The 2007-08 Pride athletics year will be remembered for some very significant accomplishments. Two teams won conference championships—and both advanced to their respective NCAA tournaments. Additionally, three individuals could represent GC on the national stage in golf and tennis.
The GC women tied for second in the USA South women’s President’s Cup—while the entire Pride athletics program was a solid third place in the overall standings.
Fall Season Review
The 2007 Pride Fall sports season was another strong showing for Greensboro College athletics. Women’s won the most games in program history and had the USA South player of the Year. GC’s cross country had a number of records broken. A young Pride football squad had a number of team and individual highlights. GC volleyball reached the USA South championship match. The men’s soccer program had many high points, including advancing in the NCAA tournament.
Men’s Soccer
Greensboro College men’s soccer posted a 14-5-3 record in 2007. GC won the USA South tournament for the third straight year and advanced to the second round of the NCAA playoffs. This season was also the 16th time Pride men's soccer has won 10 or more games.
GC got off to a rousing start as they opened the year with a 1-0 win over three-time defending national champion Messiah College. Striker Eric Hatchett scored the game’s only goal in handing Messiah their first regular season defeat in three years.
In the conference tournament semifinals, The Pride defeated NC Wesleyan, 2-1. GC avenged an earlier overtime loss and handed NCWC—ranked second in the country—its first blemish on the year. Greensboro and Methodist squared off in the conference championship match. Paced by tournament MVP goalkeeper Kurt Gardiner, The Pride prevailed 2-0.
With the win, GC qualified for its 13th NCAA Division III men’s soccer tournament in the past 14 years. The Pride advanced to the second round of the NCAA tournament with a 2-1 victory at Roanoke. Hatchett scored the game-winner on a rocket from 30 yards in the 62nd minute.
“When the season started, I knew we had the talent to do some great things,” said GC head coach Bill Brady. “The guys put out a fantastic effort. In the postseason, it’s all about advancing and we succeeded.”
The Pride then traveled to play at Messiah in the second round. In a baffling first half GC outplayed the Falcons but found itself behind 3-0 at halftime. MC tacked on another goal and the final was 4-0.
GC’s 2007 team was a mix of veterans and newcomers. Fittingly, the trio of Hatchett, Robert Fricke and Ryne Nichols closed the year by being selected to the NCCSIA (nick-suh) all-state team.
Cross Country
The Greensboro College cross country teams recorded solid seasons in 2007.
On the men's side The Pride was led by Francois Theriault. He set a new 5K record of 16:42 in a 15-40 win over Bluefield State. Theirault led a sweep for the GC men in the meet. Both GC men and women swept all of their dual meets this season.
Greensboro claimed 5 all conference honors. Theriault was the lone first team honoree, but teammates Paul Travers, Justin Tinder and Victor Lopez received second team awards. The 2007 team had the best depth of talented runners in program history.
The Pride men were third—just 6 points below second place— at the USA South Championships, held at Hagan Stone Park. Despite competing on an injured foot, Theriault placed 6th and made the championship meet team.
For the second consecutive season, Jordan Joyce was The Pride's top female runner. She placed 16th at the season-ending Conference championships with a program-best 28:08.2 6K clocking. The GC women placed 6th at the USAS championships.
Another highlight for GC was freshman Tiffany Austin earning the USA South rookie of the week honors after her ninth place finish, and time of 30:22, at the Old North State Meet.
Greensboro College men’s and women’s cross country team members: Please rise so we can give you a round of applause!
Football
The Greensboro College football team had both exciting victories and memorable individual highlights this year.
GC dominated Gallaudet, 48-7, in the second week of the season. Senior Rod Hill, who was later named to the D3Football.com Team of the Week, had two touchdowns on special teams in the game.
The Pride also celebrated a 21-19 Homecoming win over Averett, which snapped a four-game winless streak against the rival Cougars.
While GC's 2-8 record was not up to Head Coach Neal Mitchell's expectations, The Pride fielded a competitive unit that was tied at Ferrum with 2 minutes left and lost 3 games by just 6 points.
GC had some superb individual play and earned 8 USA South All conference honors. Leading the way were first teamers Torrey Lowe, Brick Crowder, J.R. Hair and Logan Greene.
Jack of all trades Lowe again led GC in all purpose yards and now has 4,185 for his 3-year career. Lowe also tops The Pride all-time charts in receptions and receiving yards.
Sophomore linebacker Brick Crowder set a new single-season mark for tackles with 133. Greensboro also set a team record with 11 blocked kicks during the season. Senior defensive lineman Logan Greene, who was picked to his third straight USAS first team, led the club with 3 blocks.
Would the Greensboro College football team please stand so we can recognize your efforts this season?!
Women’s Soccer
The Greensboro College women’s soccer team established a program mark for wins during a year that produced a 14-4-1 overall record.
The Pride broke the mark with a 3-0 win over NCWC in the first round of the USA South conference tournament. GC advanced to the semifinals before losing a heartbreaker to CNU, 1-0, in overtime in Fayetteville.
Senior Ashley Cabral was named the conference's player of the year. She led the USA South in both points and goals. Cabral set a Pride record with 26 goals (second in the nation), including 6 game-winners, and was named All-USAS for her fourth consecutive season. She ended her career with 109 points (47 goals, 15 assists), which places her second all-time.
GC’s standout season was highlighted by several dominating victories, and 9 USA South All-Conference selections. GC tied Elite Eight Lynchburg, set 9 individual records and 7 team single season marks in 2007, including most points and best goals against average.
Sophomore defender Tessa Hall also was named first team all-conference. She dished out a USA South record 19 assists on the season. Hall also scored three goals and was named the conference’s defensive player of the week in mid-October.
“This team’s performance far surpassed the expectations I had at the beginning of the season,” said Head Coach Franco Bari. “It was a combination of the experience of the returning players and the open-mindedness and intensity of the freshman class that made us successful.”
Pride women’s soccer: Please stand so we can congratulate you collectively on your season!
Volleyball
Let’s conclude our fall sports review and recap a very successful Pride volleyball season.
The 2007 Greensboro College volleyball team finished second in the regular season and was the runner-up in the USA South Tournament. GC posted a 23-16 overall record. The Pride was 15-3 in USA South matches. It was the 11th consecutive year The Pride has won 20 or more games and the 19th all-time.
The green and white ended the regular season with a bang. GC won its last 5 conference matches, including a 3-1 win at Averett. That victory secured the second seed in the conference tournament.
After defeating Mary Baldwin in the first round 3-1, The Pride again bested rival Averett 3-2. Greensboro then faced host Christopher Newport in the finals and came up short 3-0.
The Pride had many noteworthy individual performances. Senior Joy Daniels earned the USA South Libero of the year award, the first Pride player ever to earn that distinction.
Freshman Michelle Gabson was named the conference’s rookie of the year. She averaged a team-leading 3.68 kills per game and won the conference's weekly rookie honor 5 times. Kacie Hyatt, a sophomore outside hitter, was named to the second team as a result of her fine all around play.
Setter Michelle Lemmons established a single-season record for assists with 414. Yet the sophomore was unable to play in The Pride's last six matches and GC made its late season run with Daniels as play maker.
“When you consider the adversity this team faced, we had a very good year,” said GC Head Coach Jean Lojko. “This team accomplished a tremendous amount and I’m proud of their effort.”
GC volleyball team members, please stand so we may applaud your outstanding season!
Winter Season Review
The winter athletics season at Greensboro College resulted in noteworthy individual and team accomplishments. Scintillating memories at a packed Hanes Gym, records set in the pool and a conference championship are a few of the highlights. Let’s now enjoy some video footage of the winter sports season
Women’s Swimming
In a season of significant individuals accomplishment for the Greensboro College swim team members, first-year head coach Scot Budde was most proud of how his swimmers came together as a team late in the season.
Swimming shorthanded for much of the season, the team first fielded a full squad for its meet with Salem College on January 19.
“Finally putting six swimmers in the water was a great team highlight,” Budde said. In the meet GC earned its first win of the season 52-37.
Budde also was proud of how his swimmers blended as a group during Atlantic States. The ladies really enjoyed the atmosphere at the championships,” he said. “It really gave me hope for the coming years.”
Some strong individual performances in the 2007-08 season also has Budde excited about the future of the program. Junior Alex Cooke won the 50 Freestyle at Atlantic States with a time of :24.91 and in the process broke her own school record she set as a freshman. At Atlantic States Cooke also won the 100 Freestyle and against Salem College she set school records in the 500 Freestyle and the 400 Individual Medley.
Against Randolph junior Megan Lupsha set a personal best in the 1000 Freestyle with a time of 12:00.56. In the same meet she also set a personal best in the 500 Freestyle. At Atlantic States Taylor Layton, Katie Byrd, Rachel Brown and Mary Lackey all set personal bests in the 50 Freestyle.
Coach Budde expects that a strong recruiting effort will bolster the squad for next season. He also hopes to build on each swimmer’s progress for next season and improve on the team’s 2007-08 campaign.
Greensboro College Women’s Swim Team: Please stand so we may applaud you on your excellent efforts this fine season!
Men’s Basketball
The 2007-08 Greensboro College men’s basketball season produced scintillating moments for Pride fans. Highlights include a HUGE early season win, and advancing to the USA South championship game for the first time in 10 years.
In November, The Pride hosted third ranked Guilford College. R.J. Smith scored 22 points as Greensboro College upset the Quakers, 71-66. Smith made 4 three-pointers and had 4 steals.
The rivalry contest was the first played at a campus site since 1994 and was played in front of a capacity crowd at Greensboro College. There was a tremendous atmosphere at the game as fans from both schools filled the gym well before the game in anticipation of the cross town rivalry.
Over the course of the season, The Pride was by led senior Adam Nicholson. He led the USA South in scoring with 21.3 points per game and was named first team all region by D3Hoops.com.
GC faced a very balanced field in USA South play and ended the conference regular season with a 5-7 record. Greensboro drew a road game at Shenandoah in the first round of the USA South tournament. Michael McDuffie scored a career high 21 points and made a crucial three-point play in the last minute as Greensboro College defeated SU, 63-59.
GC then faced NC Wesleyan in the conference semifinals. Aided by a three-pointer by Smith as time expired, The Pride defeated the Bishops, 83-81. Greensboro and Averett played for the USA South championship. It was the first championship game appearance for the green and white in 10 years. The hot-shooting Cougars prevailed and advanced to end GC’s run.
Pride men’s hoopsters, would you please stand we can show our appreciation for your season?!
Cheerleading
Now let’s recap a group that livens up our athletic venues and is the support behind Pride Sports: Greensboro College cheerleading.
Under second year Head Coach Elizabeth Appenzeller, The Pride cheerleading team evolved into a competitive team, in addition to its ongoing support of Pride athletics.
The team cheered at football and basketball games. The squad also performed throughout the year at pep rallies and football and basketball halftimes.
The Pride cheerleaders placed first in their division at a CCA competition in Rock Hill, SC. The cheerleaders also competed at the Cheer Ltd. Open College Nationals at CANAM in Myrtle Beach, SC. The Pride Cheerleaders competed in the small all-girl division and Greensboro College won their category!
Additionally, the squad was very active with community service projects. The cheerleaders coached a youth cheerleading team at the Spears Family YMCA, attended the Festival of Lights, participated in several Village 401 events and performed at local elementary schools.
Coach Appenzeller is excited for the future of the team, as the program continues to build a strong foundation. She is also enthusiastic for their future success at cheerleading competitions.
Would the members of Pride cheerleading please stand so that we can express appreciation for your dedication and spirit!
Athletic Training
Another support team that makes a difference day-in and day-out are our athletic training students, and their contribution is significant!
The Greensboro College athletic training education program continues to grow with more students applying and being accepted each year.
We especially would like to thank our senior athletic training students, Christy Denney and Amy Leslie, for their dedication and hard work throughout their time here.
Additionally, we would also like to offer special recognition to our outgoing graduate assistant, Rebecca Bolin, for all of the effort she has put in over the past two years. Thank you Rebecca and good luck with your future endeavors!
At this time, we ask all members of the Greensboro College athletic training program to please stand so we can applaud you for all you do!
Women’s Basketball
The Greensboro College women’s basketball team pulled another trifecta. They won the USA South regular season and tournament championships and advanced to the NCAA championships. Under Coach Jason Tuggle, GC accomplished the same feats in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
Greensboro finished with a 21-8 record and was 15-3 in conference games.
GC found its stride in January. The Pride welcomed newcomers Ashley Burnette, Dione Eccles and Raynisha Johnson.
Yet GC shifted into high gear In February. The Pride finished with 11 straight victories over conference opponents. None were more exciting than the last two, which took place in the USA South tournament in Newport News, Va.
In the semifinal, junior guard Eccles scored a USA South record 54 points as The Pride women's basketball team advanced to the finals of the USA South tournament with a thrilling 117-113 double overtime victory over Ferrum.
"That was the best game I've been a part of," said coach Tuggle. "Dione had a great game, but it was all in the flow of our offense. We were down in the second half, but we stayed composed."
On the following day, freshman Danielle Duncan had 28 points to lead GC to an 83-80 win over host Christopher Newport in the USA South championship game. Duncan scored 24 of her points in the second half and helped GC rally from a 17-point deficit.
GC drew Thomas More on its home court in the NCAA tournament. The Pride --which stayed close to the unbeaten Saints most of the game—had its 11-game winning streak stopped by a 76-63 score.
An amazing part of this year’s story is that The Pride started the year with a 1-4 record. Also of note is that GC’s young team fielded no seniors. This fact bodes well for the future.
Spring Season Review
That concludes our evening’s review of the winter season. Let’s now transition to the GC Spring sports teams.
The Pride spring season boasted a USA South Player of the year and 2 rookies of the Year. GC also had two teams advance to their respective USA South championship game. Finally, there are two teams receiving a look for postseason play, and three individuals with very strong chances represent Greensboro College as individuals in their respective championships.
Softball
Led by six seniors the Greensboro College softball team posted another very good season. The Pride finished the year with a 25-17-2 record and was the runner-up in the USA South Conference tournament.
“We played the roughest schedule to date for any GC Softball team and ten of our losses were to ranked teams,” said Coach Kama Tucker. “While we hated to lose, this competition prepared us for our late-season run.”
Four year players Erica Brown, Jordan Davenport, Stacie Patterson, Meagan Knight, Jenee Johnson and Jessica Clack all made key contributions to GC in 2008 and in past seasons.
Johnson was The Pride’s lone first team all conference honoree. Second team selections were juniors Britney Smith and Kendra Leghart.
The Pride entered the USAS tournament in Burlington as the fourth seed. Certainly a highlight of the season was sending Methodist University, ranked 9th nationally, to the bus and on their way home in the conference championships!
Led by all tourney picks Johnson, Smith and Olivia McPherson, GC advanced to the tournament’s final day.
Davenport tossed a no-hitter—the first in program history--against Averett. That win propelled The Pride into the championship against Christopher Newport. GC got off to a strong start against the Captains, but trailed 5-2 when rain delayed the contest. After a wait of more than three hours, the game resumed in the 6th inning and CNU prevailed 8-3.
Its tough schedule and an impressive conference tournament finish, have the ranking committees evaluating The Pride for a shot at the postseason. Regardless, it was another great run for GC fastpitch softball and a fine run by a stellar senior class.
Men’s Tennis
Now let’s review The Pride tennis seasons, starting with the GC men’s team.
While the Greensboro College tennis team finished with a 5-11 record, The Pride battled in a every match and lost heartbreaking 5-4 decisions in three other matches.
The Pride, however, finished strong by reaching the semifinals of the USA South tournament.
To get to the semis The Pride defeated #4 seeded Averett 6-3 in what third-year Head Coach Dave McCain called “a big upset.” David Sutton, Mike Benfield, Zach Bruff, and Francois Theriault won at singles, and the tandems of Sutton and Tim Leyson and Bruff and Benfield won at doubles.
“Winning at 4, 5, and 6 singles was the key to the match,” McCain said.
“This is the best season I have had with this group of guys,” McCain said. “They’ve all gotten better and because they worked hard at it.”
Individually, Sutton produced another outstanding season for Greensboro College. The senior finished the season with a 12-3 mark playing at the #1 singles spot, earned USA South 1st Team All-Conference honors, and consistently was ranked in the ITA Division III Atlantic South Region rankings. The last poll had Sutton ranked 7th and McCain expects great things from him if he can make it to the NCAA National Tournament.
“If he gets to go to nationals, has a good chance to go deep in the tournament," McCain said. “He actually will be in a good position to possibly win it. In the fall in a regional tournament he beat the No. 1 player in the country."
And we all hope that opportunity will come his way!
Women’s Tennis
Next, let’s recap the recently completed Pride women’s tennis season.
The Greensboro College women’s tennis team ended the 2008 season with a bang. The Pride won 6 of its last 7 matches before falling in the conference tournament finals to champion Methodist. GC was 6-3 in USA South Conference matches and 9-9 overall.
For the fourth straight year, Pride women’s tennis was led by Carrie Pacifico. The senior had another stellar season for the green and white, going 18-0 and dropping only one set all Spring.
Including the Fall season, Pacifico was 21-1 at number one singles, including an 18-0 record in GC dual matches. After completing her another undefeated season in USAS play, she garnered her third straight USAS women’s tennis player-of-the-year honor.
“Carrie will be impossible to replace,” said GC Head Coach Dave McCain. “She is the best women’s tennis player ever to play at Greensboro College.”
The statistics back up McCain’s claim. Pacifico closed her career with 76 wins, exactly double what the second place finisher accomplished. She’s also is tops in career winning percentage and is second in doubles wins. She, too, has an outside shot at being selected to the NCAA nationals.
Susan Harris, her unheralded teammate, ended her career first in doubles wins at GC with 48. She also is fifth all-time with 30 singles wins. This year, Harris and Pacifico posted an impressive 15-3 at mark at the number one doubles flight.
A major key to the team’s success, however, was the improvement of its underclassmen. Sophomore Michelle Lemmons and freshman Katie Allegro won 9 and 10 matches respectively. They also posted an 11-7 mark at the second doubles slot.
Newcomers Rachel Brown and Heather Redd stepped up their efforts late in the year and rounded out the GC starting lineup.
“This was an enjoyable group,” McCain said. “We’ll miss our seniors greatly, but the other ladies have the willingness to get better and ability to help us be successful in the future.”
GC Women’s tennis team: please stand so we can appreciate your fine season.
Golf
The Greensboro College golf team capped its 2008 Spring campaign with a fourth place finish at the USA South Conference Championship. First year Head Coach Scott Tiernan was pleased with his team’s season considering they played in the Spring with only four golfers.
“With only four guys and not being able to drop a score our players had to be at their best every single round,” Tiernan said. “Considering that type of pressure they held up well and posted some excellent team rounds.”
The best round of the season came at the Jekyll Island Invitational, where The Pride carded a 304 in the final round to finish in 14th place in the 26-team field. The round was highlighted by a 73 from freshman Joshua Ryals and a 69 by junior Josh Cumming.
Individually, GC players were recognized throughout the season for their outstanding accomplishments. Ryals was voted the 2008 USA South Rookie of the Year. He finished the Spring season with a 79.82 scoring average.
Junior Josh Cumming was consistently ranked in the top 20 nationally. He finished in the top 10 in seven of nine tournaments and shot 69 on two occasions. He was the runner-up at the Greensboro College Invitational and earned USA South 1st Team All-Conference honors. Cumming finished the Spring season with a 75 stroke average and is one of the top candidates for an individual spot at the NCAA tournament.
Senior Chase Pinchot finished his college career with a solid final round 78 at the conference tournament. Pinchot eagled the final hole with a 30 foot putt.
Tiernan is confident that the team will be back in the hunt for a spot at the NCAA tournament next season.
“We have three excellent players returning who will serve as the foundation for our team,” he said. “And we have several solid freshman entering in the Fall, so with some hard work we expect to contend for the conference crown in 2009.”
Women’s Lacrosse
Now we’d like to recap the Greensboro College women’s lacrosse season.
The Greensboro College women’s lacrosse team finished a challenging season on a strong note, earning its way into the USA Conference Championship game with a 22-11 semi-final win over Methodist.
“The game against Methodist was a time that we really came together as a team,” said first-year Head Coach Charlotte Dixon. “It was one of our best games.”
The season got off to a rough start, but the team rebounded and had a 4-match winning streak and a record of 4-1 in USA South games.
Individually, The Pride placed three players on the USA South All-Conference first team: Christie Hebert, a sophomore attacker, led GC with 54 points. Defender Mary Sandifer, a junior, led the club in caused turnovers and ground balls. Senior Jennifer Donah, had a team- high 18 assists. Donah recorded her 100th career goal against Virginia Wesleyan on March 30.
Three GC players, Christina Denney, Ashley Nolen and Toni Battaglia, earned USA South All-Conference Honorable Mention honors.
“We had a very talented but inexperienced group,” Coach Dixon explained. “But they have grown up and I expect great things from them next year.”
A solid sophomore group, coupled with the return of other key players, has the program poised for a strong 2009 campaign.
Men’s Lacrosse
A very young Greensboro College men’s lacrosse team developed nicely over the course of the 2008 season. The Pride won two its last three games and three of its last five contests.
The laxmen were true road warriors. Greensboro posted an impressive 5-1 record at away games--in their favored green uniforms. The Pride’s only setback on opponent’s turf was a closely-contested 11-9 match at Virginia Wesleyan.
Greensboro fielded a formidable defense. Junior goalkeeper Mike Foderaro led the back line. Starting long poles Rudy Williams, Chad Hughes and Tyler Drumheller formed a solid defensive unit.
On offense, Neal McKinney led the team with 32 points. Freshman Jose Rodriguez added 22 goals. Midfielder Nick Patrone had a great all-around season, leading the team in face-offs, ground balls and adding 16 scores.
The Pride closed the year with decisive road trip wins at St. Vincent, 10-6, and at rival Guilford, 9-5.
“This was a very unique team,” said tenth year Head Coach Dan Cetrone. “They loved to practice and worked harder to prepare than any other team I’ve seen. They also showed great sportsmanship and class which is what we want to be about.”
Baseball
The Greensboro College baseball team posted an impressive year. The Pride was 25-14, just 2 games behind the most wins in program history, and that’s despite not playing 4 games due to weather!
Coach Ken Carlyle’s team had to replace some of the most decorated players ever to wear the green and white. The 2008 club succeeded due to good pitching, timely hitting, and great team chemistry.
Picked to finish last in the USA South, GC surprised the voters. The Pride was in the hunt for the conference crown late in the regular season and finished 7-4, good enough for third place.
As for individual accomplishments, Senior Daniel Poindexter tied single season batting record (.433) and career batting average (.398).
He and Torrey Poholsky, who set the GC career saves record, were first team USA South honorees. The Pride won a total of 8 all conference awards.
Yet GC was dealt an unfortunate blow when ace pitcher Kit Mock went down with an injury as the conference tournament approached.
Despite that setback, GC swept at Shenandoah and earned a third seed to the conference tournament. Greensboro got a great start from Poholsky in its first game and defeated Ferrum. However, injuries to Mock and Jordan Dorsett added up and GC lost its next 2 game.
In any case it has been a tremendous year! Greensboro beat 7 ranked teams and its pitching staff is currently ranked 33rd in the nationally.
With 25 wins and one of the best in-region records in the South, GC and is currently receiving a hard look by the ranking committee.
