAC championship title - the first in the history of the program - and earned an automatic berth into the 2006 NCAA championship tournament.

The team entered the tournament with a 16- 3-2 record, a No. 19 national ranking, and riding an unbeaten streak of 15 games. They traveled to Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va., on Nov. 11 to face the host Captains, whom the Marlins had beaten 4-1 earlier in the season. It was a similar outcome in the first round of NCAA play, albeit a closer one, as rookie Stacy Zeiler netted the only goal for the Marlins in the 27th minute of play. The Marlins rode Zeiler's goal to victory and advanced to the second round, eliminating Christopher Newport from the tournament for the second consecutive year. The victory also marked the fourth straight win over Virginia Wesleyan's cross-town rivals.

The second round on Nov. 13 pitted the Marlins against the eighth-ranked Johns Hopkins University Blue Jays of Baltimore, Md. The teams battled through 90 minutes of scoreless regulation play and two overtime periods before entering into a penalty kick shootout. Junior Laura Jackson gave Virginia Wesleyan the lead right off the bat when she netted the first goal of the shootout. The Blue Jays fell behind when their first kick hit the left post. They scored on the next three attempts, but the Marlins stayed in front with goals from Zeiler, senior Kelly Donnelly and junior Courtney Benitez. Junior Missy Kuhns netted the fifth and final kick to give the Marlins the win and to send them to the NCAA sectionals round.

The Marlins met more Blue Jays in the sectional semifinals on Nov. 18, although this time they were the Elizabethtown College Blue Jays of Elizabethtown, Pa. Despite being held to only five shots throughout the competition, rookie Nikki Mazzaccone was able to make the last one count in the 73rd minute of play to give Virginia Wesleyan a 1-0 lead that they rode to victory. After Mazzaccone's goal, a stingy Marlin defense allowed Elizabethtown only one shot in the remaining 17 minutes of competition to secure a place in the Round of 8.

In Virginia Wesleyan's second appearance in the Round of 8 in three years - and the second in program history - the Marlins once again faced conference foe Washington and Lee University of Lexington, Va. It was the third meeting of the season for the two teams. Prior to the NCAA tournament, the two battled to a scoreless tie in September and the Marlins posted a 1-0 win over the W&L in ODAC tournament competition to end the Generals' undefeated season. In the NCAA match-up at Foster Field on Nov. 19, the fate of two teams was once again decided on penalty kicks after a scoreless double overtime tie. Junior goalkeeper Lindsey Williams came up big on two saves, the first and the last, and Jackson, Donnelly, Benitez and junior Ally Hodgkins converted on penalty kicks to propel the Marlins to a 4-3 victory and to send them to the national semifinals at Disney's Wide World of Sports Complex in Orlando, Fla.

The 2006 Marlin women's soccer team became the first in the history of the program to advance to the national semifinals and the second Virginia Wesleyan athletic team to make it that far in 2006, following the lead of the men's basketball team, which won the 2006 NCAA championship title in March. The Marlins are also the first soccer team in the history of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference to reach the national semifinals.

"I think the best honor for our players was being the first soccer team - men's or women's - to represent the ODAC conference in the NCAA final four," said Head Coach Jeff Bowers.

The Marlins faced the top-ranked Thunder of Wheaton College (Ill.) on Nov. 24 in the national semifinal round of the 2006 NCAA championship tournament. After a scoreless first half, Wheaton broke the tie less than three minutes into the second half to take a 1-0 lead over the Marlins. Six minutes later, the Thunder scored again to make it 2-0 and held on to the lead for the remainder of the game to eliminate the Marlins from the tournament. Wheaton went on to defeat The College of New Jersey to claim the 2006 NCAA championship title.

The Virginia Wesleyan women's soccer team finished its season with an 18-4-4 record, the eighth consecutive winning season for the Marlins and the seventh under Bowers' leadership. Bowers has compiled a 107-31-14 record with the Marlins, highlighted by a 61-9-7 record in ODAC competition. The Marlins have lost only two of their last 44 ODAC contests.

"The 2006 women's soccer team finished 18- 4-4 while advancing to the Final Four - the furthest any women's program has gone at Virginia Wesleyan College," said Athletic Director Sonny Travis. "The team's success, under the guidance of Coach Jeff Bowers, has put our women's athletic program in the spotlight on campus, in the community and nationally. [It was] a tremendous season and a job well done."

"Overall, I thought our team chemistry was the key to our success," Bowers said. "From the freshman to the seniors, everyone had a role."

Highlights, records and awards

The Marlins' season was capped with a No. 4 ranking in the final national poll released by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) and adidas. It is the highest final ranking ever for the Marlins.

Outstanding defense was key in Virginia Wesleyan's success in 2006, which was reflected in the final national statistics released by the NCAA. The Marlins finished third in shutout percentage (0.77), fifth in goals against average
(0.331) and ninth in saves percentage (0.90). The Marlins gave up only nine goals in 26 games - the second stingiest defense in program history. The defensive highlight, however, was shutouts: the Marlins held opponents scoreless 20 times - another program record.

"We feel like we have the best goalie in Division III and are very confident when taking Penalty Kicks," Bowers said.

Bowers and senior midfielder Kelly Donnelly were named the 2006 College Division Coach of the Year and Player of the Year, respectively, by the Virginia Sports Information Directors (VaSID). Virginia Wesleyan dominated the all-state awards as seven Marlins were named All- Virginia, six of which were named to the first team. It is the highest number of Virginia Wesleyan women's soccer players ever to be honored by VaSID. Donnelly also became the first women's soccer player to be named to the NSCAA/adidas All-America first team and the first to receive All-America recognition twice. She was named to the third team in 2005. Donnelly also received NSCAA/adidas All-South first team recognition to become the program's first three-time honoree.

Men's basketball finishes as the NCAA DIII national runner-up

Men's basketball finishes as the NCAA DIII national runner-up

The defending national champions made their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III national tournament. As the top-seed in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC), the Marlin men were hoping to add a second national championship to their list of record breaking accomplishments.

The men's basketball team entered the ODAC tournament with confidence. They came out strong in the quarterfinals beating Washington and Lee University 82-48. With previous experience, they could taste a third consecutive ODAC Championship. Unfortunately, Hampden-Sydney College knocked them out of the running. Despite the loss, the Marlins received an at-large bid into the NCAA Tournament.

The Jane P. Batten Student Center was packed with fans on March 2 as the first round of the 2007 NCAA Division III tournament kicked off against Averett University. The Marlins secured wins in the first two rounds of play, ousting Averett 63-60 and Hampden-Sydney 61-51. In game one, senior Brandon Adair scored 19 points to surpass a career high 2,000 points - a first in Virginia Wesleyan history.

In the third round of the NCAA tournament, the Marlins hosted No. 3 ranked Mississippi College on March 9. The Marlin offense couldn't be stopped - four players scored in the double figures, with the team shooting 57.9% from the field. Leading by 9 points at halftime, the Marlins pulled away in the second half, hitting an astonishing 72 percent from the field to win the game 81-55.

The following night pitted the Marlins against ODAC rival, Guilford College. The Marlin defense proved to be just as strong as their offense and defeated the Quakers 81-71. Offensively, junior TonTon Balenga led the Marlins with 18 points and four team members scored in the double digits.

Before a crowd of more than 2,000, the Marlins battled through one of their toughest games of the season in the Division III semifinal game on March 16. The lead changed 11 times and the score was tied seven. It was a seat-gripping finish as the Marlins led by two with nine seconds left on the clock after junior D'Juan Tucker sunk one of two free throws. With the final seconds ticking, the Bears' Zach Kelly threw up a buzzer beating shot which was shy of the basket. Another Bears' player grabbed the loose ball and shot again, this time making the basket. Officials ruled the buzzer sounded before the ball rolled over the rim however, securing the win for Virginia Wesleyan. Adair continued to be a staple player, hitting an NCAA single-game record 12- of-12 field goal attempts. Balenga and junior Tyler Fantin added 10 points to the Marlin effort. "What a game," said Head Coach Dave Macedo. "It came down to making plays down the stretch and we found a way to win tonight."

History had repeated itself - the Marlins were once again battling for the national title. After an exhilarating season followed by an 11-game winning streak in the NCAA tournament, the Marlins had one more obstacle - Amherst College. The Marlins jumped out early with back-to-back lay-ups giving them a 4-0 lead. The Lord Jeffs rallied back instantly; snagging a 12-0 run in two minutes of play.

After the first half, Amherst led with an 11 point advantage. The deficit may not have been large, but the Marlins struggled to gain momentum. With two minutes left in the game, they desperately tried to close in, but Amherst was strong at the free-throw line, hitting 7-of-8. Balenga led the Marlins with 19 points while Adair finished his career with the Marlins adding 17 points. After the game, Macedo complemented his team and all the hard work his seniors had put into the program. "Our seniors are real leaders and they gave me everything they had this season," said Macedo. "There's not much more I could have asked of them. Hopefully our younger players learned from them and carry on the success our seniors started."

Highlights, records and awards

The Marlin men finished second in the for the 2006-2007 season, with a final overall record of 28-5 and 17-1 in the ODAC. It was their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III national tournament under Head Coach David Macedo. With a 73 percent average winning streak, Macedo is ranked No. 1 among all of VWC's men's basketball coaches and carries a 124-45 overall record in six seasons.

Superb offense with a seasoned squad of four seniors was a key to men's basketball success in 2006-2007. Statistically, the Marlin offense was led by All-American senior Brandon Adair and preseason All-American junior TonTon Balenga with a scoring average of 17.7 and 15.1 respectively for the season.
Adair finished his career at Wesleyan with a field goal percentage at 69.1% - placing him No. 1 in the nation. As a team, the Marlins had a 14.3 higher average scoring margin compared to their opponents.

Adair received first team honors from the ODAC, NABC All-South and D3hoops.com All-South; and second team recognition from D3hoops.com All-America. Balenga received second team honors from the ODAC and third team recognition from D3hoops.com All-South.

Virginia Wesleyan's outstanding fall season in intercollegiate athletics was complemented by an outstanding season in the classroom.

Seniors Kelly Donnelly and Jen Perkinson and juniors Travis Cober and Kyle Williams have all received ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District III honors awarded by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). It is the largest group of Virginia Wesleyan fall student-athletes to be honored since the CoSIDA program began in 1952.

Cober was named to the prestigious ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America First Team. He compiled a 3.94 grade point average on a 4.00 scale as a liberal arts management program major. He is the first Marlin soccer player to receive the honor and the seventh Virginia Wesleyan athlete in the past seven years.

A second-team CoSIDA Academic All-District honoree, Williams owns a 3.48 GPA as a criminal justice major and is a four-time Dean's List honoree.

An interdivisional major with an emphasis on Special Education, Donnelly has a 3.76 GPA and is a six-time Dean's List honoree. She was selected to the CoSIDA first team, becoming the first women's soccer player to be named to the top team since Merrie Tobler in 2003. Five Marlin women's soccer players have earned seven CoSIDA honors since 2001.

Perkinson, a criminal justice major, compiled a 3.37 GPA and is a five-time Dean's List honoree. A third-team CoSIDA honoree in volleyball, she is Virginia Wesleyan's first student-athlete to receive the academic award in that sport.

Twenty-two Virginia Wesleyan student athletes have received a combined 32 CoSIDA Academic All-District honors since 1999. Eight have earned Academic All-America recognition.

Sports in Review: Fall 2006

WOMEN'S SOCCER

(18-4-4 overall, 8-1-2 ODAC, first place regular season, first place tournament, NCAA tournament semifinalist, No. 7 regional ranking, No. 4 final national ranking)

The women's soccer Marlins enjoyed their best season ever, winning the first ODAC championship title in program history to earn an automatic berth to the 2006 NCAA tournament. The Marlins advanced to the national semifinals, where they lost to eventual champion Wheaton College of Illinois.

ODAC HONORS: Senior Kristen Byrnes, senior Kelly Donnelly, junior Ally Hodgkins, junior Laura Jackson, junior Missy Kuhns, first team; junior Courtney Benitez, junior Lindsey Williams, honorable mention; Donnelly, player of the year

ALL-VIRGINIA HONORS: Benitez, Byrnes, Donnelly, Jackson, Kuhns, Williams, first team; Hodgkins, second team; Donnelly, player of the year; Jeff Bowers, coach of the year

ALL-SOUTH HONORS: Donnelly, first team; Jackson, second team

ALL-AMERICA HONORS: Donnelly, first team

ACADEMIC HONORS: Donnelly, ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District first team

MEN'S SOCCER

(14-5-3 overall, 5-2-2 ODAC, regular season, second place tournament, No. 5 regional ranking, No. 25 final national ranking)

The men's soccer Marlins finished the 2006 season with a 14-5-3 record, extending one of the nation's longest success streaks to 22 consecutive winning seasons. Head Coach Sonny Travis completed his 18th season with the Marlins, improving his overall record to 270-74-31 - one of the best in the nation.

ODAC HONORS: Freshman Brandon Massie, first team; junior Travis Cober, senior Evan Small, second team; junior Kyle Williams, honorable mention; Massie, rookie of the year

ALL-VIRGINIA HONORS: Junior James Monastra, first team; Cober, Williams, Massie, second team; Massie, rookie of the year

ALL-SOUTH HONORS: Massie, second team; Williams, third team

ACADEMIC HONORS: Cober, ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-America first team; Williams, ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District second team

FIELD HOCKEY

(10-8 overall, 5-3 ODAC, fourth place regular season, third place tournament)

The Virginia Wesleyan field hockey team compiled a 10-8 overall record in 2006 and advanced to the semifinal round of the ODAC championship tournament before falling to top-seeded Lynchburg College.

ODAC HONORS: Senior Chrissy Clancy, first team; senior Erica Boyce, second team; senior Holley Marchwicki, senior Megan May, senior Laura Weidema, honorable mention

ALL-VIRGINIA HONORS: Clancy, first team

VOLLEYBALL

(19-9 overall, 6-4 ODAC, fifth place regular season, fourth place tournament)

This year was the fourth consecutive winning season for the Marlin volleyball squad in the four years since they joined the ranks of varsity competition. The Marlins tallied 19 wins to tie the program record for victories for the third consecutive season.

ODAC HONORS: Senior Jen Perkinson, first team; junior Grace Geralds, second team; junior Katie Heilenday, honorable mention

ACADEMIC HONORS: Perkinson, ESPN The Magazine/CoSIDA Academic All-District third team

CROSS COUNTRY

(Men: fourth place tournament, 14th place regional tournament; Women: sixth place tournament, 22nd place regional tournament)

The Virginia Wesleyan cross country team enjoyed its best season in many years, highlighted by individual ODAC honors for three runners.

ODAC HONORS: Sophomores Robert Aaron and Ashley Roane, rookie Derek Hizer, all-ODAC; Hizer, rookie of the year

Sports in Review: Winter 2007

MEN'S BASKETBALL

(28-5 overall, 17-1 ODAC, first place regular season, tournament semifinalists, NCAA Division III National Runner-Up, Ranked No. 2 Nationally)

Making their third consecutive appearance in the NCAA Division III national tournament, the Marlin men finished second in the nation. The season was highlighted by several personal records set including Senior Brandon Adair's 2,000 career points - a first in Virginia Wesleyan history.

ODAC HONORS: Senior Brandon Adair, first team; junior TonTon Balenga, second team

NABC ALL-SOUTH HONORS: Adair, first team

D3Hoops.com ALL-SOUTH HONORS: Adair, first team; Balenga, third team

D3Hoops.com ALL-AMERICA HONORS: Adair, second team

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

(21-7 Overall, 16-4 ODAC, ODAC Runner-Up)

The Marlin women recorded the program's first 20-win season since the 1988-1989 season, highlighted by a Virginia Wesleyan record for ODAC victories totaling 16. The Marlins advanced to the final championship round of the ODAC tournament - the first for the program since 1992.

ODAC HONORS: Senior Nicole Thurston, first team; junior Heather Phillips and sophomore Andrea Ushinski, honorable mention

INDOOR TRACK

(Men: sixth place championship meet; Women: sixth place championship meet)

Sophomore Robert Aaron placed fourth for the men in the 5000 meter run at the ODAC meet with a time of 15:52.46. The distance medley relay placed third with a time of 10:51.08. On the women's side, rookie Sarah Ezwell placed seventh in pole vault.