RUTLAND — It was a busy week in sports for College of St. Joseph athletics. With men’s and women’s basketball just getting started, and men’s soccer coming to an end, we look forward to an exciting winter season and look back on what was a terrific fall. Men’s soccer lost their opening round match in the USCAA Championship Tournament to SUNY–Delhi on Nov. 4, but were able to earn a win against conference rival NHTI in a consolation match the following day. Men’s and women’s basketball both hosted VTC in their home openers, starting their seasons off right with victories over the Knights. Here is a closer look at how the week unfolded.
Nov. 4
The Saints opened the USCAA National Championship Tournament against SUNY – Delhi on Nov. 4 in Asheville, N.C. The 9th seeded Broncos were able to secure a 2-0 win over the Saints with a goal by Trevor Holdridge just 10 seconds into the match, moving into a 1-0 lead. The Broncos were able to add another in the 79th minute. At the end of the day, the Saints were unable to find the back of the net. Powerhouse Dominick Simpson and Patrick Diaz led the Saints with 3 shots each. At goal, Julio Garcia made 8 saves for CSJ. The Saints outshot the Broncos 11-10.
Nov. 5
After suffering a 5-1 loss to Penn State-Beaver on Nov. 4, NHTI joined the Saints in the consolation bracket on Thursday, Nov. 5. The last time the pair met was for the Yankee Small College Conference Championship on Oct. 25, where the Lynx capitalized on the Saints to win the championship 3-0. Both teams had recorded wins against the other during regular conference play. In their three games against NHTI, CSJ outscored them 5-4. The Saints team wasn’t willing to let NHTI walk away with another win though, and ended their run in the National Tournament with a 3-0 win over the Lynx. The Saints end their season 11-7-1 overall.
The CSJ women’s basketball team got their season started the right way, defeating VTC with ease 108-25. The Fighting Saints had three players score over 20 points, but the entire team dominated in every aspect of the game. Jazz Laracuente and Arreonte Anderson led the Saints with 27 points each. Mookie Kennedy added 24 points, while Regina Steele contributed 17 of her own.
The men’s team followed suit, defeating VTC 71-58. The Saints played a well-rounded game, with four players scoring into the double digits. CSJ was led by Kyle Houston, who finished the game with 14 points, nine of those coming courtesy of the long ball. Josh McAfee and Jallah Tarver each scored 13 points, and Jamiu Oladimeji came off the bench to score another 10.
Nov.8
The men’s basketball team suffered a loss to University of Maine – Fort Kent on Sunday, with a final score of 82-87. CSJ was led by Kyle Houston’s 20 points. Joshua McAfee was on fire with 19 first-half points, including five 3’s, but Mauro Vicic’s face guarding defense didn’t allow him to attempt a shot in the second half. Jallah Tarver added 15 points. The Saints fought hard, but were unable to make a comeback on the tough UMFK ball club.
