Just Take A Minute: March 23-27, 2009Look back at the week that was.
Friday, Mar. 27
The weekend is here and that means a plethora of action on tap. Men's lax and softball both play at home while women's lax and baseball are in action on the road. Be sure to enjoy the beautiful weather that is expected this weekend! First, stop by the UMass Softball Complex later today to see the #22/18 softball team in its home opener at 3 p.m. Then Saturday, men's lacrosse hosts Penn State at 12 p.m. looking to improve to 2-0 in ECAC play. Softball plays Saint Bonaventure again on Saturday, also at noon. Even with it being the middle of spring season, this JTAM has a ton of news on hockey alums playing professionally!
Alex Berry's hometown newspaper, the Danvers Herald has a story about his signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Also check out this great story from the Boston Globe about Berry and his friend from Danvers (and former BU star) Brian McGuirk. The two are hooked up in a race for the final postseason spot in the American Hockey League's North Division. Berry is playing for the Toronto Marlies while McGuirk is suiting up for the Syracuse Crunch.
Daryl Hunt of Sharkspage.com reports on his Mar. 25 entry that Mass Attack alum P.J. Fenton was named Seven Hills 7th Player Winner by the Worcester Sharks Booster Club at its third annual awards dinner Wednesday night. His three goal, one assist performance vs. Springfield on Feb. 28 was also tabbed the best single game performance.
In looking at the NCAA men's basketball tourney results from last night, A-10 foe Xavier fell just short of cracking the Elite Eight, falling to Pittsburgh, 60-55. John Calipari and the Memphis Tigers dropped their first game of the 2009 calendar year, 102-91, to a very tough Missouri squad.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Miss Wednesday night's women's lacrosse game vs. #1 Northwestern? Then check out the photo gallery reliving the first women's lax night game at McGuirk!
Don't miss this: Big home games coming up over the weekend as softball plays its first home games of the season and men's lax hosts Penn State looking to keep the momentum going from last week's Loyola win. It's never too early to get your tickets! Just call 1-866-UMASS-TIX.
Thursday, Mar. 26
Thursday brings UMass football's Pro Day in Amherst. Many NFL scouts will be on hand to check out the Minutemen's senior class including Liam Coen, Courtney Robinson, Ben Coblyn and Sean Smalls. Check out this JTAM to see what UMass spring sport is predicted by one source to make its respective NCAA Tournament. Also find news on baseball's win over Hartford and women's lacrosse's loss to #1 Northwestern.
Inside Lacrosse has released its Midseason Bracketology which has the men's lacrosse team in. It would be UMass' first tournament appearance since the magical national championship run in 2006. It predicts the Minutemen to win the ECAC (which would be UMass' first since 2005) and capture the automatic qualifier.
Speaking of the Garber Gorillas, check out the preview of Saturday's Penn State game in the Daily Collegian.
Georgetown lacrosse has struggled this season, but still has a chance of making the NCAA Tournament. This story from the Washington Times looks at the ECAC Title race.
Lacrosse Magazine ran a story from last night's 22-5 women's lax loss to four time defending national champion Northwestern. It mentions Northwestern's Hannah Nielson, who tied the NCAA assist career mark at McGuirk Stadium.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: UMass is looking to break the school's lacrosse attendance record for the April 25 game vs. Syracuse, so we need your help! Click here for all the details. It's a can't miss event, so mark your calendars!
Don't miss this: UMass football Pro Day gets underway at 10 a.m. in Amherst. Check back for a report to see how the Minutemen performed.
Wednesday, Mar. 25
Happy Wednesday! Tonight is huge night for the women's lacrosse program as the Minutewomen welcome the No. 1 Northwestern Wildcats for the first-ever night lacrosse game at McGuirk Stadium. The Wildcats captured their fourth straight NCAA Championship last spring. Join us at McGuirk, where admission is free. Also on Wednesday look for a major announcement concerning the men's lacrosse team. It has to do with the team's game at McGuirk -- also against a defending national champion. The baseball team plays its first game in New England on Wednesday at Hartford. JTAM also has news of basketball player Matt Glass, who has decided to transfer from UMass.
Matt Glass will be transferring out of the men's basketball program. Ron Chimelis of the Springfield Republican has this story on the move. "I really like Matt, and I'll help him any way I can," Derek Kellogg said. "He's a great kid and a great teammate, and his UMass experience will help him wherever he goes." Additional coverage is provided in the Daily Hampshire Gazette and the Daily Collegian.
UMass senior goalie Doc Schneider has been added to the Tewaaraton Trophy Watch List. The award is given to the most outstanding college lacrosse player in the country.
The men's lacrosse team is the subject of a notebook in the Baltimore Sun mentioning the Minutemen's rebound this season.
Inside Lacrosse has its mid-season All-American list and UMass junior defenseman Diogo Godoi is a second-team selection. Godoi was also named to Inside Lacrosse's Team of the Week after holding Loyola's Shane Koppens pointless.
UMass hockey alum P.J. Fenton scored two first period goals in the Worcester Sharks' 5-3 win over the Bridgeport Sound Tigers Tuesday night. He was named the game's first star for his effort. Check out the great feature on Fenton in the front page video player!
The Brockton Enterprise has a feature story on UMass hockey star Cory Quirk, who is playing for the AHL's Albany River Rats.
The Albany football team has released its 2009 football schedule which includes mention of: The Danes will also be on the road in Week 2, traveling to Massachusetts, where UAlbany coach Bob Ford will be reunited with former assistant Kevin Morris, who is in his first season as head coach at UMass.
The baseball team plays its first game in New England, taking on Hartford this afternoon. Check out the preview in the Daily Collegian.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: The UMass football roster for spring has been updated. Check it out.
Don't miss this: Simply put its the UMass women's lacrosse game against No. 1 Northwestern tonight at 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Mar. 24
Tuesday is here with some interesting news items. According to several sources the Atlantic 10 men's basketball tournament will remain in Atlantic City for the next three years. An official announcement is expected today. UMass legend Marcus Camby made his return to New England with the Los Angeles Clippers. JTAM also has news on hockey (including a feature on Alex Berry), men's lacrosse, softball and women's lacrosse.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Coming to campus for a game? Or a tour? Check out the online Visitor's Guide.
Don't miss this: Look the new softball polls to be released on Tuesday. See is UMass moves up in the national scene.
Monday, Mar. 23
Solid weekend for the UMass teams. The nationally-ranked softball team swept Dayton, 16-0 and 11-0 in Ohio as Sara Plourde tossed a no-hitter. The men's lacrosse team won south of Delaware for the time since 2003 as the Minutemen knocked off #12 Loyola, 8-6. The baseball team recovered from a pair of heartbreaking extra-inning losses totalling 27 innings with a 24-9 pounding of Richmond on Sunday. The diamond nine had a school-record eight doubles. Also, Monday brings the only New England appearance of UMass legend Marcus Camby, as his L.A. Clippers face the Boston Celtics. Also, Camby is the subject of a lengthy feature in the Boston Globe about his connections with UMass. He says, "I love my school. I'm a die-hard UMass alumnus."
Of the Sweet 16 in men's basketball, several teams have connections/links to UMass. No, 1 overall seed Louisville, coached by UMass alum Rick Pitino. No. 2 West seed Memphis, coahced by former UMass coach John Calipari and Atlantic 10 opponent Xavier, the No. 4 seed in the East, who will play in Boston at the TD Banknorth Garden against Pitt on Thursday. UMass played three of the teams in thr Sweet 16 with a 1-2 mark, beating Kansas and losing to Memphis and Xavier.
The 2009 NCAA Hockey bracket was unveiled and 7 UMass opponents have made the field of 16: from Hockey East No. 1 Boston University, New Hampshire, Northeastern and Vermont. From UMass' non-conference slate: Bemidji State and Cornell. The Minutemen posted four wins against the NCAA Tournament field.
UMassAthletics.com Feature To Check Out: Check out the new UMass Laxbackers website, linked to the men's lacrosse page. The UMass Laxbackers is made up of alumni, parents and friends of UMass Lacrosse that is focused on enhancing the experience of the student-athletes and aims to foster a rich alumni network through the coordination of group events and fund raising activities. The group is run by a volunteer committee of former players.
Don't miss this: Tonight will mark the only area appearance of Marcus Camby as the Los Angeles Clippers play at the Celtics in Boston at 7:30 p.m. Watch it on Comcast SportsNet New England. Monday will bring the announcement of the UMass/Dinn Brothers Athlete of the Week and weekly players of the week for the conferences. Also check back to see if the men's lacrosse team returns to the polls released on Monday.
