__College returns 11 players, nine key contributors from last year’s 15-15 squad__

With four starters and five key contributors returning, Tribe practices are off to a relatively smooth start. In just a week of practice, the competition for playing time is apparent and so is the experience of the team.

p. “No question, it’s been the best five or six days that we’ve had since I’ve been at William and Mary,” Head Coach Tony Shaver said.

p. Shaver credits a strong offseason of work from his players, an abundance of upperclassmen and a familiar style of play as reasons practice is off to a solid start.

p. “For the first time since I’ve been here, our defense is going to be basically the same. Our offense is going to be basically the same,” Shaver said. “We’ve got 11 guys returning that know what we’re doing on day one. They can help the freshman learn.”

p. The only hiccup so far in practice has been some players missing time due to injury. Two players who have seen limited practice time are junior transfer Sean McCurdy (who is ineligible to play until the 2008 to 2009 season due to NCAA transfer rules) and freshman guard John Sexton. McCurdy has a small fracture in his foot and has yet to practice, while Sexton has a knee injury that has kept him off the floor. Junior forward Alex Smith sat out Thursday’s practice with a migraine, but Shaver noted that these players do not face long-term problems, although Sexton’s knee drew the most concern from Shaver. The Tribe also lost sophomore guard Matt McFadden who made a decision to leave the team.

p. Nevertheless, with the bulk of the team participating in practice, the competition for playing time is strong early and two junior forwards Chris Darnell and Alex Smith have already shown marked improvement from last year.

p. “Chris Darnell has made tremendous strides as a player,” Shaver said. “He’s simply put himself in the forefront as one of our best players right now in the first week of practice.”

p. Smith developed his game over the summer while playing for the Panamanian National Team in the Pan American Games and in the FIBA Americas Championship. Those experiences have added maturity and confidence to his game in addition to helping him slim down.

p. “Physically, if you look at him, he’s lost weight – which is a good thing,” Shaver said. “Alex has always had a little bit of an issue with stamina. Losing weight and playing a lot of basketball this summer, his stamina is different right now, so we certainly hope to keep him on the floor for more minutes.”

p. In addition to the improvement of returning players, the College has three freshmen learning the system and vying for playing time. In addition to Sexton, freshmen Marcus Kitts and Vali Lazarescu bolster the Tribe’s depth.

p. “On paper it’s a very good class,” Shaver said. “These guys are good players and several we think will be factors this year, but they’re going to have to really be good to break into the lineup and that’s what you want.”

p. The freshmen highlight one obvious transition that occurs each season as they learn the ins-and-outs of college basketball, but an equally important transition involves the maturation of seniors into leaders. This season’s captains – Laimis Kisielius and Nathan Mann – continue to adapt to this new role and must fill the void left by Adam Payton and Adam Trumbower.

p. “They’re both guys you can count on doing the right thing everyday and playing hard everyday,” Shaver said. “But they have to learn to take over a little bit more of a vocal role with this team and that takes a little time.”

p. With emerging leaders, intense competition for playing time, and new faces, the Tribe will face a stiff test when it opens its season on the road at Georgetown University Nov. 10.

p. “I think it motivates you in the offseason,” Shaver said. “We told our guys last spring that every time you get a little tired and don’t want to go to the weight room or you don’t want to take some extra shots, think about Georgetown on that opening game.”

p. Until then the College will continue practicing before a scheduled exhibition game with Saint Andrews Presbyterian College Nov. 6.

__College hosts CAA power UMass Saturday in homecoming contest__

p. Don’t look now, but the Tribe may be thinking playoffs. Following a hard-fought victory over the University of Maine last Saturday, the College’s record sits above .500 (4-3) after seven games for the first time since 2005. If the Tribe wins its final four games, the team will advance to the postseason, a feat deemed extremely unlikely at the season’s outset.

p. The Tribe finds itself in the playoff hunt thanks to the team’s 21-20 victory over Maine on the road last weekend. The College used a combination of veteran experience and youthful fervor to come from behind and hold on for the win.

p. Redshirt freshman wide receiver Cameron Dohse hauled in seven passes, two for touchdowns, and accumulated 123 receiving yards in a career day that netted him CAA Rookie of the Week honors. Dohse bested his career mark of 117 yards, which was set against Villanova University the week before.

p. “[Cameron’s] just doing what he is supposed to be doing, and by doing it on a consistent basis, that’s where the big plays are coming and occurring,” Head Coach Jimmye Laycock said. “He is a very solid receiver for us right now.”

p. Fifth-year senior running back Tony Viola proved vital to the Tribe’s victory as well, rushing the ball nine times in the fourth quarter for 36 yards and totaling 44 yards on the ground for the day. Viola’s fourth-quarter scampers included a three-yard touchdown that proved to be the game-winner and a three-yard gain on third and short that sealed the Tribe’s victory.

p. The College’s defense also played well as the unit successfully rebounded from a disappointing outing against Villanova. Late in the fourth quarter, Maine blocked a Tribe punt, setting up field position at the College’s 24-yard line. But the defense, anchored by a 10-tackle performance from junior linebacker Josh Rutter, shut down the Maine offense, forcing a field goal to keep the Tribe in the lead.

p. “We were in a tough situation at the end, our defense had to go in and they held them to a field goal, and then after that our offense took it … and never gave it back,” Laycock said. “You’ve got to do those things to win on the road and we did them, so we are very happy with that.”

p. With a bye-week behind them, the College now sets their sights on fourth-ranked University of Massachusetts. Massachusetts heads to Williamsburg sporting a 6-1 record and is undefeated in CAA play.

p. “Whether you are coming off a bye week or a loss or whatever, it doesn’t change the fact that this is a very good team that we’re facing,” Laycock said. “We had a lot of trouble with them last year. They are playing very well, and they’re very physical, very talented, and well coached.”

p. The matchup against Massachusetts is just the tip of the iceberg, as the Tribe closes out the remainder of their season against four teams ranked in the top 25. The tough schedule is to be expected from the conference, which has grown accustomed to placing teams in the top 25 year in and year out.

p. “It’s a very strong league from top to bottom,” Laycock said. “A lot of teams compete for the championship. We are facing good teams every week and we’re going to be facing a great team this week with [Massachusetts].”

p. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. Saturday at Zable Stadium.

Redshirt freshman Andrew McAdams recorded his fifth shutout of the year, notching five saves, as the Tribe tied George Mason University 0-0 Sunday. George Mason outshot the Tribe 9-4 in the first half, but the College came back in the second half and kept the pressure on with 12 shots on goal and an 8-3 advantage in corner kicks.

p. The College’s best scoring opportunity came in the second overtime period when sophomore Price Thomas fired a strike on goal that was stopped by the George Mason keeper. Following the tie, the Tribe stands at 6-6-3 overall and 3-2-1 in the CAA. Prior to Sunday’s scoreless draw, the College lost to Towson University 1-0 in overtime. Towson’s Pat Healey headed in the winning goal as time expired in the first overtime frame. The College returns to action Friday Oct. 26 against Georgia State.

The Tribe, now 8-9 overall and 2-5 in the CAA, recorded a 3-0 victory against VCU before losing 3-0 to no. 8 James Madison University over the weekend. Outshooting VCU 8-1 Saturday, the College put away three goals in the first half, including the game-winner from senior captain and midfielder Jes Kacerek in the 19th minute.

p. Freshmen forwards Michelle Krewinghaus and Jenna Cinalli added a goal apiece to extend the Tribe’s lead and secure victory. In Sunday’s match at JMU, the game remained tied after 35 minutes of scoreless play, but the College yielded three second-half goals en route to a 3-0 loss. The Dukes enjoyed a 19-2 advantage in shots, holding the Tribe to one shot in each half. Senior goalkeeper Gwen Hunter recorded six stops and is now one of three Tribe goalkeepers with over 300 career saves.

Junior forward Claire Zimmeck led the Tribe to victories over Towson University and George Mason University this weekend, tallying five of the College’s six total goals scored. Following her performance, Zimmeck leads the CAA in goals (nine) and shots (56), while ranking third in points with 18. Zimmeck’s play netted the junior Top Drawer national player of the week honors.

p. “[Claire] had an outstanding performance this weekend, with a high quality of professionalism and ability,” Head Coach John Daly said.

p. With the two victories, the Tribe’s record now stands at 11-4-1 overall and 6-1-1 in conference, placing the College just behind James Madison University, who sits atop the CAA standings.
The Tribe opened the weekend with a 4-1 victory over Towson. Zimmeck started off the scoring in the 18th minute with a powerful drive upfield and a strong shot that sailed past the Tiger’s keeper. The College’s top scorer found the net twice more on headers in the 49th and 54th minutes, with the second goal coming off a pass from sophomore midfielder Krissy Vornadore to give the Tribe a 3-0 advantage.

p. Towson’s only goal was the result of a 25-yard strike from forward Samantha Blomquist that found the top right corner of the goal. The Tribe responded less than a minute later as senior midfielder Emily Kittleson struck a 20-yard shot off the right bar and into the net to secure the win.

p. The College came out strong again Sunday, notching their 12th shutout of the year en route to a 2-0 victory over George Mason. Zimmeck again recorded the game-winning goal, this time in the 25th minute off assists from freshman back Katy Winsper and freshman midfielder Danielle Axenfield. Winsper passed the ball from midfield up to Axenfield, who headed it to Zimmeck.

p. Zimmeck then proceeded to loft the ball from 10 yards out into the back of the net. The College struck again in the 63rd minute when Zimmeck fielded a pass from junior back Meredith Brown before vaulting the ball from 18 yards out into the right side of the goal.

p. The Tribe held an overwhelming 12-3 advantage in shots over the Patriots, but the team was only able to capitalize on two of them. Junior midfielder Abby Lauer had a penalty kick in the 23rd minute, but failed to convert on her attempt due to a diving save from the George Mason keeper.

p. “We’ve had a lot of statistical inequalities, but we did very well in scoring,” Daly said.

p. Junior goalie Meghan Walker recorded her eighth shutout of the season for the College while lowering her goals against average to 0.49 per game. Walker leads the CAA in goals against average and is second in shutouts.

p. The Tribe will play its final home contest of the regular season this Friday when the College hosts Georgia State University at 7 pm.

p. The College begins its road trip this Friday at 7 p.m. when it travels to Hofstra University.

As a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan who has, as I write this, just finished watching the Sox rally from a three games to one ALCS deficit to clinch a spot in the World Series, I promise that I will do my very best to keep this column from turning into a Josh-Beckett-and-Kevin-Youkilis-for-co-players-of-the-century editorial. However, given my intense euphoria at the prospect of the Sox actually continuing to play in October despite their Eric Gagne-induced 11th inning hemorrhage in Game 2, their inability to hit mediocre Cleveland Indian’s starting pitchers Paul Byrd and Jake Westbrook and the general presence of Julio Lugo at shortstop, that will be extremely difficult.

p. Earlier in the weekend, I had intended to write about the criminal treatment of future Hall of Fame manager Joe Torre by the Yankees ownership; however, as soon as Dustin Pedroia launched a Rafael Betancourt fastball high into the Green Monster seats to give Boston an insurmountable 5-2, Game 7 lead, that idea went straight out the window. For now, the focus will be squarely on the events of the two League Championship Series, which both yielded spectacular results.

p. While America (and now Japan) focused on the dramatic proceedings at Jacob’s Field and Fenway Park, the Colorado Rockies were busy adding to their impressive list of late-season accomplishments. In a series contested between two relatively unknown teams in a television executive’s nightmare (FOX even declined to air the games on national television, instead banishing the series to the hinterlands — and awful announcing — of TBS), the Rockies waltzed over the Arizona Diamondbacks in a crisp, four-game sweep. Hardly even breaking a sweat, Colorado trailed for a grand total of two innings in the entire series as they rode the strong pitching of starters Jeff Francis and Josh Fogg and the typical heroics of NLCS MVP Matt Holliday, as well as the newly-found dominance of closer Manny Corpas to their first ever National League Pennant. The Rockies have now won an incredible 21 out of their last 22 games, while becoming the first team since the 1976 Cincinnati Reds to start a postseason 7-0.

p. Meanwhile, on the East Coast, the Indians and Red Sox were engaged in a series of stunning momentum changes. Boston dominated Game 1, blowing out the Tribe behind yet another unhittable performance by the new Mr. October, Josh Beckett. However, Cleveland struck back, taking Game 2 after torching Red Sox anti-closer Eric Gagne in the top of the 11th inning of a tie ball game, eventually scoring seven runs to silence a shocked Fenway crowd and even the series at one game apiece. Back at Jacob’s Field, the Indians continued their hot play, shutting down the potent Boston lineup to win Games 3 and 4, posting an intimidating three games to one lead. However, the Red Sox would not be cowed.

p. Exhibiting the exact same relaxed attitude that allowed them to pull off their unprecedented 2004 ALCS comeback, Boston shut down the Indians in Games 5 and 6, lighting up Cleveland aces C.C. Sabathia and Fausto Carmona for 11 earned runs to bring the series to a pivotal seventh game. At Fenway, the Red Sox jumped on the board early, scoring runs in the first three innings, yet, by the fifth, the Indians had closed to within a run, scoring two off a shaky Daisuke Matsuzaka. That lead seemed increasingly fragile as Cleveland pushed the tying run to third with one out in the seventh, but All Star reliever Hideki Okajima induced one of the biggest double plays in Red Sox history to escape the jam and end the inning, to the roars of the ecstatic Fenway faithful. In the bottom half of the inning, potential Rookie of the Year Dustin Pedroia blasted his two-run homer into the brisk Massachusetts night, sealing the pennant for the Red Sox in an eventual 11-2 victory.

p. Which brings the baseball world to what should be an outstanding Fall Classic. Both teams are red hot; Boston outscored the Indians 30-5 in the final three games of the ALCS, while Colorado has not lost since September 28th. Overall, the series should come down to several key matchups. The Rockies’ starting rotation of Jeff Francis, Josh Fogg, Ubaldo Jiminez and Franklin Morales, while unheralded in much of the country, was untouchable in the NLCS, posting a sparkling 1.66 ERA in four games. This will be contrasted with a Red Sox lineup that is tearing the cover off the ball; Kevin Youkilis, Dustin Pedroia and Mike Lowell together hit .397 with 20 RBI’s and five home runs against Cleveland, while David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez are two of the best postseason hitters ever to play the game.

p. Additionally, Boston ace Josh Beckett, while only 27 years old, is well on his way to becoming one of the best October pitchers in baseball history, going 3-0 with a 1.17 ERA and 26 strikeouts in the 2007 playoffs. With Beckett’s postseason dominance, his starts in Games 1 and 5 are almost sure to be Red Sox wins, and if reliable Boston starter Curt Schilling, also a great October performer, can post two solid games, Colorado has little shot at winning the series. However, if the Rockies can steal a win against Schilling and get strong performances from their young starters, they have an excellent chance of beating the Red Sox’s unpredictable back half of the rotation and taking their first ever World Series Championship.

p. __Matt Poms may be e-mailed at mbpoms@wm.edu. He’ll be rooting for his Red Sox in the World Series.__