Lady Knights fall to Paradise Valley CC 1-0; will play Polk State College in consolation round Friday at noon!

Tyler, TX – November 19, 2009: The CCRI Lady Knights soccer team traveled to Tyler Junior College in Tyler, TX to take part in the NJCAA Division I Women's Soccer National Championship. The Lady Knights were (17-1) the No 3 seed and faced the No. 6 seed Pumas of Paradise Valley Community College (17-3) from Phoenix, AZ. The Lady Knights lost a very hard fought battle with the Pumas 1-0. With the loss the Lady Knight's record falls to 17-2 on the season and they will now face No. 2 seed Polk State College in the consolation round tomorrow at 12noon CST (1:00pm EST). Polk lost to No. 7 seed Johnson County Community College in the first game of the tournament 2-1.

The Lady Knights were trying to find their rhythm in the first half as were the Pumas. The Pumas kept the ball on the Lady Knight half of the field for much of the first half. The Lady Knights only had a couple potential scoring opportunities coming via the patented flip throw-in of Ashley Choiniere (Hope RI) however they could not convert them into goals.

The second half saw both teams finding their strides while battling back and forth exchanging attacks at the other's net with a few close calls on both sides, which included a goal saving clear from the Lady Knights' goal mouth in the 39th minute of the second half by defender Carla Cano (Pawtucket, RI). Cano tracked down a deflected shot off the hands of Melody Lawrence (Foster, RI). As the ball trickled inside the penalty area, right in front of the goal mouth Cano cleared it away at the last possible moment to prevent the goal. That great play was followed by another Lady Knight's scoring opportunity from an Ashley Choiniere throw-in that almost found the head of a high-flying Katy Mac Andrew (Coventry, RI) until Puma goalkeeper Naomi Salazar snatched it out of the air. The Pumas kept the pressure on CCRI and their pressure led to some corner kick opportunities but Lady Knights' goalkeeper Melody Lawrence was up to the task making save after save. With about 25 minutes remaining in the game the Pumas were awarded an free kick from just outside the top right of the 18 yard box. Puma midfielder Holly Benson played the ball into the penalty area into a mass of white and blue shirts eventually deflecting off the shin of Amy Eyden and finding its way to the back corner of the goal. That gave the Pumas a 1-0 lead. The Lady Knights kept battling back to score a tying goal but the Pumas were able to fend them off earning them the hard fought 1-0 victory.

After the game Head Coach Dennis Grassini commented “I am very proud of our young ladies, they played very hard. Sometimes you need a little luck and today we did not get any. But we have to tip our hats to Paradise Valley they played better today, kind of like how we played versus Monroe Community College to get here. Our young ladies have nothing to hang their heads about, they played their hearts out, that is all the Kathy and I ask. I know they really wanted to win but every year at this tournament seven teams go home unhappy. Now we have to focus our attention on very good Polk State College team that was ranked No. 1 in the NJCAA poll at the end of the regular season”

Lady Knights breeze by Bristol CC 87-18

Warwick, R.I. – November 13, 2009: The CCRI Lady Knights basketball team hosted the Bees of Bristol Community College on Thursday night at the Vincent A. Cullen Fieldhouse. The Lady Knights defeated the Bees 87-18. With the victory the Lady Knights improve to 1-1 on the season and 1-1 in Region XXI play. Six Lady Knights scored in double-figures led by Erica Pisaturo (Smithfield, RI) with a game-high 19 points followed by Ashley Fry (South Kingstown, RI) with 14 points and eight rebounds and Lori Bergeron (Jaffrey, NH) scored 12 points with four rebounds. Also having a big game for the Lady Knights was Cassie Novicky (New Milford, CT) with 10 points, two blocks and four steals, while Lauren Gonsalves (Harwich, MA) and Michaela Lima (Cranston, RI) charted career-highs with 10 points each and Rajvi Jarvis (Stratford, CT) led the Lady Knights with 12 rebounds and added three steals. Head Coach Kevin Monagle commented after the game ‘Nice win, good to see some of our hard work pay off. Holding a team to 18 points is a nice defensive effort, but we need to keep improving.” The Lady Knights next game will be Thursday the 19th when they face Dean College at 6:00pm followed by the Knights who will play at 8pm.

Four score in double-figures as No. 9 Knights defeat Quinsigamond CC 98-83!

Warwick, R.I. – November 11, 2009: The No. 9 ranked (NJCAA DII pre-season poll) CCRI Knights men’s basketball team traveled to Worcester, MA to play Wyverns of Quinsigamond Community College a Division III Region XXI opponent. The Knights defeated the Wyverns 98-83. With the victory the Knights improve to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in Region XXI play. Four Knights scored in double-figures led by Colin Burns (Chepachet, RI) with 19 points and eight rebounds and three assists followed by Co-Captain Dave Storti (Exeter, RI) with 17 points, six steals and four assists and Pat Sturdahl (Exeter, RI) with 17 points, five steals and three assists. Also having a big game for the Knights was their front court led by Johnny Stovall (Bridgeport, CT) who charted his second double-double of the season with 10 points and 11 rebounds and TJ McKiver (New Haven, CT) who scored nine points with a career high 19 rebounds. Head Coach Rick Harris commented “Solid Region XXI road victory. They are very tough, our young men matched their effort and intensity and played solid team ball (26 assists) which should prepare us for Dean next week.” The Knights next game will be Thursday November 19th when they will host Region XXI rival Dean College at 8:00pm at the Vincent A Cullen Fieldhouse located on the CCRI Knight Campus in Warwick.

The Community College of Rhode Island Track and Cross Country teams to host age group track meets!

Warwick, R.I. – November 9, 2009: The Community College of Rhode Island Cross Country, Indoor Track and Outdoor Track & Field teams to host age group track meets on Flanagan Campus in Lincoln. The idea was fostered to provide training and race opportunity to the pre high school age group.

The meets will be held on Mondays on the following dates: December 7th, 14th and 21st, January 4th, 11th and 25th, February 1st, 8th, and 22nd, March 1st, 8th, and 22nd. Registration begins every Monday at 6:00pm and the events will start at 6:30pm.

The cost to register is $5 per night or $25 for all dates which also includes a t-shirt. All proceeds will benefit the CCRI cross country, indoor track and track & field programs. Events include in the 9-10 year old division: 300 meter run, 600 meter run and 1,000 meter run; 11-12 year old division: 300 meter run, 600 meter run, 1,000 meter run and 1,500 meter run; and 13-14 year old division: 300 meter run, 600 meter run, 1,000 meter run and 1,500 meter run. With ribbon awarded for the top 10 finishers in each event in each age group.

The CCRI Indoor Track facility is an 11-lap per mile multiple-use track surface (no spikes allowed). The facility is located on the CCRI Flanagan Campus in Lincoln, restrooms available.

For more information please e-mail CCRI Cross Country, indoor Track and Track & field Head Coach Gregg Cornell gcornell@ccri.edu.

CCRI women’s soccer defeats rival Monroe CC 2-0 to advance to National Championship

Warwick, R.I. – Nov. 9, 2009: The No. 4 ranked (NJCAA Division I poll) Community College of Rhode Island women’s soccer team beat its Northeast rival Monroe Community College of Rochester, N.Y. on Nov. 8 by a score of 2-0 for the District G championship. With the win, the Lady Knights improve their record to 17-1 and advance to the National Championship for the first time since 2003 when they were national runners-up. The NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer National Championship will be held from Nov. 19 to 22 at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas.

CCRI’s only loss this season came against Monroe early in the season on Sept. 26. The Lady Knights came out strong and dominated the rematch from start to finish. Early in the first half, Monroe’s star forward Veronica Santiago was granted a penalty kick and an opportunity to take a 1-0 lead in the match. CCRI freshman goalkeeper Melody Lawrence (Foster, R.I.) smothered the shot for a save. Head Coach Dennis Grassini said after the game that Lawrence’s save was the “turning point of the match.” Associate Head Coach Kathy Bannan, who trains Lawrence, said “Melody has really come along this season and she is peaking at the right time. She has worked very hard all season long and it showed on that penalty kick.” Lawrence has broken into the Lady Knights record books by recording 16 shutouts on the season. She also holds the record for consecutive shutout victories with eight.

CCRI got on the board in the 26th minute of the first half with a goal by Ashley Choiniere (Hope, R.I.). With 10 minutes remaining in the half, the Lady Knights scored again when tri-captain Kaela-Rose Gentile (Glocester, R.I.) headed the ball into the net during a goal-mouth scramble. Tri-captain Stephanie Morse (Warwick, R.I.) assisted on both goals.

From the start of the second half, the Lady Knights had to withstand a lot of pressure from Monroe. “I told the players at the halftime break, there are two halves to the game and it is not even close to being over,” Grassini said. “They are going to come out hard and strong for at least the first 10 minutes and we must prepare for that mentally and physically.” Monroe did come out strong, but CCRI stopped their shots on goal.

Forwards Alexis Smith (Wakefield, R.I.) and Katy MacAndrew (Coventry, R.I.) kept the offensive pressure on Monroe. With 17 minutes remaining in the match, the Lady Knights scored another goal that was called back by the officials due to goalkeeper interference.

CCRI’s defense stopped Monroe’s star forward Veronica Santiago. Grassini credited Stephanie Morse for “an unbelievable job in the midfield shutting down Monroe’s midfielder Anne Beinetti throughout the entire match” and for “setting up goals, blocking shots and beating everyone to the ball.”

Lady Knights defeat Mercer County 4-2, advance to District G championship

Warwick, R.I. – Nov. 7, 2009: The No. 4 ranked (NJCAA Division I women’s soccer poll) Community College of Rhode Island women’s soccer team defeated the Vikings of Mercer County Community College (Trenton, N.J.) 4-2 in the District G semi-final game on Friday, Nov. 6 in Rochester, NY. With the victory the Lady Knights improve to 16-1 on the season and advance to the District G championship game.

The match was the CCRI Lady Knights first since Oct. 15. In the first 20 minutes of play, they surrendered two goals to the Lady Vikings, but sophomores Ashley Choiniere (Hope, R.I.) and Alexis Smith (Wakefield, R.I.) fought back to score one goal each tying the score at the half. Assisting on the goals were Courtney Viera (Fall River, Mass.) and Katy MacAndrew (Coventry, R.I.).

At the beginning of the second half, Ashley Choiniere scored again on an assist from tri-captain Alyssa Giudici (Cranston, R.I.) putting CCRI ahead for the remainder of the game. With five minutes left in the half, freshman Jessica MacAndrew (Coventry, R.I.) scored again to close the game, 4-2.

Head Coach Dennis Grassini said, “Mercer came out strong from the start of the game and they really set us back on our heels. The long layoff between matches really hurt us. I’m very proud of our team as they didn’t get rattled and kept their composure throughout the match. They fought and clawed their way back into the game. Once they took the lead, there was no looking back. I told them that good teams always find a way to win and that they are a very good team.”

With the victory, their 16th of the season, the Lady Knights advance to play longtime rival Monroe Community College on Sunday, Nov. 8 at noon to decide the District G championship. The winner advances to the national tournament at Tyler Junior College in Tyler, Texas on Nov. 19.

Kerin and Riendeau finish in Top 20 at NJCAA Cross Country Championships!

Warwick, R.I. – November 9, 2009: The CCRI women’s cross country team and on male runner competed in the NJCAA Division III Cross Country National Championships over the weekend at Finger Lakes Community College in Canandaigua, NY on Saturday. The Lady Knights team finished 13th out of 17 complete teams with at team score of two hours, five minutes and 55 seconds with average time of 25:11. The Lady Knights were led by Therese Kerin (East Greenwich, RI) who finished 18th in a time of 21:41 followed closely by Jaden Riendeau (East Providence, RI) finishing 20th in a time of 21:44. Also running well for the Lady Knights were Janelle Piche (Coventry, RI) finishing 67th in a time of 25:34, Sarah Brodeur (Westerly, RI) placed 75th in 26:08 and Dinah Quintanilla (Lincoln, RI) finished 99th in 30:45. Head Coach Gregg Cornell commented after the meet. “It was a very good effort by the Lady Knights who qualified the week before at the NJCAA Northeast District Championships. However, as a group, they felt they came up a bit short of their team potential of placing in the top ten at this national event.” On the men’s side Brendan Dohoney (Warwick, RI) was the only Knight runner finishing 68th in 32:45.

Lady Knights fall to Genesee CC in semi-final of District Championship

Warwick, R.I. – November 9, 2009: The CCRI Lady Knights volleyball team traveled to Delaware Technical Community College in Dover, DE to compete in the District L Championship over the weekend. On Saturday in the first match of the tournament the Lady Knights defeated the Cougars of Genesee Community College from Batavia, NY in a thrilling five-game match 25-19, 24-26, 22-25, 25-12 and 15-12. In the winner’s bracket final later on Saturday the Lady Knights fell to the eventual district champions Monroe College from New Rochelle, NY 22-25, 19-25 and 22-25. In the district championship semi-final match, the Lady Knights lost to Genesee CC in another thrilling five-game match 25-22, 25-23, 19-25, 23-25 and 13-15. Leading the way for the Lady Knights at the district tournament was Captain Cory Santos (Carlsbad, CA) who had 44 assists followed by Suzanne Laundry (Tiverton, RI) with 21 kills while Renee Boudreaux (Cranston, RI) added 12 digs.

Knights’ Burns scores career-high 25 to beat Burlington CC 80-75!

Warwick, R.I. – November 9, 2009: The No 9 ranked (NJCAA DII poll) CCRI Knights men’s basketball team continued in the Mercer County Tipp-off classic on Sunday versus the Barons of Burlington County College. The Knights defeated the Barons 80-75. With the victory the Knights improve to 2-1 on the season. Leading the way for the Knights was Colin Burns (Chepachet, RI) who scored a career-high 25 points with four rebounds and three assists followed by Pat Sturdahl (Exeter, RI) who scored 17 points with five assists. Also having a big game for the Knights was Co-Captain Dave Storti (Exeter, RI) with 11 points, two assists and three steals TJ McKiver (New Haven, CT) added eight points and nine rebounds off the bench while Johnny Stovall (Bridgeport, CT) added a team-high 10 rebounds to go with his five points. Head Coach Rick Harris commented after the game “Great team victory, all 14 players played 40-minutes of basketball.” The Knights next game will be Tuesday the 10th when they will travel to Worcester, MA to play Region XXI combatant Quinsigamond CC at 6:00pm.

Knights fall to Mercer 69-55 in MCCC Tip-off Classic

Warwick, R.I. – November 9, 2009: The CCRI Knights men’s basketball team travelled to Trenton, NJ to player Mercer County Community College in the Mercer County CC Tip-off Classic. The Knights lost tot eh Vikings of Mercer county CC 69-55. With the loss the Knights’ record falls to 1-1 on the season. Knights trailed 27-24 at the half, but shot just 9-23 from the foul line, which along with playing on the road were too much to overcome. Leading the way for the Knights was Pat Sturdahl (Exeter, RI) with 14 points and Co-Captain Dave Storti (Exeter, RI) added 13 points and four rebounds. Head Coach Rick Harris commented after the game “The game was much closer than the final score indicated; too many empty trips at the offensive end prevented us from having a chance at victory.” Knights face Burlington County College on Sunday at noon.

Lady Knights fall to UConn-Avery Point 71-61 in Home opener

Warwick, R.I. – November 5, 2009: The No. 14 ranked (NJCAA DII) CCRI Lady Knights basketball team hosted the No. 11 ranked (NJCAA DIII) Pointers from UConn-Avery Point from Groton, CT in a battle of the defending 2008-09 Region XXI division II and Division III Champions. The Lady Knights lost to the Pointers 71-61. With the loss the Lady Knights begin the season 0-1. The Game was 28-28 at the half, but in the second half the experience of the sophomore-laden Pointers prevailed as they were able to force turnovers and create scoring opportunities. Leading the way for the Lady Knights was Erica Pisaturo (Smithfield, RI) scored 17 points, three steals and two blocks and Noel Bullock (Greenbelt, MD) with 14 points and four assists. Also contributing was Teighlor Clare-Kearney (Manchester, CT) with 10 points and four steals while Rajvi Jarvis (Stratford, CT) added four points and a team-leading 12 rebounds. Head Coach Kevin Monagle commented after the game “We are young and learning. UCAP did a great job tonight. Experienced guard play took it to us. We just need to keep improving every day.” The Lady Knights’ next game will be Thursday November 12th when they will host Bristol Community College at 6:00pm at the Vincent A. Cullen Fieldhouse located on the CCRI Knight Campus in Warwick.

Six score in double-figures as No. 9 Knights defeat UConn-Avery Point 100-55!

Warwick, R.I. – November 5, 2009: The No. 9 ranked (NJCAA DII) CCRI Knights men’s basketball team hosted the Pointers of UConn-Avery Point from Groton, CT. The Knights defeated the Pointers 100-55. With the victory the Knights begin the season 1-0. The Knights dominated the game from beginning to the end led by Johnny Stovall (Bridgeport, CT) charted his first career double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds, followed by Ricky Fuller (Cranston, RI) with 15 points, eight rebounds, and three assists, and Pat Sturdahl (Exeter, RI) had 11 points, six assists, and five steals. Also having a big game for the Knights was Co-Captain Dave Storti (Exeter, RI) with 11 points, five assists and four steals, Colin Burns (Chepachet, RI) with 11 points and five rebounds, Doran Mitchell (New Britain, CT) added 10 points, and Co-Captain Apollos Wade (Taunton, MA) led the Knights with seven assists. Head Coach Rick Harris commented “Nice opening night for the young men. With all our youth we are a work in progress and, but heading in the right direction.” The Knights’ next games will be this weekend when they travel to Trenton, NJ to compete in the Mercer County College Tip-Off Classic playing Burlington County College Saturday at 2:30pm and Mercer County College Sunday at 12:00 noon.

Fall Sports Playoff Schedule

Volleyball:
NJCAA Northeast District Tournament
Saturday – Sunday, November 7th – 8th @ Delaware Technical Community College

Saturday: 10:00AM GAME 1 Genesee CC vs. CCRI
12:00PM GAME 2 Monroe College vs. Delaware Tech. CC
2:00PM GAME 3 Losers from Game 1 and Game 2
(one team is eliminated)
4:00PM GAME 4 Winners from Game 1 and Game 2

Sunday: 10:00AM GAME 5 Winner of Game 3 vs. Loser of Game 4
(second team is eliminated)
12:00PM GAME 6 Winner of Game 4 vs. Winner of Game 5
2:00PM GAME 7 If Necessary

Women’s Soccer:
NJCAA Division I Women’s Soccer District G Tournament
Friday – Sunday, November 6th – 8th @ Monroe Community College

Friday: CCRI vs. Mercer County CC @ 2:00PM
Sunday: Winner of Semi-Final game vs. Monroe CC @ 12:00PM

Cross Country:
NJCAA Division III Men’s and Women’s Cross Country National Championships
Saturday, November 7th @ Finger Lake Community College

Saturday: 10:00AM: Men’s Race
Saturday: 11:00AM: Women’s Race

Riendeau and Kerin lead Lady Knights to second place at Northeast District Championship!

Warwick, R.I. – November 2, 2009: The CCRI men’s and women’s cross country runners travelled to Westfield, MA to compete in the NJCAA Division III Northeast District Championship Meets. The Lady Knights were led by three All-District performances to advance to the NJCAA Division III National Championships at Finger Lakes Community College Saturday November 7th. The first Lady Knight finisher was Jaden Riendeau (East Providence, RI) in a season best time of 21 minutes 7.41 seconds finishing in third place, followed by a fourth place finish of Therese Kerin (East Greenwich, RI) in a time of 21:10.55. Earning both Riendeau and Kerin First Team All-Northeast District honors. The third Lady Knight to finish was Janelle Piche (Coventry, RI) placing 12th in a season-best time of 24:02.27, receiving Third Team All-Northeast District honors. Sarah Brodeur (Westerly, RI) placed 17th in 25:31.54, followed by Captain Kayleigh Smith (Cumberland, RI) finishing 25th in 26:59.00 and Dinah Quintanilla (Lincoln, RI) placed 29th in a season best time of 30:08.28. This was the Lady Knights second best finish at the Northeast District Championship behind their first place finish in 2005.

The CCRI Men’s squad only had two men competing Brenden Dohoney (Warwick, RI) Earned Third Team All-Northeast District honors for his 13th place finish in a season best time of 30:10.30 and will also advance to the NJCAA Division III Cross Country National Championship while Robert Brothers (Cranston, RI) placed 28th in a solid time of 33:12.11.

Knights fall to Dean College 1-0 in Region XXI Tournament

Warwick, R.I. – November 2, 2009: The CCRI Knights men’s soccer team travelled to Dean College in Franklin, MA to compete in the Region XXI Division I men’s soccer tournament. The No. 1 seed Knights faced the No. 4 seed Dean College in the first semi-final game. The Knights had played Dean twice this year and had lost both of those contests by a single goal. The Knights were up for the challenge but lost a hard fought contest 1-0. The Knights came out and dominated time of possession and opportunities to score in the first half, but were unable to finish their scoring opportunities. Dean College made the most of one opportunity that they had during the first half and were able to put away the goal that would win them the game. Head Coach Gabe Toro commented after the game “I was pleased with our performance on the field and look forward to improving next year. Our players can hold their heads up high knowing they played a great game.”

The Dean College versus Massasoit Community College Region XXI Championship game could not be decided until Massasoit won 5-4 on penalty kicks earning the Warriors of Massasoit Community College a trip to the Northeast District Tournament at the Region III champions.

Though the Knights’ season ended on a low note there were some light at the end of the tunnel in the form of end of season awards. Earning First Team All-Region XXI honors for the Knights were Tri-Captain midfielder Elton Moreira (Pawtucket, RI), Tri-Captain midfielder Revelino DaVeiga (Providence, RI), Defender Alex Nahigian (Coventry, RI). Earning Honorable Mention All-Region XXI honors was Tri-Captain Denis Peixoto (North Providence, RI).