SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30
District Basketball
Hiram 88, Geneva 84 The Golden Tornadoes lost their third straight, allowing Hiram to shoot 52.1 percent from the field for the game. Geneva led by four at the half, but Hiram rebounded behind 57-percent shooting in the final 20 minutes.
Beaver County Times

Jones Scores 4 Times, Presidents 'Outhit' 3rd-Ranked Millsaps
JACKSON, Miss. - David Gitlitz made the saving tackle, and Curt Jones made the game-sealing run. It was a perfect ending that capped a couple of near-perfect performances.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

W&J Women, Men Lose For First Time
It was one of those games for the Washington & Jefferson women. No shots seemed to fall for the Presidents and very few did.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

College Football Notebook
Curt Jones scored four rushing touchdowns, including the final three of the game, as the Presidents (11-1) advanced to the quarterfinals of the Division III playoffs with a 35-20 victory against Millsaps (11-1) in Jackson, Miss.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

W&J Upsets Top-Seeded Millsaps
JACKSON, Miss. -- David Gitlitz made the saving tackle, and Curt Jones had the game-sealing run. It was the perfect ending to a couple of stellar performances.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Lauteri Has Successful Season at St. Vincent
While his final collegiate season did not end with the same team success his first one did, Monessen High School's Dave Lauteri enjoyed another effective year with St. Vincent College's men's soccer team.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Bethany Trounces Fayette
The Bison men's squad set school records for largest margin of victory and fewest points allowed since the inception of the shot clock in Bethany's 112-31 victory Saturday over visiting Penn State Fayette, The Eberly Campus.
The (Uniontown) Herald-Standard

Bison Shatter Record
BETHANY - The Bethany men's basketball team (4-2) set school records for largest margin of victory (81) and fewest points allowed since the inception of the shot clock Saturday with a 112-31 triumph against visiting Penn State-Fayette (0-4).
The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register
 

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29
Former Bellingham High Runner Wraps Up College Career
When Kristen Carter was cut from the soccer team her freshman year in high school, she decided to give cross country a shot. It was while participating in cross country at Bellingham High School that Carter fell in love with running. Her passion for the sport has taken her across the country.
The Bellingham (Wash.) Herald

In Brief
Both recipients of Geneva College's Athlete of the Week honors followed up with stellar performances on the basketball court.
Ellwood City Ledger

Names in the Games
Swimming - Westminster -
It was a big day in the pool for the Lehbergers on Saturday. Caitlin Lehberger and her older brother Chris Lehberger excelled for Westminster in a dual meet against Wooster (Ohio). The Titans’ men’s team won 152-132, but the Lady Titans fell, 139-123.
New Castle News

Division III Playoffs
Two of the highest-scoring teams in the country will meet when fifth-seeded Washington & Jefferson (10-1) plays top-seed Millsaps (11-0) at 1 p.m. today in the second round of the NCAA Division III playoffs in Jackson, Miss.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

California (Pa.), W&J Hope to Keep Playoff Drive Alive
California (Pa.) and Washington & Jefferson, the district's two remaining college football playoff teams, hit the road today in search of another victory.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Football
Washington & Jefferson sophomore Kane Danison started at left tackle on the junior varsity squad, which included a 34-13 win over Muskingum. The Philo grad also traveled with the varsity and has played in several games including a 57-7 rout of Bethany.
Zanesville (Ohio) Times-Recorder

 

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 28
College Notebook
...
John Scheller (Hoover) scored 10 points in Grove City's 70-64 victory over Altoona.
The (Canton) Repository

Kittanning Grad Helping W&J Football
Kittanning graduate Derek Taylor has played a big role in helping Washington & Jefferson College to the second round of the NCAA Division III football playoffs.
The (Kittanning) Leader Times

College Notebook: Nov. 28, 2008
...
Cordario Collier (Thomas More football, Jr.) — at North Central, NCAA Division III playoffs, first round, Nov. 22, 44-23 loss: 17 rushes for 36 yards, six receptions for 65 yards; season-ending stats: 133 rushes for 693 yards, 40 receptions for 452 yards, eight touchdowns (seven rushing, one receiving).
The (Jeffersonville, Ind.) News and Tribune

W&J's Offense Must Stay on Run
Bobby Swallow is one of the most prolific and accurate passers in NCAA Division III football this season. He can launch the football 50 yards downfield or throw it through the tiniest space between defenders.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 27
Defensive Pressure
At this point in the season a year ago, the Washington and Jefferson Presidents were looking back at their first round game against North Carolina Wesleyan and wondering how they were upset by a No. 8 seed in a familiar setting.
D3Football.com
 

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26
Yellow Jackets Win
Waynesburg 84, Franciscan 58: After falling behind by four at halftime, the Waynesburg men's basketball team scored 55 points in the second half and rolled past visiting Franciscan (Ohio), 84-58.
Observer-Reporter

Killenn Takes Control For W&J's Women
Through the Washington & Jefferson College basketball team's first two games, point guard Kennan Killeen scored just 12 points, a number coach Jina DeRubbo would like to see increase.
Observer-Reporter

Area College Roundup
Men...Bethany 83, Ohio University Eastern 58...WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — Bethany made nine 3-pointers in the first half to build a 23-point lead and cruised in the Wendy’s Classic at West Liberty State. The Bison (3-2), who never trailed, were led by Petre Petkovski with 13 points, while Tyler Morando added 12.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Blazing Start!
Bethany 83, OU Eastern 58...In the opener, the Bison (3-2) used an early 18-2 run to take command and cruised home.  Former Wheeling Park standout Pete Petkovski led Bethany with 13 points while Wheeling Central alum Tyler Morando buried four 3-point baskets for a dozen points.
The Intelligencer


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 25
Campus Corner
...
Kate Wilt (Bellefonte, Grove City) was named the President’s Conference Swimmer of the Week for her performance in a double dual meet sweep of Chatham and Hiram Colleges. Wilt, a freshman, won the 100 breaststroke in 1:11.07, the 200 freestyle in 1:59.65 and the 200 breaststroke in 2:31.49. She also swam on the winning 400 freestyle relay team.
Centre Daily Times

Briefs
A cold night shooting hurt Waynesburg University, which dropped a 59-47 decision at La Roche on Monday. The winless Yellow Jackets (0-3) made just 25 percent of their field-goal attempts and were unable to make up a 32-18 halftime deficit.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

Alumni Report
Thiel's latest Hall of Fame class includes former men's and women's track and field coach William "Bill" Ross; Brian Holzshu, a former wrestler; Bill Reading, a former football player and track and field athlete; and members of the undefeated (10-0) 1964 wrestling team.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Colonels Set to Take on Division III Thiel College
RICHMOND — The Eastern Kentucky University men’s basketball team will play its only home game of the 2008 Legends Classic tonight, as Thiel College will visit McBrayer Arena.
Richmond (Ky.) Register

Sports Shorts
Waynesburg University's Corbin Semple (Waynesburg Central) was named the PAC Wrestler of the Week. Wrestling at 197 pounds, Semple was 4-0 with three pins and a 6-0 decision over James Laughlin of York. The Yellow Jackets are now 3-1.
The (Uniontown) Herald-Standard

Toppers Pressure Is Too Much
West Liberty's relentless pressure burst Bethany's upset bubble Monday night in the opening round of the Wendy's Classic at the Hilltoppers' Academic, Sports and Recreation Complex. The Bison scored eight of the game's first 10 points to take an early lead but Coach Jim Crutchfield's hosts stormed back by forcing 22 turnovers in the first half alone en route to a 99-74 victory.
The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register

Men's College Basketball Area Games
Oberlin 67, Westminster 52 - OBERLIN — Junior forward Steve Bielich posted his fourth career game with 20-or-more points as he led the Titans (0-5) with 20 points on 5-12 shooting from the floor and 9-12 from the free-throw line.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator
 

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24
Thomas More Notebook
Sophomore post Brian Muse (Bethel-Tate) was named the Most Valuable Player of the Buffalo State University Coles Classic last weekend. Muse averaged 15.5 points and 7.7 rebounds to lead the Saints to the title with a 75-71 win over Buffalo State and a 75-55 win over Rutgers-Newark in the championship game.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Local Briefs
Heading into the eight-team Messiah College Duals, the Waynesburg wrestling team hadn't won a dual meet since Jan. 4, 2007.  Under the guidance of first-year head coach Ron Headlee, a former wrestler at Messiah and member of the college's sports hall of fame, the Yellow Jackets knocked off a pair of teams ranked in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Division III Top 25 while going a 3-0 at the event Saturday.
Observer-Reporter

Area College Roundup Weekend Games
WOMEN...Westminster 60, Cazenovia 44...Gina Brunetti scored 18 points and Kaitlin McCarthy added 15 to lead Westminster in the consolation game of the Penn State-Behrend Tip-Off Tournament Sunday. Brunetti (Mooney) was 6-of-14 from the field, while McCarthy (Lowellville) was 3-of-3 from the field and 9-of-9 at the foul line. McCarthy also had a team-high nine rebounds and six assists.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23
Saints Will Learn Lesson From 44-23 Loss
Thomas More players knew they'd have their hands full against the nation's No. 2-ranked team entering Saturday's NCAA Division III playoff clash.  And despite a 44-23 thrashing by host North Central College, the Saints also got a sense of how far the program has come.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Names in the Games
Westminster’s Caitlin Lehberger was effective in a pair of events Saturday in a 107-69 victory over Bethany in PAC action.
New Castle News

Presidents Have Too Many Weapons For CNU
Washington & Jefferson College football coach Mike Sirianni was rightly concerned about Christopher Newport running back Tunde Ogun. The Captains' junior running back was second in the nation, averaging 181.6 rushing yards per game heading into Saturday's matchup with the Presidents in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Observer-Reporter

Linebacker Fahey Delivers In Pinch, Fills in as W&J's Kicker
Special teams is the most overlooked phase in football, yet it's just as important as offense and defense.  Washington & Jefferson found out just how much so Saturday as an old nemesis - the kicking game - had a chance to cost the Presidents again in the postseason.
Observer-Reporter

W&J Men Pull Off Upset, Win Tourney
The Washington & Jefferson men's basketball team knocked off its second nationally ranked team is as many nights Saturday in the Al Van Wie /Wooster Rotary Classic in Wooster, OhioJosip Lucic-Jozak and Albert Varacallo combined for 38 points and W&J defeated Randolph-Macon,71-64, in the tournament's championship game.
Observer-Reporter

Washington & Jefferson Pass Christopher Newport  -- With Flying Colors
Christopher Newport paid the price for trying to match pass-happy Washington & Jefferson at its own game yesterday in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs at Cameron Stadium.  The run-oriented Captains (8-2) got away from their run-oriented attack in the second quarter, which allowed the host Presidents (10-1) to take off en route to a 35-29 victory.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

W&J Maintains Dominance Over Christopher Newport
Washington & Jefferson has met Christopher Newport University in four of its past six postseason appearances.  The Presidents are 4-0 in those contests after defeating CNU, 35-29, in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs Saturday at W&J's Cameron Stadium.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

New Look Yellow Jackets Drop Season Opener To La Roche
Last year the injury bug dealt the Waynesburg men's basketball team a tough card as several starters were lost and new faces were thrown into games. This year the Yellow Jackets rebuilt off of the return of their injured players and last year's starters from a team that finished 2-10 last year in President Athletic Conference play and 8-17 overall.
(Uniontown) Herald Standard

Local Roundup
The Yellow Jackets lost a tough match to Duquesne to open the season earlier this week, but Waynesburg rebounded Saturday under first-year coach Ron Headlee to finish 3-0 at the Messiah College Duals in Grantham, Pa.  Waynesburg broke its dual match winless streak that stretched back to Jan. 4. 2007, with a 26-19 victory over the host Falcons.

(Uniontown) Herald Standard

Area Colleges - Saturday's Hoops
Men...Wesley 101, Westminster 85...Junior forward Ryne Murray earned a spot on the All-Buzz Ridl Classic team for Westminster after he bucketed a game-high 26 points on 9-20 shooting and 3-7 shooting from 3-point range. Murray also pulled down a game-high 15 rebounds including 10 in the first half.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
Success Starts Close to Home
Dixie Heights High School has four players, all freshmen, on the Thomas More Saints football team that is bound for the NCAA Division III playoffs for the third time in school historyIf the four former Colonels each punted, passed and kicked a pigskin from their new stadium in Crestview Hills, they'd darn near be back at their alma mater.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Familiar Opponent Confronts Presidents
It almost looks too easy for Washington & Jefferson. After all, numbers don't lie, right?  The Presidents have major statistical advantages over Christopher Newport, the Presidents' first-round opponent in the NCAA Division III football playoffs.  Washington & Jefferson (9-1) has more points scored, passing yards, total yards and has allowed fewer yards than the Captains.
Observer-Reporter

Waynesburg Wrestlers Lose Opener to Duquesne
In its first dual match of the season, Waynesburg gave visiting Duquesne all they could handle in front of a raucous crowd inside the Rudy Marisa Fieldhouse Wednesday night. After four bouts, the Yellow Jackets held a 9-6 lead over the Division I Dukes and were in position to pull a huge upset. Unfortunately, Duquesne wrestled well through the middle weights and held on in the heavyweight bout to down the Jackets 23-15.
The Herald Standard

Fay-West College Basketball Preview
St. Vincent (1-0)...Conference: President Athletic Conference...Coach: D.P. Harris...Last year's record: 22-4...Returning starters: G Joey Butler, 6-2, Sr.; G B.J. McGill, 6-1, So.; F Mike Medved, 6-7. Sr.; G Billy Bains, 6-3, Sr....Top returning reserves: G Tre'sor Kalambay, 6-2, Sr.; G Jordan Cleary, 5-11, Jr.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Fay-West Area Campus Clips
Junior midfielder Alex Shasko of St. Vincent received coaches' honors from the Presidents Athletic Conference this season. It was the second time that the Norwin alumnus was so honored. She was also selected in 2006. Shasko scored a goal and added an assist for the Lady Bearcats, who finished the season 6-9-4.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
Thomas More Notebook
Thomas More College head football coach Jim Hilvert has climbed to sixth in the Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year voting. The Liberty Mutual Coach of the Year Award is the only coach of the year award where fans can have a vote.
Cincinnati Enquirer

PG North: O'Mahony Playing Two Ways In W&J's Playoff Run
When Washington & Jefferson College football coach Mike Sirianni asked Brendan O'Mahony to change positions during the summer, the 6-foot-2, 220-pound junior asked if he could play both ways.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Bison Put Eight On All-PAC Team
Eight Bethany football players were honored when All-Presidents Athletic Conference (PAC) teams were announced after voting by the league coaches.  Junior tight end Jorge Laboy was the lone Bethany representative on first team, while a trio of Bison received second-team laurels, including senior offensive lineman Brian Liptock, junior receiver Matt Cruse and junior free safety Nelson Mitzen.
The Intelligencer

Area Roundup Wednesday's Games
Notre Dame 79, Westminster 63...Westminster junior guard Amy Dolsak (McDonald) scored a game-high 17 points on 5-of-9 shooting from the floor, all from 3-point range. Dolsak also snared a game-high eight rebounds.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

College Scores
...Saint Vincent 69, La Roche 60...Janelle Reed and Maria Baroffio each scored 18 points to lead Saint Vincent (2-0) past La Roche (1-2) at home.</ div <>
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Capsules for 2008
Thomas More Saints (8-2)...Regional: North...Seed No.8...Last Top 25 Ranking: No.24 Week 9 2008...Location: Crestview Hills, KY...Stadium (capacity): Thomas More (3,000)...Conference: Presidents' Athletic Conference...Preseason Ranking From Kickoff 2008: 140...Head Coach: Jim Hilvert (St. Joseph's, Ind.)...
D3Football.com


WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19
TMC Freshman Setter Honored
Thomas More College freshman setter Michelle Clifford (McAuley) was named honorable mention all-Great Lakes Region by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Hilvert Named Coach of the Year
Thomas More College head football coach Jim Hilvert was named Presidents' Athletic Conference coach of the year and 18 Saints were named all-PAC.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Saints Geared for Upset Thriller
One of the best things ever to come out of Naperville, Ill. - where Thomas More travels for its first-round game in the NCAA Division III football playoffs - is a crime thriller titled "Blown Away," by former Chicago Sun-Times journalist Shane Gericke.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Area College Tuesday's Scores
Pitt-Bradford 81, Westminster 74...Junior forward Ryne Murray led the Titans with 22 points on 7-for-17 shooting from the floor while also dishing out a game-high four assists. Senior guard David Richards (New Castle) bucketed 20 points on 7-of-11 shooting for the Titans, while freshman guard Cameron McCleary (Newton Falls) added a career-high 13 points.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Around the Great Lakes
...
Thomas More wasted little time getting ready for the postseason after a loss to Geneva in the second-to-last week of the season. The Saints, who had 18 players selected to All-Presidents’ Athletic Conference teams, soundly defeated Mount St. Joseph 19-0 in Bridge Bowl XIII. The Saints outgained Mount St. Joseph 454-80 in total yards and held the ball for nearly 11 more minutes.
D3Football.com

College Football: Ex-BC Player Cruse Named All-Presidents' Athletic Conference
Former Barron Collier football player Matt Cruse, a wide receiver at Bethany (W. Va.), was named second-team All-Presidents' Athletic Conference on Tuesday.  Cruse, a junior, has been recognized by the conference all three years.

Naples Daily News


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18
MSJ Loses to TMC in Bridge Bowl Game
The Mount ended its season with a 19-0 loss in the 13th annual Bridge Bowl game with Thomas More. The Lions offense struggled during the game, managing only 80 total yards and converting only one of its 12 third-down chances.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Everything is Breaking W&J's Way
The next time you venture to the Meadows Racetrack & Casino, take along Mike Sirianni.  The next time you head into the woods to search for the 16-point buck you saw there this summer, take along Mike Sirianni.
Observer-Reporter

Bethany Beats LaRoche
Junior Joe Testa scored a game-high 21 poimts and senior Petre Petkovski notched a double-double with 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead the Bethany men's basketball team to a 77-61 victory over visiting LaRoche Monday in the season opener for both teams.
The Herald Star

Ex-Knight Riddle Shines for Thiel
Andrew Riddle, a former wrestler at Franklin High School, is off to a perfect 6-0 start in his senior season at Thiel College.  The Tomcats, who compete in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference in Division III, opened the season at the Baldwin-Wallace Quad Meet where they finished 1-2, losing to Lycoming and Mount St. Joseph and beating Baldwin-Wallace.
The Derrick

Thiel's Leipheimer Steps Down as Coach, Takes Over Role As Ad
Jack Leipheimer has stepped down as head football coach of the Thiel College Tomcats.  Leipheimer, former Hickory High and Thiel standout, will assume the position of director of athletics at the college it was announced Sunday afternoon.
The (Sharon) Herald

Summey's Bison Debut A Success
As the first measurable snowfall of the season whitened the landscape outside Bethany's Hummel Field House Monday night, it was raining 3s inside.
The Intelligencer

West Branch's Swallow MVP Pick In PAC
Washington & Jefferson quarterback Bobby Swallow was named most valuable player on the Presidents’ Athletic Conference football team Monday.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Testa, Petkovski Propel Bethany Past LaRoche
Joe Testa scored 21 points and Petre Petkovski added 20 points and 11 rebounds to lead Bethany College over LaRoche, 77-61, in the season opener for both teams Monday.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 17
Up Next: The No. 2 Team in the Country
Thomas More College football coach Jim Hilvert tried as hard as he could to enjoy the moment on Sunday, but he wanted to make it clear to his football team it wasn't enough.
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Presidents' Sirianni: "Someone's Looking Out For Us"
Talk about a quick turnaround. Just 26 hours before the NCAA Division III pairings were announced, Washington & Jefferson College's football team was a longshot to make the playoffs.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

Local Briefs
Messiah, the No. 2-ranked team in the country, defeated Washington & Jefferson 6-0 in the second round of the NCAA Division III women's soccer championships Sunday.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

District Roundup: Presidents to Host First Round Division III Contest
Washington & Jefferson coach Mike Sirianni received what he wanted yesterday -- a bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

W&J Welcomes Home Playoff Game
Washington & Jefferson's fifth consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs might not have been totally unexpected, but playing a home game came as a bit of a surprise to the Presidents.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Thiel Coaching Change
GREENVILLE, Pa. — Jack Leipheimer, a Thiel College graduate who coached the Tomcats to their only NCAA playoff appearance in 2005, has resigned to become the school’s athletic director.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator
 

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 16
In the End, Geneva Breaks Even
The Geneva College football team was feeling many emotions late Saturday afternoon at Reeves Field.
There was jubilation about holding on for a 29-26 win over archrival Westminster in a Presidents Athletic Conference game at Reeves Field to end the season.
Beaver County Times

Western Pa. Roundup
...
Grove City 20, Thiel 14 Quarterback Andrew DiDonato threw a touchdown pass to and caught a touchdown pass from running back Brian Mercer to lead Grove City.

Beaver County Times

Presidents Soar to Win, Hope to Grab Playoff Spot
With a little less than nine minutes to play in the football game, a powerful wind blew through Waynesburg University's Wiley Stadium.  The force was so great that the upper portion of the press box was evacuated because of fears it might collapse. All types of paper products fell among the crowd.
Observer-Reporter

W&J Routs Waynesburg, Awaits Playoff Bid
As Washington & Jefferson piled up the points in a 42-9 victory at Waynesburg yesterday, the W&J assistant coaches kept giving coach Mike Sirianni updates on significant scores from around the country.  The news was mostly good.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

District Roundup
...Bethany 44, Saint Vincent 14: The host Bison (3-7, 2-5) topped the Bearcats (1-9) in the Presidents' Athletic Conference game. Eric Walker led Bethany with 117 yards rushing.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Washington Sunday: Improving Isn't A Dead Issue for Waynesburg Grad at Bethany
Waynesburg Central High School graduate Tim Stefanizzi would like to be a forensic scientist one day, much like the ones featured in the popular "Crime Scene Investigation" or "CSI" television shows.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

W&J Whips Waynesburg
Despite a 42-9 loss to rival Washington and Jefferson at John F. Wiley Stadium Saturday afternoon the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets have a lot to be thankful for.   The win marks the fifth consecutive over the Yellow Jackets for the Presidents, and pending results of other games, could propel them into the NCAA Division III playoffs.

The Herald Standard

Grove City College Retains Mercer County Cup With 20-14 Win Over Thiel
The 2008 season started distinctly dissimilar for the Grove City and Thiel college football teams. While the Wolverines won 4 of their first 6, the Tomcats were taken to task 5 consecutive times before beating Bethany in quadruple-overtime.
The (Sharon) Herald

Grove City Beats Thiel in Season Finale for Teams
When the college football schedules are released, Thiel and Grove City circle the date when they meet.  As for the importance of the game to both programs, the reason is simple. It is called playing for the Mercer County Cup.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Area College Roundup
...
Geneva 29, Westminster 26...Geneva ended the season with a four-game win streak and both teams are now 5-5.  With Geneva leading 22-20 after three quarters, Gerald Muschett ripped of an 88-yard scoring run for a 29-20 lead.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Rivalry Upsets, Pool Chaos
...
Washington and Jefferson is looking a lot better today, low opponents winning percentage and all, in routing Waynesburg 42-9.
D3Football.com

Bison Close Season on High Note
BETHANY - Bethany senior receiver Taylor McNeil celebrated Senior Day in style, catching 10 passes for a school-record 279 yards and two touchdowns, as the Bison closed out the season with a 44-14 victory against invading Saint Vincent on Saturday in ''The Green Game.''
The Intelligencer/Wheeling News-Register


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 15
It's Water Under the Bridge
Now we have a real rivalry. When both football programs began in 1990, Thomas More and Mount St. Joseph became instant rivals. But in actuality, the rivalry was in geography only; it wasn't much of one on the field for the Division III schools, which are only 6 miles apart as the crow flies from Delhi to Crestview Hills (17 by actual travel). Thomas More won the first six meetings by a combined 247-108.
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Grove City Runner Stays Course on Sportsmanship
Grove City’s Kristen Carter was about a half mile from successfully defending her title in the 2007 Presidents’ Athletic Conference Cross Country Championships when an official’s honest mistake nearly derailed her chance of repeating.
The NCAA News

Rivals Vying for Bridge Ownership
Football teams from two similar schools located on opposite shores of one of the nation’s mightiest rivers play each other this weekend – and the winner takes ownership of the bridge over the river.
The NCAA News

District College Previews
Washington & Jefferson (8-1) at Waynesburg (5-4), 1:30 p.m. -- W&J must get a victory to keep alive its slim hopes of receiving an at-large bid to the Division III playoffs when they're handed out tomorrow. Thomas More received the automatic bid as champion of the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Thiel, GCC Vie In Silver Anniversary For Mercer County Cup
The Mercer County Cup celebrates its silver anniversary this afternoon, as Grove City College’s Wolverines welcome Thiel’s Tomcats to Robert E. Thorn Field for the Presidents’ Athletic Conference season finale for both.
The (Sharon) Herald

W&J Needs Win, Help To Earn Playoff Spot
Perennial contender Washington & Jefferson is hoping to avoid a rare playoff miss.  A victory today at Waynesburg in the regular-season finale would boost the Presidents' chances of gaining one of six at-large berths in NCAA Division III.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 14
Westminster, Geneva Meet on Gridiron Again
The Westminster and Geneva college football teams renew their storied rivalry at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Reeves Field in Beaver Falls.  Geneva (4-5) is the most common opponent for Westminster (5-4, 3-3 in the Presidents Athletic Conference) as the schools meet for the 111th time.
Ellwood City Ledger

Names in the Games
Waynesburg’s Dave Piecuch assisted on a tackle in a 50-35 win over Thiel in a PAC matchup. Piecuch, a senior linebacker/defensive lineman, has 37 tackles, 18 of which are solo stops, to go along with 7.5 tackles for a loss, three sacks, a pass breakup and a forced fumble for the Yellow Jackets (5-4).
New Castle News

Dawson Finding The Right Touch
After two years of inactivity and eight games of up-and-down play, Brad Dawson finally had the breakout game the coaches at Waynesburg University knew would come.
Observer-Reporter

Presidents Win in Shootout
Junior Karly Hresko scored the deciding goal in a shootout to send the Washington & Jefferson College women's soccer team past Marywood 2-1 Thursday night in the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament at Alexandre Stadium.
Observer-Reporter

Jones Starts Rebuilding Project With Yellow Jacket Women
In the practice gymnasium of Marisa Fieldhouse, the Waynesburg University Yellow Jackets are putting the past behind them as they look to first-year head coach Sam Jones' system for a new beginning. Jones was hired after being an assistant for four years at Mount Union. His task is to rebuild a team that finished winless in the Presidents Athletic Conference and was 1-25 overall last season.
The Herald Standard

Fay-Area West Campus Clippings
...Saint Vincent College senior cross country runner Adam Smith (Greensburg Central Catholic) won the individual championship at the 2008 ECAC Championship meet last weekend in Bristol, R.I.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Around the Nation
...
His 5-9, 193-pound senior running back has rushed for 6,723 yards, second in Division III history, 640 short of the 7,353 Grove City's R.J. Bowers piled up from 1997-2000. He set the division scoring mark Saturday against Otterbein, his third touchdown being the 111th of his career.

D3Football.com


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
TMC Notebook
The Bridge Bowl will be played for the 13th time Saturday, when the Thomas More football team hosts cross-river rival Mount St. Joseph at 1:30 p.m. at The Bank of Kentucky Field in Crestview Hills.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Honor Roll
...
St. Vincent College senior Michael Adams (Wadsworth) recently was named Most Valuable Player of the Canton Class A Baseball League's College Division. He led the league in batting with a .428 average. He has earned three letters as the Bearcats' starting shortstop.
Ohio.Com

A First For W&J's Women's Soccer
Head coach Pete Curtis admits that the women's soccer program at Washington & Jefferson College is not progressing the way he anticipated when he took the job two years ago.
Observer-Reporter

Kropa Forced To Stay Behind
Talk about your cruel ironies.  When the Marywood University women’s soccer team travels to Washington & Jefferson College for the first round of the NCAA Division III tournament tonight at 6, Erin Kropa won’t be there.

The Times Tribune

Shooters Take A Step Back
Coach Larry Ondako's players at Westminster have been the mad bombers of small college basketball. Playing in the free-shooting Presidents' Athletic Conference, Ondako's teams have attempted as many as 1,200 three-point field goals in a season - an average of 58 per game.
Observer-Reporter

District Notebook
Sixth seed Westminster (24-10) will meet No. 3 Ohio Northern (30-4) today at Wittenberg in the opening round of the Division III women's volleyball tournament. Ohio Northern is ranked No. 8 in the country.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cline to Miss Freshman Season
Freshman Lacey Cline will miss the 2008-09 basketball season at Thomas More College in Crestview Hills after injuring her knee during the preseason.
The Ledger Independent

Local Sports Briefs
Westminster College junior tailback Nick McKolosky, a graduate of Westmont Hilltop High School, earned recognition on the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Football Team selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).
The Tribune Democrat


WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12
Around the Great Lakes
...The chances of Thomas More getting a home playoff game took a stunning blow last Saturday when the Saints lost to Geneva 17-13. The Saints lost two fumbles and had a pair of interceptions that led to a field goal and the end of the game.
D3Football.com

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11
League Names TMC's Clifford Freshman of Year
Thomas More College freshman setter Michelle Clifford was named Presidents' Athletic Conference Volleyball Freshman of the Year to headline four Saints honored by the conference's coaches Saturday.
Cincinnati Enquirer


Thomas More Honors Athletes
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK...Aaron Osborne...Sport: Soccer....Class: Sophomore...Position: Forward...Hometown: Cincinnati...High school: La Salle...What Aaron did last week: Osborne took three shots and scored a goal in the Saints' 2-1 overtime loss to Washington & Jefferson (Pa.) College last week in a Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal match
Cincinnati Enquirer


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 10
TMC Notebook
The Thomas More College football team (7-2) will host Bridge Bowl XIII on Saturday when they host across-the River rival Mount St. Joseph (5-4) at 1:30 p.m. at The Bank of Kentucky Field in Crestview Hills.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Katherine Khattab in final year of university basketball
When the Lady Titans of Westminster College in New Wilmington, Pa., opens campaign 2008-09 November 19 against Norte Dame College (Ohio), former Spartanette standout Katherine Khattab will start her senior and final year as a member of their basketball program.
Bixby Bulletin


SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 9
Geneva Upsets PAC Champ Thomas More
As a provisional member of NCAA Division III, the Geneva College football team’s record does not count in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference standings.
Beaver County Times

Western Pa. Roundup
Westminster 24, Grove City 21 Westminster made a goal-line stand as time expired to hold off the Wolverines. Jordan Blinn (Western Beaver) had a career-high 20 tackles for Westminster. He combined with nose tackle Jeff Bever (Blackhawk) on the game-saving stop. But for Chad Rosatelli (Hopewell), the day was not as memorable.

Beaver County Times

W&J Keeps Postseason Hopes Alive, Batters Bethany
Senior Day is a time of celebration and reflection. The 22 seniors on the Washington & Jefferson football team had plenty of time to do both Saturday.  This class has been one of the most successful in school history. Over four seasons, the Presidents have compiled a 36-3 regular-season record, including a 54-7 win Saturday over Bethany at Cameron Stadium.
The Observer-Reporter

Dawson, Falcon Power Jackets
Brian Dawson had the most prolific passing day by a Waynesburg University quarterback in 40 years and freshman Justin Falcon rushed for four touchdowns Saturday as the Yellow Jackets defeated Thiel 50-35 in a Presidents' Athletic Conference game.
The Observer-Reporter

District Roundup: Geneva Upsets PAC Champion
Matt Dean ran for 84 yards and two touchdowns as host Geneva college upset Presidents' Athletic Conference champion Thomas More, 17-13, yesterday at Reeves Field in Beaver Falls.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Falcon Scores 4 TDs In Waynesburg's Win
Waynesburg University pulled out a 50-35 shootout win over Thiel Saturday afternoon at Greenville in PAC Football actionBrad Dawson had a career-day, going 26 of 44 for 453 yards and two touchdowns. The sophomore quarterback's passing yards were the second-best in the history of the program behind John Huntey's 467, which was set in 1968.
The Herald Standard

Washington Sunday: Waynesburg First Goal: Remain Healthy
To put it simply, injuries were, uh, a constant pain for the Waynesburg University men's basketball team last season.  We lost three players for the season with injuries," said coach Frank Ferraro, who begins his sixth season at Waynesburg. "In all my years of coaching at both the high school and college level, I've never had that many season-ending injuries in one season."
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Washington Sunday: Veteran Presidents Eye PAC Honors
The Washington & Jefferson College men's basketball team has made consecutive appearances in the Presidents' Athletic Conference title game in coach Glenn Gutierrez's first two seasons.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

W&J Unloads on Bethany
Ninteenth-ranked Washington & Jefferson scored 41 straight points to open the contest and went on to post a 54-7 triumph against Bethany on Saturday afternoon at Cameron Stadium.
The Intelligencer

Area College Roundup: Saturday's Games
West Branch High graduate Bobby Swallow led W&J (8-1, 4-1 Presidents’ Athletic Conference) by throwing for 283 yards and four touchdowns, all to different receivers. Curt Jones rushed for 112 yards and a pair of scores as the Presidents scored 41 straight points to open the game. W&J scored the first two times they had the ball.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Westminster's Strong Finish Foils Grove City
Although Westminster led for much of the game, the Titans were unable to decide the issue until the final three minutes.  Westminster twice led by as many as 10 points but saw those leads evaporate into a 21-17 deficit to Grove City midway through the final period.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Roundup: Westminster Wins Late
Westminster needed a goal-line stand on the final play of the game to hold off Grove City, 24-21, in a Presidents' Athletic Conference game Saturday afternoon.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 8
Names in the Games
Women's Soccer - Grove City’s Laura Novosel saw action in a 1-0 win over Geneva on Saturday. She didn’t generate any statistics. Novosel, a sophomore competing in the backfield from Wilmington, is scoreless in 10 games with one shot attempted for the Lady Wolverines (11-7-2).
New Castle News

College Football Preview
Bethany at W&J - The sting from last week's loss still smarts but Washington & Jefferson's football team can't allow it to affect play against Bethany. Another poor performance could drive a stake into the heart of the Presidents' hopes of earning an NCAA Division III playoff berth.
(Washington) Observer-Reporter

District College Preview
...Bethany (2-6, 1-4) at Washington & Jefferson (7-1, 3-1), 1:30 p.m. -- W&J must win its final two games of the regular season to keep alive its chance of receiving an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs. Thomas More captured the Presidents' Athletic Conference championship and the automatic bid to the playoffs with a 35-29 victory against W&J. ...
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

District Teams Remain In Playoff Hunt
...Bethany, W.Va. at Washington & Jefferson -- No. 18 Washington & Jefferson (7-1, 3-1) is seeking one of six available at-large berths in the Division III playoffs. Bethany (2-6 1-3) is trying to avoid its 26th consecutive loss to W&J.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 7
Fay-West Area Campus Clips
Washington & Jefferson sophomore Chrissy Brant (Latrobe) won the 100 backstroke with a time of 1:04.15 to help the Lady Presidents to a win over Frostburg State. Brant also swam a leg on the winning 200 medley relay team, which finished with a time of 1:57.88.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Swallow Has His Mark In Sights
Senior quarterback Bobby Swallow of the Washington & Jefferson College football team is a very accurate passer.  In fact, when the ball spirals from his hand, it usually finds the arms of his receivers and rarely the arms of defensive backs.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator

Area College Roundup - Saturday's Games
Grove City (5-3, 2-2 PAC) vs. Westminster (4-4, 2-3 PAC) - When: 1:30 p.m. - Where: Harold Burry Stadium, New Wilmington - Series record: Westminster leads, 48-32-8 - Radio-TV-Internet: WSAJ-FM91.1 (Grove City), www2.gcc.edu/sports, WWNW-FM 88.9 (New Wilmington), www.titanradio.net. Westminster Cable Network (WCN).
The (Youngstown) Vindicator


THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 6
Campus Notes: Walker Stars For Bethany
Bethany freshman Eric Walker (New Brighton) ranks sixth in the Presidents’ Athletic Conference in rushing with 583 yards (72.8 per game). He also has scored nine touchdowns (fifth in the league).
Beaver County Times

TMC Football Hitting Road To Face Geneva
The Thomas More College football team, ranked No. 23 nationally in NCAA Division III, will play its final regular-season road game at 1:30 p.m. Saturday when it faces Geneva College in Beaver Falls, Pa.
Cincinnati Enquirer


Saints Women Advance to PAC Title Game
Freshman forwards Lauren Wietmarschen (McAuley) and Taylor Stoll (Villa Madonna) teamed up on both goals to lead the Thomas More College women's soccer team to a 2-0 win over Grove City College on Wednesday in a Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal at The Bank of Kentucky Field in Crestview Hills.
Cincinnati Enquirer

District College Notebook
...Washington & Jefferson's Bobby Swallow, who passed for 361 yards and four touchdowns and set school records for completions (40) and attempts (58) in a 35-29 loss against Thomas More, is the Presidents' Athletic Conference offensive player of the week. ...
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette


WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 5
Stellmen Takes His Licks
It should have been hard enough for Thomas More College junior quarterback Trevor Stellman to come back from a major knee injury that forced him to miss all of last season. To add learning a third offense in his four seasons should have been too much. It hasn't.
Cincinnati Enquirer

TMC Notebook
The Thomas More College men's soccer team lost in the semifinals of the Presidents' Athletic Conference tournament, 2-1 in overtime to Washington & Jefferson College Tuesday.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Around the Great Lakes
...
Thomas More (7-1, 6-0 Presidents’ Athletic Conference) accomplished something not many teams have been able to do in recent years, by defeating the Washington and Jefferson Presidents (7-1, 3-1 PAC) 35-29 last Saturday. The Saints were the first team to beat Washington and Jefferson in the regular season since Salisbury’s 32-14 opening weekend win in 2006.
D3Football.com

Yellow Jackets In PAC Volleyball Semifinals
The Waynesburg women's volleyball team lost both regular season matches with Thiel, but more than evened the score Tuesday night with a 3-1 road victory over the fourth-seeded Lady Tomcats in the Presidents' Athletic Conference playoffs.

The Herald Standard


TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 4
Loss In Opener Propelled Saints
Who says a football team can't actually win during a bye week?  Certainly not Thomas More College football coach Jim Hilvert, who said the most important week his team had this season came after only one game - when it had a bye.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Thomas More Athletes of the Week
MALE ATHLETE OF THE WEEK...Aaron Osborne...Sport: Men's soccer...Class/Position: Sophomore/forward...Hometown: Cincinnati...High School: La Salle...What Aaron did last week: Aaron scored two goals and added two assists for six points to lead the Saints to an undefeated 2-0 week.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Swallow Honored
Bobby Swallow, a senior quarterback for the Washington & Jefferson College football team from West Branch High, has been named Presidents’ Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Week.
The (Youngstown) Vindicator


MONDAY, NOVEMBER 3
Thomas More Soccer Team Top Seed
The Thomas More College women's soccer team defeated Bethany College 6-0, and clinched the No. 1-seed in this week's Presidents' Athletic Conference Tournament. The Saints will host No. 4-seeded Grove City College at 2 p.m. Wednesday in a semifinal match at The Bank of Kentucky Field in Crestview Hills.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Presidents' Weakness Revealed
At the Presidents' Athletic Conference preseason media day, Mike Sirianni told the gathering he thought Thomas More could win the title.  Most took that as the normal complimentary bluster that surrounds these events.
Observer-Reporter

Saints Nab Playoff Bid
Thomas More wasn't the first to clinch an automatic bid to the 2008 Division III NCAA playoffs, but it was the most unlikely team to punch a ticket on Saturday.
D3Football.com

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 2
Geneva Has First Win Streak of 2008
For the first time this season, the Geneva College football team has a winning streak.  Matt Barge and Gerard Muschette both rushed for more than 100 yards, and quarterback David Girardi threw two touchdown passes to Blackhawk’s Brian Dvorsak in Geneva’s 38-23 victory over Bethany.
Beaver County Times

Saints March to PAC Title and Division III Playoff Berth
Thomas More College defeated No. 5-ranked Washington & Jefferson College 35-29 at The Bank of Kentucky Field in Crestview Hills, winning its first Presidents' Athletic Conference championship and the conference's automatic bid to the Division III playoffs.
Cincinnati Enquirer

Saints Go Marching Past W&J
When the Presidents' Athletic Conference finally added enough teams to qualify for an automatic bid into the NCAA Division III football playoff, most felt Washington & Jefferson would have a death grip on that spot on a yearly basis.
Observer-Reporter

Grove City Rallies to Beat Waynesburg
Brian Mercer ran for three touchdowns, including two in the third quarter, to help rally Grove City past Waynesburg 23-19 Saturday in a Presidents' Athletic Conference contest at Wiley Stadium.
Observer-Reporter

District College Roundup
...Division III...Washington & Jefferson 35, Thomas More 29...Washington & Jefferson scored 15 unanswered points over the final 17 minutes, but it wasn't enough to prevent Thomas More from clinching its first Presidents' Athletic Conference championship and a trip to the NCAA Division III playoffs with a victory in Crestview Hills, Kent.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

W&J Locals Update
...Several local players are playing important roles with the defensive unit at Washington & Jefferson College.  Sophomore strong safety Craig Sedunov from Yough High School is the Presidents' second-leading tackler after being the Presidents' fifth-leading tackler in 2007.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

Grove City Edges Waynesburg
Another week brought another heartbreaking loss for the Waynesburg University football team, as the Yellow Jackets blew a nine-point lead at the half in a 23-19 loss to Grove City Saturday afternoon. The loss comes on the heels of last week's 31-24 loss to Bethany College and drops the Yellow Jackets to 1-3 in section, 4-4 overall.
The Herald Standard

Area Colleges - Saturday Games
Geneva 38, Bethany 23..BETHANY, W.Va. — Geneva scored 25 points in the second quarter, including 17 in the final 2:31 of that period, to build an 11-point halftime, and went on to the win at Bison Stadium. Geneva (3-5) was led by a pair of running backs in Matt Barge (18 carries, 143 yards, two TDs) and Gerard Muschette (16 carries, 139 yards).
The Vindicator


SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Title on Line, Just as Saints Had Expected
His senior captains came to Thomas More football coach Jim Hilvert recently.  "They said, 'This is what we expected,'" Hilvert related.  The Saints are just past the midpoint of Hilvert's second season. They are 6-1, 5-0 in the Presidents' Athletic Conference.
Lexington Herald-Leader

Names In The Games
Westminster’s Shanay Phillian and Kara Kendall competed in a 4-1 win over Waynesburg in a PAC match Saturday.  Phillian had a shot in the victory, while Kendall allowed a goal in 15 minutes in net for the Lady Titans (13-2-2).
New Castle News

District College Preview
Finally, Washington & Jefferson can get excited about a game.  After winning the first seven by an average of 26.8 points per game, W&J (7-0, 3-0) faces its first serious challenge when it meets Thomas More (6-1, 5-0) in a Presidents' Athletic Conference showdown at 1:30 p.m. today.
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Duquesne Set to Face Saint Vincent
Focus is one of the traits Duquesne coach Ron Everhart will be scrutinizing when his freshman-laden men's basketball team opens exhibition play today.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review


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