Tag Archives: Wheaton College Lyons

May 14 2013

At Wheaton College: You Can Play (VIDEO)

By NoontimeSports.com 

Noontime Sports is proud to unveil the Wheaton College athletics’ You Can Play Project video, which was published on their YouTube channel this afternoon. The video was directed by Noontime Sports’ Matt Noonan, who is an alum.

Noonan worked along side Devon Soucier, a member of the women’s lacrosse team, as well as her teammates and head coach Emily Kiablick.

As noted in the athletic department’s release, “You Can Play’s mission is dedicated to ensuring equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation. You Can Play works to guarantee that athletes are given a fair opportunity to compete, judged by other athletes and fans alike, only by what they contribute to the sport or their team’s success. You Can Play seeks to challenge the culture of locker rooms and spectator areas by focusing only on an athlete’s skills, work ethic and competitive spirit.”

Wheaton became the first NEWMAC (New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference) school to join the project, but is one of many institutions from across the country, along with NHL and minor league hockey teams that produced a video.

For more information on the You Can Play Project — HOP HERE

Mar 20 2013

Mass. College Soccer: Wheaton’s Finkelstein Commits To Real Boston Rams

By NoontimeSports.com 

Courtesy of the Wheaton College sports information department, here’s this afternoon’s release about Luke Finkelstein, who committed to play for the Real Boston Rams of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL) this spring:

NORTON, Mass. – Wheaton College sophomore midfielder Luke Finkelstein (Peabody, Mass./Peabody) has committed to play for the Real Boston Rams of the United Soccer Leagues Premier Development League (PDL) this spring.

Finkelstein joins the Rams after a standout second-year campaign with the Lyons. Finkelstein earned National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) Division III All-New England South second team honors and New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) All-Conference second team accolades. The sophomore midfielder notched 12 points in 19 games played (all starts) and finished second overall among all midfielders in the NEWMAC with eight assists.

“The professionalism from the club has been great. I’m very motivated and ready for the season to start,” said Finkelstein of joining Real Boston. “I just want to help the club go as far as we can. I’m looking to improve as a player and help promote the club in any way I can.”

As a freshman, Finkelstein was tabbed as the NEWMAC Rookie of the Year and also garnered All-Conference second team accolades. Finkelstein has started in all 38 games he has appeared in over two seasons compiling three goals and 15 assists for 21 points. Finkelstein is currently three assists shy of cracking Wheaton’s top-10 list for helpers in a career.

“Finkelstein is a quality player,” said Real Boston head coach Jim Costa. “He has a great attitude, hard work ethic, and is good on and off the ball.”

The Real Boston Rams open the 2013 PDL season at home on May 11th against CFC Azul. For the full schedule and more information on the Real Boston Rams visit: www.bostonrams.com.

Dec 1 2012

Mass. College Hoops: Bridgewater State 62, Wheaton College 50

By Brian Willwerth 

NORTON, MA – Bridgewater State is above .500 for the first time since winning its opener. Wheaton College is undefeated no more.

In a defensive battle that was sluggish throughout, the Bears (3-2) defeated the Lyons, 62-50, on Saturday afternoon at Emerson Gymnasium. Michael Lofton led the way offensively with 20 points and 11 rebounds.

“It was a rock fight. It wasn’t aesthetic basketball,” said Bears’ head coach Joe Farroba. “In some cases it was good defense, and it same cases it might have been poor shot selection.”

He won’t get any argument there. Bridgewater State shot just 28% from the field. Wheaton was just 36%. The teams combined to go 6-for-29 from three-point range. But one area where Bridgewater State had a big advantage was on the offensive glass. The Bears had 17 offensive rebounds to eight for the Lyons. They also got to the line three times as often, too. Farroba said both of those were keys.

Once the Bears took the lead 18-16 with about eight minutes remaining in the first half, they never trailed the rest of the way. They jumped out to an eight-point advantage early in the second half, but the Lyons were able to cut the margin to two, as they switched to a zone defense that started to cause problems for the visitors. But the Bears never did relinquish the lead.

“The kid I brought off the bench, [Diijon Reid] hit those 3’s, and that helped,” said Farroba of Wheaton’s zone defense. “That made them blink in terms of what they’re going to do strategy-wise.”

Ryan Clinesmith led Wheaton with 18 points.

“I thought he [Clinesmith] really stood out in the second half,” said Wheaton head coach Brian Walmsley, whose team dropped to 5-1.

“Unfortunately he got two quick fouls in the first half and we sat him, [but] then he came back with a lot of energy [and] that was a big difference in the game, having him sit 15 minutes worth.”

Bridgewater State travels to Anna Maria on Tuesday night, while Wheaton will host Gordon, also on Tuesday.

Dec 1 2012

Mass. College Hoops: Saturday Afternoon Notes

By NoontimeSports.com

Here are some highlights and notes from the college basketball world in Massachusetts from this afternoon.

* Bentley University women’s basketball head coach Barbara Stevens earned her 700th win with the Falcons against Southern New Hampshire, 52-42 in Manchester, New Hampshire. Stevens, who is in her 27th season with the Falcons, now has a record of 700-153 on the bench and is the 11th women’s basketball coach to reach this historic plateau at one institution.

* Northeastern University’s women’s basketball team earned their third consecutive victory against NJIT, 59-45. The Huskies are 4-2 overall, and now 2-2 away from the Matthews Arena.

* Boston University’s men’s basketball team extended its current winning streak to two, as they kicked-off their current road trip with a 74-66 victory at St. Peter’s. Next up for the Terriers is a trip to Coastal Carolina on Thursday, Dec. 6.

* Boston University’s women’s basketball team earned their first victory against a rank squad, as the Terriers defeated No. 17/15 St. John’s, 66-49. Chantell Alford led all scorers with 22 points. She also chipped in six rebounds and three assists in her team’s fifth victory of the season, too.

* Harvard evened its record at 3-3 with a 73-64 win against Fordham at home. Wesley Saunders scored 17 points, while Jonah Travis came off the bench and netted 16 points. The Crimson will travel to Chestnut Hill on Tuesday to face Boston College, a squad that is coming off a victory against Penn State.

* Stonehill College’s women’s basketball team kept its perfect mark intact with a 56-50 victory against Saint Michael’s. Wellesley’s own Mary Louise Dixon netted a game-high 17 points, while Amy Pelletier added 11 points off the bench.

* Assumption College’s women’s basketball team sustained its first setback of the season, as Adelphi defeated the visiting Hounds, 66-58.

* WPI’s men’s basketball team needed an extra session to squeak out their seventh consecutive victory, as the Engineers defeated Husson, 89-85 in overtime. Sam Longwell led all scorers with 25 points, while Marco Coppola added 24.

* Bridgewater State handed Wheaton College its first loss, as the Bears defeated the Lyons in Norton, 62-50. Michael Lofton paced Bridgewater with 20 points, while Ryan Clinesmith led Wheaton with 18 points.

* Babson College’s women’s basketball team earned its 66th straight New England Women’s and Men’s Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) victory, 63-43 against Mount Holyoke College at Staake Gymnasium. Sarah Collins led the Beavers with her sixth consecutive double-double, finishing with 21 points and 11 rebounds in her team’s sixth win of the season.

*  WPI earned its first NEWMAC victory, as they defeated MIT, 68-56 in Worcester. Kelly Morgan sank four three-pointers in the second half en route to a career-high 18-point day. Morgan, as well as Theresa Logan, discussed their team’s third win of the season above.

* Smith College earned its second NEWMAC win, as they defeated Wheaton, 70-46. Paulina Solis led the Pioneers with 16 points, while Devon Quattrocchi added 14 points, six rebounds and five steals.

* The Tufts University women’s basketball team began the month of December with a 73-51 victory against Regis College. The Jumbos have now won six consecutive games, and remain the top squad in the New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC).

* Finally, Emmanuel College kept its perfect mark intact with a 62-50 victory against Middlebury College in Boston. The Saints are now 6-0 overall, 4-0 at home and 2-0 on the road.

Didn’t see your team featured on our afternoon roundup? Send us an email to NoontimeSports@gmail.com or notify us on Twitter (@NoontimeSports or @NoonSportsBlog).

Nov 13 2012

Mass. College Hoops: Wheaton Women’s Season Preview (LINK)

By Matt Noonan 

Courtesy of Wheaton College women’s basketball head coach Melissa Hodgdon, here is a link to the team’s 2012-13 preview, which was released today — HOP HERE.

The Lyons are coming off a 9-16 season, and will attempt to begin their new campaign with a win on Thursday, Nov. 15 at Roger Williams. 

Also, we’ve provided a video interview with Hodgdon from the Wheaton Lyons YouTube page.

Nov 12 2012

Mass. College Soccer: Updated NCAA Soccer Brackets

By NoontimeSports.com 

The Div. II and III NCAA soccer tournaments kicked off last weekend, and some Massachusetts teams managed to advance to this weekend’s third round.

Here is a look at the remaining squads in each division.

Div. II Men’s Soccer: 

* UMass Lowell earned back-to-back wins against Post and LIU Post in the first and second round, which earned them a date with Northeast-10 Conference foe Southern New Hampshire on Friday, Nov. 16 in the third round.

Div. III Men’s Soccer: 

* Following a first round bye, Amherst College defeated Dickinson, 4-0. The Lord Jeffs will remain at home for their third round matchup against Swarthmore College on Saturday, Nov. 17.

* Brandies University and Williams College will tangle in the third round in Amherst on Nov. 17, too, and the winner will meet Amherst or Swarthmore in the quarterfinals on Sunday.

Div. III Women’s Soccer: 

* Brandies University earned a spot in the third round following wins against Lasell and Union. The Judges will face-off against SUNY Cortland on Saturday, Nov. 17 in Ithaca, New York.

* MIT will take on Messiah on Saturday, Nov. 17 in Grantham, Pennsylvania. The Engineers first two wins came against Haverford and TCNJ.

* Wheaton College will face Carnegie Mellon in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday, Nov. 17. The Lyons secured a spot in the third round with wins against Westfield State and Williams College.

Aug 23 2012

VIDEO: Catching Up With John Sutyak (Director of Athletics & Recreation)

By NoontimeSports.com 

On Wednesday, Noontime Sports’ Matt Noonan sat down with Wheaton College’s Director of Athletics and Recreation, John Sutyak, to discuss the upcoming year, as well as his goals and objectives, too.

Sutyak, a Wheaton alum, was the interim Athletics and Recreations director last year, but was named the college’s second Director of Athletics in the co-ed era this past spring.

For more information on Wheaton College’s athletics — HOP HERE.

Aug 2 2012

Catching Up With Sean Ryan (Wheaton College Baseball)

Wheaton College’s Sean Ryan is experiencing a successful summer on the diamond with the Brockton Rox! (Photo Credit: Brockton Rox)

By Matt Noonan 

For the past few weeks, Wheaton College’s Sean Ryan has exhibited true offensive firepower with the Brockton Rox in the Futures Collegiate Baseball League.

This summer, the rising senior has recorded 52 hits, 22 RBIs, 21 runs, 16 stolen bases and 10 doubles. He’s also registered four triples, the most in the league thus far, and ranks second in batting average, too.

Yet, as much as Ryan would like to attribute his success on the field to practices and workouts, he insisted that a majority of his growth is owed to Wheaton’s head coach Eric Podbelski.

“I think Podbelski is really focused on the mental part of the game because you can’t allow yourself to get out, get upset and then bring that to your next at bat because then you’re most likely going to get out again, and get more upset,” said Ryan. “He’s really helped me with the mental game by staying calm, staying focused, and just focusing on the game and not statistics.”

This past season with the Lyons, Ryan led the unit with 86 hits and 30 stolen bases. He also tallied 49 runs, 37 RBIs and three home runs in a span of 52 games.

Wheaton managed to secure a spot in their second Div. III College Baseball World Series title match this past May, but once again fell short to Marietta College for the second time in six seasons.

Noontime Sports recently caught up with the Lyons slugger to discuss his success at Wheaton, along with his outlook on his upcoming senior year.

Growing up in Norton, did you ever consider playing baseball at Wheaton?

“When I was growing up, I honestly didn’t realize that Wheaton [was in my hometown]. I drove by it every day, and it didn’t even notice it. As I [learned] more about the program going into my senior year [at Norton High School] I realized that’s where I wanted to be.”

What was your first impression of Wheaton College?

“My first impression was Coach Podbelski, and how professional he was about everything. Every practice was just scheduled out [to perfection], there wasn’t any kind of confusion or anything, and everything was just a job. It was so organized.”

I know it’s been a few months since the World Series, but have you officially digested the defeat?

“It stings, it’s always going to sting. I have a feeling that we have a good chance to make it back to [the World Series next year] and that’s what we have to push for [next season].”

Prior to the first game against Marietta, did Coach Podbelski or any senior provide some words of wisdom about the series?

“As a team, our main idea is to treat every game like it’s a game. We can’t build up any game, [especially the World Series] because that’s when you start to make mistakes. And when it comes down to it, it’s the same game, still three outs, nothing changes.”

What do you think the postseason run will do for the program going forward?

“It’s good to put our program on the map. You get more recruits, you get even better, and Podbelski is the best coach, best recruiter that I’ve ever seen, so I feel like he’s going to make us better and better each year.”

In your honest opinion, what made Wheaton so successful this past year?

“We were a strong unit. We were all pushing for one goal, and when you get 30 guys pushing for one goal it makes it easier then when you have 10 guys pushing for one goal. Also, we [experienced] so much [this past] season, and we even had a point where we were losing close games and things weren’t going right, and as a team when that happens and then you’re able to pick yourself up after as a team, it’s really a maturing process. I felt when we entered the College Baseball World Series, we were a mature team and we were focused and ready.”

What are your overall thoughts on NEWMAC baseball?

“All the teams are well coached, and I feel like any [team] can win every year. My junior year, [this past spring], MIT came out of nowhere and they were a solid team, so I feel like every team is [constantly] getting better and better.”

Finally, do you think you’ll be able to cap off your senior season with a NCAA championship?

“First, you’ve got to win the NEWMAC, you’ve got to win that first, got to get there.”

Aug 1 2012

Wheaton College To The Texas Rangers: Jared Barnes’ Baseball Journey

Photo Credit: NewEraMLB.blogspot.com

By NoontimeSports.com 

Jared Barnes loves baseball, and like many, he’s pursuing a dream of working in the sport he’s always loved.

Noontime Sports caught up with the former Wheaton College alum recently to talk about his love for the sport, as well as his current journey, which has landed him in Texas with the Rangers as baseball operations intern. Jared was so kind to share his story, along with provide insight on what it’s like to work in baseball, too.

1.) Going way back, way before Wheaton College, what was one of your first and fondest memories about the sport of baseball? Was there a moment from your youth that sticks out?

The first baseball memory that comes to mind for me is always my first trip to Fenway Park with my Dad in July of 1994. We sat five rows directly behind the Red Sox on-deck circle and it was my first real exposure to the game at the highest level. Ever since I think anyone who knows me can attest that baseball has been a pretty big part of my life.

It had always been my hope while growing up to play professionally, but unfortunately for many of us the game ends before reaching that point. Yet, a lot of my family memories are focused around the game of baseball. Family vacations were always spent at my baseball tournaments, and my Dad always devoted a lot of time to helping me workout and get better in the offseason. I had a lot of great experiences playing the game and was able to do so thanks to many sacrifices my parents made.

2.) What are some of your favorite memories about playing baseball for Wheaton College? Correct me if I’m wrong, but you were on the team that made it to the World Series in ’06, right?

I was a freshman on the 2006 team that went to the Division III World Series, and baseball-wise it’s tough to top that week. It’s an experience I will never forget and I was really fortunate to come in as a freshman and be a part of that team’s success. That’s something I will always be able to say I was a part of and is pretty special to me. It brought back a lot of memories watching Wheaton’s run to the national title game again this season, and was a really proud moment for a lot of the alums of the program.

Looking back though a lot of my favorite memories are the day-to-day occurrences that are a part of building a team and an identity each year. The bus rides, early morning sprint workouts, and lifelong friendships I formed with teammates are the special aspects of being a student-athlete, and I think anyone that played a collegiate sport misses some of that every day once it’s over.

Continue reading →

Jul 10 2012

Wheaton’s Roy Assists Israel To Europe Lax Festival Championship

By NoontimeSports.com 

As noted by Mill Valley Patch — Wheaton College rising junior Taylor Roy was one of the key members for the Israeli women’s lacrosse team this summer — a squad that recently captured the 2012 Europe Lacrosse Festival Championship in Amsterdam against the American-based club Global Players.

The Global Players had defeated Israel during round-robbin play, but the Israeli squad rebounded by winning the most important match of the festival.

Also noted by Patch — Roy will be in Israel for the next few weeks and will be conducting youth lacrosse programs, as well as assisting the non-profit, Israel Lacrosse, by raising money to support the growth of the sport. She will also be collecting new and used equipment for the youth program, too.