TWO CLARK TEAMS SET TO BEGIN TOURNAMENT PLAY
It’s tournament time for two Clark University fall athletic teams. The Cougar women’s soccer team and the field hockey squad will compete in their respective New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) tournaments this Saturday.
Seeded sixth, the Clark women’s soccer team (7-8-2, 4-5 NEWMAC) will travel to third seeded Babson College (10-6-1, 6-2-1 NEWMAC) for an 11 a.m. tilt. The Cougars, who have not beaten Babson since 2005 (2-1), dropped a 2-0 decision to the Beavers on the road last Saturday.
“We did not have our best effort last weekend and this is our opportunity to make up for that,” said head coach Joe Brady.
“Neither team has the edge, but having just played each other seven days ago, we have to take advantage of having another chance.”
After bowing out with a hard-fought 2-1 loss in the quarterfinal round last season, Clark is looking to return to the semifinals for the first time in two years.
“We want to advance in the tournament as far as we possibly can,” Brady said. “We not only want to win for the seniors, but for the entire program.”
Senior Liz Adamcik (Florence, Mass.) leads the team offensively with five goals, two assists for 12 points.
With a 2-1 win over Smith College on Tuesday, the field hockey team secured its place in the eight-team tournament. The Cougars (7-9, 2-6 NEWMAC) earned the sixth seed and will face third seed Wheaton College (12-5, 6-2 NEWMAC) in Norton, Mass., at 1 p.m.
Clark, which has fell to Wheaton in its last three meetings, is shooting for its first win over the Lyons since a 3-2 victory in 2004. Although Clark is the underdog, according to head coach Linda Wage, the tournament starts a new season and the team is up for the challenge.
Clark must produce offensively in order to stay in the game. The Cougars will look to sophomore forward Lauren Blake (Oakland, Me.) (17-8-42), who is just four points shy of tying the program record for season points (46), to spark the team’s scoring punch.
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CLARK MEN’S SOCCER FACES WHEATON ON SENIOR DAY
Following a brief respite from Granger Field, the Clark University men’s soccer team will be hitting the grass for their final regular season home game against regionally ranked Wheaton College (10-5-3, 4-0-1 NEWMAC) on Saturday. The Cougars’ Senior Day will kick off at 1 p.m.
Currently tied for fourth in the conference, Clark (5-4-6, 2-2-1 NEWMAC) is playing for a chance to host a New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) quarterfinal round game.
This marks the second consecutive season the two teams have faced each other in their respective final regular season games. Last fall, both teams were playing for the regular season championship and the right to host the NEWMAC Tournament, whereas this season, the Lyons, ranked sixth in New England, captured their seventh regular season title with a 2-1 victory over Babson College last Saturday.
“In playing the regular season champion, it is certainly a chance for us to measure ourselves against the top team as we head into postseason,” said head coach David Kulik. “With that said, we are playing to win tomorrow to guarantee a first round game at home.”
The Cougars, who are searching for their first victory over Wheaton, will not be at full strength for the game. Clark has several key players nursing injuries. “I hope that having the week off, we are closer to healthy than we’ve been,” said Kulik.
“Yet, the reality remains that we will be nowhere close to full health.”
Both teams have their share of offensive weapons. Senior Marc Labbe has a team-high nine goals, while Wheaton’s Josh Solomon leads the team with six goals and five assists.
The Cougars hope to use Senior Day and NEWMAC Tournament aspirations as ammunition for Saturday’s game.
“The games against Wheaton the last couple of years have been very competitive,” Kulik said. “While we have never beaten them, tomorrow is a day that we can hopefully change that.”
Clark will be recognizing seniors David Blum, Marc Labbe, Joe Silva and Lino Goncalves for playing in their final regular season home game.
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PODA AND KELLY JOIN CLARK SWIM AND DIVE STAFF
Krisztina Poda and Tim Kelly will join the Clark University women’s and men’s swim and dive program as assistant coaches this season.
“We are very excited to bring both Krisztina and Tim on staff this year,” said fifth-year head coach Paul E. Phillips. “We haven’t had this experienced coaching staff since I’ve been here, so their contribution will be invaluable.”
Originally from Bekescsaba, Hungary, Poda was a four-year letter-winner at Bucknell University, where she finished on the Bison’s top-10 career list in the 500-yard freestyle and the 1650-freestyle. The Patriot League All-Academic selection was also a member of three top-10 all-time relay events and qualified for the ECAC Championships.
“We are lucky to have Krisztina,” Phillips said. “Her swimming background is unique in that she brings international experience and a Division I perspective to the program. Her knowledge, energy and enthusiasm fit right in with what we are trying to accomplish at Clark.”
Poda, who served as a voluntary coach at Bucknell’s swim stroke clinic, also held stints with area youth leagues in Hungary and assisted with Team Pitt in Pittsburgh, Pa. She earned her bachelor’s in international relations from Bucknell and is working towards her master’s in finance at Clark.
Kelly, a native of North Attleboro, Mass., is currently the head coach of the Attleboro YMCA Tsunami swim team and the North Attleboro High School swim squads, where he has led both the boy’s and girl’s teams to three consecutive Bay Colony League Championships.
“Tim is a good friend of mine,” said Phillips. “He is someone that I’ve known for almost 10 years now and he has had a lot of success both at the high school and club level. With his skill and experience, he will be another knowledgeable voice on the pool deck.”
Kelly also guided the North Attleboro boy’s team to a pair of Massachusetts state runner-up appearances (2001-2003) and the girl’s team to a 33 dual-meet unbeaten streak.
This marks the first collegiate coaching job for both Poda and Kelly.
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Previous Cougar of the Week
Emily Tremaine 'GR - Women's Cross Country (Oct. 2-9)
Emily Tremaine 'GR - Women's Cross Country (Sept. 25 - Oct. 2)
Joanna Clark '10 - Women's Soccer (Sept. 18-24)
Peter Wise '08 - Men's Soccer (Sept. 10-16)
Lauren Blake '10 - Field Hockey (Sept. 3-9)
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The highlights for this newsletter are provided by
Dalya Qualls, Sports Information Director, 508-793-7164
Email: dqualls@clarku.edu
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TWO CLARK TEAMS SET TO BEGIN TOURNAMENT PLAY
