By Gloria Nantulya, Athletic Communications Assistant 

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 6, 2012) Colgate men’s lacrosse head coach Mike Murphy has announced the addition of Matt Abbot to the coaching staff as a volunteer assistant coach.

Matt currently plays Major League Lacrosse with the Chesapeake Bayhawks.

“I am very excited that Matt has joined our staff,” stated Murphy. “We spent four years trying to defend him at my last job so it’s nice to have him on our side now. Matt is still a great player in his own right and he has a great demeanor with our players, so I know he will really help our players get better. My hope is that he will help our midfielders reach their full potential.”

Former Syracuse men’s lacrosse standout and brother of assistant coach Mike Abbott, Matt was a four-year member of the Syracuse men’s lacrosse team during which he won back-to-back national championships in 2008 and 2009. As a co-captain his senior year, Matt was named to the USILA All-America First Team, the NCAA Championship All-Tournament Team, was a USILA Scholar All-American, and a finalist for both the Tewaaraton Trophy and Lowe’s Senior CLASS Award.

After a successful senior season at Syracuse, Matt was selected ninth overall by the Chesapeake Bayhawks in the 2009 MLL Collegiate Draft. In three seasons with the Bayhawks, Matt has played in 23 games, recording 10 goals and 10 assists for 20 points while also collecting a total of 65 groundballs. He was also named to the 2009 U.S. Men’s Lacrosse Training Team and was selected to play in the 2010 and 2011 MLL All-Star Games.

“It’s nice to have another set of eyes evaluating and educating our student-athletes,” Murphy said. “I could not be more excited to have completed our staff with such a fine young man.”

Matt holds a master’s degree in finance and a bachelor’s degree in finance and accounting both from Syracuse University. He completed his first degree in 2009 and his second in May, 2010. He is also currently an investment advisor at Armory Capital Management in Syracuse.

Colgate Bookstore news

By Heather Elia

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 2012) The Colgate Bookstore will host a dragon-themed children’s program Saturday, Feb. 11, at 10 a.m. in the Class of 2003 Events Room at 3 Utica St. Stories, dramatically read by bookstore staff, will be followed by a handprint dragon craft and a snack.

The program is free and open to children of all ages and their families, but mainly geared toward children 3 to 7 years old.

A tall, friendly dragon will be on hand at the end of the program for those who wish to meet and have their picture taken with it. Children who attend will also be entered to win a free book. Adults will receive a coupon for 20 percent off all dragon picture books.

The featured stories will include:

“Oscar and the Very Hungry Dragon,” by Uta Krause. It’s time to feed the dragon! But this year the village is out of princesses. So the villagers send Oscar, a not-so-plump little boy who would rather COOK dinner than BE dinner. This silly tale showcases heroic Oscar’s cleverness when he matches wits with a ravenous beast.

“When a Dragon Moves In,” by Jodi Moore. On a beautiful day at the beach, a young boy brings his bucket, shovel and imagination, and builds a perfect sand castle. Right away, a dragon moves in. The boy decides to befriend his dragon and they spend time having fun (and making a bit of mischief).

“The Paper Bag Princess,” by Robert Munch. The Princess Elizabeth is slated to marry Prince Ronald when a dragon attacks the castle and kidnaps Ronald. In resourceful and humorous fashion, Elizabeth must find the dragon, outsmart him and rescue the prince.

For more information on this or other Colgate Bookstore programs, call (315) 228-6944.

Jan. 16, 2012

Samuel A. Smith, 22, of Woodman Road, Eaton, was charged with second-degree harassment (physical contact) and criminal obstruction of breathing/blood circulation, a class A misdemeanor.

Pamela A. Charland, 34, of Lake Shore Road, Cicero, was charged with third-degree assault (intent to cause harm), a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 18

Karl E. Smith, 52, of Radnor Lane, Morrisville, was charged with a violation of probation on a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 19

Christine Mason, 54, of Madison Street, Oneida, was charged with failure to appear.

Jan. 21

Archer D. McFall, 20, of Exeter Road, Marietta, Ga., was charged with driving while intoxicated, an unclassified misdemeanor; refusal to take a breath test and speeding.

A 16-year-old Route 26, North Pitcher, resident was charged with third-degree assault (intent to cause harm), a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 22

Joshua P. Torres, 27, of Dyke Road, Chittenango, was charged with an unspecified order of the Family Court Act.

Nicholas K. Roe, 22, of Williams Road, Hamilton, was charged with second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, driving while intoxicated and operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater, all unclassified misdemeanors; drinking alcohol in a motor vehicle, operating a motor vehicle with obstructed vision, unsafe turn/failure to signal and operating a motor vehicle without a license.

Jan. 23

Joshua P. Torres, 27, of Dyke Road, Chittenango, was charged with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 25

Michael P. Lowell, 21, of Jones Road, Nelson, was charged with fourth-degree criminal mischief (intent to damage property), a class A misdemeanor.

Stephen E. Shuler, 36, of Leonard Street, Oneida, was charged with a violation of probation on a class E felony.

Jan. 26

Peyton L. Amato, 20,of Red Lake Road, Theresa, was charged with underage possession of alcohol and an open container violation.

Robert E. Widger, 37, of North Main Street, Stockbridge, was charged with third-degree assault, a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 27

Christopher J. Centro, 20, of Tudman Road, Westmoreland, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana.

Jan. 28

Alfred Thomas, 26, of Elk Street, Syracuse, was charged with second-degree reckless endangerment, third-degree unlawful fleeing a police officer and seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance, all class A misdemeanors; unlawful possession of marijuana, failure to obey a police officer, failure to stop at a stop sign, speeding and an equipment violation.

Tanaia M. Allen, 26, of Bruce Road, Lenox, was charged with third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, an unclassified misdemeanor; unlawful possession of marijuana, possession of a controlled substance in non-original container and an equipment violation.

Jason M. Wade, 33, of Route 13, Chittenango, was charged with driving while intoxicated, operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or greater and third-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, all unclassified misdemeanors; and speeding.

Andrew L. Kinney-Allen, 21, of Route 12B, Lebanon, was charged with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.

A 17-year-old Pleasant Valley Road, Morrisville, resident was charged with second-degree disobeying a judicial mandate, a class A misdemeanor.

Jan. 29

Scott M. Carpenter, 21, of Quaker Hill Road, Brookfield, was charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and an equipment violation.

Emily S. Skinner, 21, of Hawthorne Way, Chittenango, was charged with disorderly conduct.

Timothy S. Dady, 58, of Route 80, Georgetown, was charged with petit larceny, a class A misdemeanor.

Colgate University Bookstore Marketing Coordinator Heather Elia selects books and films for each ‘season’ of the Hamilton Book and Movie Club, a popular program offered in partnership with Hamilton Theater.

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 2012 ) Heather Elia kicks off the discussion with the Hamilton Book and Movie Club, gathered in the community room on the third floor of the Colgate University Bookstore, across the street from the Hamilton Theater where the group has just finished seeing The Help, this month’s feature in the current Book and Movie Club season.

The group, numbering 19 today, enjoys a light dinner while they digest the film and exchange views on how this film and book compare to an earlier Book and Movie Club feature, To Kill a Mockingbird.

“Both are controversial,” offers Peter Darby.  “I grew up during the civil rights era, so The Help really hit home for me.”  Darby, a self employed contractor, is a first time participant at the monthly screenings and one of three men in the group tonight.  He joined for the varied offerings and lively discussion, even though he admits to not having quite finished the book before seeing tonight’s movie.

“Emma Stone was wonderful as Skeeter,” says Linda Khan, a county foster care supervisor. “So was the woman who played Abileen.  Wasn’t she a stage actor, too?”  Heather goes to her iPad and quickly reports that Viola Davis won a Tony Award for her stage role in the 2010 production of Fences.

Now in its seventh year, the Hamilton Book and Movie Club is a program initiated by the University Bookstore in partnership with the Hamilton Theater.  Both entities are owned by Colgate, which in the last decade has made a major commitment to revitalizing the downtown of this college community of 3,000 residents.

The Book and Movie Club features four ‘seasons’ per year.  For each three month season, Bookstore marketing Coordinator Elia selects three books and accompanying movies, centered around a common theme.  The theme of the current season is ‘Down South’, featuring The Help, Fried Green Tomatoes and Cold Mountain.

She says the most popular season was “Sibling Rivalry,” featuring Atonement, The Other Bolin Girl and East of Eden.  For “What’s Cooking?” several cub members made something from the Julia Childs Cookbook and brought it to the post-film discussion following Julie and Julia, which was featured along with Chocolat and Water for Chocolate.

Members read the featured book in advance, then meet at 5:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month to see that month’s film, followed by discussion at the Bookstore located conveniently across the street.  A light dinner is catered by Curtain Call, a sandwich shop located in the Hamilton Theater building.

The Book and Movie Club offers two subscription plans.  The Full Subscription includes three books, movie admissions and dinners for a three month season. The Basic Subscription includes movie admissions and dinners without the books. Currently, there are 12 Full Subscribers and 10 Basic Subscribers.  Elia says average membership is fairly steady at about 25 or so each season.

“We have a lot of teachers, but overall it’s a pretty varied group including recent college grads and retirees,” says Elia.  “The discussion is fun.  Sometimes people just jump in and start talking.  I try to bring trivia and discussion questions for each discussion.”

Elia cites a few key factors in the success of the program.

“This started out as a free program, but having people buy in is better,” Elia said. “Breaking it up into three month seasons avoids the pressure of committing for a whole year, and is good for snowbirds and others who aren’t here all year long.”  She said the weekday timing at 5:30 seems to work well for most.

Eight years ago, the Hamilton Movie House was a fading first run theater with three screens, an absentee owner, peeling paint and an aging furnace. The theater was on the verge of boarding up the doors when Colgate University stepped in to prevent having a vacant eyesore in the center of the village.

Located in an historic 1895 opera house, Hamilton Theater has re-emerged as a vibrant centerpiece of community life, offering not only first run films but a weekly independent film series, European opera, two free children’s series, midnight movies, silent film, free educational programming for area schools, movies under the stars, Sensory Friendly screenings, its own film festival- and a popular Book and Movie Club.

“This is a great example of coordinated programming,” said Elia.  “The Bookstore, the theater and Curtain Call all contribute to provide the community with an innovative program not always available in a small community like ours.”

“It’s wonderful,” said Sherry Wright, a regular subscriber as she polished off tonight’s dessert, a Curtain Call brownie.  “I love the chance to get together, see the films and discuss with friends.”

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 2012) Students from Pinney’s American Karate School performed an exhibition before last Saturday’s screening of Kung Fu Panda 2, sponsored by the Hamilton Central School Teachers’ Association.

This week’s feature in the Alliance Bank Children’s Matinee series on Saturday, Feb. 11 at 12:30 p.m. is Tooth Fairy, sponsored by Reality Check. Admission is free.

(Rome, NY – Feb. 2012) Jeffrey Moyer of Hamilton was one of five local finalists chosen from the nominations collected this past winter to compete for the American Heart Association Lifestyle Change Award sponsored by Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil.

At 320 pounds, Moyer bought an elliptical machine and began working out daily. Over the course of a year and a half, he managed to lose almost 100 pounds.

Moyer got serious about running and now competes often. He is currently training for his first marathon in Buffalo this May.

Other finalists are Rhonda Brooker of West Winfield, Tory Hauck and Marybeth McCall of Utica, Carrie Mineo of Whitesboro. The five now wait to see who will be named the 2012 winner after America’s Greatest Heart Run & Walk on Saturday, March 3. This year, the winner will be determined by votes cast on the Olivari Mediterranean Facebook page at facebook.com/olivarimediterranean. Voting opened Feb. 1.

This is the second year of the American Heart Association Lifestyle Change Award. The finalists have all made positive changes in an effort to lead healthier lifestyles. Votes can be submitted by online users through Friday, March 2. (One vote per person). Voters are encouraged to share the link with online friends.

The announcement of the winter takes place at the post-event ceremony March 3 in the Harold T. Clark Athletic Center at Utica College.

“The creation of this award last year sparked some new excitement with the event,” said Dick Mattia, executive director of the American Heart Association. “After some thought, Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil and our organization decided to let the community vote online on the winner this year, allowing more people to be involved in the decision and allowing more honorees to be recognized. Despite the final outcome of the contest on March 3, know that all our finalists have made positive changes to improve their health and prevent any future heart-related issues. They are all winners!”

Fans are encouraged to vote for the finalist who they felt made the most significant strides in living a healthier life. A photo and brief account of their story is posted online on the voting page.

Olivari Mediterranean Olive Oil is bottled locally in the Griffiss Business and Technology Park in Rome. Olivari emphasizes the Mediterranean way of life. Exercising regularly, enjoying fresh meals with close family and friends, and maintaining a balanced diet are just some ways to live out the healthy Mediterranean lifestyle.

For more information, visit olivarimediterranean.com.

(Madison County, NY – Feb. 5, 2012) Side Hill Farmers, a cooperative of livestock farmers in Madison County, is launching a local-meat-delivery service in Central New York, where CNY residents can go on-line and order packages of the Cooperative’s own beef and pork.  Then, once a month, Side Hill Farmers will deliver the orders to central pick-up locations in communities in the Syracuse region.

Side Hill Farmers has developed a meat CSA to bring their locally-raised meat to Central New York consumers.  Many local-food devotees are familiar with vegetable CSAs (which stand for “Community Supported Agriculture”) wherein consumers buy shares in a farm’s production.

The Side Hill Farmers’ meat CSA is similarly structured, so that consumers buy shares of the Cooperative’s meat production.  Side Hill Farmers’ CSA Coordinator Sue Parker explains that “the meat shares are primarily beef, with pork as an option, all pasture-raised and natural.  We expect to be able to offer pasture-raised chicken in the spring.”  CSA members will also be able to order Madison-County-produced eggs and butter, as well as some other local farm goodies.

Getting meat through the Side Hill Farmers meat CSA is a very simple process.  On the Side Hill Farmers website (www.sidehillfarmers.com), customers select a monthly meat delivery package, pay online via PayPal, select the community they’d like their order delivered to, and then once a month, on a set date, the order is delivered to the hosting pick-up site in the selected community.

The Side Hill Farmers CSA officially launches on Monday Feb. 6; first deliveries will be made the second week of February.  Deliveries will initially be made to five area communities: Skaneateles, Fayetteville, Downtown Syracuse, Hamilton, and Cazenovia.  The meat CSA will soon expand to reach customers in Liverpool/Clay and SU/Westcott.

Five local businesses are partnering with Side Hill Farmers to serve as pick-up site hosts in each of the five communities.  In Fayetteville, CSA members will go to Papa Gallo’s to pick up their order; in Cazenovia, Circa Restaurant; in Downtown Syracuse, Empire Brewing; in Hamilton, the Colgate Inn; and in Skaneateles, the Sherwood Inn.

“These businesses are really supportive of local food, and are making space for our Cooperative and CSA members,” said Parker.

Canastota beef farmer and Side Hill Farmers’ Cooperative member Paul O’Mara says that the Cooperative wants to make a connection to consumers looking for more local, more known, sources of food, particularly meat.

“We’ve formed this Cooperative so that we as farmers can work together to bring our meat directly to the people in our area.  There is no middleman.  The food is going directly from us as farmers to the families who eat it.  Our CSA is for people who care where their meat comes from and how it’s raised, and who want to support the small farmers in their backyard.”

Smith Lifts #20 Raiders with Four Tallies

By Matt Faulkner, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

(Troy, NY – Feb. 4, 2012) Austin Smith became only the fourth player in
Colgate history to reach 30 goals in a single season after scoring
four times in the 20th-ranked Raiders’ 8-3 win over Rensselaer on
Saturday night at Houston Field House.

Colgate (15-10-3, 9-6-1 ECAC) saw Smith tally a career-high four
goals, while Robbie Bourdon tallied two goals and two assists for a
career-high four point night. Jeremy Price, Chris Wagner and Joe
Wilson each had a pair of helpers in the win. Thomas Larkin and Nick
Prockow also scored goals for the Raiders. Alex Evin earned his fifth
win of the year and 18th of his career with 28 saves.

The Engineers (7-19-2, 4-10-2 ECAC) got goals from Guy Leboeuf,
Patrick Cullen and Zach Schroeder in the loss. Bryce Merriam got the
start and gave up a total of five goals, including four in the first
36 minutes of action. Scott Diebold came in to replace Merriam and
gave up three goals on 10 shots. Merriam then came back in the game
for the final 13 minutes. He made 18 stops and took the loss.

Smith jumped from 11th on the all-time single-season scoring list to
the sixth position after tonight. He has 73 goals in his career, which
is just outside the top-10. He still has work to do to reach the
top-10 in total points as he has 148 and 10th all-time has 168.  He
has a nine-goal lead as the nation’s top scorer and at the end of the
game was leading the country in points with 45.

The Raiders opened the scoring with a power play goal from Smith with
10:27 left in the first frame. Bourdon and Price added the assists.
The Raiders scored on their first power play and Smith got started
with his first of four on the night and his fifth goal on the man
advantage.

Bourdon pushed the lead up to 2-0 with less than three minutes left in
the first.  Bourdon rushed down the ice with Mayer and flipped the
puck, looking for the senior and the puck deflected off of a
Rensselaer stick and into the net. Colgate came out in the first and
outshot the Engineers, 10-6.

Rensselaer got on the board just over three minutes into the second
period to cut the Raider lead to 2-1. Leboeuf scored from the point as
the puck went through traffic and beat Evin. Smith answered right away
to get back the two-goal lead as the Engineers coughed the puck up
right in front of Diebold and he buried it. Wagner did an excellent
job putting pressure on the defense to force the turnover.  The goal
came 1:34 after the Engineers cut the lead to one.

The Raiders increased the lead to 4-1 with Prockow scoring from the
right faceoff dot. He pulled up, put a wrister on Merriam right before
he was checked and it went five-hole for his third of the season.
Price and Kurtis Bartliff were given assists on the play. Smith
notched his third career hat trick after a lucky bounce off the end
boards. He went in on the forecheck and as Diebold, who just entered
the game, went to play the puck behind the net, it kicked out to Smith
in the slot and he put it home.

After failing to score on a 5-on-3, the Raiders saw Larkin tally his
fourth goal of the season and first on the power play. The goal came
right after the Engineers cleared off the 5-on-3. Corbin McPherson
gloved down a clearing attempt and connected with Larkin along the
blueline. He then ripped a bomb from the point that got by Deibold.
Smith then netted his fourth of the game on an easy shot from the slot
to make it 7-1. Bourdon then got in on the scoring with his 10th of
the year with assists from Matt Firman and Mayer. The goal came with
5:43 left in the game. Schroeder and Cullen closed out the scoring in
the final minutes to make the final score 8-3.

Colgate outshot Rensselaer, 33-31, and scored two power play goals on
seven chances. The Engineers got one goal on the man advantage on
seven opportunities.

The Raiders will be back at Starr Rink this coming weekend to host
Yale and Brown with the matchup against the Bulldogs on Time Warner
Cable Sports. Both games are set for a 7 p.m. faceoff.

NOTES: The game was the 35th annual Big Red Freakout at Houston Field
House … Mayer scored his eight goal of the season … Colgate scored
first for the sixth time in the last seven games …  Smith tallied his
ninth multi-goal game of the season and is back to averaging a goal a
game … Smith became the first player since Jon Smyth in 2003 to tally
four goals in a game. … he has hit two goals 16 times in his career …
Price set a career-high with his four multi-assist goal of the season
… Smith tallied his third career hat trick and second of the season
and the first one against an opponent that wasn’t Quinnipiac …
Colgate is now outscoring opponents in the first period, 29-19 (+10) …
the Raiders scored five goals in the first two periods for the first
time since Oct. 28 against Niagara …  first time since beating
Canisius 9-0 in 2006 that Colgate reached eight goals … first time in
conference since a 9-4 win against Vermont in 2004 …  the Raiders are
now tied with Harvard for third in ECAC Hockey with 19 points.

Men’s Basketball Drops Heartbreaker to American

By Jeremiah Hergott, Director of Athletic Communications 

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 4, 2012) Charles Hinkle scored a game high 23 points including a three pointer with 33 seconds remaining to help lift American past the Colgate men’s basketball team 59-58 Saturday afternoon at Cotterell Court.

After Hinkle’s three pointer gave the Eagles a 59-57 lead, senior Sterling Melville was fouled and split a pair of free throws with 13 seconds left. Melville then made up for his missed free throw by stealing the inbounds pass to give the Raiders one more chance with eight seconds left. After a Colgate timeout junior Mitch Rolls missed a three point attempt with three ticks left, got his own rebound but couldn’t get a second attempt off before the buzzer sounded to give American the one point win.

Senior guard Mike Venezia scored in double-figures for the third-straight game to lead Colgate with 13 points, including a three-pointer with a minute remaining to put the Raiders up 57-56. Classmate Nick Pascale and sophomore Pat Moore both scored nine points while Melville pitched in eight in the loss.

Both teams exchanged baskets for a majority of the first half as the score was tied four times with eight lead changes. American made the first run of the game 11-5 to break open a 14-14 tie to give the Eagles a 25-19 lead with four minutes remaining. But Colgate ended the half with a 5-0 run to make the score 25-24 as both teams entered the locker room.

Colgate (7-16, 1-7) scored the first five points of the second half, off a jumper by Venezia and three-pointer form Brandon James, to give the Raiders a 29-25 lead with 18 minutes remaining. But the Eagles answered back with five straight points to retake the lead 30-29 with 16:13 left. The teams would then exchange baskets for the next seven minutes, before the Eagles opened their largest lead of the game 47-40 with 8:20 remaining. Colgate then put together a 12-2 run over the next five minutes, including a pair of layups from Rolls, to give the Raiders a 52-49 lead with 3:34 remaining. After a 4-0 run gave American the lead 53-52 with 1:47 left, the two teams then exchanged the lead three times in the final minute before American was able to hold on for the one point win.

Hinkle shot 9-of-19 on the day including 5-of-8 from downtown to lead American, while Troy Brewer scored nine points and Blake Jolivette pitched in seven.

American (15-8, 6-2) shot 43.9 percent from the floor, including 7-of-13 from beyond the arc, while Colgate shot 41.3 percent overall and 4-of-14 from downtown. Colgate won the battle on the boards 30-29, and only turned the ball over five times.

Colgate will continue Patriot League play when it hosts Bucknell on Wednesday, Feb. 8. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. at Cotterell Court.

Women’s Hockey Secures 3-2 Win Over Rensselaer

By Gloria Nantulya, Athletic Communications Assistant 

(Hamilton, NY – Feb. 4, 2012) The Colgate women’s hockey team was able to secure a 3-2 win over Rensselaer on Saturday afternoon after a scoreless first two periods.

Freshman Melissa Kueber led the way with two goals, including the game-winner, while sophomore Rachel Walsh tallied the first goal and sophomores Jocelyn Simpson and Taylor Volpe added two assists apiece.

The first period started off a little slow, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm on the ice. A penalty on Colgate (10-18-1, 5-12-1 ECAC Hockey) nine minutes into the game allowed the Engineers to gain the first power play opportunity of the game. The Raiders were able to hold Rensselaer scoreless in the two-minute advantage and then again in its second extra skater advantage six minutes later to keep the score at 0-0 at the end of the first frame. Both teams had four shots on goal.

The second 20 minutes of play were similar to the first, this time however it was more physical as both teams searched for the first goal of the game. The aggressive play led to four penalties on Colgate and three on the Engineers, but neither team was able to capitalize on its power play opportunities. Rensselaer held a 10-5 shooting advantage in the second period.

The final frame was by far the most exciting, with a total of five goals being scored between the two teams. The Raiders struck first with their first goal just over two minutes into the stanza to take a 1-0 lead. Walsh picked up a pass from Volpe and blasted it into the back of the net to score the opening goal. Freshman Taylor Craig was also credited with an assist. Colgate held the 1-0 lead for only 48 seconds, with the Engineers striking back with a goal from Taylor Horton to tie the game at 1-1. The quick response did not topple the Raiders, who then reclaimed their lead 40 seconds later with a goal at the 3:38 mark. Kueber scored the second goal with assists from junior Jenna Klynstra and Simpson.

Colgate then earned two power play opportunities midway through the period, scoring on its second advantage at the 14:53 mark courtesy of Kueber once again, to increase the scoring margin to two goals. The rookie had help from Simpson and Volpe. The Engineers were not discouraged, trading in their goalie for an extra skater in the closing minutes of the game. The aggressive strategy eventually helped them find a second goal with just 41 seconds left in the game. However, despite its best efforts Rensselaer could not find an equalizer, giving the Raiders their second win of the weekend.

Senior Kimberly Sass had 19 saves in the game while Kelly O’Brien had 15 stops for the Engineers. Colgate held Rensselaer scoreless on five extra skater advantages and scored on one of its four opportunities.

The Raiders will resume ECAC Hockey play on the road next weekend when they travel to Yale and Brown on Feb. 10 and 11.

Women’s Basketball Falls at American

By Jeremiah Hergott, Director of Athletic Communications 

(Washington, DC – Feb. 4, 2012) The Colgate women’s basketball fell behind early and could not regroup in time as it dropped a Patriot League contest to American 70-47 Saturday afternoon at Bender Arena.

Junior Jhazmine Lynch led the Raiders with 12 points and four rebounds, while senior Tricia Oakes added nine points and seven boards.

After leading 5-2 with 18:23 remaining American used a 25-2 run to put the game out of reach early leading by as much as 22 points at the eight minute mark. The Raiders used a run of their own to put the game within reach, going on a 16-5 run before halftime to make the score 34-23.

Momentum carried over into the second half as Colgate continued to pressure American and found open baskets to trim the lead to 34-27 with 17:28 remaining, the closest the Raiders had been since 16:44 in the first half. American made sure Colgate got no closer. The Eagles used a 23-9 run to extend their lead to 21 points, 57-36, and put the game out of reach. The Raiders continued to fight with time winding down, but American was able to continue hitting shots as the Raiders fell 70-47.

The previous two games, Colgate had turned the ball over a combined 16 times. The pressure from American forced the Raiders into 21 turnovers. American also out rebounded Colgate 40-32.

Colgate will stay on the road, as it will travel to Bucknell on Wednesday, Feb 8. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m.

By Matt Faulkner, Assistant Director of Athletic Communications

(Schenectady, NY – Feb. 3, 2012)  The 20th-ranked Colgate men’s hockey team was able to score first, but Union came away with the 3-1 win on Friday night at Messa Rink.

Colgate (14-10-3, 8-6-1 ECAC) got its lone goal from Mark Nasca, which was his first of the season. Assists went to Billy Rivellini and Mike McCann. Eric Mihalik got the start in net and made 19 saves between the pipes.

Union (16-6-6, 10-3-3 ECAC) saw Wayne Simpson score two goals, while Jeremy Welsh added the other. Welsh also added an assist for two points, while Greg Coburn was awarded two helpers in the win. In net was Colin Stevens, earning his first career start and he made 27 stops to earn the win.

Nasca tallied his first of the season to the Raiders an early lead just 3:11 into in the game to make it 1-0 in favor of the Raiders. Rivellini hustled to get the puck deep in the offensive zone flipped the puck on net and Nasca redirected it in past Stevens. It was Nasca’s fourth score of his career and Rivellini’s first point of the season.  McCann was also given an assist for his third helper of the year.

Union evened it up with just over eight minutes remaining in the first as Welsh scored from the left faceoff circle with assists to Daniel Carr and Coburn to make it 1-1. The Raiders came out in the first and outshot the Dutchmen, 13-9, and stayed out of the penalty box. Colgate got one chance on the man advantage and put two shots on Stevens, but didn’t score.

After scoreless and defensive second period, Union earned its first lead of the game early in the third with a power play goal. Simpson scored the goal three minutes into the final frame. Shayne Gostisbehere took a shot from the high slot that got knocked down in front and it came right to Simpson to the right of Mihalik. He didn’t waste anytime getting it on net and gave the Dutchmen the lead.

Colgate had its best opportunity in the third while shorthanded. Austin Smith got a drop pass in the slot and made a move to get open. He tried to get it past the glove of Stevens, but the netminder made a great save to keep the Dutchmen ahead for good at 2-1. Union added an empty net goal with less than 30 seconds remaining in the game. Simpson added his second of the night to wrap up the scoring at 3-1.

The Raiders were able to outshoot the Dutchmen, 28-22, and Union capitalized on one of the three power plays awarded. Colgate got two chances on the power play, but didn’t score.

Colgate returns to the ice tomorrow night at Rensselaer as the Raiders head to Houston Field House for a 7 p.m. start and the game can be seen locally on TWCS2 (channel 1026).

NOTES: Union and Rensselaer were the only ECAC Hockey teams Colgate had or has yet to play this season … Colgate wore its white jerseys on the road tonight … goalie Troy Grosenick sat out for Union due to a lower body injury … Rivellini became the 21st Colgate skater to earn a point this season … it was only the fourth time this season that the Raiders were held to one goal … Colgate is now 5-5-1 against ranked opponents this season … when scoring first, the Raiders are 8-5-1.

Duane Martinez, (left) Community Bikes volunteer coordinator, joins Scott O’Mara of Knight Hawk Transport and Derek Busher of Hamilton Village. Thanks to combined volunteer efforts, 75 bikes, helmets and locks along with medical supplies were shipped last week to St. Kitts and Nevis.

Submitted by Constance Mente

(Hamilton, NY – Jan. 2012) Community Bikes recently shipped 75 bikes, helmets and locks, along with medical supplies, to the Caribbean island nation of St. Kitts and Nevis.

Scott O’Mara of Knight Hawk Transport in Canastota wheeled his truck into 44 Milford St. in Hamilton, home of the Community Bikes workshop in space donated by Ed Ray of Ray’s Wayside. Derek Busher of the Hamilton Village crew was on hand with a forklift made available by the Village.

Working together with Community Bikes volunteer coordinator Duane Martinez, the three loaded 75 bikes, helmets and locks, along with a pallet of medical supplies, onto the truck for transport to the air base in Niagara Falls.

From there, the shipment will be transported by the Air Force to St Kitts and Nevis as part of a program to develop a life habit of cycling among elementary school children, and encourage those with an interest in competitive cycling.  The program is being coordinated by the St. Kitts and Nevis Cycling Federation.

Community Bikes’ Chuck Fox said the humanitarian project would not have been possible without the help of community volunteers.

“We are extremely grateful to Scott and Paul O’Mara for donating transportation service to get the bikes to Niagara Falls.  The Madison County work crew, along with several local service groups, did a great job of cleaning and preparing the bikes, and the Village was very helpful in providing use of a forklift.”

Fox also cited Chittenango’s Dr. Cedric Francis, a St. Kitts native who donated medical supplies to be delivered to JN France General Hospital in St. Kitts. The bikes and supplies are scheduled to be delivered to St. Kitts and Nevis on March 9.

Community Bikes collects donated bicycles, refurbishes them and places them with families who cannot afford a bike.  Community Bikes has placed more than 800 bikes with families in Madison County and has partnered with Youth Policy Institute to help send 165 bikes to Malawi in Africa.

Fox said the pilot program in St. Kitts and Nevis has been enthusiastically endorsed by the US State Department and USAID program as part of their initiatives in the eastern Caribbean, and hopes to build off this initial effort.