Bobcat Weekly Updates

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The Bobcats closed the 2000 season by claiming their fourth consecutive AMCC Golf Championship.  The Bobcats, who are the only golf champions in AMCC history, finished the year with a 45-15-2 overall record.  Against NCAA Division III schools, the Bobcats were 39-9.

The Bobcats opened the season with a second place showing in the UPG Fall Challenge on Sept. 12 and never looked back.  During the course of the season the Bobcats posted team scores of 322, 329, 393, 319, 323, 312, and a UPG Team Record 295 on September 21 at the Penn State Behrend Invitational. The scores earned the Bobcats two first place finishes, one second place finish, one third place finish, one fourth place finish and one fifth place finish.

Two Bobcats earned several individual achievements as well.  Senior Ken Saksa (Uniontown H.S) recorded the lowest individual score in UPG history when he shot a 69 on Sept. 21 at the Penn State Behrend Invitational.  Saksa, the only senior on the Men’s Golf Team, was also named AMCC Golf Athlete of the Week twice during the 2000 season.

The team competed Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) South Region Match in York, PA.  In that match the Bobcats finished 5th but first among Division III School.  Although the team did not qualify for the ECAC finals, Junior Chuck Thatcher (Belle Vernon H.S.) did qualify to compete in the finals in Saratoga Springs, N.Y. Unfortunately he was unable to participate due to a back injury.  Thatcher was named AMCC Golf Athlete of the Week once this season.

Along with capturing their fourth consecutive AMCC Championship, a number of Bobcats were named to the All-Conference team.  Saksa returned to the AMCC all-conference team for the third year.  Joining Saksa are sophomore Len Mohan (Latrobe H.S.), sophomore Brian Rosatti (Greensburg H.S.), and sophomore Sean Sapotichne (Greensburg Salem H.S.).
 
 The Men will return to action this spring starting with a trip to the Caribbean and will be joined by Women’s Golf team.  The future remains bright, with three juniors, nine sophomores and three freshmen returning, the Bobcats should once again put forth a strong showing in 2001.  

On Tuesday, Oct. 17 the Bobcats traveled to Chatham.  The Bobcats played hard but dropped the contest 5-2.  Freshmen Katie O’Brien (McGuffey H.S.) and Melissa Wardin (Meadville H.S.) both scored goals for the Bobcats.

The Bobcats ended the week with a tough trip to Pitt-Bradford on Saturday, Oct. 21 that ended in a 9-1 loss. Wardin scored the Bobcats lone goal.

The inaugural season was not an easy one for the Bobcats, not scoring their first goal until the fifth game.  However, the dedication and hard work that they put forth was an inspiration for the campus community.  Katie O’Brien led the Bobcats with three goals this season including the first goal ever in UPG Women’s Soccer history on September 20th at Penn State Altoona.  Melissa Wardin scored two goals this season, once in each of the last two games and Melissa Sulinski chipped in one goal as well.  The most difficult job for the Bobcats this season was goalkeeping.  Grace Wanjohi, Melissa Sulinski and Rachel Gallagher shared the duties this season.  All three performed well although often faced with numerous shots.

The Bobcats ended their inaugural season 0-12 overall with a 0-5 record in AMCC play.  Despite a winless record, the Bobcats have a strong foundation to build on and will return 15 players to next year’s squad.  Ten of the returning players will only be sophomores next season.  The Bobcats will lose only seniors Emily Mialki (Avonworth H.S) and Briane Krebs (Conemaugh Township. H.S.) to graduation.  Mialki served as a co-captain for the Bobcats this season.

                                                    School                  Conference             Overall

 The Bobcats didn’t let the loss dim their spirits as the headed into Ohio Valley on Thursday, Oct. 19.  UPG played tough and destroyed Ohio Valley, 7-0.  The Bobcats picked up their second win of the week at Pitt-Bradford on Saturday, Oct. 21.

Freshman Mike Tintera (Penn Trafford H.S.) received nomination for AMCC Men’s Soccer Athlete of the Week.  Against Ohio Valley, Tintera scored a hat trick, including the game-winning goal.  On the week, Tintera recorded four goals and three assists.
The Bobcats host Allegheny on Wednesday, Oct. 25 for their only game this week and then conclude the regular season on Tuesday Oct 31 at home against Bethany.  The AMCC tournament will be played at Frostburg on Nov 4 and 5, UPG will face the number one seeded Frostburg Bobcats on Saturday.

The Bobcats closed their season with a tie for third place in the AMCC tournament on Saturday, Oct. 21. The third-place finish is the highest ever for the Bobcats in the AMCC tournament.

For the season, the Bobcats finished eighth place in the AMCC with a 1-12 overall record.  Sophomore Lori Johnston (Shannock Valley H.S) was named to the AMCC All-Conference Second Team Singles.

With no seniors on the team, the Bobcats will return all 12 players from this year’s squad.  Only one junior, Angela Christy (Shannock Valley H.S.), is on the roster.  The remainder of the team is made up of five freshman and six sophomores.  A more experienced Bobcats team should give a strong showing in 2001.  

On Tuesday, Sept. 17 the Bobcats traveled to Penn State Altoona.  Despite a hard fought four game set, the Bobcats dropped the contest 3-1.

Two days later, The Bobcats traveled to Chatham.  The Bobcats earned the victory by defeating Chatham in four games.

The Bobcats finally closed the week on Saturday, Oct. 21 at home against Pitt-Bradford.  The Bobcats claimed only one game in the set and lost 3-1.

Freshman Karoline Sera (Trinity Christian H.S.) received a nomination for AMCC Volleyball Athlete of the Week.  Against Pitt-Bradford, Sera recorded nine kills and only one attack error.

The Bobcats travel to AMCC opponent Frostburg on Tuesday, Oct. 24 and to Lake Erie on Friday, Oct. 27.  The Bobcats close their week at Penn State Behrend on Saturday, Oct. 28.