Nothing like a little home cookin'

Nothing like a little home cookin'

Heading into the final game before break, the men's basketball team had dropped five consecutive games and owned a 2-6 record. The 2-6 mark was a bit deceiving considering the rugged level of competition the Nor'easters had come across in the early going (UNE's setbacks have come to opponents with an aggregate record of 41-8).

So, what was the tonic for the ailment? Nothing like a little home cookin' to change the tone heading into a three-week layoff.

The Nor'easters took down UMaine Farmington, 81-67, last Saturday (Dec. 12) in what was just their second home game of the semester. The Big Blue have now won 16 straight at the friendly confines of the Campus Center -- a streak that dates back more than a year.

Since Jason Mulligan's arrival in 2007, his teams are 25-6 at home.

Maybe it's the familiar surroundings. Possibly it's the absence of a long bus trip. Certainly it's the loyal support of the Nor'easter faithful.

On behalf of all the members of the Athletics Department at UNE, I would like to wish each of you an enjoyable holiday season.

For those of you heading home for the holidays, enjoy the home cooking. I know I will!

Getting caught up

Getting caught up

Admittedly, it's been a while since 'Blogging up a Storm' has contained fresh material. Since the last post, things have been happening at a frenetic pace with the conclusion of the fall sports season and the start of the winter schedule (at least that's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it).

The field hockey team captured the institution's first ECAC Championship, edging Plymouth State 3-2 on Nov. 16. Senior Taryn Flagg recorded all three UNE goals, including her school-record 23rd tally of the sesaon 2:13 into overtime to give the Nor'easters the title in thrilling fashion. First-year back Emily Koehler was selected the Most Outstanding Player of the championship for her fine defensive work and solid play.

After smashing virtually every single-season and career record the program has, Flagg was chosen third team all-America and first team all-ECAC to cap a brilliant playing career.

Despite the women's soccer team's disappointing loss in the opening round of the TCCC Championship, the Nor'easters earned an ECAC Tournament berth and advanced to the semifinal round.

With the winter sports season already more than a month underway, the Nor'easters have enjoyed a pair of notable victories. The women's basketball team defeated nationally-ranked Southern Maine (No. 13) for just the second time in 37 meetings, while the men dropped UMass Dartmouth -- the nation's No. 8 team at the time -- three days later.

Final exams loom on the horizon, then the student body will get some time away to enjoy.

We wish you all the best during this holiday season.

The ebb and flow of a Saturday in the postseason

The ebb and flow of a Saturday in the postseason

Sitting in the pressbox yesterday as the women's soccer team battled an upstart Wentworth team, it was difficult to contain my excitement.

With a just-strong-enough wireless signal and a text message update from Head Athletic Trainer Brian Razak (from Assistant AT Tara Peterson), I was able to stay abreast of our other teams on the road at Western New England.

Men's soccer was leading top-seeded Western New England College in the second half. Cross country runner Matt Veiga had won the individual The Commonwealth Coast Conference Championship; Jess Partlow finished second in the women's race.

And even though the women's soccer team trailed Wentworth at the time, I knew we would battle back.

Several minutes later, the excitement level was even higher. The women had knotted the score at 1-1 on a goal by Karina Scavo. We had the momentum and seemed destined to move into the semifinals.

Right after that, I received an e-mail from Western New England SID Ken Cerino. The men still held a 2-1 lead with less than 25 minutes to play.

I was starting to formulate the headlines for what could prove to be one of the greatest Saturdays UNE sports has seen in quite some time.

The headline writing may have been a bit premature.

Another update from Ken at WNEC had the men's soccer game tied at 2. Moments later, Stephanie Crockett scored for Wentworth in the 86th minute for what would prove to be the game-winner. Just before the final horn sounded to end the women's game, the e-mail came in. The WNEC men had notched another goal and held on for victory.

I was consumed by disappointment.

But as I ambled across the field back towards my office, I was able to reflect on what this Fall season has brought us.

The men's soccer team came less than 25 minutes from knocking off the TCCC's best. Andy Biggs' team more than doubled its win total from a year ago. The women posted a nine-game win streak during the regular season and are currently 14-3 (we would seem a certain lock to receive an ECAC bid). The previous night Tristan Durgin and I were writing press releases about Anne Cowles, Ali Trafton and Ryan Tarr being selected TCCC Senior Scholar-Athletes of the Year in their respective sport; field hockey coach Joan Howard being voted TCCC Coach of the Year; Taryn Flagg being named TCCC Player of the Year in field hockey; and 14 soccer and field hockey players earning all-conference accolades.

For me, the emotional roller coaster of the afternoon had come to a close.

Seeking TCCC Supremacy

Seeking TCCC Supremacy

With just under two weeks remaining in the regular season, here's a look at how things are shaping up for the University of New England Nor'easters as they chase a conference title.

Field Hockey - Joan Howard's crew picked up a huge win this past Saturday, routing previously unbeaten (in the TCCC) Nichols. UNE put up a four-spot in the first half, then finished strong after the Bison answered with a pair of goals. The Nor'easters (9-2, 5-1 TCCC) are one of three teams currently with one conference loss. They will complete a suspended contest with Western New England on Thursday, then host New England College on Saturday in a game that could determine the top seed for the TCCC Tournament.

Women's Soccer - The Nor'easters (12-1 overall) are riding an eight-game win streak and are tied with Endicott with the top record in the TCCC. Doug Biggs' team controls its own destiny -- by virtue of defeating the Gulls earlier in the season -- and can lock up the number seed and home-field advantage by winning the remainder of its conference games.

Men's Soccer - The conference standings are tightly-bunched on the men's side, with three teams tied for fourth place with 18 points. Led by Andy Biggs, the Nor'easters are one of those teams in the gridlock. UNE has a rugged schedule left to go with dates against Roger Williams and WNEC, the two top teams in the standings. One victory in UNE's final three TCCC games (the Nor'easters also play Nichols) could secure a playoff spot. A sweep or 2-of-3 could wrap up a first-ever home playoff game since UNE joined the conference in 1999.

Volleyball - Karol L'Heureux's troops are 4-4 in conference play with matches against Gordon and Anna Maria remaining on the docket. The Nor'easters will need to sweep that tri-match and get some help in order to host an opening-round tournament game for the fourth consecutive season.

Cross Country - The men and women have a week off before competing in the TCCC Championship on Halloween. Both of Ron Ouellette's squads have had solid seasons and hope to challenge for conference titles. Jess Partlow on the women's side and Matt Veiga on the men's side have the ability to claim the individual hardware in their respective race.

Golf - And while it is technically considered an invitational since too few TCCC schools sponsor golf as a varsity sport, Kasey Keenan's team will compete in the conference event Oct. 22.

A September to Remember

A September to Remember

With the first month of the 2009-2010 UNE sports season in the rear-view mirror, here is one person's take on the Top 5 stories and memorable moments from September (in reverse order).

5. Jess Partlow wins the Blazers Invitational - Despite missing a large portion of the cross country team's pre-season due to illness, Partlow broke her own course record at the event hosted by Elms College, shaving six seconds off last year's time to win the event by posting 19:42.

4. Milestone victories - Both the women's and men's soccer teams collected their first-ever wins over a pair of opponents. Sophomore Maggie Mahoney's goal with less than a minute to play gave the women a win over Colby -- the Nor'easters first win over the Mules in 12 meetings. Eleven days later in front of a large Homecoming crowd, the men defeated Endicott 1-0 when Owen Evans punched home a goal in the 53rd minute. Before that match, the Nor'easters were 0-9-1 in the all-time series with the Gulls.

3. Sister Act - A case of one sister trying to out-do the other? Women's soccer players Kristin and Monica Meza provided the women's soccer team with consecutive overtime victories. Monica gave the Nor'easters an epic win over perennial TCCC power Endicottt with a golden goal 7:40 into overtime. Then, just three days later, the elder sibling gave UNE a hard-fought 3-2 extra-session victory at Salve Regina.

2. One for the record books - Senior field hockey player Taryn Flagg added another chapter to her storied career by breaking the program's all-time mark for goals scored, assists and total points. All three marks were previously held by '08 graduate Lisa Baillargeon.

1. Turning heads - Picked to finish 11th in the TCCC pre-season poll, the men's soccer team recorded a 7-2 overall record and 4-1 conference mark during September. The Nor'easters strung together a six-game winning streak and are off to their best start in more than 20 years.

Weathering The Storm; Enjoying The Moment

Weathering The Storm; Enjoying The Moment

Brandon Gormley and John-Michael Cascio have seen their share of ups-and-downs as four-year members of the University of New England men's soccer team. But with the Nor'easters off to a 6-1 start this season, both seemed to be very pleased with the way their final season is taking shape.

"It's an amazing feeling knowing that we're off to such a great start," Brandon said. "We came into this season with a chip on our shoulder, determined to better ourselves. Where we will go from here, who knows, but the same hard work and dedication that has got us this far...will continue."

JM would seem to concur with Brandon's enthusiasm.

"Starting out 4-0 in the TCCC and 6-1 overall has changed not only my attitude, by the team's attitude," JM commented. "We now all realize the potential on the team and the potential Coach (Andy) Biggs has brought in."

UNE's 6-1 start is the best the program has experienced in more than 20 years. Picked to finish 11th in the TCCC preseason poll, the Nor'easters find themselves sharing the top spot with Curry College with an unblemished 4-0 mark. The Big Blue have picked up a pair of significant wins over the past two weeks - claiming its first-ever victory over Endicott College and downing Gordon College for the first time since 1997.

What has been the cause of the Nor'easters' success thus far? From Andy Biggs' point of view, experience has played a large role."

"The experience of the veteran players has been key," Biggs said. "The veterans are applying the lessons they have learned over the past several years. We are definitely a more consistent team than we have been the last few seasons."

Mind Over Matter

(Basketball player JJ Roseman pumps himself up to snap a board in half with his hands)

Mind Over Matter

Captains and team leaders of UNE's sports program gathered Sunday evening for a three-hour session with dynamic motivational speaker Mike Howard.

Howard -- brother of Nor'easters' field hockey coach Joan Howard -- spoke to the group about breaking through their fears as athletes, while sharing keys to getting oneself into a peak emotional state.

The evening ended with each of the 40 or so student-athletes in attendance breaking a board with their bare hands, signifying each's ability to overcome an obstacle that holds them back.

Howard received rave reviews for his presentation.

"He got us amped up," junior cross country runner Matt Veiga said. "He got us to work together as a team."

"It was awesome," reflected senior lacrosse player Mallory Long. "I've never felt that much energy before."

Flagging Down a Record

Flagging Down a Record

She missed her entire sophomore year with an injury. Yet in a little more than two seasons, field hockey player Taryn Flagg is the program's leader in goals scored and total points (34 goals, 83 total points thru Sept. 18). Both of those marks were previously held by 2008 graduate Lisa Baillargeon.

Off to a red-hot start this season with six goals and three assists in four games, Flagg and the Nor'easters look like a solid contender for the TCCC Championship in the early going.

And what did breaking the school record mean to her?

"Here at UNE we pride ourselves in excellence both on and off the field, and it is exciting to achieve such an honor at this time in my career. A lot of hard work and dedication has been put in to achieving this accomplishment, but none of this would have been possible without the support of my coaches and teammates."

Student-athletes enjoy kick-off BBQ

Student-athletes enjoy kick-off BBQ

Director of Athletics Kim Allen and Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) President Ryan Tarr -- a senior captain on the men's soccer team -- addressed a large group of UNE student-athletes Wednesday afternoon at the Nor'easters' annual Student-Athlete Kick-Off BBQ.

In his remarks, Ryan lauded the accomplishments of the Nor'easters last year, including the TCCC championship won by the men's basketball team. He also noted the strong start of the fall teams to this point, which include the women's soccer team's best open since 1994, and his own team's best start since 1997. Ryan also recognized senior field hockey player Taryn Flagg for breaking the program's career mark for goals scored in a career, as well as total points.

Nothing like Opening Day

As a loyal Red Sox enthusiast, one of my favorite days of the year is the Sox season-opener. Hope springs eternal; I always think the Sox are going to go 162-0 (OK - that's a stretch, but at least I think they are going to win the World Series).

Well, today after traveling up to Gorham to watch the field hockey and men's soccer teams open their respective seasons with wins over the University of Southern Maine (FH 5-1; MS 2-1), all is good in the UNE sports world.

Will the field hockey team go 15-0? Will men's soccer go 17-0? That remains to be seen.

At this point, though, the Big Blue are on top of the world.

Now only if the Sox can find a #4 and #5 starter!

Four More Teams Arrive; One More to Go

With the oppressive humidity sticking around like gum on the sole of a flip-flop, four more fall teams commence practice this morning at the University of New England.

Women's soccer (pictured above taking a well-deserved water break), volleyball and men's and women's cross country bring the number of teams now in preseason training to six. The Nor'easters other fall-sport program -- golf -- starts practice in a week.

Women's soccer, volleyball and the cross country teams open their regular seasons Sept. 5.

Sweltering Heat Welcomes UNE Teams

Sweltering Heat Welcomes UNE Teams

When the weather was drab, cool and dreary in June and July, it was almost a sure-thing to expect just the opposite for the return of the athletics teams for preseason.

So, under 90-degree, high-humidity conditions, the University of New England men's soccer team returned to campus today for training.

The Nor'easters open their season Sept. 1 at the University of Southern Maine.

The field hockey team starts practicing this evening at 6:30.

Both teams will have an NCAA compliance meeting at 4:30 p.m.

Blogging Up A Storm

'Blogging Up A Storm'

With the start of the school year right around the corner, we have quite a bit to look forward to this upcoming academic year.

Can the men's basketball team repeat as TCCC champions? How will the ice hockey team fare versus the rugged competition of the ECAC East? Will the meteoric rise of all UNE sports teams continue (last season we improved to a .571 winning percentage after posting a .483 mark in 2007-08)?

This new platform -- 'Blogging Up A Storm' -- will give followers of UNE Athletics a slightly different perspective than the game recaps, stats and schedules you can find on a regular basis at http://athletics.une.edu/

Hopefully, you will make 'Blogging Up A Storm' a regular stop. Enjoy!