SPORTS SHORT
Fenway to Host Liverpool F.C.
English soccer club Liverpool F.C. plans to start their North American preseason tour at Fenway Park on July 25, when they will play prominent Italian club A.S. Roma. Historically, Liverpool has been one of the top teams in the English Premier League as well as a consistent contender in the European Champions league. In 2010, Fenway Sports Management, the owners of the Red Sox, purchased the English club. Coincidently, another Boston group acquired the ownership rights to A.S. Roma recently as well. In an effort to broaden Liverpool’s fanbase in America and pique interest in the sport, the club has decided to play a few exhibition matches in the United States. According to Liverpool’s owner, John W. Henry, the match will be part of Fenway’s 100th Year Anniversary celebration.
Liverpool and A.S. Roma are not the only European teams to compete in America over the summer. Other English Premier League Teams such as Chelsea, Tottenham, and Aston Villa have confirmed plans for North American preseason tours this summer as well. The past few years European clubs have inundated the American stage over their summer offseasons. Although these games draw away some attention from the MLS season which kicks off in the spring, they seem to reflect America’s increasing interest in the game as a whole.
— Gordon Glober, Sports Staff
Women’s Lacrosse victorious over Southern Maine, 14-10
In a monstrous win on Saturday at the University of Southern Maine, the Engineers led the entire game, winning 14-10, bringing the team’s record to 2-9 overall and the Huskies’ to 4-7.
The game began with an aggressive offensive stride by the Engineers with two consecutive goals by Katie M. Kauffman ’12, one of the team captains, and a goal from Emma Kane ’15. The Huskies quickly responded with a free position goal, but MIT answered with back-to-back goals by Laura M. Wacker ’13, one of the team captains, bringing the game to 5-1. Once more the Huskies attempted to come back with another goal; however, MIT’s huge 4-0 run solidified the lead for the Engineers, with impressive goals from Wacker (assisted by Kauffman), Molly E. McShane ’13 (man-up), Kauffman, and a free position shot from Meghan S. Wright ’13. The first half came to a close at 9-3 (Engineers), following another goal by the Huskies.
Wacker sought out Kauffman again to score a goal in the beginning of the second. Just as MIT began to feel safe, however, the Huskies scored two straight, bringing the game to 10-5. Yet, MIT responded by creating the largest lead of the game, 13-5, with goals from Lyndsy A. Muri ’15 and Kauffman and a free position shot from Wright. Southern Maine again answered the Engineers with another goal, but McShane’s free position shot kept the Engineers well ahead. However, the Huskies suddenly energized and put out a 4-0 lead, ending the game at 14-10 (Engineers).
Kauffman’s impressive three draw controls, along with McShane’s four draw controls and four groundballs in addition to Wacker’s four draw controls characterized the strength of this game. MIT also excelled defensively with 15 saves by goal keeper Sarah E. Ritter ’14.
The Engineers will next play today at Wellesley College at 4:30 P.M.
— Katie Bodner, Associate Sports Editor
Men’s Volleyball dominates at weekend tournament
The nationally ranked MIT Varsity Men’s Volleyball Team won all four matches this past weekend at their own scramble tournament to push their overall record to 25-8 on the year.
The Engineers first took on Bard College winning 3-0, before an epic battle against nationally ranked Medaille College. After winning the first two sets by good margins, MIT could not seem to hold the momentum as Medaille rallied back to win the next two sets tying the match. The fifth set was a back and forth affair with MIT finally coming out on top 16-14 to win the match 3-2. It was more of the same on Saturday, except this time the Engineers found themselves down zero sets to two against Philadelphia Biblical College. This was the same team that ended MIT’s season last year during the second round of the NECVA Post-Season Tournament. This year, however, MIT would not be denied as they clawed their way back into the match, winning the next two sets and even denying their opponents when facing match point in the fourth set. In the deciding fifth set, MIT took complete control winning 15-7 to complete the comeback and win the match 3-2.
The final match of the tournament saw the Engineers handle Southern Vermont College 3-0 to finish the tournament with a 4-0 record. For their strong play over the weekend, Malcolm K. Bean G and Matt Hohenberger ’13 were named to the All-Tournament Team. On Tuesday, April 10, MIT will face cross town rival Newbury College in Rockwell Cage at 7 p.m.
— Paul Dill, Team Representative