BASEBALL TITLE, NCAA AUTOMATIC BID GOES TO PENN STATE BEHREND
5/11/13

After they split in the regular season and finished one-two in the AMCC standings, it was only fitting that  Penn St. Behrend and La Roche College met in the championship round of the conference tournament.  After spotting the defending champion Redhawks a 3-0 lead, the Lions roared back with seven runs of their own, and closed out their fifth title with a 9-4 victory.  Sophomore Tylor Williams pitched his way out of trouble to earn with the win, while junior Chad Zurat got credit for the save. In addition to several spectacular defensive plays in centerfield, senior Ryan Kragnes went 2 for 4 with 2 runs scored,

Behrend's next stop will be the NCAA Division III tournament.  Pairings and regional host site will be announced Monday.

LA ROCHE WOMEN, PENN ST. BEHREND MEN HEAD TO SPAIN, ITALY FOR SOCCER
5/9/13

A pair of AMCC soccer squads are off to Europe for some athletic competition as well as cultural immersion. The La Roche College women's team will spend three days in Barcelona, Spain before moving on to Italy for seven days.  Meanwhile, the Penn State Behrend men's team will be spending a full nine days just in Spain, with stops in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid.  It will be the fifth European tour for the program since 1998, with expeditions to England, Germany, Italy and Brazil.

MEDAILLE'S BONGIOVANNI, PITT-BRADFORD'S MOSBY HEAD SOFTBALL ALL-STARS
5/8/13

Boasting a .445 batting average and 25 RBI, Medaille College junior outfielder Mary Kate Bongiovanni (left) is the AMCC 2013 Softball Player of the Year.  Pitcher of the Year  honors go to Pitt-Bradford junior Sydney Mosby (right), who led the  league with 15 wins and ranked second with a 2.05 ERA.  D'Youville shortstop Mackenzie Kehlenbeck landed Newcomer of the Year honors, after a freshman campaign that resulted in a .429 batting average with 20 extra base hits.  Pitt-Bradford's Tina Phillips earned Coach of the Year honors for the second time in her AMCC career, after guiding the Panthers to a 13-5 conference record and the championship game of the league tournament.

Click here for the complete all-conference team.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF MAY 6
5/6/13
 

PENN STATE ALTOONA HEADING TO NCAA SOFTBALL TOURNAMENT AS AMCC CHAMPION, HEADING TO VIRGINIA FOR NCAA REGIONAL
5/5/13

Winning the AMCC softball tournament brought two prizes for the price of one to Penn State Altoona:  the conference title and the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.  The Lions accomplished that feat by defeating Pitt-Bradford, 8-1, in the championship game of the AMCC tournament.  It is the Lions' first softball title.
Senior pitcher Jackie Smith got the win, striking out 3 Panthers for her11th victory of the season.  Sophomore Kelly Chambers led the Lions at the plate with a triple and 3 RBI to break the game open, while juniors Brittany Smith and Lauren Bove went 2 for 3 on the day.

With the conference's NCAA automatic bid in hand, the Lions will travel to the Salem, VA regional where they will face Salisbury University on Thursday at 10am.

PITT-GREENSBURG, MOUNT ALOYSIUS ADVANCE TO BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
5/4/13

#5 seed Pitt-Greensburg scored an upset of #4 Pitt-Bradford while #3 Mount Aloysius College held true to form with a sweep of #6 Penn St. Altoona, allowing both squads to move on to the double elimination championship round in Erie.  Top seeded Penn St. Behrend will host the tournament, which will be held May 9-11.

UPG prevailed over the Panthers, 4-3 and 11-2, while the Mounties held Penn St.  Altoona scoreless for both games, 5-0 and 8-0.  MAC will face #2 seed and defending champions La Roche College in Game 1 on Thursday.  Pitt-Greensburg will meet host Behrend in Game 2.

PENN ST. ALTOONA, PITT-BRADFORD TO MEET FOR SOFTBALL TITLE
5/4/13

Top seeded Penn St. Altoona will be in search of their first AMCC softball title while Pitt-Bradford will try to add to their collection of four when they meet in the championship game Sunday at 10am.  The host Lions advanced out of the winner's bracket with wins over D'Youville and Mount Aloysius, The Panthers fought their way back through the loser's bracket with victories over Penn St. Behrend, Pitt-Greensburg, Mount Aloysius and D'Youville.  Penn St. Altoona swept Pitt-Bradford in their regular season meeting.

The tournament champion will receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

PITT-GREENSBURG, MOUNT ALOYSIUS ADVANCE TO BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
5/4/13

#5 seed Pitt-Greensburg scored an upset of #4 Pitt-Bradford while #3 Mount Aloysius College held true to form with a sweep of #6 Penn St. Altoona, allowing both squads to move on to the double elimination championship round in Erie.  Top seeded Penn St. Behrend will host the tournament, which will be held May 9-11.

UPG prevailed over the Panthers, 4-3 and 11-2, while the Mounties held Penn St.  Altoona scoreless for both games, 5-0 and 8-0.  MAC will face #2 seed and defending champions La Roche College in Game 1 on Thursday.  Pitt-Greensburg will meet host Behrend in Game 2.

FRANCISCAN'S JARZYNKA HEADLINES MEN'S TENNIS ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
5/1/13

Capping a stellar junior campaign which saw him go undefeated at both #1 singles and #1 doubles in conference competition and lead his team to the league title, Franciscan University junior Paul Jarzynka has been named the AMCC Men's Tennis Player of the Year.  Joining Jarzynka in the spotlight is freshman teammate Zack Quiza, who was named Newcomer of the Year.  Quiza earned first team all-conference honors at both #4 singles and #2 doubles.  The Barons' head coach Jeremy Ellis received the Coach of the Year nod, after guiding his squad to a 6-0 league record and winning the AMCC tournament to earn the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, the first in any sport in Franciscan history.  Click here for the complete all-conference team.

LA ROCHE'S HEALEY NAMED TO D3 BASEBALL TEAM OF THE WEEK
4/30/13

D3Baseball.Com has named La Roche College second baseman Shane Healey to the national Team of the Week.  Healey hit at a .464 clip, going 12-26 at the plate and getting on base 18 times. The sophomore scored 8 runs and drove in 7. Healey also recorded a double and a HR, getting walked twice and earning a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen bases without being struck out in 26 at-bats. In conference, Healey is currently ranked first in runs scored (38), first in hits (54), first in stolen bases (22), first in total plate appearances (167), first in at bats (148), second in steal attempts (23), and third in total bases (66).

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS READY FOR FIRST PITCH ON SATURDAY
4/29/13

Pitt-Bradford and Mount Aloysius College will host the opening round of playoff games for the AMCC baseball tournament this Saturday, with the winners advancing to Penn St. Behrend for the championship round starting Thursday, May 9.

While Behrend secured the #1 seed last week, the rest of the playoff picture did not come into full focus until the last of the regular season games was played today.  La Roche College is the #2 seed, and both squads will get a first round bye.  The top seeded Lions will take on the winner of #4 Pitt-Bradford and #5 Pitt-Greensburg, while the defending champion Redhawks await the winner of #3 Mount Aloysius vs. #6 Penn St. Altoona.  The first round is a best two-of-three game series, while the championship round is a four team, double elimination format, and with the finals slated for Saturday, May 11.

The tournament champion will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

BASEBALL PLAYOFFS READY FOR FIRST PITCH ON SATURDAY
4/29/13

Pitt-Bradford and Mount Aloysius College will host the opening round of playoff games for the AMCC baseball tournament this Saturday, with the winners advancing to Penn St. Behrend for the championship round starting Thursday, May 9.

While Behrend secured the #1 seed last week, the rest of the playoff picture did not come into full focus until the last of the regular season games was played today.  La Roche College is the #2 seed, and both squads will get a first round bye.  The top seeded Lions will take on the winner of #4 Pitt-Bradford and #5 Pitt-Greensburg, while the defending champion Redhawks await the winner of #3 Mount Aloysius vs. #6 Penn St. Altoona.  The first round is a best two-of-three game series, while the championship round is a four team, double elimination format, and with the finals slated for Saturday, May 11.

The tournament champion will receive the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF APRIL 29
4/29/13
 

PENN ST. ALTOONA TO HOST SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP TOURNAMENT
4/27/13

For the first time in program history, Penn St. Altoona has earned the top seed and right to host the AMCC softball championship tournament.  The Lions did it in convincing fashion, sweeping Pitt-Bradford in a doubleheader on Saturday that could have earned hosting honors for either squad.

In a flurry of match-ups that impacted seeding from one to six, the day ended with D'Youville College earning the #2 seed, Pitt-Bradford at #3, Pitt-Greensburg taking #4, Mount Aloysius at #5, and defending champion Penn St. Behrend nosing out Medaille College for the sixth and final berth.

First round games begin at 10am on Friday, leading off with Mount Aloysius vs. Pitt-Greensburg, followed by Pitt-Bradford vs. Penn St. Behrend.  D'Youville will take on the UPB/BEH winner while the Lions will face the winner of MAC/UPG.  Second round action will continue on Saturday, with the finals slated for Sunday, May 5.  The champion will received the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

HILBERT NAMES D’AMICO INTERIM DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS
4/24/13

Hilbert College announced Professor John D’Amico will serve as Interim Director of Athletics while a national search for the college’s permanent replacement of outgoing athletics director, Sue Viscomi, is conducted this summer.  D’Amico joined Hilbert’s business faculty in 1994 and currently presides as President of the Faculty Senate. He has also served as the faculty advisor to the men’s soccer team and the ski club. Viscomi announced last month that she would be leaving at the end of the academic year for the Director of Athletics post at SUNY Oswego.

“I enjoyed my time at Hilbert immensely and I really appreciated Cynthia (Zane) giving me the opportunity to build this program,” Viscomi said. “I am confident with Cynthia’s strong advocacy for growing the athletics department, Hilbert will continue to take positive strides competing at the NCAA Division III level.”

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF APRIL 22
4/22/13
 

FRANCISCAN MEN'S TENNIS PREVAILS TO WIN SECOND CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP
4/21/13

With closely contested battles on every court, Franciscan University emerged victorious at the AMCC men's tennis championship tournament, winning their second title in three years and their first automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament in any sport with a 5-2 decision over Penn St. Behrend. The Barons won matches at #1 and #2 doubles and #1-3 singles,  Behrend earned wins at 3 doubles and #6 singles.  Click here for complete tournament results.

FRANCISCAN, PENN ST. BEHREND SQUARE OFF FOR MEN'S TENNIS TITLE, AQ
4/20/13

Battling for the third year in a row for supremacy in AMCC men's tennis, top seeded Franciscan University and defending champion and #2 seed Penn State Behrend will square off once again for the league title.  The winner will receive the conference's automatic qualification to the NCAA Division III tournament.

Franciscan continued their undefeated run in AMCC match play by defeating #4 seed Pitt-Greensburg, 5-0, in the semifinal round.  The Barons are led by sophomore Paul Jarzynka, their ace at both #1 singles and #1 doubles (with Brian Robau).  Behrend took care of #3 seed Penn State Altoona by a 5-0 margin.  The Lions will look for sophomore Taimi Ando to provide a winning leadership from the #1 singles and doubles spots (with Chris Galvin).

The finals are scheduled for 9:00am at Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, PA.

BARRETT HEADS MEN'S VOLLEYBALL ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
4/19/13

Leading his team to their second consecutive league title, Medaille College right side hitter Trevor Barrett has been named the AMCC men's volleyball Player of the Year.  The junior ranked second in the conference with 3.55 kills per set and fourth with a .296 hitting percentage.  Also honored were Penn State Behrend freshman Tyler Karl, a middle hitter who led the league with .96 blocks per set to go with a .327 hitting percentage.  Coach of the Year accolades went to Medaille's Keith Koch, whose team went undefeated (8-0) in the AMCC for the second straight year to win the conference title.

Click here for the complete all-conference team.

MEDAILLE CAPTURES SECOND MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TITLE
4/17/13

The Medaille College men's volleyball team clinched the AMCC title for the second straight season after finishing 8-0 in the conference. The Mavericks, who were ranked nationally during the regular season, swept home and away matches against D'Youville, Hilbert, Penn State Behrend and Penn State Altoona to achieve this honor.  The Mavs finished the regular season on a strong note, winning four straight games. Competing dually in the United Volleyball Conference, the Mavs earned a tournament bid but lost to SUNY New Paltz in the first round of the playoffs.

JACOBS' PERFECT GAME EARNS REGIONAL, NATIONAL ACCOLADES
4/19/13

Penn St. Behrend senior Ryan Jacobs threw a perfect game on Sunday, the first in program history, and not only did he earn AMCC Pitcher of the Week honors he won NCBWA, D3 Baseball.com and ECAC South Region Pitcher of the Week recognition as well.  Jacobs was dominant on the mound in a 1-0 victory over Mount Aloysius College.  He recorded 6 strikeouts, throwing less than 70 pitches in 7 innings and going to a three-ball count just twice. In conference, the senior is currently ranked second in earned run average (1.51), first in opposing bat average (.189), fourth in batters struck out (36), and tied for second in wins (5).

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF APRIL 15
4/15/13

PENN ST. BEHREND LEADS PRESIDENTS CUP RACE HEADING INTO HOME STRETCH
4/12/13

At the end of two sport championship seasons, Penn St. Behrend holds an insurmountable lead in the AMCC Presidents Cup standings heading into the spring season, as the conference celebrates athletic achievement on the fifth and final day of NCAA Division III Week.

The Lions, winners of the trophy 11 of the 12 years it has been awarded, have amassed 91 points based on regular season finish in team sports and championship competition in individual sports, winning seven of 12 league titles (women's soccer, men's and women's cross country, men's golf, men's and women's swimming and diving, men's basketball).  Medaille College is in the number two spot with 67 points and three AMCC championships to their credit (men's soccer, men's and women's volleyball), followed by La Roche College with 53 points and a pair of titles (women's basketball, women's tennis).

Click here for the complete Presidents Cup standings.
 
ACADEMIC ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM ANNOUNCED; FRANCISCAN UNIVERSITY WINS TOP INSTITUTIONAL ACADEMIC AWARD
4/11/13

Day Four of Division III Week again features academic achievement by AMCC student-athletes.  In the spotlight today are the individuals who comprise the Academic All-Conference Team as well as those selected for induction into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National Collegiate Student-Athlete Honor Society.

To be named to the Academic All-Conference Team, a student must compete on an AMCC championship sport team and earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher as of the conclusion of the fall 2012 semester.  Chi Alpha Sigma honorees must earn a 3.4 GPA or higher and demonstrate high moral character.

Also recognized today is the winner of the Institutional Peak Performer Award.  This honor goes to the AMCC member which places the highest percentage of student-athletes on the Academic All-Conference Team.  This year's academic champion is Franciscan University, with an outstanding 64.8% of Baron competitors recording a cumulative GPA of 3.2 or higher in the classroom.

Click here for the complete Academic All-Conference Team for 2013.

STUDENT-ATHLETES AND COACHES TEAM UP TO DELIVER COMMUNITY SERVICE
4/10/13

Being a Division III student-athlete in the AMCC means more than shuttling between the classroom and game field.  They have also managed to find nearly 5,000 collective hours to lend helping hands in support of numerous local and national charities and organizations.

Over the past eight months, the community service efforts of more than 1,800 student-athletes and staff members at AMCC institutions have made a difference in the lives of several thousand individuals.  Time was spent at food pantries, assisting disabled children and senior citizens in recreational activities, collecting shoes for redistribution in poverty stricken countries, and assisting at Special Olympics competitions, among many other events.

In addition to the hours devoted to making a difference in the lives of others with hands-on assistance, nearly $15,000 was raised for causes such as the breast cancer research and finding cures for childhoold cancer; Hurricane Sandy relief; the Salvation Army's Operation Bundle Up; and the the Make-A-Wish Foundation.  In all, AMCC student-athletes, coaches and administrators participated in 165 activities or events from September through April.

Click here to read the stories of the many ways in which members of the AMCC have participated in community service in 2012-13.

HILBERT, FRANCISCAN, D'YOUVILLE CAPTURE TEAM PEAK PERFORMER AWARDS
4/9/13

Academic accomplishments mark day two of NCAA Division III Week, with the recognition of seven fall sport programs from three different AMCC member institutions.

The Team Peak Performer Awards honor the team in each conference championship sport with the highest collective grade point average.  Fall sports are honored at the conclusion of the fall 2012 semester, while winter and spring sport winners will be recognized at the conclusion of the spring 2013 semester.  The Hilbert College women's soccer team and the Franciscan University women's volleyball team ranked at the head of the class for the second year in a row, while new awardees included D'Youville College women's tennis, Franciscan University men's soccer, and Hilbert College men's golf and men's and women's cross country.

Click here for a photo display of all these standout student-athletes.

The AMCC celebration of Division III Week will continue on Wednesday with a focus on community service efforts throughout the conference.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF APRIL 8
4/8/13
 

SPORTSMANSHIP HEADLINES DAY ONE OF DIVISION III WEEK CELEBRATION
4/8/13

April 8-12 marks NCAA Division III Week, and the AMCC is kicking off its celebration of the Division III student-athlete experience by spotlighting sportsmanship.  The AMCC takes great pride in being a national leader in demonstrating high levels of sporting conduct by players, coaches and fans.  In addition to the widely emulated "Be Loud, Be Proud, Be Positive" initiative, the conference's All-Sportsmanship Team is an important component of our efforts to show respect in all aspects of competition.

Student-athletes from every school that sponsors a team in any one of 15 AMCC championship sports have the opportunity to select the teammate that they feel exemplifies high ideals of sportsmanship.  It is the only conference award selected by the students.  That individual is recognized not only for his or her comportment in the heat of the contest, but in representing his or her institution while cheering on classmates as well.  Click here for the complete list of all-sportsmanship team honorees.

The AMCC will continue to mark Division III Week each day.  The calendar includes:

Tuesday - Team Peak Performer Awards, recognizing the team in each championship sport with the highest GPA
Wednesday - Community Service, honoring the many contributions of our student-athletes and coaches
Thursday - Academic All-Conference Team and Overall Peak Performer, celebrating the AMCC member institution with the highest percentage of student-athletes on the Academic All-Conference Team
Friday - Presidents Cup, highlighting the race for the most successful athletic program based on overall conference competition

Mission Statement:  The AMCC is an alliance of NCAA Division III institutions whose mission is to provide our students with an intercollegiate athletics program that advances their educational experience in a way that is safe, equitable, respectful, rewarding and balanced.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF APRIL 1
4/1/13

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF MARCH 25
3/25/13

BEHREND'S SIMON EARNS ALL-AMERICA HONORS AT SWIM NATIONALS
3/23/13

Penn St. Behrend sophomore Dan Simon broke the school record and finished 12th overall in the 100 backstroke on the third day of the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships in Houston, Texas.  Simon placed 14th among 35 swimmers in the prelims with a time of 50.43 to advance to the finals. He touched in 49.79 to break his own school record of 50.02, becoming the program's first Honorable Mention All-American for his 12th place finish.  He also set a pair of records while competing in the 100 freestyle on the final day of competition.  Simon touched the wall in 47.04 to break his own school record and AMCC open record of 47.25 set earlier this season.

MOUNT ALOYSIUS HOSTS FIRST INTEGRATION EVENT
3/20/13

More than 40 faculty, staff, student-athletes, alumni and senior administrators attended a luncheon at Mount Aloysius College on Friday as part of an NCAA integration event designed to educate and celebrate Division III membership.  Realizing that many campus constituents play a role in intercollegiate athletics without fully understanding all the nuances of being partner to a Division III program, the two hour session brought together a variety of stakeholders to discuss how they can better work together to ensure a collegiate experience for student-athletes that is fully integrated into all aspects of campus life.

"We had good discussions at each table on the key questions that framed the presentation," commented Mount Aloysius President Thomas Foley.  "It also helped that we had good distribution of people from the Mount Aloysius community, from the Dean of Faculty to several college vice presidents, and from faculty to student athletes, student leaders and non-athlete students."

All AMCC members will host a similar event over the next month, most coinciding with Division III Week which runs April 8-12. 

CONLEY, PITTS ADD TO POST-SEASON BASKETBALL HONORS
3/19/13

The AMCC Men's and Women's Basketball Players of the Year continue to garner post-season accolades.  Last week it was D3 Hoops.Com and ECAC all-star teams.  This week, Penn St. Behrend senior center Russ Conley was named to the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Great Lakes All-District Team, while La Roche College junior forward Jessica Pitts was named to the DIII News All-America Honorable Mention Team.

Conley was a dominant force in the paint for the Lions all season. The senior center led Behrend in scoring (19.4), rebounding (7.9), field-goal percentage (59.7), and blocks (1.2). He also led the AMCC in both scoring and field-goal percentage.

Pitts led the Redhawks to their third consecutive AMCC title and NCAA tournament bid.  She finished her season ranked first in the AMCC in rebounds per game (10.8), field goal percentage (.532), assists per game (5.4), steals per game (3.6), assist/turnover ratio (1.9), and defensive rebounds per game (8.0), while contributing 15.4 ppg. 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF MARCH 18
3/18/13

CONLEY, PITTS EARN POST-SEASON BASKETBALL RECOGNITION
3/15/13

The AMCC Men's and Women's Basketball Players of the Year are in the spotlight again.

For the second consecutive season, Penn St. Behrend senior center Russ Conley has been named to the D3hoops.com Men's Basketball All-Great Lakes Region Second Team.
Conley was a dominate force in the paint for the Lions all season. The senior center led Behrend in scoring (19.4), rebounding (7.9), field-goal percentage (59.7), and blocks (1.2). He also led the AMCC in both scoring and field-goal percentage.

La Roche College junior forward Jessica Pitts was named to the ECAC South All-Stars Second Team.  She led the Redhawks to their third consecutive AMCC title and NCAA tournament bid.  She finished her season ranked first in the AMCC in rebounds per game (10.8), field goal percentage (.532), assists per game (5.4), steals per game (3.6), assist/turnover ratio (1.9), and defensive rebounds per game (8.0), while contributing 15.4 ppg. 

BEHREND'S SIMON FIRST AMCC SWIMMER TO QUALIFY FOR NATIONAL MEET
3/12/13

Penn State Behrend sophomore Dan Simon has become the first men's swimmer in program history to qualify for the NCAA Division III Men's and Women's Swimming and Diving Championships.  The championships will be held March 20-23 at the Conroe ISD Natatorium in Shenandoah, Texas.  Simon will be competing in three events over the weekend. He is seeded 12th in the 100 backstroke with a time of 50.02 and 39th in the 50 freestyle (21.03).  This season, Simon set five individual team records and four relay records. He also was named the AMCC Co-Swimmer of the Year, tied for highest-point earner at the championships and was the conference champion in three individual events.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF MARCH 11
3/11/13
 

SIMMONS PICKED TO LEAD PENN STATE ALTOONA TENNIS
3/6/13

Penn State Altoona has announced the hiring of Doug Simmons to be the new head coach of the varsity men’s and women’s tennis programs. A native of Altoona, Simmons was a four-year member of the Altoona Area High School boys varsity tennis team from 1999-2003. During his time with the team, the squad competed in the PIAA Team Tennis State Championships twice, finishing in second place in 2002 and third in 2003.

Simmons graduated from Duquesne University with a degree in Education and English. After college, he accepted a full-time teaching position in the Altoona Area School District, where he continues to work. He has also been an assistant coach for the AAHS boys and girls tennis teams for five years under head coach Eric Hovan.

D'YOUVILLE NAMES MURPHY TO LEAD MEN'S SOCCER PROGRAM
3/5/13

Brendan Murphy Is the new Head Coach of men’s soccer at D’Youville College.  The Williamsville native comes to D’Youville after serving from 2010 to 2012 as an Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach for the University at Buffalo.  Murphy was also named head coach of FC Buffalo in November of 2012. The amateur franchise competes in the National Premiere Soccer League and is composed mostly of college players competing nationally. He will continue his work with Buffalo FC in addition to his duties at D’Youville College. 

Murphy’s coaching resume also includes stops as the Assistant/Goalkeeper Coach at Niagara University (2008-10) and Buffalo State (2004-07). In 2007 Murphy was the Interim Head Coach at Buffalo State and guided the team to a 5-2 record and the semifinals of the SUNYAC Tournament. A 2002 graduate of St. Lawrence University, he was the starting goalkeeper for the 1999 NCAA National Championship team and compiled a career record of 41-1 with 25 shutouts. After college he went on to play for the Kalamazoo Kingdom of the Premier Development League and the Cincinnati Riverhawks of the USL 1st Division.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF MARCH 4
3/4/13
 

BEHREND'S WADE COMPETES AT NCAA DIVING REGIONAL
3/3/13

Penn St. Behrend sophomore Meghan Wade competed in her first NCAA Division III Women's Diving Regional hosted by Ithaca College this weekend.  On Friday, she posted a score of 450.05 on the three-meter board to finish in ninth place out of 15 qualifying divers. Wade placed in the Top 5 on the one-meter board on Saturday. She took fourth place with a score of 471.65.  Based on the selection process over two sessions, Wade did not qualify for the NCAA Championships.

Wade was the AMCC champion in both the 1m. and 3 m. boards in 2013 and was named AMCC Diver of the Year.

CONLEY, PITTS REPEAT AS BASKETBALL PLAYERS OF THE YEAR
2/26/13

Penn St. Behrend senior center Russ Conley and La Roche College junior forward Jessica Pitts are repeat selections as AMCC basketball Players of the Year. Both were instrumental in leading their teams to conference titles and NCAA tournament bids this past season.

Conley led the league in scoring (19.6 ppg) and field goal percentage (60.9) and was ranked fifth in rebounding (8.1 rpg).  Penn St. Altoona senior center Matt Gehret earned Defensive Player of the Year honors, averaging 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 blocks, which ranks him #4 in the nation.  Newcomer of the Year was shared by Pitt-Greensburg guard Rocco Constristano and Hilbert College forward Jerame Owens, both of whom were third team all-conference selections.  Coach of the Year honors went to Hilbert's Rob deGrandpre, who guided the Hawks to a shared regular season title and the top seed at the AMCC tournament with a 14-4 AMCC record and 20-6 mark overall.

In addition to the Women's Player of the Year award, Pitts also was recognized as Defensive Player of the Year for the second year running.  The junior finished her season ranked first in the AMCC in rebounds per game (10.8), field goal percentage (.532), assists per game (5.4), steals per game (3.6), assist/turnover ratio (1.9), and defensive rebounds per game (8.0), while contributing 15.4 ppg.  D'Youville College freshman center Alexis Smith was picked as Newcomer of the Year, after a rookie season that saw her scoring 15.7 ppg and 7.1 rpg.  Sharing Coach of the Year honors were a pair of first year leaders, La Roche's Kamela Dissenganner, who posted a 17-1 AMCC mark en route to the league title, and Pitt-Bradford's Patrick Daniel, who led the Panthers to a 13-5 record against AMCC competition.

Click here for the complete all-conference teams:   MEN      WOMEN

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF FEBRUARY 25
2/25/13
 

FINAL FOUR WEEKEND TO DETERMINE AMCC AUTOMATIC BIDS
2/21/13

La Roche College will host the women's basketball semifinal and finals rounds for the third year in a row while the men will be on stage at Hilbert College, making their championship round hosting debut, when the AMCC basketball tournament continues Friday night.

On the women's side, the top seeded and two-time defending champion Redhawks will face #5 Mount Aloysius College at 6pm.  La Roche, who handed MAC a pair of regular season losses, are led by reigning AMCC Player of the Year Jessica Pitts (15.2 ppg, 11.0 rpg).  The Mounties standout is Lindsy Sammarco, who is averaging 18.1 ppg and 6.1 rpg. The 8pm game will feature #2 Medaille College vs. #3 Penn St. Behend.  The two squads split games on each other's home courts in the regular season.  The Mavericks' line-up features Joelle Pollak (17.6 ppg, 6.5 rpg) while the Lions will counter with Julia Myers (13.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg).

The men's bracket starts at 6pm with top seeded Hilbert taking on defending champion and #4 seed Medaille, a team the Hawks could not conquer in the regular season.  Dan McFarland (14.0 ppg, 6.6 rpg) will play a key role for Hilbert, while Jammal Coleman (16.4 ppg, 4.5 rpg) will lead the Mavs.  Game two will match #2 La Roche and #3 Penn St. Behrend, who battled in a triple overtime thriller in Erie, won by LRC, in January, followed by another Redhawk win in February.  La Roche's balanced attack is led by David Jackson, the conference's top ranked rebounder (9.0 rpg) while the Lions like their chance with the league's best scorer and 2012 Player of the Year, Russ Conley (19.6 ppg).

Both finals will be played Saturday at 3pm.  The winners will receive the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF FEBRUARY 18
2/18/13

BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT TIPS OFF TUESDAY
2/18/13

La Roche College will host the women's final four and Hilbert College will welcome the men's semifinals and finals as the AMCC basketball gets underway Tuesday night at campus sites.  The Redhawks women are the top seed for the third year in a row and will be aiming for their third title in as many seasons.  Hilbert's men are celebrating their first ever regular season championship (shared with La Roche College) and will be aiming for their first overall crown.

For the women, first round games tomorrow will match #6 Pitt-Greensburg against #3 Penn St. Behrend, each with two AMCC titles to their credit; and #5 Mount Aloysius College at #4 Pitt-Bradford, a pair of squads on the upswing at the close of the regular season with win streaks of two and five games respectively.  La Roche and #2 Medaille College (four time champs) will get first round byes.

The men's action will start with #6 Pitt-Bradford traveling to #3 Penn St. Behrend, a pair of longtime rivals with five championships between them; and #5 Mount Aloysius College on the road at defending champion and #4 seed Medaille College.  First round byes go to #1 Hilbert and #2 La Roche.

The tournament winners will receive the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

BEHREND SWEEPS SWIMMING AND DIVING CHAMPIONSHIP FOR SEVENTH TIME
2/16/13

Penn St. Behrend won the AMCC men's and women's swimming and diving titles on Saturday, extending their reign over conference competition for the seventh straight season.  The Behrend women turned a one point deficit in the standings on Friday into a 31 point margin on Saturday finishing with 214 points.  Friday's leader Cabrini College was the runner-up with 183 points.  Penn St. Altoona sophomore Mary Elizabeth McCulloch was the high point scorer on the women's side.  Behrend dominated the men's competition, amassing 408 points, led by senior Dan Simon and sophomore Javier Solivan who shared individual high point honors.  Pitt-Bradford was runner up with 155 points.

Click here for final results.

COLLEGIATE BASEBALL MAGAZINE HONORS FOUR BEHREND PLAYERS
2/12/13

Collegiate Baseball Magazine recently announced its 2013 NCAA Division III Player to Watch List; four Penn State Behrend players made the cut.  Seniors Matt Bittner and Ryan Jacobs along with junior pitchers Chad Zurat and Dante DeSantis were named to the prestigious list.

Bittner (below) is a highly decorated senior, who earned first team all-AMCC honors, was a second-team ABCA/Rawlings NCAA Division III All-American, and was the ABCA/Rawlings Mid-Atlantic Region Player of the Year in 2012. The third baseman led the Lions in hits (63), doubles (20), triples (5), home runs (6), and RBIs (52). Bittner finished the year with a .387 batting average and a team-leading .681 slugging percentage. Jacobs was tabbed as the team’s Most Valuable Pitcher. He led the team in strikeouts (83), innings pitched (69.2), and wins (8). He tied the single-season record for strikeouts and earned first team all-AMCC accolades.

Juniors DeSantis and Zurat will be a powerful punch on the mound this spring. Last year, DeSantis picked up six wins while striking out 76 batters in 64.1 innings of work. Zurat, who was named to the all-AMCC second team, led the squad with a 1.91 earned run average in 37.2 innings of work. The sophomore hurler struck out 48 batters and tied the school record for saves in a season with seven. He was also named to the 2012 D3Baseball.com All-Mid-Atlantic Region third-team.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF FEBRUARY 11
2/11/13
 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF FEBRUARY 4
2/4/13

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF JANUARY 28
1/28/13
 

BEHREND BASEBALL STEPS UP TO PLATE FOR HABITAT BUILD
1/23/13

As part of the institution's ongoing partnership with Habitat for Humanity, the Penn State Behrend baseball team provided two groups of 12 players and coaches to continue work on a home refurbishing project in the City of Erie this past Saturday. The group combined to donate a full staff, covering an eight hour work day by completing some insulation, hanging and cutting dry wall and other interior work of a Habitat for Humanity home.
"This is a simple but very effective way for our program to give back to the Erie community," said head coach Paul Benim. "Today and in the past we were able to make an immediate impact for a local family by just doing some work. It was a great day for all of us. Habitat is an organization that does some awesome things helping families."

Habitat for Humanity builds and rehabilitates houses and neighborhoods by providing simple, decent affordable homes in partnership with families in need. In previous years with Habitat, the baseball program has built storage sheds for new homes, completed roofing, worked on interiors and exteriors of homes, and organized the Habitat warehouse. The Behrend Lions athletic staff and SAAC have also worked in the past for Habitat for Humanity as a community service project.

AMCC STUDENTS TRAVEL TO DALLAS FOR NCAA CONVENTION
1/22/13

For the fifth year in a row, student-athletes representing four AMCC institutions took a crash course in "NCAA 101", traveling to the association's annual convention.  It was a whirlwind three days of meetings, roundtables and legislative sessions in Dallas for David Coradi (Pitt-Greensburg), Jalisa Westover (Mount Aloysius College), Jaime Salcedo (Medaille College) and Nicole Zambelli (Penn State Altoona).

"I never realized how the perspective of the student-athlete was valued by NCAA officials," commented Salcedo.  "It seems that they carefully listen to what we have to say, and strongly consider our view points. During the AMCC and Division III meetings I was also able to observe how new ideas are discussed, debated, and voted upon.  Seeing this definitely makes me want to dedicate more time into the SAAC."

The students attended a wide variety of events during their stay.  Thursday started with the Opening Business Session, which included members from all three divisions for a state of the union address by NCAA president Mark Emmert.  Day two included the Division III Issues Forum, a luncheon with the National Div. III SAAC, and the AMCC business meeting.  They attended the Honors Dinner Friday night, where they had a chance to meet the evening's emcee, CBS News correspondent Jack Ford (photo left).  The convention concluded with the Division III legislative session.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF JANUARY 21
1/21/13
 

PITT-BRADFORD'S SMITH NAMED BASEBALL PRESEASON ALL-AMERICAN
1/20/13

Pitt-Bradford senior second baseman Derek Smith has been named a preseason honorable mention All-American by D3baseball.com.  Smith, the reigning AMCC Player of the Year, was a D3baseball honorable mention All-American last year after ranking in the top 10 nationally in batting average (.482), runs batted in (57), slugging percentage (.788) and on base percentage (.535). He led the conference in those same four categories in addition to total hits (66).  The Jersey Shore, Pa., native tied a Pitt-Bradford single-season record in 2012 with seven home runs, and he became the program’s all-time RBI leader during the AMCC tournament, with 134 for his career to date.

NSCAA HONORS THREE AMCC SOCCER STANDOUTS FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
1/15/13

Three AMCC soccer student-athletes have been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Scholar All-Region team for 2012.

Hilbert College senior defender James Knapp is the first Hawks player from the men’s side to receive this honor. He was named to the east region honorable mention squad. A three-year captain and AMCC all-conference team selection, Knapp currently carries a 3.76 cumulative grade point average and expects to graduate in May 2013 with a degree in forensic science/crime scene investigation. The Hilbert women are also represented. Nicole Blair was named to the all-east region fourth team. Also a three-year captain, Blair currently carries a 3.61 cumulative grade point average and expects to graduate in May 2013 with a degree in forensic science/crime scene investigation. She was the Hawk’s MVP three years running. Mount Aloysius College junior defender and team captain Tonya Bibby also made the grade, as she was voted to the all-east honorable mention team. A physical therapy major with a 3.90 GPA, Bibby earned all-conference recognition this past season as the Mounties’ premier backline player.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF JANUARY 14
1/14/13

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS ADD UP TO BIG CONTRIBUTION BY AMCC STUDENT-ATHLETES AND STAFF
1/11/13

In just four months, the community service efforts of more than 1,200 student-athletes and staff members at AMCC institutions have added up to provide substantial benefit to a wide variety of local, national and international organizations and causes.

From September through December 2012, a total of 3,410 volunteer hours were donated by sports teams and athletic departments.  More than 3,500 people are estimated to have benefited.  Time was spent cleaning public parks; assisting with Special Olympics events; serving meals at local shelters; teaching sport skills at youth clinics; building Habitat for Humanity houses; and advocating against drug abuse, among many other events.
In addition to the hours devoted to making a difference in the lives of others with hands-on assistance, more than $8,800 was raised for causes such as the Race for the Cure (breast cancer research); Hurricane Sandy relief; the Salvation Army's Operation Bundle Up; and the Make-A-Wish Foundation, while also conducting canned good drives for food banks and collecting shoes for victims of natural disasters and poverty.  In all, AMCC student-athletes, coaches and administrators participated in 85 activities or events over the course of the fall semester.

Click here to read the stories of the many ways in which members of the AMCC have participated in community service in 2012 to make a difference in the lives of others.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF JANUARY 7
1/7/13

MEDAILLE LANDS FOUR ON NSCAA ALL-REGION TEAM FOR SOCCER
12/19/12

The National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) has named four players from six-time AMCC men's champion Medaille College on the All-East Region Team.

Both senior orward George Tor and junior midfielder Pablo Ordonez were placed on the first team as a result of their strong offensive numbers. Tor led the Mavs in goals (17) and total points (38), while Ordonez was second in goals scored (8) and points (22).  Senior defender Kevin Dhillon earned second team honors following a tremendous all-around year at the core of the backfield.  Rounding out the awards for Medaille was senior goalkeeper Nick Kurtz who helped lead Medaille to a 17-3 record which included a league best 13 shutouts. Kurtz posted a remarkable 0.54 goals against average with a .836 save percentage.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF DECEMBER 17
12/17/12
 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF DECEMBER 10
12/10/12

SOCCER HONORS ADD UP FOR AMCC PLAYERS
12/7/12

'Tis the season for post-season honors, and AMCC soccer players have earned a sleigh full so far.

Penn St. Behrend senior forward Jake Gamble and junior defender Eric Hackworth have been named to the 2012 NCAA Division III Men’s Soccer All-Great Lakes Region Team.  Gamble (left), who was recently named a National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Third-Team All-American, was tabbed to the first-team while Hackworth earned second-team honors.  The AMCC Offensive Player of the Year, Gamble set school records for single-season points (48) and goals (22). He is also the program’s career leader in goals (59) and points (133). Hackworth was voted as the AMCC Defensive Player of the Year.  Joining the pair in the spotlight is midfielder Eric Vunovic.  An AMCC first team all-conference selection, Vunovic was named to the ECAC South Region all-star team.  The junior had a career-best season, scoring 9 goals and 8 assists.

Not to be outdone, Penn State Behrend women's soccer seniors Valerie Wagner (left) and Julia Schroeck were named to the 2012 NCAA Division III Women All-Great Lakes Region Team.  Wagner (8 goals, 9 assists) and Schroeck (9 goals, 2 assists) were selected to the third team for their first All-Region honors. The pair led the Lions to their second consecutive league championship and NCAA tournament bid.  The AMCC was represented on the ECAC South Region all-star team by Franciscan University midfielder Ashley Ruttencutter.  Ruttencutter was a first team all-AMCC honoree, closing her sophomore campaign with 11 goals and 5 assists.

FALL TEAMS, BASKETBALL SQUADS EARN SPORTSMANSHIP AWARDS
12/5/12

The AMCC is proud to announce the honorees of the conference all-sportsmanship team for the Fall 2012 season.  This is the only AMCC award that is voted on by the student-athletes.  Every team is permitted to select a nominee.  That individual is expected to exemplify a high level of sporting conduct both on and off the field.  Click here for a complete list of the all-sportsmanship team.

Two AMCC basketball teams were also recently honored by the Collegiate Basketball  Officials Association (CBOA) for demonstrating high levels of  sportsmanship during the 2011-12 season.  The Franciscan University women's team and the Pitt-Greensburg men teams were selected by the conference's basketball referees at a presentation prior to their fall training session. Suzy Delaney (FUS) and Sean Strickland (UPG) accepted the awards on behalf of their teams.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF DECEMBER 3
12/3/12

ACADEMIC HONORS ANNOUNCED FOR SOCCER, SOFTBALL
12/1/12

As shining examples of the Division III philosophy promoting scholarship alongside athletic achievement, three AMCC schools in two different sports have earned academic awards from their national coaching associations.

The Penn State Behrend men’s soccer team earned the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Team Academic Award for the 2011-12 academic year. 
The Lions were one of 226 men’s soccer programs in the country, encompassing all three NCAA divisions, to earn the award. The honor is given to those teams who posted a team grade point average of 3.0 or higher.  The 2011 Behrend squad, with a team GPA of 3.08, earned the AMCC Peak Performer award in men's soccer as well.

The Pitt-Bradford and Penn St. Altoona softball teams were recently named National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-Academic teams for the 2011-12 academic year. With a 3.46 team GPA, PSA was ranked 15th overall in Div. III.  The Lions were the AMCC Peak Performers in softball last season. The Panthers ranked 86th among all Division III squads with a team GPA of 3.02. In addition, UPB's Lauren Kinniburgh and Alyssa Cunningham were named All-American Scholar Athletes.  The duo was recognized for posting GPAs of 3.50 and above.

PENN ST. BEHREND TAKES EARLY LEAD IN PRESIDENTS CUP STANDINGS
11/28/12

With four fall sport championship trophies on the shelf, Penn St. Behrend has surged to an early but familiar lead in the AMCC Presidents Cup race.  The Lions, winners of 11 Presidents Cup awards, have racked up 65 points.  Behrend's position was bolstered by titles in men's golf, women's soccer, and men's and women's cross country.  Medaille College is perched in second place with 45.5 points, with help from championships in women's volleyball and men's soccer.

The Presidents Cup represents overall excellence in AMCC competition across 15 sports.  Click here for current standings for all members.

PITT-GREENSBURG WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM CONNECTS WITH SALVATION ARMY COMMUNITY SERVICE
11/27/12

The Pitt-Greensburg women's basketball team has formed a special bond with the Salvation Army in their "adopted home town.".

On Saturday, November 10, team members and coaches volunteered to ring bells for the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle campaign. The team partners with the Salvation Army on three larger-scale volunteer projects, and when the Greensburg Salvation Army was short on bell ringers, they asked the team for help. All donations collected via the Red Kettle campaign help the Salvation Army aid needy families, seniors, and the homeless during the holiday season.  The squad also volunteered to serve Salvation Army's Greensburg community at a Thanksgiving Dinner on November 19.  In all, 90 people attended the dinner. Some of their responsibilities included checking people in, serving food, helping at the drink/dessert table and seating people. After the meal concluded the team helped with the clean-up. The players and coaches also time talking with and getting to know those who had arrived for dinner.

"I think it is so important that our girls get involved in the community that is their 'home away from home' for four years," said Bobcats head coach Erin Eaton.  "We are very lucky that our girls are so eager to volunteer their time and also very fortunate that the Salvation Army has allowed us to be involved in so many projects. It has been an amazing experience for all of us."

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF NOVEMBER 26
11/26/12
 

PENN ST. BEHREND STUDENT-ATHLETES ASSIST HURRICANE SANDY RELIEF EFFORT
11/20/12

With the holiday season fast approaching, the Penn State Behrend Department of Athletics is making a difference in the local community as well as those communities affected by Hurricane Sandy.

The Behrend softball team collected donations all last week, including toiletries, non-perishable food, cleaning supplies, flashlights, clothing, and batteries to take to Sea Bright, New Jersey this past weekend. Head Coach Stacy Pondo departed on Saturday with a van full of donations and participate in relief efforts on Sunday and Monday. On her journey, Pondo picked up donations from the softball teams at IUP, Medaille, D’Youville, Hilbert, Fredonia and Thiel.

The men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams are also looking for ways to give back. Approximately 25 members of the team will volunteer their time at the Second Harvest Food Bank on Monday. The Lions will be unloading boxes and stocking shelves in preparation for Thanksgiving. The teams have a clothing drive and volunteer at the City Mission annually, but this is their first year helping at the food bank.

The Second Harvest Food Bank is the largest nonprofit food distribution organization in northwest Pennsylvania. They solicit and distribute food to 405 partner organizations, which serve 72,600 individuals in 11 counties.

FRANCISCAN'S JONES TOP FINISHER AT GREAT LAKE REGIONAL RACE, KRAJEWSKI PLACES #13 TO QUALIFY FOR NATIONALS
11/10/12

The Franciscan duo of Bill Jones and Nicole Krajewski continued their storied seasons with top performances at the NCAA Division III Great Lakes Regional on Saturday, landing spots at the national meet in two weeks.  Jones clocked a 24:26.16 to take first place ahead of 256 other competitors.  In his stiffest test yet, Jones crossed the line barely one second faster than the second place finisher from Calvin College, the first place team.  Krajewski, the AMCC individual champion, clocked a 22:06.01 for a 13th place finish in a field of 234 runners.  Just one second separated the #12 and #14 runners.

JONES, BERTGES CLASS OF THE FIELD FOR CROSS COUNTRY
11/9/12

Franciscan University senior Bill Jones and Penn St. Behrend junior Catie Bertges are the AMCC Men's and Women's Runners of the Year for 2012.  A stellar cast of competitors join them as conference teams head into the NCAA Division III Regional Meets this Saturday.

Jones (below, left) capped his career with a collection of four AMCC Runner of the Year awards.  He  won individual titles in 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012.  Bertges (left) is a three-time all-conference honoree, finishing as the individual runner-up the past two seasons and pacing the Lions to the team crown in 2012.  The men's Newcomer of the Year award was shared by a pair of freshmen, Pitt-Greensburg's Garrett Urban and Penn St. Behrend's Matthew McWilliams, both of whom placed in the top 15 at this season's championship race.  The women's Newcomer of the Year award was also split, going to Penn St. Altoona sophomore Patricia Mantero and Penn St. Behrend freshman Danielle Stanko, who finished #8 and #11 respectively at the conference championship meet.

Penn St. Behrend's Greg Cooper swept the Coach of the Year accolades as his squads earned both the men's and women's titles.

Click here for the complete all-conference teams:    MEN    WOMEN

WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL AWARDS FEATURE FRANCISCAN'S CAIN AS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
11/8/12

Averaging 3.08 kills per set and a .298 hitting percentage, two-time AMCC first team selection Anna Cain is the 2012 Women's Volleyball Player of the Year.  The Franciscan University senior led the Barons to their first post-season tournament berth with a stellar season dominating the middle of the net.  Medaille College first year setter Simmone Talford was voted Newcomer of the Year.  Her 8.88 assists per set ranked #1 in the AMCC, and she proved instrumental in helping the Maverick earn their first league championship.  Hilbert College's Amanda Logue got the nod as Coach of the Year.  The Hawks also made their conference tournament debut, after compiling a program-record 15 wins.

Click here for the complete all-conference team.

PITT--GREENSBURG'S IOVINO HEADS WOMEN'S TENNIS AWARD WINNERS
11/7/12

Undefeated in conference play at #1 singles this past season, Pitt-Greensburg senior Maria Iovino has been selected as the AMCC Women's Tennis Player of the Year.  Iovino compiled an 8-0 record in singles and 6-2 in #1 doubles (with partner Cayla Ray) that helped propel the Bobcats into the conference tournament.  Penn St. Berhend freshman Patra Sangpoompong, a standout at #2 singles, was voted Newcomer of the Year.  La Roche College's Aaron Wilf, who guided the Redhawks to their first ever AMCC title and an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament, was recognized as Coach of the Year.  Click here for the complete all-conference team.

SOCCER ALL-CONFERENCE TEAMS AND AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
11/6/12

The regular season may have ended but the post-season honors are just beginning for men's and women's soccer.  This year's awards feature both an offensive and defensive player of the year for the first time.

Regular season men's champion Penn State earned the two top awards, with senior forward Jake Gamble (left) named Offensive Player of the Year and junior defender Eric Hackworth selected as Defensive Player of the Year.  Gamble set a single season scoring record for the Lions with 44 points, while Hackworth led the team in playing minutes and anchored a defense that conceded less than a goal a game.

Hilbert College claimed the other two major awards, with freshman midfielder Mario Williams earning Newcomer of the Year (9 goals, 7 assists) and Jeff Panik voted Coach of the Year.  Panik guided the Hawks to a 5-4 AMCC record and their first-ever playoff berth.

The women's individual selections were dominated by Pitt-Bradford.  Freshman forward Maggie Boehler (left) earned both Newcomer of the Year and Co-Offensive Player of the Year, an honor which she shared with La Roche College senior striker Bethanie Moreschi. Boehler led the Panthers to the AMCC finals, recording 13 goals and 4 assists in her first collegiate campaign.  Moreschi concluded a standout career with a stellar season, compiling an AMCC-best 16 goals and 2 assists, leading the Redhawks to a strong late-season run in the conference tournament.  Pitt-Bradford senior goalkeeper Alisa Cornell was voted Defensive Player of the Year, who led the league with a .61 GAA and .857 save percentage.

Co-Coach of the Year honors were awarded to Penn St. Behrend's Patrick O'Driscoll, whose squad won their second straight league title, and D'Youville College's Lew Potter, who directed a tough Spartan side to an 11-6-1 record.

Click here for the complete all-conference teams:   MEN    WOMEN

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF NOVEMBER 5
11/5/12
 

MEDAILLE PREVAILS OVER BEHREND IN  WOMEN'S VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
11/4/12

In a battle between the AMCC's two top ranked teams, #2 seed Medaille College emerged with a 3-1 victory (19-25, 25-18, 25-10, 25-21) over top seeded Penn St. Behrend to claim their first league title.  Senior outside hitter Meghan Fahy led the Mavericks with 25 kill and 17 digs, while senior outside hitter Mary Sperry recorded 7 kills and 27 digs for the runner-up Lions.  Rhe win includes the bonus of the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.  The field will be announced Monday.

MEDAILLE WINS SIXTH LEAGUE TITLE IN MEN'S SOCCER
11/3/12

Breaking a deadlock in AMCC titles between the two programs, Medaille College earned their sixth men's soccer championship by defeating Penn St. Behrend, 1-0, on Saturday.  The Mavericks now have six league crowns to their credit.  Senior forward George Tor notched the contest's only goal, converting a pass by Greg Hoffman with 19 minutes remaining in the second half.  The Mavericks are entitled to the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.  The bracket will be announced on Monday.

BEHREND CLAIMS WOMEN'S SOCCER TITLE, NCAA AUTOMATIC BID
11/3/12

AMCC defending champion Penn St. Behrend defeated Pitt-Bradford, 2-1 in double overtime in the women's soccer championship today.  Freshman midfielder Melissa Huff scored the golden goal, lofting in a beauty on a feed from defender Abby Schuster.  The victory marks the eighth crown won by the Lions.With the victory Behrend earned an automatic bid to represent the AMCC in the NCAA Division III tournament next week. The field will be announced on Monday.

SOCCER FINALS SET FOR SATURDAY, VOLLEYBALL SUNDAY, ALL AT BEHREND
11/1/12

Penn St. Behrend is pulling out the stops this weekend.  The Lions will play host to both the men's and women's soccer championships on Saturday, while also welcoming the semifinal and final rounds of the women's volleyball tournament.

Soccer action will start with the women's championship at 12n, featuring top seed Behrend vs. #2 Pitt-Bradford.  It was a defensive affair in the regular season, with the Lions pulling off a 1-0 victory.  Two of the stingiest goalkeepers in the league  will be anchoring their teams, with senior Alisa Cornell (left, .53 GAA) for the Panthers and freshman Taylor Troyan (1.44 GAA) for Behrend.  Pitt-Bradford is looking for its first title, while Behrend is the defending champion with seven crowns on the shelf.

The men will kick off at 2:30pm with the continuation of a fierce AMCC rivalry.  #1 seed Penn St. Behrend will face #2 seed Medaille College.  The pair have five titles each; Behrend is the defending champion.  In early October the Lions prevailed in a 4-3 overtime battle.  The re-match will showcase a pair of senior aces:  Behrend forward Jake Gamble (left), holder of  the program's single season scoring record with 49 points and counting; and Medaille goalkeeper Nicholas Kurtz, the AMCC leader with a .51 GAA and 10 shutouts.

Meanwhile, heating it up in the Junker Athletic Center will be the AMCC women's volleyball tournament.  Saturday's semifinals will pit top seed Behrend against and #5 seed Pitt-Bradford on one half and #2 Medaille College vs. #3 Franciscan University on the other.  Players to watch include Behrend outside hitter Mary Sperry (2.95 kills), Medaille setter Simmone Talford (8.63 assists), Franciscan libero Samantha Kelly (left, 5.49 digs) and Pitt-Bradford middle hitter Maggie Johnson (2.44 kills).  In the regular season Behrend prevailed over Pitt-Bradford, 3-1, while Medaille got the win against Franciscan by the same score.  Medaille and Franciscan are both looking for their first conference titles. Pitt-Bradford has one and Penn St. Behend has a pair.

The championship game will be played Sunday at 1:00pm. 

All three AMCC championship teams will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

LA ROCHE WOMEN, BEHREND MEN TOP THE CHARTS IN BASKETBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
11/1/12

If the preseason polls are any indication, it should be another closely contended year in both men's and women's basketball in the AMCC this season.  La Roche College is expected to be the cream of the crop for the women, while Penn St. Behrend has been picked to lead the men.

Redhawks junior forward Jessica Pitts, the AMCC Player of the Year in 2012, was chosen as the Preseason Player of the Year while Behrend senior center Russ Conley, Co-Player of the Year last season, earned the same honor on the men's side.

Click here for complete poll rankings and more on players to watch:  Men    Women

AMCC ATHLETES GET ECAC RECOGNITION IN CROSS COUNTRY, SOCCER
10/31/12

AMCC student-athletes got the spotlight from the ECAC again this week, this time in cross country and soccer.

Both AMCC cross country medalists, Franciscan University senior Bill Jones and junior  Nicole Krajewski, were lauded for their efforts this past week as they were named Division III South Region Runners of the Week. Jones made it an unprecedented four for four in first place AMCC championship meet finishes, winning on Saturday by more than 2 minutes ahead of the rest of the field with an 8K time of 25:44. Krajewski garnered her third consecutive individual title at the AMCC championship meet, outpacing a field of 97 runners with a 6K time of 23:24.

In women's soccer, La Roche College senior striker Bethani Moreschi was named Division III South Region Offensive Player of the Week.  Moreschi scored the lone goal in a 1-0 win over Pitt-Greensburg to close the regular season. She followed this performance with 2 goals in the first round of the conference play-offs, leading the Redhawks to a 4-0 shutout of the #3 seeded Bobcats to extend their championship run.

HURRICANE SANDY FORCES PLAYOFF GAME SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS
10/29/12

The "Frankenstorm" Hurricane Sandy is forcing the rescheduling of some AMCC soccer and volleyball playoff games.  Please check the home page for each sport to view the latest schedule adjustments.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 29
10/29/12
 

CROSS COUNTRY CROWNS WON BY BEHREND WOMEN AND MEN
10/27/12

In two tightly contested races, the Penn St. Behrend women and men emerged as the AMCC's top cross country teams at the conference championship meet held in Ebensburg, PA on Saturday.

The win marked the fourth time the Lions' women have laid claim to the championship, their first since 2007.  With a score of 27, they were paced by junior Catie Bertges, who posted a 6K time of 23:53 to place second overall.   Four-time defending champions Franciscan University finished second with 38 points.  Barons junior Nicole Krajewski became a three-time individual champion with a time of 23:24.  The Behrend men (27 points) successfully defended their title, marking their sixth championship overall. Junior Denis Lydon crossed the line in 28:18 and a second place finish.  For the fourth time in his AMCC career, the Barons' ace runner William Jones dominated the men's 8K competition with a time of 25:44, helping his team to the runner up spot with 39 points.

Click here for final team and individual results:   MEN  WOMEN

VOLLEYBALL SEEDS DETERMINED FOR PLAYOFFS
10/27/12

In a wild finish to the regular season, the four way tie for the last three playoff spots was broken using tiebreak criteria.  Into the tournament are Penn St. Altoona (#4), Pitt-Bradford (#5) and Hilbert College (#6) while Pitt-Greensburg was eliminated.  All had 4-5 records.

Defending champion Penn St. Altoona defeated Pitt-Bradford on Saturday, 3-0,  to get the head to head edge and will welcome the Panthers back for the first round of the playoffs on Wednesday.  Meanwhile Hilbert will make the trip to #3 seed Franciscan University, who posted a program-best record of 6-2.  The winner of that match up will face #2 Medaille College (7-1) in one semifinal game next Saturday, with top seed and tournament host Penn St. Behrend (8-0) facing the Penn St. Altoona/Pitt-Bradford victor in the other half of the draw.

The championship match will be Sunday at 1pm.  The winner will receive an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament.

BEHREND'S VETICA HEADS MEN'S GOLF ALL-CONFERENCE TEAM
10/26/12

Penn St. Behrend sophomore Dante Vetica (left), who led the Lions to their second consecutive league title as medalist at the conference championship tournament, has been named the AMCC Men's Golf Player of the Year.  Teammate Nicholas Vandamia was selected as Newcomer of the Year.  Coach of the Year honors were shared by Behrend's Brian Streeter and Dirk Roth of D'Youville College.  Click here for the complete all-conference team.

PITT-BRADFORD VOLLEYBALL HOSTS "DIG PINK" GAME
10/25/12

The Pitt-Bradford volleyball team hosted its annual Dig Pink Night yesterday against Hilbert College as part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  The Panthers raffled off a gift basket, took pledges for the number of digs the team recorded that night, and sold pink and white shirts emblazoned with the breast cancer ribbon to raise funds for cancer research. The players sported pink shirts during warm-ups, and any fans wearing pink to the contest received free admission.

Dig Pink is a national initiative of the Side-Out Foundation. Side-Out was established in 2004 to unite volleyball players and coaches, and to have them work toward the common goal of furthering breast cancer awareness, education and patient services.  Donations are being accepted online at https://www.side-out.org/cb/ous/fundraising_page/9460.

SOCCER PLAYOFFS READY TO GO; BEHREND IS TOP SEED FOR MEN, WOMEN
10/23/12

With the close of the regular season tonight, the AMCC men's and women's soccer tournaments pairings are finally set.  Penn St. Behrend is the #1 seed and defending champion in both brackets.  First round action will begin on Saturday, with the 1-2 seeds getting byes.

The women's match ups will feature #3 Pitt-Greensburg (5-3-1) hosting #6 La Roche College (4-3-2) and #5 Medaille College (5-4) traveling across town to #4 seed D'Youville College (5-3-1).  Behrend will meet the Medaille/D'Youville winner, will #2 seed Pitt-Bradford will face the Pitt-Greensburg/La Roche winner.

On the men's side, #3 La Roche will welcome #6 Pitt-Greensburg, with the winner advancing to face #2 seed Medaille.  #5 Hilbert College, making their first AMCC tournament appearance, will take on #4 Penn St. Altoona; the victor will play Behrend in the other semifinal.

The semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, October 31.  Both the men's and women's finals will be played on Saturday, November 3 at the site of the higher remaining seed.  The AMCC champion receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

MEDAILLE'S DHILLON SELECTED AS ECAC DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK
10/23/12

The AMCC earned its second Men's Soccer Defensive Player of the Week award this week when Medaille College defender Kevin Dhillon was tabbed for the honor.  Dhillon anchored a backline that held Pitt-Greensburg to just three shots on goal as Medaille registered its 10th shutout of the season. The win also secured a first-round bye in the AMCC playoffs for the Mavericks.

LA ROCHE TAKES FIRST WOMEN'S TENNIS TITLE IN NAIL-BITER
10/21/12

In a fight to the finish, #4 La Roche College defeated #2 Penn St. Behrend, 5-4, to win the AMCC women's tennis championship on Sunday.  The Redhawks were led by Doria Shima and Melanie Ward, who teamed up to win #3 doubles and then their respective singles matches.  But it took Alea Marks to seal the deal at #3 singles in a three set battle with Behrend's Colleen Miller, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3.
La Roche pulled off their second upset in two days, handling top seed and conference unbeaten Franciscan University in the semifinals on Saturday by the same 5-4 margin. This is the first league title for the Redhawks. The win ended a seven year reign by the Lions.

With the crown comes the conference's automatic bid for the NCAA Division III tournament.
Click here for complete tournament results.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 22
10/22/12

LA ROCHE TAKES FIRST WOMEN'S TENNIS TITLE IN NAIL-BITER
10/21/12

In a fight to the finish, #4 La Roche College defeated #2 Penn St. Behrend, 5-4, to win the AMCC women's tennis championship on Sunday.  The Redhawks were led by Doria Shima and Melanie Ward, who teamed up to win #3 doubles and then their respective singles matches.  But it took Alea Marks to seal the deal at #3 singles in a three set battle with Behrend's Colleen Miller, 7-6(3), 4-6, 6-3.
La Roche pulled off their second upset in two days, handling top seed and conference unbeaten Franciscan University in the semifinals on Saturday by the same 5-4 margin. This is the first league title for the Redhawks. The win ended a seven year reign by the Lions.

With the crown comes the conference's automatic bid for the NCAA Division III tournament.
Click here for complete tournament results.

PENN ST. BEHREND, LA ROCHE TO MEET FOR WOMEN'S TENNIS TITLE
10/20/12

The defending champion will meet the underdog for the AMCC championship in women's tennis on Sunday in a match that will determine the conference's automatic bid recipient for the NCAA Division III tournament.

#4 seed La Roche College upset previously undefeated and top seeded Franciscan University and will take on Penn St. Behrend, winners of the past seven AMCC titles.  The Redhawks edged the #2 seeded Lions, 5-4, in their clash earlier this season.

La Roche prevailed over Franciscan by a 5-4 margin in the semifinal round on Saturday.  Behrend defeated #3 seed Mount Aloysius College, 5-0. Sunday's championship will begin at 9:00am at Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, PA.

JONES GETS NOD AGAIN AS ECAC RUNNER OF THE WEEK
10/16/12

For the second time in three weeks, Franciscan University senior William Jones has been named the ECAC Division III Runner of the Week.  Jones finished first of 274 competitors at the Oberlin College Inter-Regional Rumble, surpassing his personal best 8K time by posting a 23:31.

PENN STATE BEHREND SUCCESSFULLY DEFENDS AMCC GOLF TITLE
10/15/12

With a two day team total of 616, Penn State Behrend were crowned the AMCC men's golf champions for the second year in a row at Oaktree Country Club in West Middlesex, PA.  The squad was led by sophomore Dante Vetica, who carded a 72/74/146 to earn medalist honors.  La Roche College finished as the runners up with a score of 636.  Redhawks sophomore Kevin Loutsenhizer shot a 152 to place second overall individually.
The Lions will represent the AMCC with an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament to be held in the spring.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 15
10/15/12

PENN STATE BEHREND LEADS AMCC GOLF TOURNAMENT AFTER DAY ONE
10/14/12

Dante Vetica shot a low score of 72 at the AMCC tournament to help defending champion Penn State Behrend take the lead after day one at the Oak Tree Country Club.  The Lions hold a five-stroke lead over second-place La Roche College (319). Medaille College is in third place with a team score of 330.  Click here for complete team standings.

Vetica has a six-stroke advantage over second-place golfer and teammate Scott Klein, who was the runner-up last year at the conference championships. Klein finished the first day with a 78 to tie for second with Nolan Schank from La Roche.

Play wraps up on Monday.  The team champion will receive the AMCC automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

MOUNT ALOYSIUS, LA ROCHE ADVANCE IN FIRST ROUND OF WOMEN'S TENNIS TOURNAMENT
10/13/12

With a new team vs. team format in place, #3 seed Mount Aloysius College and #4 La Roche College advance to the semifinal round in matches played on campus sites today.

The Mounties, first time qualifiers in women's tennis, handled #6 seed Pitt-Bradford, 5-3.  The Redhawks hosted #5 seed Pitt-Greensburg, turning away the Bobcats 5-3.

The championship round will be held Oct. 20-21 at Oxford Athletic Club in Wexford, PA.

Mount Aloysius will next face the #2 seed, seven-time defending champion Penn St. Behrend, while La Roche draws top-seeded Franciscan University.  The Barons went undefeated in regular season conference play with an 8-0 record.  Behrend, Mount Aloysius and La Roche all shared 6-2 regular season records, with tournament seeding decided by tiebreak criteria.

The team champion will receive the AMCC's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 8
10/8/12

JONES EARNS ECAC RUNNER OF THE WEEK ACCOLADE
10/3/12

Franciscan University senior William Jones has his sights set on big things this season, and he accomplished one of them on Saturday.  Jones placed first among 244 competitors in the All Ohio Cross Country Championship. He out ran all Division I, II and III runners with a time of 24:34 in the 8K race, to be crowned the fastest male college runner in Ohio.  For his efforts, Jones was also crowned the NCAA Division III Runner of the Week by the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC).  He is the first AMCC male runner to win the award this season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF OCTOBER 1
10/1/12
 

AMCC ATHLETES SELECTED FOR ECAC WEEKLY RECOGNITION
9/26/12

A pair of AMCC student-athletes were recognized for their outstanding performances last week by the ECAC.

Penn St. Behrend goalkeeper Jarrod Wassell was named Men's Soccer South Region  Defensive Player of the Week.  Wassell played 180 minutes between the pipes in a 2-0 week for the Lions, allowing just 1 goal. This marks seven straight wins  in net for the sophomore, including a strong non-conference victory over Case Western. Wassell currently stands second in the league with a .74 GAA, second in shutouts (2) and third in save percentage (.824).  Franciscan University senior Sara Mueller earned South Region Women's Cross Country Runner of the Week honors.  Mueller placed eighth of 139 competitors at the St. Vincent Invitational, helping the Barons to a fourth place rank among 13 teams.  She covered the 5K course in 20:14.  It is the second week in a row that an AMCC female runner has won the award.

D'YOUVILLE PRESIDENT HONORED FOR SERVICE, ACHIEVEMENT
9/25/12

Community service in the AMCC starts at the top.  D'Youville College President Sister Denise A. Roche was selected as the 2012 recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award by Business First and was honored along with 25 other woman at the annual Women of Influence Luncheon on September 20 in Buffalo. “The awards recognize the business acumen and community spirit of these women,” Business First publisher Jack Connors said.  Sister Denise was cited for her long time leadership of D’Youville and the progress made during the more than three decades of her presidency.

“D’Youville has nearly tripled its budget to $73 million and grown the student population to nearly 3,200. Those numbers are even more impressive considering where the college was in 1979 when Roche was named president; a budget of $5.4 million and 1500 students,” the citation said.  In accepting the award, she remarked that she looks at each day as a new opportunity to finish a project, learn something or try something new. “I love what the students bring to the college. They have such great ideas and see things differently and ask wonderful questions.”

PITT-BRADFORD WOMEN'S BASKETBALL TEAM PARTNERS WITH UNITED WAY
9/25/12

The Pitt-Bradford women’s basketball team assisted in maintenance projects and interacted with residents at the Bradford Ecumenical Home as part of the United Way Day of Action on Saturday.  A total of eight players took part in painting a room that is going to be converted into a kitchen, stripping the original wallpaper and adding a new coat of paint.

The Panthers also played bingo and cards with the residents, painted fingernails, read books and even sang during the four-hour outing.

“Having the wonderful opportunity to participate in the United Way Day of Action and spend time with the residents of the Bradford Ecumenical Home was a great experience for our young ladies,” said first-year head coach Patrick Daniel. “Seeing the laughs and smiles on everyone’s face during the playing of games, painting a room for a new kitchen, and just sitting and talking was something very special.”

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 24
9/24/12

PITT-GREENSBURG CROSS COUNTRY TEAMS "FEED THE SPIRIT"
9/22/12

In the spirit of what Coach Joyce Brobeck described as “doing something for those less fortunate,” members of the Pitt-Greensburg men’s and women’s cross country teams and their coaching staff volunteered at Otterbein Church in Greensburg during the “Feed the Spirit” program on September 20. “Feed the Spirit” is a non-profit organization that hosts dinner every Thursday night for anyone in need. The team volunteers passed out free clothing, household items and personal hygiene products to all those in attendance. They also served dinners and helped with clean up.

BEHREND'S BERTGES SELECTED ECAC SOUTH RUNNER OF THE WEEK
9/19/12

Penn St. Behrend junior Catie Bertges is off to a fast start in more ways than one.  After being named the AMCC Women's Runner of the Week, Bertges was named the Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference Women’s Cross Country Division III South Runner of the Week.  Bertges led the Lions to the Behrend Invitational team title last Saturday.  The junior was the top Division III runner in the race, crossing the finish line at 19:43.7 for third place.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 17
9/17/12

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 10
9/10/12

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK:  WEEK OF SEPTEMBER 3
9/4/12

D'YOUVILLE ADDS STAFF FOR TENNIS, SPORTS INFORMATION
8/30/12

D'Youville College welcomes two new tennis coaches along with assistance in sports information this fall.

Paul Kullman was selected as the head coach for women's tennis. Kullman has been a strong competitor in sectional and national USTA tournaments in Western New York n addition to winning a number of local titles.  Returning to guide the men's tennis program is Mike Pasierb. Pasierb was the Spartan's head coach in 2011, leading the team to a program best 5-5 record, and a fourth place finish at the AMCC championship.

Joining the staff as a Sports Information Assistant is David Miller. Miller has previously worked in public relations for the Binghamton Rangers, Cleveland Lumberjacks, Greenville Growwwl, and Dayton Bombers minor-league hockey clubs. In addition to D'Youville, Miller also works as a play-by-play annoncer for Time Warner Sportsnet and is a public address announcer for the Buffalo Sabres. Miller has handled D'Youville Colllege home game public address since 2008.

HILBERT NAMES ROBSON TO LEAD WOMEN'S LACROSSE PROGRAM
8/29/12

Hilbert College has appointed Erin Robson to a full-time position as the women’s lacrosse coach and staff assistant.  She will lead the Hawks in their inaugural season at the varsity level.  Hilbert joins AMCC members Medaille College and Franciscan University in sponsoring women's intercollegiate lacrosse.

Robson’s playing experiences began in her early teens in Canada.  She developed her lacrosse skills as an Ontario Provincial All-Star Team mid-fielder which eventually led to her competing as a two-sport athlete at The State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego. Graduating in only three years, Robson was a scholar student, was a three-year member of the women’s lacrosse and ice hockey programs and also a member of the college’s Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. Robson earned her degree in wellness management with a double minor in health science and athletic coaching from Oswego in 2009.

Following her graduation, Robson spent seven months in New Zealand serving as the head coach of the West Auckland Force Girls Lacrosse Under-19 team. She guided the top college and national players in Auckland to an undefeated season, winning the league championship.  More recently Robson served as the junior varsity head lacrosse coach at Nichols High School in Buffalo while completing her masters of science in physical and health education at Canisius College.

PENN ST. BEHREND WOMEN RANKED #10 IN NATIONAL CROSS COUNTRY POLL
8/22/12

The Penn State Behrend women’s cross country team is ranked 10th in the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) preseason regional rankings. The Lions are tied for 10th with Allegheny College in the Mideast Region. It is the highest preseason ranking the program has ever received.  Behrend returns three all-conference performers from a year ago, including Catie Bertges, Katie Patterson, and Haley Hughes. The Lions will also have Katie Spade back from an injury-plagued sophomore season. Spade placed third at the AMCC championships as a freshman.

GISSENDANNER TO LEAD LA ROCHE WOMEN'S HOOPS TEAM
8/19/12

Former Los Angeles Sparks (WNBA) player and Penn State star Kamela Gissendanner will be the next head coach of the La Roche College women’s basketball program.   Gissendanner comes to La Roche after serving as an assistant coach at St. Francis University (PA) from 2009-2011. In those two seasons, she helped lead the Red Flashes to two NCAA tournament appearances and two NEC Championships.  She replaces former head coach Eddie Benton, who led the Redhawks to AMCC championships and NCAA post-season play in 2011 and 2012.

In addition to the WNBA, Gissendanner also spent a season in Norway’s Kvinnenligaen League where she was the league’s leading scorer and MVP and played a season in Slovakia’s Cassovia League where she ranked fifth in scoring average.  Prior to turning pro, Gissendanner played three seasons at Penn State University. She finished her collegiate career ranked 23rd on Penn State’s all-time scoring list with 1,236 points and was selected All-Big Ten Third Team in 2008 and All-Big Ten Honorable Mention in 2006 and 2007. She was named team-MVP her senior season and was selected as a team-captain her sophomore, junior, and senior seasons.

Gissendanner is a Clairton, PA native and a graduate of Clairton High School. While at Clairton, she set the school’s all-time scoring mark, was selected as a USA Today High School All-American and named the 2003 AP Small School Player of the Year, all while helping Clairton win two WPIAL championships.

WIGLE TABBED BY PITT-GREENSBURG TO LEAD WOMEN'S SOCCER PROGRAM
8/14/12

Pitt-Greensburg women's soccer will have a new head coach this fall.  Chuck Wigle, who
served as an assistant coach for the men’s team at UPG for the last two seasons, will direct the women's program while continuing to assist the men.  Wigle has served as the assistant boys varsity coach and head JV Coach at his alma mater, Penn Trafford High School. and helped lead the varsity program to three section titles during his tenure. He also spent three seasons as the assistant coach of the Penn’s Forest Soccer Club’s U-16 program, where he played an integral role in the program's second ever PA West Championship.  Wigle is a 1998 graduate of St. Vincent College and was a two-year team captain of the Bearcat soccer squad.

D'YOUVILLE PICKS GLOVER AS WOMEN'S BASKETBALL COACH
8/13/12

Dan Glover has been named the new head coach of the D'Youville College women's basketball program.  A graduate of D'Youville and former player with the men's basketball program from 2007-10, Glover served as an assistant coach and director of basketball operations for the Spartans' men's program from 2010-12. Last season his efforts helped the Spartans to their first AMCC post-season appearance.

PITT-BRADFORD SOCCER COACHES ACHIEVE HIGHEST RATING
8/7/12

University of Pittsburgh at Bradford head men’s soccer coach Darek Panol earned his U.S. Soccer Federation (USSF) “A” Coaching License this summer.  The National “A” License is the top license certified by USSF. He joins women’s soccer coach, Mike Idland, in achieving “A” license status. In doing so, Pitt-Bradford becomes the only school in the AMCC to have both soccer coaches with “A” licenses.

Panol was required to research and write a nutritional paper prior to the start of the course, and he completed approximately 30 hours of classroom work and 40 hours of field sessions. He also completed an on-field examination in which he had to run a training session to improve a team’s play on a certain topic as well as an 11v11 game in which Panol had to identify the topic live, as the game was being played, stop it at the appropriate moment, and fix the problem.

Panol enters his sixth season with the men’s soccer program at Pitt-Bradford and led the Panthers to the AMCC tournament semifinals last year for the first time since 1998.

PENN STATE ALTOONA ADDS MEN'S VOLLEYBALL TO VARSITY LINE-UP
8/2/12

Penn State Altoona announced the addition of men’s volleyball to its varsity athletics program on Thursday. The team will begin its first season of competition in the 2013 spring semester.  Men’s volleyball becomes the 16th varsity sport offered by Penn State Altoona and is the first addition to the school’s athletics program since 2009 when women’s bowling was implemented. As with the school’s other varsity sports, the team will compete at the NCAA Division III level.

The first-year program will be led by Phil Peterman, who also enters his fifth year as the head coach of Penn State Altoona’s women’s volleyball team. Last fall, Peterman guided the Lady Lions to their first Allegheny Mountain Collegiate Conference championship since 2006.  Peterman has also served as the head coach of the men’s volleyball club team at Penn State Altoona. Last season, the squad competed in the National Collegiate Volleyball Federation Club Championship Tournament in Kansas City, Missouri and finished in fifth place out of 24 teams in the Men’s D1AAA division of the event.

The men’s volleyball team will play its inaugural season as an independent school before officially joining the AMCC in 2014.

PITT-GREENSBURG BASEBALL TOPS NATION IN SLUGGING PERCENTAGE
8/2/12

The 2012 Pitt-Greensburg baseball program under the direction of first year head coach Anthony Williams was honored by the NCAA earlier this week as the NCAA Division III leader in team slugging percentage. The Bobcats finished the season with a .510 slugging percentage edging out St. John Fisher who finished with a .507 slugging percentage.  Pitt-Greensburg’s offensive attack lead the AMCC in almost every statistical category in 2012 including batting average, slugging percentage, runs scored, RBIs, home runs and doubles.

Pitt-Greensburg also finished second in the country in home runs with 37 and third in the nation with 0.93 home runs per game.  Senior Bryan Colish paced the Bobcats in both home runs and slugging percentage. The power hitting third baseman hit a team high, school record and conference leading nine home runs while also leading the conference in slugging percentage at .658.

This marks the first time in program history that a Bobcat baseball was honored by the NCAA for statistical achievement.
PRESEASON POLLS ANNOUNCED FOR SOCCER, VOLLEYBALL
8/1/12

The battle for AMCC supremacy and an invitation to the NCAA Division III national championship tournament will begin on September 22.  Here are the coaches' predictions for which team is likely to take all in men's and women's soccer and women's volleyball:

Women's Volleyball
Can they repeat? The AMCC coaches think so, and with 7 first place votes have selected Penn St. Altoona to win their second straight league title and third overall in 2012. Two-time AMCC champion Penn State Behrend is picked to finish second, followed by 2010 winner Pitt-Bradford, ranked third.  The coaches tabbed Medaille College senior outside hitter Meghan Fahy as the league's Preseason Player of the Year. When 2011 concluded, Fahy was a first team all-conference selection and AMCC Player of the Year. She averaged 4.92 kills/set (472 total kills) and reached over the1,000 kill mark to become the program's all-time leader with 1,027.  Click here for the complete poll and Players to Watch.

Men's Soccer
Medaille College has edged out defending champion Penn State Behrend in the 2012 AMCC coaches' poll. Each program earned four first place votes in the balloting, and both have collected five league titles over the past 15 seasons. Penn St. Altoona was expected to finish third.

Not surprisingly, two Mavericks dominated the preseason awards voting. Offensive Preseason Player of the Year honors went to Medaille senior forward George Tor. A first team all-conference selection in 2011, Tor is also earned NSCAA Regional All American honors. He had 18 goals, 14 assists and 50 points last year, finishing in the AMCC top 3 in every offensive statistical category. Teammate Nicholas Kurtz was selected as the Defensive Preseason Player of the Year. A three-time all-conference pick, Kurtz finished #1 in the conference in 2011 in GA (8), GAA (.50), save % (.814), and shutouts (6). H also finished #1 in all of those categories in conference games only, allowing just 1 goal vs. AMCC opponents.   Click here for the complete poll and Players to Watch.

Women's Soccer
Defending champion Penn State Behrend and 2011 regular season champion Penn State Altoona finished in a dead heat for first place in the AMCC coaches' preseason poll. While Behrend was triumphant in the conference tournament last year and advanced to the NCAA playoffs, their Altoona counterparts were undefeated in regular season league play. Both teams will have their eyes on Pitt-Bradford, the regular season runner up in 2011, and a team that is poised to make a serious run for their first league title.

Preseason Offensive Player of the Year honors went to D'Youville College standout Danielle Gehen. The junior forward was named first team all-conference in 2011 when she led the AMCC in goals (16), assists (9), and points (41). Pitt-Bradford goalkeeper Alisa  Cornell was named the  Preseason Defensive Player of the Year. Cornell earned first-team all-conference and ECAC South All-Stars honors in 2011, posting a school record 13 wins in net. She was ranked third nationally in save percentage with a mark of .912, setting a new AMCC record, and 14th in goals against average. Her 10 shutouts on the year tied Cornell for second all-time in league history as well. Cornell led the conference in GAA, save percentage, shutouts and shutouts per game.
Click here for the complete poll and Players to Watch.

FERGUSON TO LEAD MEN'S GOLF PROGRAM AT PENN ST. ALTOONA
7/30/12

Penn State Altoona has announced the hiring of Greg Ferguson to be their new head coach of varsity men’s golf beginning this fall.  He takes over from Tom Koehle, who led the Lions to five AMCC championships since 2003.

Ferguson was a 1979 graduate of Tyrone Area High School, where he was a district champion and two-time PIAA state qualifier in golf. He was awarded a golf scholarship to Odessa College in Texas but opted to play the Mini Tour during the winter of 1980.  Ferguson worked as an assistant golf pro at Iron Masters Country Club and Centre Hills Country Club for one year each. During that period of time, he won several Pro Ams and qualified to the final stages of the US Open Championships twice.  Ferguson has played in numerous statewide professional events. He maintained his pro status for seven years before returning to amateur golf.  In 2004, Ferguson became the head golf coach at Tyrone Area High School, a position he continues to hold.

BEHREND SWIMMERS REWARDED FOR ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
7/19/12

Penn State Behrend swimmers Clay Altemose and Dan Simon have been named to the College Swimming Coaches Association of America (CSCAA) 2012 Scholar All-America Honorable Mention team.

Altemose (below left) had an outstanding junior season. He earned first team All-AMCC accolades in four  relay events and the 100 fly.  He was tabbed as the program’s Most  Valuable Player  and was named to the AMCC All-Academic Team.   Simon (right) made an immediate impact in his first year with the Lions. He was honored with the team’s Rookie of the Year award and was named AMCC All-Academic.  Simon was a part of four first team All-AMCC relay teams.  In addition he earned first team honors in the 100 and 200 back events.

HILBERT'S MCFARLAND NAMED TO NABC HONORS COURT
7/17/12

Hilbert College junior Dan McFarland was one of 467 student-athletes named by the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) to the 2012 NABC Honors Court team.  This award recognizes junior or senior varsity athletes who have earned a 3.2 cumulative grade point average (or higher) at an NCAA Division I, II, III or NAIA institution and who excelled on and off the basketball court during the 2011-12 year.

On the court, McFarland’s 483 points (17.9 ppg) and 58 steals led the Hawks (11-7) to a 4th place finish in the AMCC league standings. Additionally, the 6’1 guard pulled down 140 rebounds and distributed 86 assists which earned him an AMCC first team all-conference selection and helped guide Hilbert to a 15-11 overall finish. His 1,168 career points positions him at #7 in Hilbert’s all-time scorers list.  Off the court, the criminal justice major maintains a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 through his six semesters at Hilbert.

FORMER AMCC SOCCER STANDOUT MCFAYDEN GETS PRO SOCCER AWARD
7/13/12

As a result of his tremendous play in his first career start for the Rochester Rhinos, former Medaille College All-American Kendell McFayden, was named the USL-PRO Player of the Week. McFayden finished his collegiate soccer career in the fall of 2009.  McFayden recorded a pair of goals in his side’s 4-1 victory against Antigua Barracuda FC last Wednesday night.  McFayden was a pivotal part of a Medaille men's soccer program that saw tremendous success during his four year tenure. He made the move from forward to defender in his final two seasons as a Maverick and flourished in both roles as the Mavs won four AMCC titles over that span.