Men and Women's Swimming and Diving
The Hamilton College men and women's swimming and diving teams took first place at the 2000 UCAA Swimming and Diving Championships held at Hamilton's Bristol Pool.
On the men's side senior Anthony Loeffler (Littleton, CO) was named Swimmer of the Meet. Freshman James Morrison (Fairfield, CT) was named Male Rookie of the Meet and diver Scott Carlton (Webster, NY) was named Male Diver of the Meet. Loeffler brought home first place in the 50-yard freestyle (21.72), the 200-yard freestyle (1:47.62) and the 100-yard freestyle (47.97). Morrison won the 100-yard butterfly (52.99) and the 200-yard butterfly (1:58.46). Both Loeffler and Morrison helped the Continentals to first place finishes in the 200-yard freestyle relay (1:28.00) and the 400-yard medley relay (3:39.90). Carlton won both the one-meter and three-meter (385.80) events for the Continentals.
On the women's side Jen Kunz (Hampden, ME) led the Continentals. She finished first in the 50-yard freestyle (25.24), the 100-yard backstroke (1:02.94) and was third in the 100-yard freestyle (55.21).
Men's Basketball (4-1)
The Hamilton College men's basketball team went 2-1 last week. On Wednesday night Hamilton defeated Hartwick College, 81-72. The Hawks put up a good fight but in the end Hamilton proved to be just too tough. Jim McCarthy (Brookline, MA) led all scorers with 26 points on 8-of-11 from three-point land. Kris Fudge (Utica, NY) added 14 points while hauling down seven rebounds.
Friday night Hamilton played the University of Maine-Presque Isle in the first round of the Colby College Invitational. Despite poor shooting Hamilton won, going away 87-52. Noah Hammond (New Hartford, NY) led a balanced attack with 11 points. Toby Bjorkman (Duluth, MN) scored five points and had a team-high eight rebounds.
The next afternoon Hamilton faced host Colby College in the finals. Hamilton led throughout and was up by 14 with eight minutes to play. That's when Colby made a comeback, tying the game with seven seconds remaining. McCarthy's three-point attempt at the buzzer fell short, sending the game into overtime. Despite a valiant effort the Continentals came up on the wrong end of a 75-69 final. Fudge had another big game scoring 19 points, grabbing 13 rebounds. Sophomore Joe Finley (Brooklyn, NY) added 14 points with 13 rebounds. The Continentals host Tufts University on Saturday, December 9 at 3 p.m.
Women's Basketball (3-1)
The women's basketball team went 2-1 last week. On Tuesday night the Continentals defeated Utica College, 78-59. Hamilton scored 40 points in the first half, while allowing Utica just 18 points to put the game away. Brenna Chiaputti (Bolton, CT) led Hamilton with 14 points. Jenny Russell (Pawling, NY) and Holly Erick (Poland, NY) each scored 13 points, while Jennifer Munoz (Old Bridge, NJ) tallied 12 points.
On Saturday the Continentals traveled to Rochester to take on Pitt-Bradford in the first round of the Crowne Plaza Tournament. Despite being up 29-20 at the half, Hamilton shot only 28.2 percent from the floor. However, the Continentals' shooting made a drastic improvement in the second half as they shot 54.1 percent, going on to the 74-55 victory. Jen Munoz scored 14 points and grabbed 12 rebounds. Brenna Chiaputti added 13 points. Senior co-captain Abby McDermott (Mexico, NY) scored six points, grabbing eight rebounds.
On Sunday the Continentals faced tournament host Nazareth College in the finals. The Golden Flyers defeated Hamilton 89-73. Jen Munoz tallied her second straight double double, scoring 17 points, grabbing 17 rebounds, earning All-Tournament honors. Karen Pogonowski (Newport, NY) also scored 17 points, earning All-Tournament honors. They play their final game before the Christmas Break on Friday December 8 at 7 p.m. as they welcome Cazenovia College to Scott Fieldhouse.
Men's Hockey (2-3-0)
After starting the season 0-3 the Continentals, in desperate need of a win, won two games over the weekend. Friday night Hamilton defeated Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, 9-1. Victor Cizmarik (Bratislava, Slovakia) led the Continentals with five points on two goals and three assists. Freshman goalie Matt Jones (Burke, NY) showed that he has ice water running through his veins. He played 60 minutes, allowing only one goal, making 23 saves.
The next afternoon Hamilton visited Williams College. Chad McCraith (Clinton, NY) gave Hamilton an early lead with his second goal of the season. Williams tied the game at 1-1 just a 1:27 into second period. That's where the score stood when McCraith struck again. He scored, what would prove to be the game-winner, at the 7:44 mark of the third period. Rob Gordon (Peterborough, Ontario) and Sean Smith (Ottawa, Ontario) tallied goals late in the third period giving Hamilton a 4-1 victory. Jones was brilliant in goal once again; making 27 saves, allowing one goal.
Hamilton will hold their annual invitational tournament this Friday and Saturday, December 8 and 9. On Friday Hobart College takes on SUNY Geneseo at 4 p.m., followed by Hamilton versus New England College at 7 p.m. Saturday the consolation game will be held at 1 p.m. followed by the championship game at 4 p.m.
Women's Hockey (3-0-0)
The Continentals continued their winning ways with a pair of victories over the weekend. On Friday night Hamilton hosted Trinity College. The Continentals took a 2-0 lead on a pair of goals by Paula Dady (Wallingford, CT). Trinity drew to within a goal early in the third period. Heather Hoffay (Averill Park, NY) answered with a goal of her own, giving Hamilton a 3-1 lead. Senior Andrea Cecchinato (Thomaston, CT) made her first start of the season, making 13 saves.
The next afternoon Amherst came calling to Sage Rink. Freshman Eden Self (Fairport, NY) had her best of her young career. She tallied two goals and added an assist. Her second goal was crucial as it broke a tie score. The game was tied 2-2 with 20 second remaining in regulation. Margaret Sayer fired a shot in that was put home by Self with less than a second showing on the clock, giving Hamilton a 3-2 victory. Hamilton travels to Maine this weekend to take on Colby and Bowdoin.
