By Thomas Gibbons
Men’s Soccer
If you were to ask anyone apart of the men’s soccer team last season about their performance, the first thing they would say is it was unfinished business. The Stars, led by Head Coach Erick Baumann, fell in the second round of the NCAA Division III Men’s soccer championship last November. After dominating their NACC Conference schedule and winning the NACC title, the sky was the limit for the Stars. But Luther College ended their season in the championship tournament.
Entering this season, the Stars ranked atop of the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference 2019 Men’s Soccer Preseason Poll earning 11 of the possible 24 first-place votes. They are the favorite to repeat as regular season champions. While their first conference game does not come until late September, their out of conference schedule has been tough. The Stars have wins over Illinois College and Greenville University while falling to North Park University, and Washington University. In the Week One regional rankings released by the United Soccer Coaches, the Stars ranked 8th.
Women’s Soccer
It was quiet a historic year for the women’s soccer team last season. Going into the NCAA Tournament, the Stars were riding an 18- game win streak with the nation’s 11th best offense and allowed just one goal during the win streak. Despite falling in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the Stars are motivated and ready to get back to the tournament this season.
Led by 2018 NACC Coach of the Year Carlos Carrillo, the Stars are out to a 4-0 start with their biggest win coming on September 11th. This win was a 4-0 victory over Olivet College. Freshman Regan Coxon had two goals and an assist in what was the Stars third shutout of the season. Their latest contest, coming against UW-Oshkosh, resulted in a 3-1 loss snapping their win streak. Senior Josseline Willaims tallied the Stars lone goal. In the Week One regional rankings released by the United Soccer Coaches, the Stars ranked 6th, their highest rank in program history.
Women’s Volleyball
The Preseason Coaches Poll ranked the Stars third to open up the 2019 campaign. A 20-10 record last season drove them to the NACC Tournament. After beating Wisconsin Lutheran in Round 1, the Stars fell to Concordia University (WI.) and their season came to an end.
Led by Seniors Amanda Ricca and Lauren Lavigne, this team has the pieces in place to get back to the NACC Tournament again this season. And the best way to do that is to start the season strong.
The Stars are off and running with an 8-2 record and they opened the season 3-0 at the Ripon College Quad. Freshman Keely McCallum was named to the Ripon College Quad All-Tournament team averaging 2.0 kills per set during the tournament. Summer Smith, Gabija Sinickaite, and Sarah Lychock also played major roles in the Stars success. Fast forward to last Friday and Saturday, the Stars have extended their winning streak to five games, with wins against Lake Forest, Buena Vista, and Wheaton colleges in the Marilyn Scribner Invitational. Stars Sinickaite and McCallum earned All-tournament honors.
Men’s Golf
The Men’s golf team teed off their season on August 30 at Culver’s Edgewood College Fall Invite. As a team, the Stars placed 20 out of 23. Senior Kamren Carey and Freshman Kyle Kahl placed 43rd and 75th respectively out of 125 golfers. As for their most recent invite on Saturday at the Midwest Region Classic in Galena, IL, the Stars finished 31 out of 36. Kahl shot a team best 75 on Day 2 of the invite.
Women’s Tennis
It’s been a rough start to the season for the Lady Stars on the tennis courts. An 0-6 start is not what anyone had planned, but there is still plenty of season left. The Stars next match will be in South Bend, IN vs. Indiana University at South Bend. Their next home match will be against Knox College on September 21st.
Men’s and Women’s Cross Country
Before the season kicked off, the Cross Country program had a memorable moment this summer. Head coach Megan Vaccaro, the most decorated runner in Dominican University history, was inducted into the Dominican University Hall of Fame in June. Very well deserved for one of the best Stars to ever be a part of the program.
Fast forward to the season, the Stars are well represented in both the men and women’s teams. In their first invite of the season at the Elmhurst College invite, the women finished 7th out 12th. Juniors Mary Eterno and Nicole Grondin set the pace for the Stars and finished 33rd and 34th at the invite. Freshman Fernando Gonzalez placed 37th individually for the men and placed 11th out of 12th as a team.
On September 7th, the women traveled to Mequon, WI for the Concordia University (WI) invite. They placed 7th out of 11th as a team. As for the men’s recent invite, they finished 11th out of 12th as a team at the Aurora University Spartan invite on September 13th. Sophomore Matthew Williams posted a personal best time of 31:21.3 for an 8K.
tgibbons@my.dom.edu
