NESCAC standings starting to take shape

It was home sweet home for the NESCAC football teams in the opening week of the 2002 football season, as four of five home teams defended their turf successfully. Trinity squeaked by Colby 17-10, while a field goal separated Middlebury and Wesleyan as Middlebury took the win 24-21. Williams, Tufts and Amherst all easily defeated their NESCAC opponents in their home openers.

Tufts' senior Evan Zupancic earned the Defensive- Player-of-the-Week award for his efforts that were highlighted by two interceptions, which tied Scott Burhnam's school record of 15 set between 1979 and 1982. Weslyean's Pat Moffet hauled in six catches for 194 yards receiving, highlighted by a 90-yard touchdown pass tying a school record, and earned Offensive-Player-of-the-Week honors.

With more than two weeks completed in the 2002 men's NESCAC soccer season, the contenders and the pretenders are beginning to become clear. Tufts tops the NESCAC with a 2-0 conference record and an impressive 4-0 record overall. On the other end, the Bates Bobcats are struggling to keep their season afloat after starting with four consecutive defeats, including three in the NESCAC.

Tufts boasts a Player-of-the-Week in soccer as well, as Garret Dale claimed the honor. Dale led the Jumbos with a goal in consecutive games against MIT and Connecticut College to help Tufts edge out two 2-1 victories. The Jumbos are currently ranked number two in New England.

Bowdoin's Kendall Cox was the heroine of the weekend in women's soccer, as her 30-yard direct kick was the only goal in a tightly contested matchup with rival Williams College. Cox helped Bowdoin win for the first time against the Ephs since 1992. Middlebury's Leah Cumsky along with Cox were named Co-Players-of-the-Week in the NESCAC. Cumsky scored an unfathomable four goals in a 7-2 win over conference rival Wesleyan and also contributed a goal in a 9-0 thrashing of Norwich.

With no teams playing more than three games thus far, no clear picture has emerged in the standings. Bowdoin and Middlebury stand tied for first at 1-0 in the NESCAC, while Colby and Wesleyan sit in the basement, awaiting their first conference victories.

The dominating performance of the past week in field hockey came from Gillian McDonald of Bowdoin. Mcdonald stopped 25 shots and then stonewalled all three of Williams' penalty shots in the penalty stroke round leading her team to a 1-0 win over the Williams College Ephs. For Mcdonald this marks her fourth shutout in five games this season giving her 19 shutouts for her career.

Mcdonald shared Co-Player-of-the-Week honors with Wendy Bonner of Colby, who scored the only goal in Colby's contest with Plymouth State, and an overtime goal against Trinity _ the only goal of that game as well. Colby is the only undefeated team overall at 4-0, and is tied with Middlebury for the lead in the NESCAC, each having 2-0 conference records.

Kimberly Prescott of Colby was the NESCAC's Player-of-the-Week in volleyball. Prescott had 152 assists in four matches over the course of the week. Colby was able to cruise through the weekend winning all three of its contests, as Prescott set a school record with 56 assists in a five game match with Middlebury.

Prescott has been an instrumental part of Colby's impressive 3-0 NESCAC start. Colby and Amherst both have 3-0 records, though the Lord Jeffs (7-0 overall) have a slight lead over the White Mules (7-2) in the overall record department. Connecticut College and Hamilton have struggled mightily to this point, both failing to earn any victories.