Former Sem student MVP in Big Ten Tournament BILL ARSENAULT ON CAMPUS

Wyoming Seminary product Caroline Blaum was named the tournament Most Valuable Player after leading the third-seeded University of Iowa field hockey team to its second consecutive Big Ten Tournament championship with a 4-1 win against No. 1 seed Michigan.

Blaum scored two goals and recorded two assists in the Big Ten tournament. The 5-foot-9 junior scored the game-winner in a 3-2 overtime victory over Michigan State in the semifinals. Blaum, who was also a first-team selection to the Big Ten all-star team, had four goals and nine assists for the Hawkeyes (17-3) during the regular season.

“Caroline played well all three games, including the key goal in the overtime win Friday against Michigan State,” said Iowa head coach Tracey Griesbaum.

Junior Lissa Munley, a former Crestwood standout, played an outstanding game in goal for Iowa in the semifinals and championship games. Against Michigan, the goalkeeper made six saves and allowed just one goal. Munley was nominated for the Big Ten sportsmanship award.

Another former Crestwood standout, Caitlin McCurdy, also played well for Iowa in the Big Ten tournament. McCurdy is a junior forward.

The pairings for the NCAA field hockey tournament will be announced at 7 p.m. today.

Suchoski earns ACC honors

Speaking of all-star selections, former Wyoming Seminary standout Laura Suchoski was recently named to the Atlantic Coast Conference team for the second consecutive season. Suchoski is a standout player for the Duke Blue Devils, who were beaten 3-2 by Wake Forest in the semifinals of the ACC tournament.

Suchoski had an assist in the loss to Wake Forest and has six goals and eight assists on the season. Sophomore Amie Survilla (Crestwood) has 12 goals for the Blue Devils who have an 11-8 record but are still in line for an NCAA berth.

North Carolina, 20-0 and No. 1 in the country, captured the ACC championship with a 4-3 victory against Wake Forest. Freshman Elizabeth Drazdowski (Crestwood) starts for the Tar Heels.

Quintiliani in goal at OSU

Sophomore Lindsay Quintiliani (Crestwood) spent her second year as starting goalkeeper for the Ohio State field hockey team. Last season, she was 15-4 with five shutouts and helped the Buckeyes capture the Big Ten title. This season, she and Ohio State suffered through a 5-10 season with just one shutout.

“Last year as a freshman, Lindsay played behind an experienced backfield,” coach Anne Wilkinson said. “They cleaned up many of the half chances around the goal and really limited shots. And Lindsay was solid as a shot stopper.”

“She had to play bigger,” Wilkinson said. “She was facing shots off turnovers and unsettled situations.”

“I think her best hockey is ahead of her,” the coach said. “She had two solid games against Northwestern and Penn State and we’ll look for her to build on that.”

Gonos big on defense

Junior Jim Gonos (Wyoming Seminary) was a key defensive performer for the Cornell University sprint football team. Gonos, a defensive lineman in his third season as a starter, finished with 13 solo tackles, 34 assists and half sack for the Big Red, which finished with a 4-2 record including a season-ending 14-7 victory over Army.

“Jim is the one of the few players on the team to have started since his freshman season,” Cornell coach Terry Cullen said. “This season, he was the only returning starter on the defensive line and was the person we built our defensive front around. He was outstanding – changing positions from tackle, rush end and strong end as the situation presented itself. He is an outstanding defensive lineman.”

Bannon shines at Rosemont

The Rosemount College tennis team finished 0-12 overall and 0-10 in the Pennsylvania Athletic Conference, but the highlight of the season was the doubles play of senior captain Kristy Bannon (Hanover Area) and sophomore teammate Priyanka Ruddy. The duo posted a 10-2 record this season and a 21-4 mark the past two seasons. They finished second in the PAC tournament. Bannon was 2-10 at No. 2 singles this season and 8-6 last season.

“Kristy was an amazing leader all around,” coach Carlos Girola said. “She took charge in every occasion and was very responsible to handle any matter and resolve it at once.”

“She demonstrated full control and awareness of the situation and what it (captain) entitles,” he said. “Kristy is a great athlete and tennis player and her behavior on the court stands for her position as captain. As a coach, I must say that Kristy made my job easier in all aspects.”

Monk starting at Lock Haven

Freshman Robert Monk (Dallas) has been starting for the Lock Haven football team this season. The 6-foot-4, 280-pounder, who was listed as a defensive tackle on the preseason roster, started at right tackle on offense until the Eagles lost standout center Dan Bradley with an injury. Monk moved into the center spot.

“Rob is doing a fine job handling starting at center,” coach John Klacik said. “He continues to progress and I expect big things from him in the future.”

Unfortunately for Monk and the Eagles, the team is winless after 10 games. They get a final shot at winning Saturday when they travel to Clarion.

Konycki seeing action

Corey Konycki of Hunlock Creek is just a freshman, but the 6-foot-5, 305-pounder is seeing action for the Robert Morris football team. Konycki has played in nine games for the 3-7 Colonials and started at right guard last Saturday when the team was beaten 45-17 by Albany.

Konycki was a four-year starter at Bishop Hoban before playing as a postgraduate at Wyoming Seminary. At Hoban, he had 65 tackles and seven sacks for the Agents his senior year. With the Blue Knights, he had 68 tackles, five sacks, three fumble recoveries. Robert Morris closes its season against Sacred Heart Saturday in Moon Township.

Suitch solid at Hofstra

Junior defender Erica Suitch (Crestwood) has been a solid player for the Hofstra University field hockey team the past two seasons. She started all 20 games as a sophomore and all 17 games this season for the Pride, who finished 7-10 overall and 3-5 in the Colonial Athletic Association. She played at the University of Richmond as a freshman.

“Erica has been one of our leading defenders the past two seasons,” coach Kathy DeAngelis said. “She helped us to finish 18th in the nation last season.”

Not a goal scorer, Suitch picked up a goal in a 2-1 victory against Delaware during the season.

“Erica is a powerful player,” DeAngelis said. “She continues to get better and better. She is a pure leader by example. She exemplifies being a team player.”

Krawitz’s role increasing

Freshman Jordan Krawitz (Lake-Lehman) played in 17 games and started five for the Marywood University men’s soccer team. He scored two goals and picked up an assist for the Pacers, who finished with a record of 5-12.

“Jordan’s role on our team increased as the season continued,” coach Dawson Driscoll said. “He started the last few games as an outside midfielder. His level of play became better because he was able to play more. He is an important member to our team and fulfilled his role to the best of his ability.”

“With hard work and getting into the gym, Jordan should have a significant role on our team next year,” the coach said.

Crilley riding high at Stonehill

Junior Naomi Crilley (Bishop Hoban) is a member of the Stonehill College equestrian team. She opened the season by finishing second in the walk-trot competition at the Tufts University Show. That helped the Skyhawks finish second in the team standings.

“This is Naomi’s second year with the team,” coach Tarah Watson said. “She did not ride as a freshman, but joined the team her sophomore year. She’s in the walk-trot division and has won almost every class she has been entered in. She has improved so much in just one year. I expect continued success from her as a rider.”