Samuel Barber
MSMU Class of 2022
(2/2021) While everyone across the country hoped that a new year would bring an end to the coronavirus pandemic, our prayers have yet to be answered. Despite the unclear future ahead of us, fans of Mount St. Mary's University athletics will be treated to an action-packed spring sports season. Colleges and universities throughout the three National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) have elected to have their fall sports played during the second half of the academic year. The Mount has joined eight other Northeast Conference (NEC) members in giving fall athletes the right to play their respective sports in what some call a 'stolen season'. Saint Francis (PA) is the only NEC school not participating in the revised fall season. So, what does this all mean, especially for Mount St. Mary's?
Regardless of whether a school chose to have fall athletics played in the spring or not, in the latter portions of 2020, the NCAA voted in favor of granting athletes across all three divisions an extra season of eligibility in their respective sports. This is a move that came to the shock of athletes, athletic directors, and coaches alike, as the NCAA had been projecting an unforgiving demeanor in the early portions of the pandemic.
The Mount St. Mary's men's and women's basketball teams are showcasing high-end basketball in the midway parts of the season. The latter looks more than ready to claim their first conference crown since 1995. Redshirt senior Kendall Breese is leading three players in double-figure scoring while a talented freshman class, headlined by Jessica Tomasetti, is making headlines. Success is not limited to the women's team. Dan Engelstad has his most talented team yet. Junior standout Damian Chong Qui has become the front man for this team, as previously leading scorer Jalen Gibbs elected to graduate early and enter the transfer portal. The loss of Gibbs will undoubtedly leave a big gap in the offense; however, look for Samford transfer Deandre Thomas and veteran power forwards Malik Jefferson and Nana Opoku to pick up the slack.
Although the recent winning by each basketball team is exciting, most fans are itching to see how the fall sports teams have used their long-standing hiatus to prepare for the season. All eyes will be on the cross-country course, as the men's squad has a legitimate chance at punching a ticket to the NCAA Championships in March. In what will be a drastically altered season, the men's team looks loaded. Andrew Jackson, Grant West, John Wang, Paul Fagnano, and Will Merritt appear destined to build on successful 2019 seasons, as Merritt placed in the top-three at the 2019 championships. Colin Kelly, a transfer from Saint Francis (PA), paired with standout freshman Michael Chipi, is what the Mountaineers need to compete for the conference ring.
Switching to the pitch, the men’s soccer team displayed one of the best one-year turnarounds in Mount history. The 2018 season saw the Mountaineers post one of their worst regular seasons in school history at 2-10-1. There was a complete change in pace during the 2019 campaign, as the Mount improved to 7-10-1 overall. Look out for Yann Kouemi, the Ivorian forward found the back of the net nine times during his sophomore campaign.
On the women's side, this is a team that has the potential to make waves within the conference. Although a 3-13-1 record may not outwardly scream optimism for the future, certain players will turn the tides of the program. Jasmine McCree and Kalli Bell are destined to be the top two returning players, as the former had a 66.7 shot on a goal percentage a season ago. Not to mention, the Mountaineers will ultimately benefit from a schedule that is bound to be closer to home due to COVID-19. The team was on the road for 10 of their 17 games.
The Mount's women's bowling is still a fairly new program, as they will be entering their third season at the varsity status. Despite the relatively short life of the program, they have wasted no time in cementing themselves as one of the best squads in the nation. The junior-laden team led by the likes of Rebecca Dodson, a Second Team All-American, and Barbara Hawes, who completed nearly 80-percent of her frames, posted an impressive 73-33 record. This is a team that was in a position to make a run to the NTCA Championships, which is the highest level of postseason competition within the sport. This is a deep, experienced team that will look to use their cross-country success to their advantage within regional matches.
While the thought of fall sports being played in the fall is an exciting one, I would be remiss if the traditional spring sports were not highlighted. The athletes in those respective sports had their seasons halted as well.
Before the cancelation of the 2020 season, the Mount St. Mary's baseball team notched two wins against Coppin State and UC-Davis, respectively. However, if an analyst or fan wants to get a better understanding as to what this team truly possesses, then they would have to look at the 2019 campaign and the current freshman class. Ryan Fisher and Thomas Bramley, both of who are now juniors, tallied 17 runs respectively, while the latter amounted to a .457 on-base percentage.
In terms of what is in store for the softball team, the Mountaineers opened the season 2-17 overall, as they earned wins over San Diego and Villanova. Maggie Kane appears to be the offensive go-getter for this team, as the junior UT racked in six runs on 13 hits. The defining storyline of the season will be how they replace the senior talent. Kaylee Stoner will certainly be a big gap to fill on the offensive side.
The resurgence of both the men's and women's lacrosse programs has been nothing short of an enticing spectacle to see unfold. On the men's side, this is a team that is only two years out of picking up a crucial win over ranked Richmond. This is also a team which earned the two-game series sweep of the Utah Utes. Although it does not appear that the Mountaineers will be a shoo-in to challenge the likes of Hobart, it should not be a thought that should be put on the shelf just left to collect dust. This is a talent-laden team.
Through the past three seasons, the Mount women’s lacrosse team has compiled a record of 32-11 while increasing their win totals in each season. Much like plenty of miracle teams across college sports, this team had all the pieces to run the table within the NEC. Now that Robert Morris has exited the conference and Wagner seems depleted, the conference is theirs for the taking. It appears to be shaping up that the Mount will return the top four scorers due to the extra year of eligibility rule.
Despite so much uncertainty within the world at the moment, it is refreshing to be able to witness the coming together of what will certainly be an unprecedented season. There is a sense of walking on eggshells this season within intercollegiate athletics, even in the seemingly untouchable sports of basketball and football. Athletes, coaches, and fans will need to buckle up as this is going to be a season that will present plenty of challenges; however, there is no challenge too big not to build on it.
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