SPORTS SHORTS
Facing its first nationally ranked opponent this season, the MIT Women’s Volleyball team fell to No. 21 Springfield College, 25-18, 28-26, 25-23, in a hard-fought NEWMAC contest on Tuesday night. The loss lowered the Engineers’ record to 13-4 on the year and 2-2 in league play.
Field Hockey victorious
Molly K. Duffy ’14’s put-back early in the second half proved to be the game-winner as MIT defeated visiting Endicott College, 2-1, in non-conference field hockey action on Tuesday night. The win is the third straight for the Engineers, who improve to 9-2 on the 2011 campaign. Endicott falls to 1-7 with the loss.
Football loses home opener against Curry College
MIT played its first home game of the season on Saturday against Curry College. MIT came into this week hoping to double the number of wins from the 2010 season (1-8) following a 51-13 loss to Massachusetts Maritime Academy and a 35-13 win at Becker College. Instead, MIT started with the same 1-2 three-game record as last year. Curry College won using a balanced attack of rushing and passing and overcoming early turnovers with a strong defensive performance.
SPORTS SHORT
MIT Women’s Tennis played two matches in the past week, hosting Tufts on Thursday and visiting Mount Holyoke on Saturday.
MIT endures tough loss against Wellesley Blue
The MIT women’s volleyball team faced off against the Wellesley Blue in a heated contest this Tuesday night but unfortunately endured its first loss (27-25, 18-25, 25-15, 25-20) of the season. Coming hot off an 11-0 record thus far, the Engineers hoped to gain momentum. But this match moved MIT to 2-1 in the NEWMAC conference and Wellesley also to 2-1 in the conference, but to 6-3 overall.
Water Polo takes three victories on West Coast
The MIT water polo team, ranked No. 6 in the latest Collegiate Water Polo Association (CWPA) Division III poll, traveled west to California for a four-day trip over the weekend, taking on some of the top squads in the area while there. The Engineers participated in the Posada Royale Invitational at California Lutheran University, in addition to playing three games at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges. MIT picked up three wins against four losses during the road trip.
SPORTS SHORT
The MIT Women’s Soccer team matched Clark University with a 0-0 tie in Saturday’s NEWMAC opener. Both teams came close to getting on the scoreboard, including a shot in the first overtime period by Leslie A. Meyer ’13 that was just barely wide. Even though the match ended in a stalemate, this was an important game for MIT’s goalie Meghan S. Wright ’13, who set an Institute record with 21 career shutouts. This record was previously held by Meg O’Neil ’93 and Connie Yang ’03 with 20 shutouts each. Wright finished the game with six saves to oppose Clark goalie Audrey Eiseman’s five. Next up for the Engineers is their first-ever match against Roger Williams University on September 21st.
Soccer falls to Springfield
In a match befitting the undefeated squads from MIT and Springfield College, the Pride of Springfield earned a crucial victory with a strike from Kevin Nowak in the waning moments of the second half.
Five lessons football fans learned from Week 1
This past Sunday was one of the most highly anticipated opening days for any sport in years, following one of the most eventful offseasons that football has ever seen. For almost five months, the NFL was gripped in a frustrating lockout that prevented players from working in team facilities until late July.
Patriots prepare for tough competition
Editor’s note: This is the second part of a series introducing Boston’s professional sports teams. With the NFL season just getting under way, here’s a look at the New England Patriots. This piece was originally published last fall, but has been updated for the 2011-2012 season.
Sailing starts season strong
The MIT sailing team kicked off its season by competing in three events this past weekend. The Engineers captured fifth place out of 20 teams at the Harry Anderson Trophy, finished ninth at the Toni Deutsch Trophy, and took third and fourth at the Harvard Invitational.
Sports Shorts
MIT football kicked off its 2011 season with a 35-13 win against Becker College, its second straight season-opening win. The 35 points MIT put on the scoreboard was the most since its 48-15 win against Western New England in 2008. John C. Wenzel ’14 passed for 224 yards, and Justin R. Wallace ’15 started his collegiate career with an impressive 170 rushing yards; the young duo created a foundation for a strong, balanced attack. Offense wasn’t the only outstanding aspect MIT displayed during the game. The Engineers shut out Becker for the first three quarters, only allowing 74 rushing yards.
Overview of this year’s Patriots
After being knocked out in the first round of the playoffs the last two seasons, the Patriots hope to return to their championship-winning mode that fans have become familiar with over the last several years. Although many of the former Patriot stars who were a vital part of their championship teams are now either retired or on other teams — defensive backs Ty Law and Asante Samuel, safety Rodney Harrison, linebackers Tedy Bruschi and Mike Vrabel, running back Corey Dillon, and wide receiver Troy Brown — the Patriots still show promise for this upcoming season.
Tennis sweeps opener MIT women easily beat Smith College, 9-0
The MIT Women’s Varsity Tennis team swept in their first meet of the fall season with a 9-0 official score against Smith College. In doubles, returning athletes Lauren C. Quisenberry ’14 and Stasey Vishnevetsky ’12 were off the court first with a speedy 8-1 victory at first doubles. Soon to follow were Julia C. Hsu ’14 and, in her first varsity match, Michelle M. Dutt ’15 with another 8-1 win at second doubles. No doubles players fell to Smith as third doubles team Vynnie J. Kong ’15 and Juana Becerra ’15 won 8-4. In unofficial doubles play, Engineers Alexandria C. Hall ’12 and Hillary E. Jenny ’12, as well as and Caitlin R. Pomeroy ’13 and Maddie B. Aby ’15, experienced victories of their own.
YOUR NEW HOME TEAM State of the Red Sox
Editor’s Note: Welcome to Boston! Since Beantown’s professional sports teams are such an integral part of its culture, we’re presenting an insider’s view — history, current state, and future expectations — of each of them. The first installment in the series, originally published last fall but updated for 2011, features … the Red Sox, of course.