August 25, 2008

In this issue: Men's Cross Country | Women's Cross Country | Field Hockey | Men's Soccer | Women's Soccer | Volleyball

This Week
Aug. 29 at Mount St. Mary's Duals 1 p.m.

The men's cross country team begins its sixth intercollegiate season Friday at Mount St. Mary's University. Head coach Brent Ayer's roster is comprised of five seniors, nine juniors, one sophomore and three freshmen. Junior William Andrews (above) and will serve as the Blazers' team captain this fall. Three of Hood's top runners from last season return, including Andrews, senior Nick Manning and junior Blair Ames.

This Week
Aug. 29 at Mount St. Mary's Duals 1 p.m.

The women's cross country team begins its sixth intercollegiate season Friday at Mount St. Mary's University. Head coach Brent Ayer welcomes back five seniors who will join a sophomore and a pair of freshmen. All-Capital Athletic Conference performer Danielle Sgro (above) should set the pace once again for the Blazers.

This Week
Aug. 30 at Marywood University 1 p.m.

Senior midfielder Crystal Parker (above) and junior midfielder Lauren Perzan will share captain's duties this fall as the field hockey team enters its second season in the Capital Athletic Conference. Head coach Staci Brennan begins her seventh year at the helm and returns nine players from a year ago. The Blazers will face a stern test from their CAC foes once again this fall and will also engage in several tilts with former Atlantic Women's Colleges Conference rivals, including College of Notre Dame (Md.) and Wilson College.

This Week
Aug. 30 vs. LaRoche College (at Frostburg State University) 5 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Frostburg State University 3 p.m.

Head coach Brian Wall has assembled a roster of close to 30 student-athletes as he begins his fifth season at Hood. His crop of 16 veterans and 13 newcomers kick off the 2008 campaign at the Frostburg State University tournament this weekend. Junior goalkeeper Shawn Fernholz (above) returns to spearhead the defense, while classmate Quinn Miller is Hood's top returning scorer from last year, netting four goals and collecting four assists.

This Week
Aug. 30 McDaniel College vs. Mississippi College 10:30 a.m.
Aug. 30 vs. King's College 1 p.m.
Aug. 31 Consolation game 10:30 a.m.
Aug. 31 Championship game 1 p.m.

Hood is looking to build on its sixth place finish in its first season in the Capital Athletic Conference in 2007. Third-year head coach Jen Wood welcomes back 12 letterwinners from that squad, including leading scorer Cara Jordan (above) who scored a team-best seven goals and assisted on five others in her rookie campaign. Sophomore goalkeeper Rachelle Buhrman, who logged all 1,620 minutes in net last fall, looks to have another solid year after posting seven shutouts in 2007. Wood bolstered her already-solid roster with the addition of nine freshmen.

This Week
Aug. 30 vs. College of Notre Dame 10 a.m.
Aug. 30 College of Notre Dame vs. Shenandoah University 11:30 a.m.
Aug. 30 vs. Shenandoah University 1:30 p.m.

As the Blazers enter their second season in the prestigious Capital Athletic Conference, sixth-year head coach Judy McGraw will have a great deal of versatility to augment her lineup. Three seniors, two juniors, six sophomores and four freshmen will don the blue and gray for McGraw this fall as the Blazers begin the 2008 slate hosting a tri-match at Gambrill Gymnasium. Senior outside hitter Jamie Gardner (above) returns as a top offensive threat, having racked up 111 kills last season. Sophomore setter Kristina Straub had a fine freshman season, registering 349 assists, 228 digs, 72 kills and 21 service aces.