MU women's hoops Poll

Men's hoops: NEC coaches pick MU 10th (women's preseason picks tomorrow)

Please see preceding thread for polls....


Interesting: I also picked MU 10th in Lindy's, while one other national magazine picked MU 10th and another 8th from those I have seen thus far


Below from the NEC web site where there is much more...

On the heels of a thrilling run to the NEC title game a year ago, Sacred Heart has been selected as the 2007-08 NEC men’s basketball preseason favorite, according to a vote of the league’s head coaches. The preseason rankings, along with the league’s preseason all-conference team, were announced during a media teleconference with coaches this afternoon as a prelude to the NEC’s 27th season.


Northeast Conference
2007-08 Men’s Basketball
Preseason Coaches Poll

1. Sacred Heart (8)
2. Robert Morris (3)
3. Wagner
4. Mount St. Mary’s
5. Quinnipiac
6. CCSU
Saint Francis (PA)
8. St. Francis (NY)
9. Fairleigh Dickinson
10. Monmouth
11. Long Island

First place votes in parentheses

Sacred Heart received eight first place votes from NEC head coaches, who were not permitted to vote for their own team. The Pioneers beat out Robert Morris, which received the remaining three first place votes. Wagner was chosen third, followed by Mount St. Mary’s in fourth and Quinnipiac in fifth. Defending NEC champion Central Connecticut State was picked sixth, along with Saint Francis (PA). St. Francis (NY) was tabbed eighth, followed by Fairleigh Dickinson in ninth, Monmouth in tenth and Long Island in eleventh.

MU Women's Soccer nears top seed in NECs, tops CCSU 2-1

Below from the MU web site..more info there..


The Monmouth University women’s soccer team scored two half goals, and held on for a 2-1 victory over Central Connecticut State, on Tuesday afternoon in Northeast Conference action. Monmouth, playing its third game in five days, improved to 6-1-1 in the NEC to remain atop the league standings, and 10-3-4 overall on the season. CCSU falls to 8-7-1 and 5-2 in the league.



Monmouth got on the board at 12:59 when senior Brittani Heller (Newton, N.J./Newton) sent a free kick into the box from the left wing. Playing the ball over the top of the defense, Heller found sophomore Shannon Rogers (Massapequa, N.Y./Massapequa) in the box for the one-timer, which beat CCSU goalkeeper Caity Casey for the 1-0 lead.



The Hawks went ahead 2-0 in the 18th minute when Heller beat Casey into the left netting off an indirect feed from classmate Amy Hoyer (Chesterfield, N.J./Northern Burlington) at the top of the 18. CCSU set up the indirect opportunity as Casey played a back pass with her hands.

CCSU trimmed the lead in half in the 88th minute.


Monmouth, which is now 6-0-2 at home this season, returns to action on Sunday, November 4 when the Hawks host Mount St. Mary’s at 1 p.m., in their regular season finale. With a win in the finale, Monmouth would clinch the top seed in the upcoming NEC Tournament and earn the right to host the event on The Great Lawn.

NEC hoops/Preaseason picks Wednesday (men), Thursday (women)

MU women's hoops update

From rumors, etc.

I heard MU did very well in a formal scrimmage against a Bucknell team that defeated MU last season and returns most of its players. The best MU player - apparently- was senior guard "Mo" Ware who is believed to have scored over 20 points. The MU newcomer PG Marbely Montas also played well, from what I have heard as did junior Brooke McElroy.

MU's Lakia Barber, Marisa Jimenez, and Brianne Edwards (injuries) did not play.
)
These are "closed" scrimmages per NCAA rules and scores are not allowed to be published, etc., but I heard MU won the "'formal'' part of the scrimmage by over 20 points.

MU hosts St. Peter's Saturday in anther ""closed'' scrimmage. Jimenez and Barber are expected to play in this one.

Sinisi taking aim at the MU all-time rushing record

I moved this information from the other thread

Chris Reed is MU's all-time leading rusher with 2239 career yards, and that due to a monster red shirt senior year of 1166 yards.

David has 813 this year, to go with 754 last year for a total of 1567 which leaves him just 672 yards shy of Reed.

H he needs to aveage 224 ypg. over the final three games to break it this year..more probable early next year when he will still have maybe about two full years to go....



Currently his 1567 is No. 5 all time at MU..next is No. 4 Joe Migliore - the former Jackson Jaguar who ended with 1951.


Ralph O'Neil (remember him??) is No. 3 at 2008 and No. 2 is Matt Merklinger 2165.

Just got this from Greg Viscomi - The national record for most games in a row with a TD is 27 games by Lee Suggs of Virginia Tech. Thats at least DI and I-AA. There was no record in the I-AA portion of the NCAA Record book.

Sinisi is at 19...

MU soccer week/Poll at bottom

This will lead the local college notebook in the Press Tuesday




By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
With the regular season entering its final week the Northeast Conference leading Monmouth University women's and men's soccer teams hope to claim simultaneous championships for the first time.
With the respective Northeast Conference Tournaments being played at the home fields of the regular season champions Monmouth's women could host the four-team event Nov. 9-11. The men's finals are Nov. 16-18 with both winners advancing to the NCAAs.
Though there are various championship scenarios involving both teams the Monmouth women (9-3-4, 5-1-1) would advance to the brink of their first regular season crown in seven years 2:30 p.m. Tuesday with a victory on the Great Lawn vs. second place second place Central Connecticut State (8-6-1, 5-1). The game's real time progress can be tracked at wwww.GoMUhawks.com.
On the men's side first place place could be decided Sunday in Loretto Pa. when Monmouth (11-3-2, 6-1) tangles with second place St. Francis, Pa. (7-7-2, 5-1-1) in the last game of the regular season.
Monmouth women's coach Krissy Turner said Tuesday's game is likely for all the marbles. ""I feel confident in saying the winner of the game has a very strong chance of hosting the tournament,'' said Turner.
""For both teams its the third game in five days,''said Turner. ""I'm hoping our depth will allow us to persevere through that fatigue.''
Monmouth has posted a 15-0-3 record in its last 18 home matches, including 5-0-2 this year.
Monmouth swept two games from CCSU last year winning in overtime in New Britain, Conn., 3-2, and 2-1 at Monmouth in the NEC Tournament semifianls.
Senior Amy Hoyer's five goals lead Monmouth with sophomore Andrea Lopez (Ocean Township) tallying four.
Freshman goalie Lia Fierro has allowed 0.86 goals per game.
CCSU rides onto the Great Lawn on a five game winning streak and winners of six of its last seven games.
It was also the last NEC team to top the Hawks in West Long Branch gaining a 3-2 overtime victory Oct. 28, 2005.
The Monmouth men's game at St. Francis, Pa. is a rematch of the 2006 NEC Tournament final where Monmouth prevailed 1-0 on a goal by Damon Wilson in the 82nd minute.
Friday Monmouth plays at Robert Morris (6-7-3, 1-4-2) while St. Francis is at home vs. Mount St. Mary's (4-10-1, 2-5).

For more info on Monmouth and all the NEC teams access the NEC web site...

MU soccer weekend

Make any comments here. MU men shade Q' pac in key match Sunday, 1-0. Please go to MU website for further info as well as info on women's game at SFPA...

MU football follow story

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER


Monmouth University football coach Kevin Callahan had vowed no major changes in the days following the Oct. 13 lopsided loss to Wagner and leading up to Saturday's Northeast Conference game at Central Connecticut State.

But the Hawks spent some of the last two weeks in the privacy of Kessler Field working on a different offensive wrinkle.

"We changed how we called plays,''Callahan said in the wake of Saturday's 51-36 victory led by David Sinisi's school and Northeast Conference record six-touchdown performance.

""We ran the same plays we always run,'' said Callahan. ""We just did it from a no huddle look.''

The end result was Sinisi's record setting day in which he produced 311 all-purpose yards while Monmouth wracked up 524 yards of offense.

""I think it (no huddle) was absolutely a factor,'' said Callahan. ""It enabled us to keep their defense off balance.''

It was a defense that going into action had allowed and NEC low 275.1 yards a game and 111.3 yards on the ground.

""We had a good selection of plays to go to and we kept them of balance the entire game,'' Callahan said.

""It wasn't a fast paced no huddle. There were also times we huddled and were under center.''

Callahan said Monmouth has gone no-huddle before though not to the extent it did Saturday. ""It was different from what we've done in the past,'' he said.

""We had a no huddle offense in our game plan and the coaches put together a good game plan,'' said Sinisi. ""It just came down to execution. We did a good job of running it.''

None better than Sinisi whose record setting day including racing 46 yards into the end zone with a screen pass from Brett Burke (Wall) and a 37-yard TD run.

""He (Sinisi) had some excellent runs,'' Callahan said. ""He was creative in some of the cuts he made in getting tough yards.

""He caught the ball well and ran with it well after the catch behind the blocks of the offensive line which I thought did a good job all day long.''

NOTES...Burke, 19-for-25, 222 yards, two TD Saturday, has thrown for 742 yards the last three games. He had passed for 656 over his first four... Wideout Chris Kiley (Point Boro) had a career-high 52 yards rushing on seven carries...Senior Ayo Falae and Bobby Cole (Jackson) each recorded an interception and a pair of pass breakups...Freshman fullback Kevin Hahn scored his first touchdown of his career on a nine yard shovel pass...Senior Adam San Miguel (five catches for 45 yards) became the third Hawk to eclipse the 2,000 yard career mark.

David the Goliath on record pace

Just went to the media guide and noted Chris Reed is MU's all-time leading rusher with 2239 career yards, and that due to a monster red shirt senior year of 1166 yards.

David has 813 this year, to go with 754 last year for a total of 1567 which leaves him just 672 yards shy of Reed.

Heck - he might get that next week vs. SFPA!

Seriously - he needs to aveage 224 ypg. over the final three games to break it this year..more probable early next year when he will still have maybe about two full years to go....



Currently his 1567 is No. 5 all time at MU..next is No. 4 Joe Migliore - the former Jackson Jaguar who ended with 1951.


Ralph O'Neil (remember him??) is No. 3 at 2008 and No. 2 is Matt Merklinger 2165.

Just got this from Greg Viscomi - The national record for most games in a row with a TD is 27 games by Lee Suggs of Virginia Tech. Thats at least DI and I-AA. There was no record in the I-AA portion of the NCAA Record book.

Sinisi is at 19...


Who knew???

Sinisi's record setting day/Much info also on the MU web site

Who saw this coming?????


By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
The Monmouth University football team took a ride on the back of David Sinisi Saturday.

The redshirt sophomore made it an impressive trip with a school and Northeast Conference single game record six touchdowns, one on a pass from quarterback Brett Burke, as the Hawks outscored Central Connecticut State, 51-36, at Arute Field in New Britain, Conn.

Sinisi also recovered a fumble on special teams.

The outcome marked a remarkable turnaround for Monmouth (2-5, 2-2) which had the last two weeks off after absorbing a 29-point defeat Oct. 13 at the hands of Wagner.

CCSU (5-3, 3-1) entered the game leading the NEC in offense and defense but Sinisi's final TD of the day on a seven-yard run with 9:41 left in the fourth quarter gave Monmouth a 51-21 lead.

""We played well, we did a good job, we played very, very well on offense,'' said Kevin Callahan, Monmouth coach.

Monmouth scored 49 points in its Oct. 6 victory over Sacred Heart but Saturday's showing was more impressive.

""We're playing the first place team, undefeated in the NEC and we're on the road, so this couldn't have come at a better time,'' said Callahan.

""All season we've been playing hard but we haven't been putting it together,'' said Sinisi who extended his nation's longest touchdown scoring streak to 19 games. ""It kind of came down to execution for us,'' he said.

""I've got to give all the credit to the line for blocking for me and the other running backs and for giving Brett time to hit his receivers.''

Sinisi said he twice scored five touchdowns while playing for Cedar Grove High School. ""I wasn't too worried about it during today's game,'' said Sinisi. ""I was focusing on helping the team win.

""When I look back on it right now, it's a great feeling.''

Sinisi rushed for 192 cards and collected another 48 on four receptions. The total included a 46 score on a screen pass from from Burke (19-25-0, 222 yards, 2 TD) with 11:04 left in the second quarter that gave Monmouth the lead for good, 21-14.

Monmnouth led at the half 28-21 after a second quarter that featured a total of 35 points in a span of 5:44.
It put the game away in the third quarter as Sinisi scored on runs of four and five yards and Fred Weingart made a 37-yard fied goal.

""We are young, we've had our ups and downs,'' Sinisi said. ""We just went into today's game off the bye week coming together as a team.''

The former Monmouth school record of five TD in a game was held by Chris Reed (1998 vs La Salle).

The Monmouth defense forced five Blue Devil turnovers including the first career interception by redshirt freshman Bobby Cole (Jackson).

The teams combined for 1,077 yards of total offense.

My impressions - MU men's hoops intra-squad scirmmage

If you also attended, post your remarks in comments....

When all was said in done it is my general impression that the lineups, exceptions of Jhamar and Coleman, rotations may vary from game-to-game (heck, minute to minute).

But I thought I saw some separation in the rotation today....

Guards. - Coleman and Jhamar, though Whitney did not shoot well and was not playing all that well - period - until making a flurry of 3s in like the fourth session. But if he's not going to have a good year, well....you don't even want to consider that .

For my money I like Alex Nunner at the point in at this stage over Hett. Hett and (forward) Nick DelTufo both looked very much like freshmen today.

I think Hett will develop into a good, maybe very good point guard eventually. But right now Nunner is older, stronger, knows the offense and plays very good defense. I'm not asking Nunner to score though he does have that 3-point potential- which so far has gone mostly unfulfilled.

Guards Yaniv Simspon and frosh Ron Rutlegde both had moments of hot streaks. Simpson of course is older (what is he -45? - kidding), but Rutldge is very athletic. A very fine prospect.

Centers/forwards -in my opinion - of the players who have returned- Shawn Barlow is the surprise of preseason. Dunks the ball, makes some nice passes, has a feathery baby hook. Frankly - I don't know how good (or bad) he is on defense. But on a team that may be offensively challanged - looks to score.


Rickie Crews - thrives in transition but struggles mightily in the half court. Is so long and athletic, can rebound and block shots.

Of the new faces - freshman George Barbour very physical and aggressively impressive. Most people who I have talked to say - and this is also my opinion - he is more advanced in his game - at this stage of his career- than Blake Hamilton. What this translates into remains to be seen.

So...if I had to start the season today..my lineup is Nunner, Whit, and Jhamar at guards, combination of Hett, Rutledge, Simpson off the bench.


Up front it's between Barlow, Rickie, and Barbour for two spots (in this alignment). I tend to bring Rickie off the bench right now as a spark plug...subject to change...

Dobriansky and Dutch - reserves, spot duty.


They had one lineup of Whit, Jhamar, Double R (Rutledge), Barbour, and Rickie which was very athletic and rockets up and down the court like a missle ..but who's the PG....? Maybe you use that group with Nunner instead of Rutledge for more expierence and steadieness?

As I said - much of this season may be one of lineup transition in many areas....

MU hosts William Paterson in its only preseason game 4 p.m. next Sunday....

Bad day for MU soccer - Men's soccer shocked by CCSU/but Hawks get help from the Mount/Women fall at Robert Morris

This and more at the MU web site...

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - Central Connecticut State freshman reserve Christopher Brown scored two goals, 1:46 before the half, and 3:20 into the second half, to carry CCSU to a 2-0 win over Monmouth University in Northeast Conference men’s soccer action, on Friday afternoon.
The loss snaps Monmouth’s six-game win streak and the Hawks’ 24-game NEC unbeaten streak. The Hawks fall to 10-3-2 on the season and 5-1 in the NEC, while the Blue Devils improve to 4-8-2 overall and 2-3-1 in the NEC.
The Blue Devils got on the scoreboard first, at 43:14, when junior Yan Klukowski lifted a corner shots on goal, one which hit the crossbar with nine minutes left until the intermission.


It's a key game when Monmouth returns to action on Sunday, October 28, when the Hawks host Quinnipiac at 1 p.m., on The Great Lawn.


Detzel's Goal And Pathroff's Save Powers Mount To 1-0 Win Against Unbeaten Quinnipiac


Eric Detzel scored the decisive goal in the 20th minute and Steve Pathroff made a great defensive save in the 79th minute to fuel Mount St. Mary's past Quinnipiac 1-0 in Northeast Conference men's soccer action on Friday.


NEC Standings

Monmouth 5-1

SFPA 4-1-1


Q Pac 3-1-2

Note..MU ends its regular season Nov. 4 at`SFPA





MOON TOWNSHIP, PA. - The Monmouth University women’s soccer team dropped a 3-0 decision at Robert Morris, in Northeast Conference action on Friday afternoon. Monmouth, now 8-3-4 overall and 4-1-1 in the NEC, had its 11-game unbeaten streak snapped with the loss. Robert Morris improves to 5-9-2, 2-3-1 NEC.

MU began the day in first place in the NEC with a four-point lead over four teams...

MU football story for Saturday Press/You may also make post game comments here

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

It has not been a pleasant two weeks off for the Monmouth University football team since its 45-16 thrashing at the hands of Wagner.
""There wasn't a person, coach, or player associated with our program who was happy with our performance'' said Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan. In the game his team endured it's worst home loss in 15 years of football at Kessler Field.
So when Monmouth (1-5, 1-2) visits Central Connecticut State (5-2, 3-0) Saturday in a Northeast Conference game should fans of the Hawks expect major changes?
Lineup moves? Coaching staff shake ups?
The answer would be - none of the above.
""What we've done over the last two weeks is work on fundamental techniques, areas where we felt we needed to improve, areas where we've broken down,'' said Callahan.
From defensive failures to offensive miscues, including a seemingly weekly round of false start penalties, it would seem the list is a lengthy one.
""The worst thing that any coach could ever do is completely go into panic and throw everything out that you've built up over 15 years and say, "OK, it doesn't work all of a sudden,'' Callahan said.
Monmouth entered 2007 with 36 victories and three Northeast Conference championships over the last four years.
But the departure of of nine 2006 starters on defense plus all-time passing leader Brian Boland has proven difficult to overcome.
""We know what we do works,'' said Callahan. ""It's stood the test of time.
""The last thing you want do do is send a message to your team that all of a sudden the coaches have lost confidence in what they believe in. There's nothing drastic like that going to happen whatsoever.
""We have good players on this team and hopefully the more experience they get, the more they're in the front line of fire, the more they have to react in a competitive situation in real game speed, the better they will become.
""And we will become better.''
Monmouth will try to do that Satursday against the Blue Devils who lead the NEC in offense and defense.
Using a multitude of backs including quarterbacks Aubrey Norris and Ryan Holmes as runners they rank first in the NEC in rushing yards, averaging 289.7 yards on the ground per game while also average an NEC-best 29.3 points per game.
Monmouth tailback David Sinsi will bid to extend his touchdown scoring streak to 19 games against a CCSU defense that yields a league low 275.1 total yards per game, including a league-best 111.3 yards per game on the ground.
CCSU linebacker Chris Stimmel is sixth in the league with 64 tackles. ""It's an offensive attack, particularly in the run game stand point, that will test you in a lot of areas,'' Callahan said.
He said Monmouth must also be wary of play action and option passes. CCSU has thrown for five scores this season and has been intercepted just twice.
NOTES...Callahan said back up quarterback Andrew Mandeville, corner back and kick returner Brian Robinson (shoulder injuries), and free safety Jon Stolarz (neck) will not see action.

MU hoops practice updates

Watched both men and women today (Thursday).....Men, maybe a tad longer but both a fair amount when they were scrimmaging....

Ladies first

Both Jimenez and Barber , bouncing back from injuries, seemed to be going close to full tilt. They're close to being ready far as I can tell. ..

PG Brianne Edwards (knee) still out, but did some light shooting. Supposed to be back after Txgiving, but hopes for a little sooner. They don't have to rush her because of the presence of JUCO Marbely Montas (looked very sharp again) and apparent return of Jimenez...




Today I thought ""Mo"' Ware, senior guard, was my ""Player of the Day.'' Very quick, good handle, hit her shots.

Downside of practice..got sloppy with too many turnovers.


Men - will have a formal intra-squad scrimmage with refs 9 am Saturday. Open to the public as are all men and women's practices.

Today - Whitney Coleman (ankle) and Yaniv Simpson (shins) did not practice, but Calloway said both should be good to go Saturday.

""Player of the Day"" - freshman F/C George Barbour. I'm really starting to like this kid. Strong, aggressive, physical, nice quickness, and attacks the hoop like a hungry, young, lion. For my money can see him playing the 5 at times, especially in the NEC.


Rookie PG James Hett...solid. Teamates will have to learn to expect quick passes.

Overall - lots of emphasis being paid to defense.




Downside - other big men, and there are lots of them, didn't show me that much today, especially on the offensive end. Rickie ""Phantom" Crews and Sean Barlow are the best finishers around the hoop. I know this is a broken record but I want to see Rickie go more to the basket.

He should l excel in transition.


Team manager Jarred Weiss said he is bringing coffee and doughnuts for everyone Saturday...



Kidding!!

NEC Hoops TV (MU times, etc.)

Men
Friday Jan. 25 FDU at Monmouth 7:00 pm FSN-NY,

Saturday Feb. 9 Mount St. Mary's at Monmouth 6:00 pm MSG,

DH - Monday Feb. 18 Monmouth at FDU (women) 5:00 pm FSNY,
Monmouth at FDU (men) 7:30 pm FSNY

Also:

Sunday Mar. 9 NEC Men's Tournament Semifinal 4:00 pm MSG
Wednesday Mar. 12 NEC Men's Tournament Championship 7:30 pm ESPN2
Sunday Mar. 16 NEC Women's Tournament Championship 3:00 pm ESPNU


Note: women's final (and MU could be in it - in my opinion) has been shuttled to ESPNU....not that many folks have that far as I know.

MU football vs. CCSU. My prediction (Game is on FSNY at 11-am, live)

Below from Greg (fallen Eagle) Viscomi. Poll at the bottom. Comments welcomed...



Monmouth enters into the
game against Central Connecticut
State with a 1-5 overall
record and a 1-2 NEC record after
a disasterous outing against
Wagner on Homecoming.
Before going idle last weekend,
the Blue & White lost a 45-
16 game to Wagner at home,
with the defense allowing the
most points at home in the 15
year history of the program.
Two Hawks had career-days
recieving as MU quarterback
Brett Burke also had a careerday
throwing the ball as Monmouth
tried to get back into the
game. Running back David Sinisi
scored in his 18th straight game,
extending the nation’s longest
scoring streak.
Central is off to a 5-2 record
under second-year head coach
Jeff McInerny, including a perfect
3-0 record in NEC play. CCSU
boasts one of the nation’s best
rushing attacks, which has them
averaging a conference-best
29.3 points per game. The Blue
Devils defeated Wagner at home
by a score of 21-13 in their last game.






My prediction: Can't see MU closing down the CCSU running game enough to win it. Key will be getting in front early and making CCSU throw more than they've been accustomed to in what should be wet conditions. MU keeps it close, but no cigar.




Score: CCSU 20, Monmouth 14.


My record: 4-2.

Weekend MU sports question

MU soccer update

Below from the MU web site.

KLANG'S FREE KICK GOAL LEADS MONMOUTH TO 1-0 WIN AT SACRED HEART

FAIRFIELD, CONN. - Monmouth University junior Andreas Klang delivered a 25-yard free kick service for a score to lift the Hawks to a 1-0 win at Sacred Heart in Northeast Conference men's soccer action on Sunday afternoon. The win, Monmouth's sixth straight victory, improves the Hawks to 10-2-2 on the season and 5-0 in the NEC.


Women win first place show down with Q` pac, 1-0.



Both teams in first place in NEC.

For more on both games please go to the MU web site...

Informal, very informal, reader survey

I'm just curious as to how readers feel. Thus, the following poll. I have also placed this poll on the high school football blog....

MU football future non-conference games

These are tentative - got them today from KC. Games are away unless noted as home (H). Also MU is attempting to schedule Bryant in football beginning in 2008.


2008- Maine (H), URI, possible Coastal Carolina, possible Bryant.

2009 - URI (H), Colgate, Old Dominion

2010 - Old Dominion (H), Colgate

2011 - Villanova

2012 - Cornell

2013 - Cornell (H), Columbia.

MU hoops update/Seton Hall game on FSNY

According to the MU web site - the 1 p.m. Nov. 11 game at Seton Hall will be carried via FSNY.


Went over to practice today.. watched the men for about 45 minutes to an hour and the women for about five -10 minutes. I hope I am not arrested by the Title 9 police...

Men: Jhamar did not practice (some tendonitis). Not to worry. He'll be back next week.

Basically every other play took turns with their good and not so hot moments. Best performances I saw today were from :

Shawn Barlow.. he's improved, stronger, leaner, playing aggressive. Has a chance to see playing time.

George Barbour.. the rookie is very strong, could eventually be a rebounder of some note... Had not practiced until today (knee, leg problems).

Alex Nunner.. I head heard Yaniv Simspon has been shooting very well, but today Nunner had the advangate. Also, he's a junior (which makes him eligible for social security on this team), and plays very good defense.

Rickie Crews - The Phantom looked very good at times, aggressive, rebounding fairly well. I - personally, wish he would take less outside shots for the most part. He can hit them, sometimes. But in my opinion is best served going to the hoop.


Women - Marisa Jimenez and Lakia Barber did practice some. A very good sign. Marisa told me she expects to be cleared by next week for full time action. Lakia also looked good...she is expected to be ready to go for the season, last I heard. Brianne Edwards - did not practice. Last I heard not expected to play, at the earliest, until around Thanksgiving.




Jen Bender looked strong inside, as she usually does. If her medium range jumper ever comes around, itwould take her to another offensive level.

Marbely Montas, the junior college PG, was impressive, especially going to the hoop. Appears to be physically stronger than one would think at first glance.



MU mens and women's practices are open to the public.


Men will hold their first formal intra squad scrimmage a week from Saturday morning.. I think around 9 am though it may be earlier..I will double check the time...

Poll on Bryant U. being accepted into the NEC

You may also make comments on either thread in the comments section...

Bryant accepted into NEC, NJIT is not

Division II Bryant U. of Smithfield, R.I. has been admitted to the NEC in a vote of league presidents Wednesday. NJIT was not accepted. It failed to get the required 75 percent of the vote.

Bryant will not be a full D1 program until 2012-2013.....and will not eligible for NEC Tournaments until then...

However two sports, TBA, may be eligible for post season by 2009-2010 via the NCAA "Fast Track" rule....

Not known at this time when Bryant will begin playing full NEC schedules in any sport....The NEC is encouraging its schools to schedule Bryant ASAP...

Here is the first part of the release from the NEC web site....


Somerset, NJ - Bryant University has accepted an invitation from the Northeast Conference’s Council of Presidents to become the NEC’s 12th member, it was announced today by league Commissioner Brenda Weare. Bryant will become a core member of the conference in 2012 upon completion of the five-year NCAA Division I reclassification period.


"Bryant is an outstanding university that has demonstrated excellence both academically and competitively," said Weare. "They are an excellent fit for the NEC, and we look forward to them joining us in the fall of 2012."


Located in Smithfield, Rhode Island, Bryant currently competes at the NCAA Division II level. The institution began its transition into Division I when it filed for reclassification this past May.


"On behalf of the faculty, staff, student body, student-athletes, and coaches, Bryant University is very proud and honored to accept an invitation to join the Northeast Conference," said Ronald K. Machtley, Bryant University President.


Bryant’s Director of Athletics Bill Smith also expressed his excitement.


"Membership in the prestigious Northeast Conference will raise our academic and athletic profiles, providing our student-athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level," said Smith.


Nicknamed the Bulldogs, Bryant is a charter member of the Northeast-10 Conference, which was formed in 1980. The school fields a nationally competitive athletics program that finished 27th in the Division II Director’s Cup standings in 2006-07 and captured its third Northeast-10 Presidents’ Cup trophy - awarded annually to the top athletics program among the 15 member institutions that make up the conference - in the last four years.


"The movement to Division I athletic competition is consistent with our strategic plan to continually enhance Bryant University’s reputation as a superb educational institution," said Machtley.


Bryant offers a broad-based athletic program, fielding 11 men’s and 11 women’s sports teams. Sports offered include baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s cross country, football, men’s golf, men’s and women’s lacrosse, men’s and women’s soccer, softball, men’s and women’s swimming, men’s and women’s tennis, men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and women’s volleyball. The NEC currently sponsors each of the sports Bryant competes in at this time with the exception of men’s lacrosse.


"I think this is great for the Northeast Conference," said Vice Admiral Paul Gaffney, President of Monmouth University and Chair of the NEC Membership Committee. "We were extremely impressed with the commitment of their President, trustees, and athletic department staff. We can’t wait to play them."

MU soccer weekend

How do you like my new toy??


Vote here but also feel free to discuss the games pre and post game on comments...

MU football/Bye week poll

MU men's soccer - Interesting stat, also Kinne Newcomer of the Week

from the NEC web site..



NEC teams are currently 32-36-12 on the season in non-conference play. The NEC is currently 2-2 against ACC opponents this season, as well as 3-2-1 against the Atlantic 10, 3-1-2 against the Colonial and 8-5-2 versus the MAAC. NEC programs have also posted wins over teams from the Big East and Mount Pacific conferences...


Ryan Kinne, MonmouthFr., F, Naugatuck, CT/Naugatuck

Kinne recorded his second straight game-winning goal as Monmouth rallied for a 2-1 win over Long Island on Friday. After Damon Wilson knotted the match at 1-1 in the 72nd minute, Kinne struck five minutes later with a chip from the right side that snuck in off the far post. He registered three shots against the Blackbirds and added one shot on goal in a 1-0 win over St. Francis (NY) on Sunday as the Hawks extended their win streak to four and home unbeaten streak to 22 matches (17-0-5). The Naugatuck, CT product is tied for third on the team with two goals and five points.

MU men's and women's soccer from Sunday (from the MU web site where there is more info). FH lost to Lock Haven.

Please make any comments here


Men's soccer
WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - In the 82nd minute, Monmouth junior Andreas Klang (Gothemberg, Sweden) notched his first goal of the season, in just his third game of the year, to lead the Hawks to a 1-0 win over St. Francis College, in Northeast Conference action on Sunday afternoon. With the win, the Hawks improve to 8-2-2 on the season and 3-0 in the NEC, while SFC falls to 3-7-3, 1-3-0 in league play.

Monmouth is now unbeaten in its last 22 Northeast Conference matches (17-0-5), dating back to the 2004 season.


Women's soccer
FAIRFIELD, CONN. - The Monmouth University women’s soccer team played to a 1-1 double overtime draw in Northeast Conference action at Sacred Heart, on Sunday afternoon. The draw moves the Hawks’ record to 7-2-4 overall and 3-0-1 in the NEC, while the Pioneers remain winless at 0-9-4 overall (0-1-3 NEC). The tie also extends Monmouth’s unbeaten streak to nine games.

Monmouth sophomore Andrea Lopez (Oakhurst, N.J./Ocean Township) gave the Hawks the lead in the seventh minute, beating SHU goalie Meghan Reichelt with an unassisted goal off a blast out front by Alessandra DeTata (Brick, N.J./Brick) that was blocked by the SHU defense.

Sacred Heart junior Janice Rodriguez scored her first goal of the season in the 78th minute on a feed from Allison Rojas to knot the score at 1-1. Rojas, who tallied her second assist of the year, made a pass through to Rodriguez, and the junior deposited it into the right corner to beat the diving Hawk netminder Lia Fierro (Short Hills, N.J./Millburn).

SUNDAY AFTERNOON Monmouth injuries update/My take on the game

Latest on Monmouth injuries (Robinson to be back for CCSU)

Monmouth's young, inexperienced secondary gained more youth and lost more experience Saturday.

The Hawks played without their No. 2 tackler, sophomore free safety Jon Stolarz (neck injury), back up fifth-year senior corner Bryan Bischoff (shoulder), and in the first half also lost redshirt junior Brian Robinson (neck, shoulder) who is also the team's primary kick off returner.

Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan said Sunbday Robinson ""should be fine'' for the next game Oct. 27 at Central Connecticut but it's ""uncertain'' when Stolarz and Bryan Bischoff will return.

Senior corner Marcus Shell (groin surgery) saw his first action of the season in the second half.

Before the game ended the secondary included sophomore Chad Tirpack (Wall), redshirt freshman Ken Amsel, and true freshman Michael Avent.

On the offensive said Callahan said reserve junior wide out Ronnie Lauch, a Wall High School graduate, will miss the remainder of the season after tearing an ACL in practice last week.

Also, the status of back up quarterback Andrew Mandeville (Raritan), who injured a shoulder vs. Delaware, is still ""up in the air'' Callahan said Sunday.





My take:

It was a very poor performance, yes it was. Especially on defense. But we all know that.... right??



But, as I indicated after last week, don't get too high on the win. And now, after this one, don't get too low. MU is NOT that bad.


But anyone who thought this team was going to be an NEC championship team, a list that did not include me, was kidding themselves.

Through the first five games I thought MU was about where it should be, minus the Robert Morris defeat.

I thought they might beat RMU, would beat SHU, but I had this Wagner game ticketed for a win. The other games (Maine, Delaware, Stony Brook) figured to be losses. Though they certainly had a shot to defeat Stony Brook and an opportunity vs. Maine.

As for Saturday's game..Well, this is not last year's defense comprised of many fifth year seniors. And there are, in my opinion, no Joe Sentipals or Mike Castallenos among this set of LBs, at least not yet. Nothing against the current group but, again just my own view, that's the way it is.

This did figure to be a reloading, rebuilding year, certainly on defense, and that's how it's shaped up.

The injuries have hurt, especially in the secondary. Stolarz `was having a very good year. We'll never know whether or if RS freshman corner Joe Arneth (sidelined by academics after winning a job in the fall) would have made a difference.


Burke hasn't played great, but he hasn't played terribly. He was never supposed to be Brian Boland or Dan Sabella. Give him the 2006 defense and he'd have a few more wins.



I thought he made an ill-advised throw on the INT in the end zone. It looked like San Miguel fell down on the earlier INT at mid field. I question that play to begin with. At that time (score was 10-0) I would have liked to have seen them pound away with Sinisi and throw shorter, safer routes, take some time off the clock, and get some points.

When they finally got`within 24-10 the question was then, could the defense stop Wagner? That question was answered in a hurry (Wagner TD). It didn't then, and it didn't all day.





Especially aggravating to fans and I'm sure the coaches, are the weekly spate of false start penalties.

Another problem has been little or no QB pressure by the MU defense. Wagner seemed to pick up all the blitzes. And the line pressure has been generally ineffective. Prior to the game MU was next to last in the NEC with 8 sacks. SFPA had seven. Leader Albany had 15.






As one blogger said, a number of these scholarship players are getting their feet wet this season.

The trip has been a soggy one. It's a rebuilding year. That's the way it is.


This second bye week couldn't come at a better time. It gives the coaching staff time to review its personnel, and for some players to heal.



Remember, on defense, MU in 2008 will return almost the entire defense (older, stronger, and wiser one would presume), on offense all of its skill players except for San Miguel, and some on the O' line.

If you're an MU fan, you're going to have to bite the bullet for now, hope for things to improve over the final weeks, and for the Hawks to maybe make a title run again in 2008. Maybe.

MU football - The longest day at Kessler Field

Our story for Sunday - longer than the Press story...

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER


WEST LONG BRANCH - The weekly progress that Monmouth University football coach Kevin Callahan believed his team has been making came to a screeching halt Saturday.

""I felt, in fact, in a lot of areas we may have taken a step backwards today,'' said Callahan.
Wagner (5-1, 3-0) scored the most points by an opponent in the 15-year history of Kessler Field in a 45-16 victory over the Hawks (1-5, 1-2) in a Northeast Conference game.

""It's distressing,'' said Callahan. ""I guess I'm the one that's responsible for that.

""If I had misjudged the progress we were making up until this point that's just bad awareness on my part.

""I certainly didn't have the team ready to play today and that obviously showed by our performance on the field. And that's my responsibility.''

Callahan conceded that progress may not always be steady and that setbacks occur. ""But it seemed we had a set back in a lot of areas today,'' he said.

Running behind an offensive line that included 6-5, 308 pound freshman guard Joe Feriozzi and junior tackle Matthew Martin, 6-4, 310 pounds, Wagner senior tailback Jason Butler ran for a career high 201 yards and scored four touchdowns.

When the Monmouth defensive front wasn't being tied up in the trenches Butler and junior Rodney Davis (117 yards, one TD) seemed to run free past Monmouth's linebackers and an injury-riddled secondary.

""Our O'line spent a lot of time working in the off season,'' said Butler. ""They wanted to run the ball so we did what they wanted to do.

""It was the O'line that got bigger and stronger that really helped me do what we did today.''

Butler said Monmouth always has some sizeable personnel in the trenches. "'We decided to beat them with speed,'' said Butler. ""We had a little strength, too, so we beat them with power and speed. We played a good game.''

Before many in the Homecoming crowd of 3,954 had wended their way from their tents and tailgates to their seats, Monmouth already trailed 24-0 in the second quarter.

And whenever it seemed Monmouth made a bid to climb back into the game Wagner snuffed its hopes.

Trailing 24-7 Monmouth freshman linebacker Pierre LaFontant recovered a fumble at midfield with with 26 seconds left in the first half.

But three plays later junior quarterback Brett Burke, who set career marks going 31-for-49 for 289 yards, suffered his second interception of the half by Al Phillips. The senior tepped stepped in front of Monmouth freshman wide out Troy Yudin on the goal line.

"'If we cut it to a two score game then it may have significantly changed things,'' said Callahan.

Monmouth got within 24-10 on the opening possession of the third quarter when Fred Weingart hit a 42-yard field goal.

But on Wagner's first play after the kickoff quarterback Matt Abbey connected with Davis who left Monmouth defenders in his wake completing a 55-yard scoring play.

""To their credit they answer right back with a score,'' said Callahan. ""It basically negated that first drive we had.''

The avalanche grew worse in the third quarter when Davis, apparently stopped at the line of scrimmage, broke free and raced 75 yards for Wagner's final touchdown.

""I didn't feel we tackled very well all day,'' said Callahan. ""The way we play some of the wide runs, we struggled in that area.

""My take was that our kids up front weren't doing too bad of a job, the ball was getting directed where we thought it should go,''said Callahan.

""Then we weren't able to make the tackles when it got to that place.''

Monmouth's lone bright spot were David Sinisi's two touchdowns enabling him to extend the nation's longest touchdown scoring streak to 18 games.

Monmouth has its second bye of the season Saturday. It returns to action 11 a.m. Oct. 27 at Central Connecticut State. The game will be televised on FoxSports New York.

NEC expansion - Gaffney to vote for NJIT and Bryant

Monmouth Unieversity President Paul Gaffney confirmed today Northeast Conference presidents will vote Wednesday on whether to expand and, if so, bring in NJIT, Bryant U., or both.
Gaffney said he will vote to accept both schools into the NEC.
"'Football is very important to us,'' said Gaffney. Bryant has football while NJIT does not. ""I like NJIT because the president is really behind athletics and they've got great facilities,'' Gaffney said.

MU football story for Saturday Press

Make predictions, comments here, or scroll down a few threads for another Wagner prediction/comment topic

My prediction: Monmouth will gang up to stop the run and induce Wagner to throw which may not be a strong point. MU has to make sure it is in front by enough so it is not vulnernabe to a late Piotr Czech field goal.

My Prediction Record: 4-1.
My score: Monmouth, 24-19



By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

WEST LONG BRANCH - For the second week in a row the Monmouth University football team faces the top rushing defense in the Northeast Conference.
Last week, powered by Dave Sinisi's 200 yards and three scores and Bobby Giles' 119 yards on the ground, Monmouth riddled Sacred Heart for 331 yards rushing in its 41-point triumph.
In Saturday's Homecoming Game the Hawks (1-4, 1-1) host Wagner (4-1, 2-0) which leads the NEC in rushing defense giving up only 98.8 yards per game on the ground. It also ranks first in total defense, 280.6 yards per game,and is No. 1 in scoring defense yielding 13.2 points per game.
That's just fine with Monmouth redshirt junior tight end John Nalbone. ""It was the same thing last year going into their game,'' said Nalbone. "'They were a highly ranked defense.''
In 2006 Monmouth defeated Wagner for the third time in four years, 28-7.
""It definitely does make us work harder and concentrate on doing everything right,'' said Nalbone who last week led all Monmouth receivers with four catches for 59 yards including a 16-yard TD pass from Brett Burke.
The 6-4, 240 pound Nalbone, has 12 receptions this season for 143 yards.
""He's a big target, runs well, certainly gives us another option in the pass game,''s aid Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan. "'Everybody kind of starts looking towards Adam (San Miguel) from an opponent's standpoint.''
The game matches Monmouth redshirt sophomore running back David Sinsi vs. Wagner senior running back Jason Butler.
Sinisi, averaging 6.2 yards per carry, hopes to extend his nation's leading touchdown scoring streak to 18 games.
Butler leads the NEC with 659 yards rushing on 149 attempts,but has yet to score a rushing touchdown in 2007.
Last week Wagner upended a Robert Morris team, 20-13, which handed Monmouth a 20-17 setback Sept. 8 at Kessler Field.
Senior Piotr Czech, former Keyport High School star, added field goals of 28 and 35 yards extending his school record total to 38.
Czech has converted 10-of-11 attempts this season hitting twice from 54 yards and is 7-for-7 from inside the 40.
""He's very formidable,'' said Callahan. ""They get across midfield they can kick a field goal. He is a weapon.''
Nalbone said Monmouth hopes to build off last week's momentum. ""It was a good way to have a first win with a big, convincing win,'' he said. ""It has definitely showed in practice and I think will propel us though NEC games.''
Notes
Callahan said reserve quarterback Andrew Mandeville (Raritan) is still out with a shoulder injury suffered against Delaware. He said reserve defrnsive tackle Jeff King (Raritan) should be back after suffering a knee injury vs. Delaware.
e-mail tonygsports@aol.com.

MU men's hoops story for Saturday Press

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

WEST LONG BRANCH - The big men are the big question marks.

That appears to be the situation facing the Monmouth University men's basketball team as it begins practice Saturday morning for the 2007-2008 season.

""It's wide open,'' said Monmouth coach Dave Calloway of his front court to which 6-8 sophomore Rickie Crews, who played exactly 22 minutes all of last season, is the lone returning forward/center with ""experience.''

Monmouth is coming off a shockingly disappointing 2006-2007 when it became the first defending champion in Northeast Conference history to fail to qualify for the following NEC Tournament.

It has a back court nucleus to build around with last year's NEC Rookie of the Year, Jhamar Youngblood, and junior Whitney Coleman expected to offer fire power.

Freshman James Hett is penciled in at point guard, with junior Alex Nunner, sophomore Yaniv Simpson, and freshman R.J. Rutledge possible back court reserves.

Up front Crews, redshirt sophomore Shawn Barlow, redshirt freshmen Adam Dobriansky and Dutch Gaitley, and true freshmen George Barbour and Nick DelTufo will vie to be in the mix.

""Health will be an issue and under standing what we're trying to accomplish out there and picking up the defense,''said Calloway.

Crews, a potentially exciting talent, battled injuries as a rookie when he also missed time for "'violating team rules.''

He said from last season he's learned to "'try and be more responsible and try not to take any short cuts.

""Last year I tried to take short cuts and it bit me,'' he said. ""I made some mistakes.''

Gaitley said the big men are looking forward to their opportunities. ""That's a lot what we talk about in the locker room,'' he said. ""We're not just looking out for ourselves. We know if someone gets out there, they're going to help the team.

""We're into a team, not a me first mentality.''

Calloway said the Hawks will be adjusting their offensive philosophy to account for the inexperience in the post.

""In particular to put Jhamar and Whit (Coleman), and some of the other guards that can do it, in positions where they have individually more freedom than probably our guards have had in the past,'' said Calloway.

""Maybe since we had Rahsaan (Johnson). That may take a little pressure off the big guys.

"'In the past, especially in clutch times, our offense used to cater to getting the ball inside when we really needed a basket,'' Calloway said.

""I don't know if that will be the case for a while.''




Monmouth men 2007-2008

RETURNING STARTERS Whitney Coleman, G, 6-3, 190 Jr. (9.1 ppg., 3.1 rpg.); Jhamar
Youngblood, G, 6-1, 190, So. (12.3 ppg., 3.5 rpg.)
RETURNING RESERVES: Alex Nunner, G, 6-3, 185, Jr. (2.4 ppg., 1.8 rpg.); Rickie Crews, F/C, 6-7 So (2.0 ppg.); Shawn Barlow, C, 6-11, 250, So. (1.3 ppg.); Yaniv Simpson, G, 6-4, 210, So. (1.7 ppg.).
NEWCOMERS: George Barbour, F, 6-7, 190, Fr.; James Hett, G, 6-1, 175, Fr.; R.J. Rutledge, F/G, 6-4, 170, Fr.; Nick DelTufo, F/C, 6-8, 205, Fr.; Adam Dobriansky, C, 6-10, 225, RS freshman; Dutch Gaitley, C, 6-9, 225, RS freshman.
STARTERS LOST (3): Marques Alston, F, 6-3, 190 (11.5 ppg., 3.8 rpg.); Dejan Delic, F, 6-6, 215 (14.6 ppg., 3.5 rpg.); John Bunch, C, 7-2, 320 (7.1 ppg., 5.3 rpg., 95 BS)
OTHERS LOST: Mike Shipman, G, 6-1, 185 (5.4 ppg., 89 assists).

Note - Barbour (strained left knee) may not practice Saturday...

Big Friday at MU. Men's and women's soccer and field hockey in action. New Field Hockey area dedicated Friday

Make predictions; game comments. Visit MU web site for men's soccer GameWatcher and all results.

Men's soccer (6-2-2, 1-0) hosts LIU (2-5-2, 0-1-1) at 3 p.m.

Women's soccer (6-2-3, 2-0) at FDU (3-8, 1-1)

Field Hockey (4-7, 3-0) hosts SFPA (2-10, 2-1) at 3 p.m.

My picks: MU sweeps. Men's soccer, 2-0. Women's soccer 3-1. Field Hockey 5-2. Men's soccer team a little banged up in the back but has enough to down the Blackbirds. Women getting excellent goal tending. Field hockey, to be honest, I have no clue. But 5-2 sounds good to me!

Men's soccer wins, 2-1.

Women's soccer wins, 3-1. My exact score!!!

Well, field hockey lost 2-1. That's the last time I pick field hockey!!!

MU men's soccer - Ocean Twp soccer player verbals to Monmouth U.

After a blogger alerted us to this - I contacted Ocean senior mid fielder Ben Lowy who tonight confirmed he has made a verbal commitment to Monmouth.

""Good team, good atmosphere, and the program is building every year,'' said Lowy who said he also visited South Carolina and Virginia. Lowy, 5-9, 150 pounds, said he has nine goals and four assists this season. ""Ben has all the physical tools, handles the ball well, and is a good athlete,'' said Ocean coach Tom Reilly.

MU football Saturday vs. Wagner/Make picks/My prediction Friday on story thread near or at the top of the blog

Below from the MU web site...


WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J- Monmouth’s football team will look to win its second-consecutive game on Saturday when it hosts NEC rival Wagner for a 1 p.m. game.



HERE IS A LOOK AT THIS WEEKEND’S MATCHUP...

Monmouth enters into the game against Wagner with a 1-4 overall record and a 1-1 NEC record after defeating Sacred Heart 49-8 in its last outing.

The Hawks snapped a five game losing streak with the 41 point victory over the Pioneers, dating back to final game of last year.

MU earned its first win of the season in impressive fashion, as David Sinisi ran for 200 yards and three touchdowns against the Pioneers. Quarterback Brett Burke also had a career day, throwing for a pair of touchdowns and 241 yards. Monmouth posted 593 yards on Sacred Heart, the most gained by any team in the Northeast Conference this season.

Wagner comes into today’s game with a 4-1 record and a hold of first place in the NEC after winning its last two outings against Sacred Heart and Robert Morris. Wagner boasts the league’s leading rusher in senior Jason Butler, and the Seahawks also feature one of the best kickers in conference history in Peter Czech.

Wagner head coach Walt Hamline’s offense will pit the conference’s leading
rusher in Jason Butler against Monmouth running back David Sinisi.

Note - Back up quarterback Andrew Mandeville (Raritan) is still out with a shoulder injury suffered against Delaware. Reserve defernsive tackle Jeff King (Raritan), should be back after suffering a knee injury vs. Delaware.


MORE WAYS TO CATCH ALL THE MU ACTION...

Saturday’s game will mark the second time a Monmouth football game is streamed over the internet on www.GoMUHawks.com. Two plans are available for purchase, a monthly $6.95 fee or $59.99 for the year. All four MU Football home games will be broadcast with Monmouth Men’s and Women’s Basketball games will be streamed, while MU is looking into streaming soccer, lacrosse and baseball games. Accompanying streaming will be free game tracker, with up-to-date stats available on the screen.

MU women's hoops/Practice preview story for Friday Press

Note to all - coming on our blog Thursday and Friday. MU women's (see below) and men's hoops practice preview stories (which will run in the Press Friday and Saturday). Plus on Friday on the blog the MU football preview for Wagner game (for Saturday Press).



By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

WEST LONG BRANCH - Get out the duct tape.
A Monmouth University women's basketball team brimming with potential to win its first Northeast Conference Tournament championship since 1987 will report to Friday night's first practice for the 2007-2008 season with several key players, including two of its three returning leading scorers, at less than full strength.
Junior guard Marisa Jimenez (shoulder) and junior forward Lakia Barber (ACL) will be held to light or limited practice for the time being while senior point guard Brianne Edwards (knee), the team's returning leader in scoring (10.9 ppg.) and assists (86), probably won't be playing until at least late next month.
It remains to be seen how, in the long term, the injuries affect the Hawks who bring back virtually their entire roster after an 18-13 record and a trip to the 2007 NEC Tournament semifinals where they fell to eventual champion Sacred Heart.
""When we left the post season, other than Kia's (Barber's) ACL tear, we thought we were going to be in pretty good shape,'' said coach Michele Baxter. ""It turns out we had a couple of more serious injuries than we anticipated.''
The most serious appears to be Edwards who underwent surgery. Baxter said the player, who led Monmouth with 17 points and seven rebounds in the NEC Tournament semifinal, is pushing to be on the court by Thanksgiving. ""The doctors are predicting a little bit of a later date,'' said Baxter.
By Thanksgiving week Monmouth will have played four games, though its NEC schedule doesn't begin until Dec. 8 when it hosts Sacred Heart.
Last year Jimenez was Monmouth's No. 3 scorer (8.8 ppg.) and tied for second in steals (41). Barber averaged 7.2 points and 4.4 rebounds.
Baxter said Jimenez and Barber are expected to be ready for Monmouth's Nov. 9 season opening game at Rider.
"'Going into the season it's going to be a period of adjustment,'' said Baxter. ""We're just going to have some other players step up.''
One of those players is expected to be junior point guard Marbely Montas. The 5-8 transfer from Union County Junior College was named an all divisions JUCO All-America after averaging 16.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 6.8 assists at Union.
She said she turned down scholarship offers from St. John's and St. Peter's. ""I truly wanted to come here,'' said Montas. ""I'm ready to play.''
Montas said she's determined to help the Hawks end their title draught. ""We're making it this year,'' she said. ""We've got a lot of talent. We all get along. The chemistry is thereeen here.''
"'We're focusing on that goal of winning the championship.''

MU men's hoops - Climbing "The Ladder.'' - Steve Edelson's Thursday column in the Press

Steve Edelson Column

WEST LONG BRANCH - The horn blast is startling as it slices through an empty
Boylan Gym, the 42-year-old facility already struggling to keep out the
humidity of an Indian summer morning. It's quickly replaced by the screech of
sneakers on hardwood as coach Dave Calloway stands fidgeting, a store-bought
coffee in hand and assistant Chris Kenny at his side.


While the Monmouth University men's basketball team goes baseline-to-baseline
in a race against the scoreboard clock, above them hang banners representing
all 11 Northeast Conference teams, very few of whom the Hawks could beat by the
end of a 2006-07 season in which they were the favorites to go dancing.


And so they run ""the ladder,'' starting at 7 a.m., in a rite that began last
spring as both a reminder of the past and a foundation for what could be.


""Part of it's to let everyone know that what happened last year was
unacceptable,'' said Calloway, whose 10th season begins when practice opens on
Saturday.

""We're also very young, so we're going to have to spend a lot of time
teaching. And the teaching always takes longer than you think it will. So we
won't have to spend quite as much time on conditioning.''


To sophomore guard Jhamar Youngblood, these crack-of-dawn sessions seem
downright personal.


He was on this same court nearly eight months earlier when, with an NEC
Tournament bid dangling before them, Sacred Heart outscored the Hawks 54-36 in
the second half to offset Youngblood's 31-point effort. He managed only six
points a few nights later in Loretto, Pa., where a 46-point second half
outburst by St. Francis, combined with a St. Francis (N.Y) win over FDU,
finally put them out of their misery.


""We didn't have the toughness we needed, mentally or physically, to come
through and win the games we needed to late last season,'' said Youngblood, who
looks visibly stronger than he did during his NEC Freshman of the Year campaign.
""This is what we need. In the beginning when we started running, I really
didn't want to do it. No one did. But then you start seeing how it helps you
and you start to understand. Maybe we'll have the toughness to win important
gamm!on the road.''


The program Calloway has guided to the NCAA Tournament three times, finds
itself in the role of a decided underdog. They were supposed to be good last
season but it didn't work out. Now, with just three experienced returnees,
they're a month away from lining up against Seton Hall in the new Newark Arena,
which is five days before facing Notre Dame at the University of Virgin Islands
Paradise Jam.


""Our season started on the bus ride home from St. Francis last February,''
Calloway said. ""Just like the year before it started coming home from our game
against Villanova.''


Gone is the physical play of Marques Alston, the shooting of Dejan Delic and
the size of John Bunch, while guard Mike Shipman transferred out. Then again,
all that equaled was a 12-18 record last season.


And that's what all this running is really about.


This team isn't as talented as last year's. They certainly don't have as much
experience. But what that particular group of Hawks lacked were intangibles
like chemistry, leadership and an overall willingness to commit to the system.


""I know they were disappointed last season, and everyone's working hard to
turn that around,'' said freshman point guard James Hett. ""I really didn't
know what to expect coming in, but I think the running we do in the morning
helps us as a team.''


The ladder involves runs of varying lengths up and down the court, with
corresponding rest periods in between. It's a drill Calloway used early in his
tenure, but got away from it as the program progressed, producing six straight
winning seasons and a pair of regular season NEC crowns.


On this day, only half of the Hawks' 12-man roster is actually running, with
the other half, nursing nagging injuries, stretching on mats courtside while
providing encouragement. When it ends after about 30 minutes, the injured
players head for the pool to get their exercise.


If all this helps win a few games in the final minutes, so be it. But just as
important is the camaraderie and trust, both in each other and the coaching
staff, these grueling sessions help build. You see, talent's a luxury at
Monmouth. The concept of team, however, is an outright necessity.


Note to all - coming on our blog Thursday and Friday. MU women's and men's hoops practice preview stories (which will run in the Press Friday and Saturday). Plus on Friday the MU football preview for Wagner game (for Saturday Press).

General local college sports

This is basically what is going in our local college notebook Tuesday and applies not just to Monmouth.

I have decided to run this on the blog as well to afford anyone opprtunities for comments on these, other sports, or other local schools besides MU.




By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
Riding a four-game winning streak for the first time since 2000 the Monmouth University Field hockey team (4-7, 3-0) returns home for a stretch of three Northeast Conference games.
It begins 3 p.m. Friday vs. Saint Francis, Pa. (2-1, 2-10), then 1 p.m. Sunday vs. defending NEC champion Lock Haven, Pa. (9-5, 4-0), and 4 p.m. Oct. 19 vs. Rider (6-5, 3-0).
""The biggest thing was that we needed to get a win under our belts,'' said first year coach Carli Figlio whose Hawks began 0-7. But a 2-1 non-conference win over Fairfield brought with it much needed confidence.
""The girls needed to feel what it felt like to win,'' said Figlio. ""From there we began to build our momentum which was great because it was right when we were starting NEC play.''
Sophomore Kelly Crist, a graduate of Middletown North High School, leads Monmouth with four goals and eight points.
Redshirt freshman goalie Melissa Katz, a Monmouth Regional graduate who transferred from Michigan State, has been in the cage during the bulk of winning streak while filling in for injured starter Megan Smith.
""This weekend is going to be critical, especially here at home to knock these teams off,'' Figlio said.
Monmouth will dedicate its new turf field prior to Friday's game.

Monmouth soccer
The Monmouth women (6-2-3, 2-0) took great satisfaction from Friday's 2-1 double-overtime win over defending champion LIU Friday in that it snapped a five-game losing streak to the Blackbirds (with four of the losses 1-0) dating back to 2002.
Monmouth will look to extend its unbeaten mark to nine Friday at Fairleigh Dickinson (3-8, 1-1).
On the men's side Monmouth's defending NEC champions (6-2-2, 1-0) hosts LIU (2-5-2, 0-1-1) 3 p.m. Friday and St. Francis, N.Y. (3-5-3, 1-1) 1 p.m. Sunday.
In Saturday's 4-0 victory over Mount St. Mary's Ryan Kinne, Michael Millar and John Castro each scored their first goals of the season, and freshman Drew Von Bargen registered his first collegiate point with an assist on a goal by CBA graduate Rob LaRocca.


Brookdale/Ocean soccer
The defending Division III Region 19 champion Brookdale women (11-1) closed in on the No. 1 seed for the 2007 event later this month with Saturday's 3-0 win over Ocean. The Jersey Blues will clinch the top seed with an Oct. 16 win at Bergen (4-6).
In the win over OCC sophomore goalie Melissa Scaduto (Freehold Township) registered her school record 19th career shutout.
Bookdale faces three Divsion I teams this week when it hosts Delaware Tech Tuesday, visits Harford, Md. Thursday, and Essex County College Saturday.
The Ocean women (7-2) got a strong effort in the Brookdale game from freshman Becky Hodnicky (Lacey). Freshman Dani Pagano leads OCC in scoring with 15 goals. Ocean visits Gloucester today, Division I Mercer Thursday, and Lackawanna. Pa. Saturday.
The Brookdale men (11-1-3) have tied two of of their last three games including Saturday's 2-2 contest with Ocean.
"""It was a frustrating week,'' said Brookdale coach Mike Costa. ""Our inability to finish has been a problem all season and has put our tournament seed in a perilous position.''
After a visit to Raritan Valley today the Jersey Blues host No. 1 Union (14-0-0) Saturday.

Note: The MU SIDs contributed to this report.

Giles also breaks out/MU football story for Monday Press

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER


Monmouth University red
shirt freshman tailback Bobby
Giles hurdled a would-be tack
ler Saturday as he ran for a
first down in the Hawks' victo
ry over Sacred Heart.

But a bigger hurdle for the
former record setting running
back at Burlington Township
High School has been adjusting
his style of running to the college game.

""Last year I used to run out
side all the time,'' said Giles
who, along with redshirt sopho
more Dave Sinisi, could pro
vide the Hawks with a highly
productive one-two backfield
combination.

Saturday Giles galloped for a
career high 119 yards, blending
some inside power with his
ability to reach the perimeter.

""I never used to run in the
hole,'' said Giles. ""In high
school I always used to run
outside. Here they've also
taught me to run inside. It's a
matter of mostly hitting the
holes.''

Giles said he takes some
mental notes as he observes
redshirt sophomore David Sinsi in action.

""I just watch him out there,
see how he runs hard, and the
coaches are pusuing me, "Just
know your role, just do what
you've got to do,' '' Giles said.

""If he (Sinisi) gets tired or
something, I go in, I've got
fresh legs so it's nice having a
one-two backfield punch.''

"'He (Giles) has very good
speed and showed that,'' said
Kevin Callahan, Monmouth
coach. ""He's got good balance
and stays on his feet.''

Sinis's career best 200 yards
Saturday enabled Monmouth to
have two 100-yard rushers in
the same game for the third
time in school history.

""This (Sacred Heart) team,
every team we play, probably
worries about Dave,'' said
Giles. "'But I'm trying to get out
there and take some pressure
off of him. So they know when
I'm coming in they can't ease
up, that I'm a good back, too.''

""He's (Giles) great, he really
is,'' said Sinisi. ""It's great to
take a blow and watch him
run.''

Sinisi averaged 11.8 yards
per rush Saturday as he extended the nation's longest
touchdown scoring streak to 17
games and became just the
third Monmouth runner to
reach 200 yards in a game (Jim
Varick and Chris Reed are the
others).

Sinisi's eight TDs this season
leads the Northeast Conference.

NOTES...True freshman Troy
Yudin had a career-high 67
yards on three catches. The
California native is second on
the Hawks in receiving yards
with 156 yards on 13 catch
es....Backup quarterback Ryan
Folsom, a redshirt freshman,
directed his first TD march
completing two-of-three passes
for 21 yards. The drive culminated with sophomore Ryan
Skorupka's second career
touchdown.

MU fball - putting the SHU win in perespective

While an impressive win, banged up SHU arguably - in my opinion - destined to be one of the bottom feeders in the NEC (so what does that say for Wagner which bearely beat them last week)?..which invades MU Saturday. But Wagner also topped Robert Morris Saturday.

I do think Wagner is far more dangerous, especially with kicker Piotr Czech banging field goals from Siberia.


MU also Saturday faced a true freshman at Q`back at SHU, almost always an advantage....

Given time to throw Brett Burke did well, and perhaps Bobby Giles can form an effective 1-2 punch with David - the touchdown Goliath - Sinisi.

MU women's soccer wins again

Some of you have been asking for morre women's soccer. Please comment here then. This and more on the game at the MU Web site...



MONMOUTH WOMEN’S SOCCER TOPS WAGNER 2-0 FOR FOURTH STRAIGHT VICTORY

WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J. - The Monmouth University women’s soccer team, which has won four straight matches, improved to 6-2-3 overall and 2-0 in the Northeast Conference with its 2-0 victory over Wagner on Sunday afternoon. Monmouth registered two second half goals en route to the league victory.

"To get our second conference win is moving us closer to our goal of making the NEC Tournament," said Monmouth head coach Krissy Turner. "We have still have seven games left and have to take them one game at a time."

MU football breaks out

Folks..this is a considerably longer story with more information here than will appear in Sunday Press
(a blog benefit!)


By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER

FAIRFIELD, Conn. - Monmouth University redshirt sophomore tailback David Sinisi described
his school record tying 99-yard touchdown run Saturday at Sacred Heart as a ''simple running play.

""We kick out the end and everybody did a great job,'' said Sinisi.

Saturday was a day when that description fit almost everyone wearing a visiting blue and white uniform as the Hawks (1-4, 1-1) snapped their season opening four-game losing streak with a 49-8 rout of the Pioneers (2-4, 0-2) at Campus Field.

The 5-9, 180 pound Sinsi seemed to find a second wind on the hot, humid afternoon as he reached midfield and out ran the Sacred Heart secondary en route to tying Jim Varick's 99-yarder from Oct. 29, 1994, also at Sacred Heart.

""I don't know where that (second win) came from,''said Sinisi. ""I just got like a second burst.'' He finished the run diving into the end zone.

""I just wanted to make sure I didn't get caught at the one-yard line,'' he said.

Sinsi scored three times extending the nation's longest touchdown scoring streak to 17 games, ran for a career high 200 yards, and red shirt freshman Bobby Giles reeled off a career high 119.
In winning his first game as Monmouth's starting quarterback redshirt junior Brett Burke, a Wall High School graduate, set career marks throwing for 241 yards and two scores including a 39-yard bomb to senior wide out Adam San Miguel and an 18-yard toss to 6-4 junior tight end John Nalbone who made a one-hand catch for the score.

""It feels real good,'' said Burke. ""Not only for me but for all the older guys on this team who have been here and are used to winning games.
""It was frustrating those first four, we were very close with the exception of Delaware.''

Burke said his TD to San Miguel was a one-route call. """I just play fake and I put it out there and he goes and gets it,'' said Burke. ""He did a great job.''

Burke said he also hit Nalbone off play-action which he said was made easier by Monmouth's successful rushing game.

"'I put it a little out in front but John made a great catch, '' said Burke.

Burke said the game should boost his confidence. ""It's big,'' he said. "'You always want to get that first win.

""You don't press. You never want to be over-excited when you win or too down when you lose. But this is the first of the six game season (six regular season games remain) that we're focusing on,'' he said.

""We did a good job today. Now we've got to get back to work and play hard next week (vs. Wagner).''

Wagner (4-1, 2-0) defeated Robert Morris (which defeated Monmouth) Saturday, 20-13.

""Today I think things came together,'' said Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan. ""I think
the benefit of playing the schedule we playeds early on manifested itself today. Our kids
were ready to go right out of the chute.''

Just 1:38 into the game senior Derek Bischoff blocked a Sacred Heart punt and senior
Ayoe Falae scooped it up and raced 14 yards for a 7-0 Monmouth lead.

Junior Fred Weingart (New Egypt) kicked the first of his seven extra points that pushed
his career total to a school record 62.

Bischoff said Monmouth exploited something it saw on film.

""We did like a little twist and I came clean, right through, and was able to block it,'' said Bischoff.

Defensively Monmouth produced two goal line stands, linebacker Larry Hudson recovered a fumble and linebacker T. J. Cerezo intercepted a pass.

Point Boro graduate Brian Friedman, a Sacred Heart redshirt sophomore who rushed for a career high 49 yards, slammed over from the four in the fourth quarter.

""We got up big on them and then were able to get just about everybody who made the trip
into the game,'' Callahan said.

Mark Fabish, Monmnouth offensive coordinator, said he believed it was the first time Monmouth had two backs go over 100 yards in a game since the 2000 season.

The points were the most allowed by Sacred Heart to an NEC team since it joined the league in 1999 as Monmouth improved to 6-1 all time at Campus Field.

Callahan said freshman kicker Matt Miller has ""discontinued his football career'' and that senior kicker Nick Pizzulli (Red Bank Regional) left the team earlier.

Punter Jack Daniels has taken over Miller's kick off duties.

Last chance for football Hawks (to save the season)? Saturday Press story

MONMOUTH
at SACRED HEART
1 p.m.
88.9 FM

By TONY GRAHAM
STAFF WRITER
The Monmouth University football team (0-4, 0-1) maybe struggling. But don't tell the Hawks their season is finished.
""Everybody still has real high hopes,'' said Chris Kiley, Monmouth senior wide out.
""Nobody's down on each other,'' said the graduate of Point Pleasant Boro High School '' We're still confident in our ability to win out for the rest of the season and hopefully take the NEC (championship) again.''
Monmouth, after bowing to Delaware last week, 42-7, resumes Northeast Conference action Saturday vs. Sacred Heart (2-3, 0-1).
The Hawks will be hoping to fly in the face of history as no NEC team has ever opened the season 0-4 and recovered to win the league championship.
However, there is precedent for NEC teams beginning seasons losing to higher caliber non-conference teams, and often by big scores, but still bouncing back to win or challenge for NEC titles.
Stony Brook limped into Monmouth last year 0-4 including 62-7 and and 48-7 pastings by New Hampshire and UMass respectively. It went on to whip Monmouth and spend most of the season in first place before being overtaken by the Hawks on the final weekend.
Stony Brook began 1-3 in 2005 including a 55-0 loss to Bucknell and tied Central Connecticut State for the league crown.
Albany started 2003 losing 51-0 to Northeastern and in 2002 lost its opener 45-7 to Montana and tied for the NEC championship each of those years.
Kiley said the Monmouth offense needs to be more consistent. ""We'd get a string of good plays going and we'd get a personal foul or penalties and that sets us back,'' said Kiley. ""Puts us in hard situations.''
Kiley, who this season played against former high school teamate Ryan Canary who is the starting center at Maine, Saturday faces another former teamate in sophomore Brian Friedman, the starting fullback for the Pioneers.
""It's awesome to see old friends out on the field,'' said Kiley. ""Even though we have to play against them it's a great atmosphere.''
It's a winning atmosphere that Monmouth coach Kevin Callahan said the team hopes to locate.
""It's important we start playing well and winning games,'' said Callahan. "'I've been saying all along that we've been improving each and every week.
"And I've been happy with our progress and improvement. We're right on track. Now it's important we go out and see the results of that improvement and that improvement is a win.''
NOTES...Callahan said No. 2 quarterback Andrew Mandeville (Raritan) will not dress this week after suffering a shoulder injury vs. Delaware, with red shirt freshman Ryan Folsom taking the role of Brett Burke's back up. Callahan said sophomore reserve tackle Jeff King (Raritan), who injured a knee vs. the Blue Hens, is also out.
Jackson graduate Joe Schroeder, a sophomore, is the place kicker for Sacred Heart, junior Ed Gurrieri (Manalapan) is a reserve running back, and senior linebacker Robert Occhiuzzi (Red Bank Catholic) will attempt to play through a nagging hamstring problem.

MU football: watch the Sacred Heart game on your computer

This from MU SID Greg (thank goodness fore the Eagles' bye week) Viscomi

Fans and members of the media who cannot get to the Monmouth-Sacred Heart football game on Saturday can visit the official website of the Pioneers and register for FREE web streaming to watch the game.
Registration is required, however there is NO COST. The link below will take you to the registration page.

http://media.sacredheart.edu/athletics/default.aspx?EventID=9

From me: for anyone who watches this game and also watched the MU-RMU game I would be interested in a comparison of the two video feeds...

Advisory

I will be off the blog from about mid afternoon until midnight or so today..because of high school football and then travel - to Nanuet NY - where I plan to stay overnight, and then continue tomorrow up to Sacred Heart for the fooball game ....Didn't feel like making the entire drive in one night..or one morning.

Women's soccer wins a thriller/ MU women soccer vs. LIU Friday/Make post game comments

MU (4-2-3) hosting LIU (4-4-1). MU hoped to avenge only two NEC defeats of 2006, one in the NEC final.

MU FRESHMAN JACKIE GRODOTZKE’S DOUBLE OVERTIME GOAL TOPS LONG ISLAND, 2-1
Rookie nets first career goal with 2:36 left in second overtime period (from the MU web site)



WEST LONG BRANCH, N.J.- After erasing an early one-goal deficit, Monmouth University’s women’s soccer team improved to 5-2-3 overall with a 2-1 double overtime win over defending conference champions Long Island University, Friday on The Great Lawn.

Monmouth netted the game-tying goal midway through the second half, then continued to dominate on the offensive side of the net well into the overtime periods. After a scoreless first overtime, Monmouth freshman Jackie Grodotzke (Merrick, N.Y./Calhoun) netted her first career goal to knock off LIU with 2:36 remaining in the half. Fellow freshman Ali Kliment (Florence, N.J./Pennington School) beat an Blackbird defender on the right side, sending the ball over to Joni DeMoor (Wayne, N.J./Wayne Valley) who headed it to Grodotzke. The rookie midfielder then drilled the ball from 20 yards out sneaking the ball in the inside right post.

“It was a terrific team effort,” said Monmouth Head Coach Krissy Turner. “To battle back from the 1-0 deficit in the first half shows a lot about the character of the team.”

Banding together

With the chatter on a prior thread about a "real"MU band (I am not knocking the pep band, they do a great job)..Thursday I asked AD Marilyn McNeil about larger band possibilties.

Basically she said a woman by the name of Aimee Parks has been appointed new band director and has been charged with ""increasing the (pep band) numbers and we're trying to get her to recruit some students in the band. We definitely want it to be bigger and better.''

McNeil said the MU pep band now numbers about 10. ""Gee, it would be nice to have 25 or 30,'' she said. ""It would even be nice to have 20.''

She also said it would be nice to have a band like Delaware's (300 piece marching band) but said with Monmouth's smaller enrollment that's not likely.

But she did not rule out Monmouth rolling out a marching band at some future date. ""You need a good 80 or 100 (for a marching band),'' she said. "Sure, we would love to have that, but first of all we need to get a pep band that has some brass and can be heard.''

I summed it up with her by saying that then bascially MU would like to increase the pep band and go from there.

""Yep,'' she said. ""We're willing to go further if we can.''

Anyone out there play a trumpet??

MU men's soccer Saturday vs. Mount St. Mary's/Make predictions, pre and post game remarks

Mount St. Mary's (2-5-1) at MU (5-2-2)

MU men's women's hoops latest update Thursday Oct. 4

Went over to Boylan Gym today again..women were not playing while I was there...I really don't expect to have any more updates on their injury situation until before practice next week ..

Men - Whitney Coleman looked very sharp today, Jhamar looked good, too (these are not news flashes).

For me, the most pleasant surprise has been Alex Nuynner, shooting rather well. Also - also I feel Alex is taking a bit of a leadership role with some of the young players - of which there are a ton .

Young kids - Hett didn't play that much while I was there. In my mind I'm satsified he can handle the PG role though it'll be difficult at first with so few experienced players presently around him. By the time he's a junior/senior could be one of the league's best PGs, maybe sooner...

Saw more of George Barbour today..looks like a strong, tough, kid, aggressive to the basket, might be a very good rebounder at some point. Could vie for significant playing time this year but so may several others in a very uncelar front court situation.


Here are a few other players that made an impression with me today - Adam Dobriansky showed some nice skill for a big man...Sean Barlow had some nice finishes inside. You know - he could be at least a contributor if he wants to really work hard. That's my opinion. Am stressing "could" and "wants." He is not without ability.

""The Phantom" looked strong at times going to the hoop. I feel he's really trying hard to earn singificant minutes this year.


Everyone else was generally uneven in their performances..some rather good moments.. some not so hot.

For now I still see the 4-5 positions as wide open and maybe a revolving door during the year....

MU women's hoops verbal commitment/ from Florida Sun Sentinal

Smith chooses Monmouth


It's also proven to be a big week for the Patriots' girls program. Taylor Smith orally committed to Monmouth earlier in the week, becoming the first girls' player headed to a Division I program.

Smith, a power forward, was voted the Sun-Sentinel Player of the Year last season after averaging 20.5 points and 15 rebounds per game.

She chose Monmouth (N.J.) after weighing offers from Delaware, Vanderbilt, George Mason and Appalachian State.

"Monmouth really started recruiting me after my 10th-grade season, and they were always very supportive," Smith said. "I felt like it was the best fit for me."

Thursday night/Friday update - withy my prediction - MU football - over the hump? SHU's Henley hurt again/Your thoughts/predictions

Can the Hawks get there, they badly need a win vs. Sacred Heart.


I just spotted this on the NEC Web site.. it affects MU football (this week) and men's basketball...it is from the Stamford, Conn. Advocate..

FAIRFIELD - Sacred Heart University's hopes of advancing to the Northeast Conference men's basketball championship game for a second straight year was thrown for a loss last weekend when senior Joey Henley suffered a football injury that will likely sideline him for the 2007-08 basketball season.

According to SHU men's basketball coach Dave Bike, Henley, a wide receiver on the Pioneers' football team, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the Pioneers' 18-15 loss at Wagner. The 6-4 Henley was expected to start at either power forward or center for Bike's team.




"We've already put in our votes for the NEC coaches preseason poll and I believe people will be expecting good things from us this year," Bike said. "I don't know if we would be picked as high if they knew Henley will not be playing. It hurts any time you lose a player of his caliber."

This marks the second time a football injury has kept the three-sport athlete off the basketball court for an entire season. Henley, an NEC All-Rookie pick in basketball as a freshman, missed the 2005-06 season with an ankle injury. The rugged forward/center was SHU's leading scorer (12.1 ppg) and rebounder (5.7 rpg) as a sophomore in 2004-05.

Though Henley, a member of SHU's track and field team, has used up his football eligibility, SHU is hopeful of getting a NCAA waiver so that Henley can perhaps return in 2008-09 to complete his four years of basketball eligibility.

Henley played in 31 of SHU's 32 basketball games last season as the Pioneers assembled a Division I-best 18-14 record and advanced to the NEC title game, where they were beaten by Central Connecticut. Henley scored 22 points and grabbed seven rebounds in the 74-70 loss to the Blue Devils. He averaged 11.1 points, the second-best figure on the team, and 4.5 rebounds.

Losing Henley complicates Bike's frontcourt situation as there is a possibility that junior backup center Liam Porter may be red-shirted. Senior Bryce Brooks is expected to start at center with junior Ryon Howard, who sat out last season with an injury, and 6-9 freshman Mehmet Sahan the other options at power forward and center.

Ok..now back to the football game ..


Monmouth enters into the
Sacred Heart game looking
to avoid starting the season 0-5
for the second time in school history.
Monmouth is looking for its
first win after facing No. 12 Delaware
on the road last weekend.

Seems to be if MU is going to avoid like a 2-8, etc. season, they need to get a win here. Cerainly appears to be a winnable game.


SHU schedule

Date Opponent Result/Time
08.30 at Assumption (D2) W, 41-20
09.08 LA SALLE W, 54-14
09.15 at Iona L, 10-34
09.22 DUQUESNE L, 23-30 (OT)
09.29 at Wagner* L, 18-15
10.06 MONMOUTH* 1 p.m.
10.13 at Albany* 4 p.m.
10.20 MARIST 1 p.m.
10.27 ST. FRANCIS (Pa.)* 1 p.m.
11.03 at Central Connecticut St.* 5 p.m.
11.10 at Robert Morris* 1 p.m

My prediction record 3-1.
My prediction - MU is going to win sooner or later and I think it'll be sooner. SHU is certainly beatable. Sinisi should carve up most NEC defenses. Hawks just have to stay away from key mistakes.

BUT..weather is supposed to be warm and Sinsi - for a while - seemed to be affected by the heat (cramps anyway) vs. Robert Morris.

The score: - MU 28, SHU 16

MU men's soccer Tuesday vs. NJIT

Hawks rolling early, 2-0. I see the freshman Meredith starting in goal today..not Schenkel??

Please make game comments here..