The Marlin’s Men’s Soccer team has come back from a weak start by winning seven in a row. Long-time rivals such as Roanoke college and Greensboro College were two of the victime left in the dust. The Marlins have now improved their record to 10-4-2 overall and 8-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. This record is enough to place them in a three-way tie with Roanoke and Wahington and Lee for top in the ODAC. The will be a drawing to determine the host of the conference tournament. A major factor in this streak has been senior forward Vinnie Sciullo. He was named Player of the Week by NCAA Division III Old Dominion Athletic Conference October 9-15 as a result of his outstnading performance in upending Greesboro College. These opponents were ranked fourth in the nation and, in this specific match-up, Sciullo scored a hatrick for the Marlins including the game-winner in double overtime. Assists by Phil Downing and James Abadi also contributed to the win. Riding on high intensity, the game against Randolph-Macon College proved an easy feat for the Marlins. Sciullo again stepped up to score twice, in the 16th and 71st minute, respectively.

Other goals were executed by Eric Shenloogian (to tie the game in the 67th minute) and Josh Nolz (on a penalty kick). The Marlins outshot the Yellow Jackets 11-7. The Marlins pressed on and proved the same scenario against Eastern Mennonite. EMU was no match for the Marlins, especially up against an undeniable chemistry between Nolz and Sciullo up top. Freshman Chris Mills provided speed in the forward position, but Nolz came up with the only earned goal. The second goal credited to the marlins was last touched by Mills, but deflected off of an EMU defender, resulting in an own goal. the final was a shutout for VWC -- 2-0.

Time and again, the Marlins have proven that they will not be embarrassed in their own house. North Carolina Wesleyan was the next to experience exactly that. The final was yet another shutout for VWC credited this time to Colin Stevenson in his first start of the season. The score of 5-0 was formulated by Sciullo (2), Nolz and Shenloogian (2). The Men’s Soccer team has finally dug themselves out of the hold and are continuing to flourish with the regular season drawing to a close at home against Mary Washington College at 3:00 p.m. Looking ahead, the marlins are seeking the honor of ODAC Champions, which will give them an automatic bid to the NCAAs. The dates for the first round of the ODAC tournament is October 31st, with the location to be determined by the outcome of the present three-way tie. Semi-finals and finals will occur November 3-4 with NCAA ending the soccer season on November 11 and 12.

The women’s field hockey team lost to Mary Washington College 3-0 on Oct. 12 at Battleground Field, home of the MWC Eagles. Good lead. Very informative. Very boring. The sports business is so much more than who wins and loses. Team sports provide a unique bond between players, coaches and fans, bond that is built on trust, determination and desire to work as a unit to achieve a common goal. It is something that is often formed off the field and carries over when the first whistle is blown. It is more than who wins and loses, who scores and who saves. The bus was running when the players and coaches arrived for the two-and-a-half-hour trip up Interstate 64 and I-95 to Fredericksburg. It was noon when the 18 players, two coaches and a lone journalist/statistician were to depart for the game against MWC.

First of all, that never happens. There were a few players already on the bus, claiming seats, getting comfortable and singing. That’s right, singing. Others were loading the bus, taping injured ankles and arriving late from their lunch in the cafeteria. Outside the bus, lay coolers of bottled water, medical kits, bags of food and oh,yeah field hockey equipment. Finally, they were all aboard. Freshmen in the back, coaches in the front, seniors in the middle. At first, this appeared odd. Why wouldn’t the seniors want to sit in the back where the seats faced one another and were separated by tables you would see in a train car? They stay in the front because seniors are smart. The closer you are to coach the sooner you eat. The bus didn’t make it to Northampton Boulevard before Coach Michelle Burt was taking lunch orders. She sat in the front and made ham and turkey sandwiches (your preference), passed out bags of chips (salt and vinegar, barbecue, and baked Lay’s), Aquafina bottled water, bananas, Oreo’s and Nutter Butter’s. Half of these women were just in the cafeteria eating lunch, yet this line formed faster than the 1:30 equivalency line in the grille. And if you can believe it, wilder. "Are there any more bananas?" "Pass the mayonnaise!" "Who ate all the salt and vinegar chips?"

That lasted 20 minutes before the players were settled back in their seats doing homework, waiting for the movie or singing. Tragedy was averted when the bus driver finally got the VCR working with the help of assistant coach Charity Ghent. "Can’t Hardly Wait" starring Jennifer Love-Hewitt was rolling and all were happy. This is not exactly a movie one would use to get pumped up before game time, but it served another important purpose: inducing sleep. More than half the team was out cold, stretched between aisles with pillows and blankets. Surprisingly, snoring was absent from the slumber party; must be a girl thing. Fifteen miles out and the captains make the wake-up calls. Gently, senior Kristy Reed taps and shakes the players to let them now they are close and need to get ready. Singing begins. By now it was 2:30 p.m., sunshining, temperature 75 degrees-plus. Beautiful day for field hockey. Dressed and refreshed from their nap, the team arrives at Battleground Field to meet its opponent. The Bermuda grass is magnificently manicured atop a hill overlooking the baseball stadium below.

The game was intense and both sides fought for every ball. MWC scored early but the Marlins were able to keep the game close with a 1-0 score at the half. Mary Washington dominated the second 35-minute period, and the final score was 3-0. Parents who made the trip waited near the bus for the players to board, and some opted to ride back to school with their parents. Sweaty and tired, the team changed and loaded the bus again and began eating, again. This time it was whatever was left over from lunch until they stopped for dinner. A few miles down the road, the team pulled into a parking lot where Burger King, McDonald’s and a Chinese restaurant were all within walking distance. Not too many takers on the fast food; with the $7 meal allowance from the school, most players went for Chinese. Then back on the bus. Fatigue had set in, and the ride home was quieter. This time Jim Carrey’s "Ace Ventura II: Pet Detective" was the film, and eyelids shut even faster than they had earlier. Legs criscrossed aisles and chairs reclined. Upon arrival at campus, most of the players had wakened, and to greet the rest of their slumber teammates they began to sing. The team was dropped off in the parking lot outside Foster Field, and the women quickly headed for their own cars and back to the dorms. A trip that started 10 hours earlier was now complete, and although the Lady Marlins came home battered and beaten, their bond had grown stronger.

It was a busy month of October for the field hockey team and one that they would soon forget. Their final regular season record stands at 8-7 overall, and 4-4 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). After defeating St. Mary’s College of Maryland 4-1, the Lady Marlins dropped three games in a row to Mary Washington College, Sweet Briar College and Salisbury State University. The final game of the season, before the conference tournament, was against Bridgewater College, which they won 2-0. If there were an upside to the losses suffered by the team, it would be that only one game was a conference game. Mary Washington College who is nationally ranked and Salisbury State University were games that reflect the overall record but do not affect ODAC standings. However, any loss late in the season is one that could hurt the team’s confidence right before the playoffs. "I don’t think it was confidence at all," said Assistant Coach Charity Gent. "The girls have to get it in their heads that they can do it and then go out and mesh together." The game against Mary Washington was evenly matched in the first half with the Eagles leading 1-0 at halftime. However, the second half was dominated by MWC and the Marlin’s lost 3-0. After the game Head Coach Michelle Burt said the team lacked hustle and didn’t execute the smaller aspects of the game.

"Little mistakes add up to big things," said Burt. "We have to work on the little things." Execution was not the problem against Sweet Briar College where the Marlins lost 2-3 in overtime on what appeared to be a controversial call that allowed Sweet Briar to score the winning goal. It appeared that senior goalkeeper Britney Ewers was pulled down by her jersey, which allowed the goal that won the game. The players thought the call was missed and cost them the game. "We were ripped off, the official saw it and ignored it," said freshman Jackie Griffin. "It was blatant and the official just missed it." Griffin also added on close calls that determine the outcome of a game, the officials usually confer with one another and then make the call. In this case one official made the ruling and it stood. "The ending was not fair," said Gent. "But we had plenty of opportunities; we just didn’t execute." It was not the way the team wanted to play its last game at home, on a day when the six seniors were honored with their parents before their game. On Thursday Oct.19 the team traveled to Salisbury State University in Maryland andcontinued its poor play and lost 5-0. After a three game winning streak VWC was now on a three game losing streak with one game remaining. The Lady Marlins left Friday afternoon for the game on Saturday at Bridgewater College. The streak was broken with the team winning 2-0 as Ewers recorded her third shutout of the season.

Freshman Jackie Griffin and Senior Raye Jean McMichael lead the team in points with 22 and 21 respectively. Both players scored nine goals. Griffin added four assists and McMichael three. Along with Griffin, may other freshman have contributed to the Marlins success this season, which will add to the program in year’s to come despite losing six seniors to graduation. "We are going to miss our seniors," said Gent. "But we brought in eight awesome freshman and Coach Burt and I are confident for the future of our program."

Just when you thought that this was an off year for Virginia Wesleyan soccer, we suddenly turn up the intensity level two notches. Just when you thought that we couldn’t dominate teams like we have in the past, we shut out four ODAC opponents. And just when you thought that some other school deserved to win the ODAC, we serge into a tie for first place. The men’s soccer team indeed started off the season on a sour note going 0-3-1, but that was then and this is now. It is clear that the team had to just find its identity. There are several freshmen on the team, and many of them start on game day. Starting for the freshmen class is goalie Sean Wheaton, forward Chris Mills, midfielders Phil Downing and Jamie Phelps and defender Brandon Mino who have stepped up to become impact players this season. They, along with the leadership of seniors Vinnie Sciullo, James Abadi and Chas Gorham have put together a recent streak of wins that proves we are still the powerhouse soccer program we have always have been known for. Credit Coach Sonny Travis for this.

His calm and cool demeanor must have a positive impact on his team. He never seems to overreact or panic when his team is in a crunch, thus we are back on track to win another ODAC title and even possibly the South Region. It all started with a 5-0 win over Bridgewater College, followed by Homecoming when we embarrassed then, tenth ranked Roanoke College, thumping them 3-1. The following week we defeated third ranked Greensboro College, 3-2 in overtime. Sciullo had a hat trick in that game. We are definitely playing with more confidence right now and without one of our better players, sophomore Josh Hill. Hill, a midfielder who was a scoring threat in every game, suffered a season ending knee injury early in the year. The team is peaking at the right time, going into the final weeks on a four game winning streak, something which Coach Travis strives for every season. The Marlins are not out of the hole yet, but it is safe to say that we are back on track to win their seventh ODAC title. The rest of the year should be exciting and expect to see us win it all!

Men’s 1999-2000 basketball record: 13-13 overall, 11-9 in the conference. Women’s 1999-2000 basketball record: 13-12 overall, 11-10 in the conference. Two teams with very similar records. Two teams with bigger goals and brighter hopes for this upcoming season. Though both teams finished rather poorly last season, the VWC men and women’s basketball teams won’t accept anything less than excellence this season. And things are definitely looking up due to new coaches, great new recruits, and experienced veterans. The men finished fourth in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) last season and know that with hard work and dedication, they are contenders for the conference title. Head coach Dave Macedo and assistant Jeremy Marks are very sure of their team’s potential. "Our biggest strength is going to be depth," said Macedo. "And ability to get our bench involved."

The team returns a strong player in Ron Yuhasz, a senior tri-captain and First Team All-ODAC pick. He led the team in points and rebounds last season, averaging 18.8 and 9.1 respectively. Junior captains Josh Fisher and James Wallace also bring talent and experience to the squad. Last year, Fisher was third on team in scoring with 12.7 and Wallace tallied up the most assists with 94. The leadership of the captains and a strong underclassmen force will be key in the winning efforts of the Marlins. "It’s a whole new program with the new coaching staff, and they are working us hard in preparation for a great season. We’re all really excited," Fisher said. The women’s basketball team carries a hefty roster of 17 players this year. Though it consists of mostly freshmen and new players, senior captain Kristen Leake and junior captain Meagan DiCave think that the team’s youth and diversity will actually help them in the conference this year. In fact, the team’s motto this year is: "Unity through Uniqueness."

"We are young and inexperienced, but we’re scrappy and intent on winning," said DiCave. "I think we’re going to come out of nowhere and surprise a lot of people." Experience and leadership from the six returning players will prove to be very important. Senior Janine Swanson will provide skill and athleticism as the only returning center, and sophomores Audrell Ragland, Angie Cavanough, and Katy Roth will give strength to a powerful lineup of guards. The women finished a disappointing sixth in the ODAC last year, but had beaten almost every conference team at least once during the regular season. Because of this, the team is a threat to everyone and a strong competitor for the championship this year. "We’ve got a lot of athleticism to work with, and as long as we stay determined, we’re going to succeed," head coach Joanne Renn said. Both teams open up with tournaments at Greensboro College on November 17-19. Due to the lack of a facility, all home games this year will be held at Lake Taylor High School, which is located on Kempsville Road. Opening nights are November 28th for the men and the 29th for the women.

Kim Fair's overtime goal gave the Marlins a 1-0 victory over Bridgewater College in the opening round of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Tournament (ODAC). Virginia Wesleyan’s women’s soccer team has been on fire, scoring eight goals in their last 4 games. The Marlins finished the regular season 8-7-2 overall and 6-3-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC). This is their best finish in 5 years. For the first time in that many years the women will be hosting the first round of the ODAC tournament. They play Bridgewater College on Tuesday October 25th. Leading scorers for the team include freshmen Megan Bronstein (8), Janet Naclerio (4), Katie Barg (4); sophomore Melanie Braswell (2); junior Kim Fair (3) and seniors Erin Alvey (1) and Dawn Thompson (1).

The Marlins lost to Washington and Lee University 2-1 after having the lead for most of the game. "We broke down for a few minutes," said Coach Jeff Bowers. "They put the ball away like a good team should do." Then the Marlins tied Bridgewater College 1-1. Dawn Thompson scored to tie the game in the second half. Then the team played through 2 overtimes dominating both without a score. On October 7th the women beat Sweetbriar 4-0 to win their homecoming game. Goals came from Erin Alvey, Janet Naclerio, Melanie Braswell, and Katie Barg. The Marlin’s lost to Randolph-Macon and North Carolina Wesleyan 1-0 and 2-0 respectively. "We had a down point in our season," said freshman Janet Naclerio. "But we have brought up our level of play." Then came the turning point in the season. Starting with Roanoke who was ranked 10th in the region. The Marlins tied 0-0 after going 120 minuets in double overtime. The team also played down a man for over 70 minuets due to a red card violation.

"It was one of the best games we have played all year," said junior Melissa Downs. "We were down a man and still out shot them 13-7." In the first five minuets of the first overtime Megan Bronstein scored to win the game against St. Mary’s College 1-0. Janine Swanson came up with big saves in both the Roanoke and St. Mary’s game to keep the team in both games. In 1,494 minutes Swanson has seen 135 shots and has given up 19 goals. This past weekend the women sealed 4th place and a chance to host a first round ODAC game. The team took on Emory and Henry on Saturday October 22nd to win 2-0. Kim Fair and Megan Bronstein both scored goals by heading the ball past the goalie. For their final regular season game the Marlins beat Shenandoah University 5-1. Goals came from Lisette Vitale, Megan Bronstein (2), Kim Fair and Katie Barg. "We are on a roll now," said Junior Kim Fair. "We’ve got some good wins and good play to build on for the tournament." If the Marlins win on Tuesday against Bridgewater they will go on to play Lynchburg today at Lynchburg. The winner of that game will play in the tournament final on Saturday October 29th.