Troy, NY  —-

The women’s lacrosse program was directed by Jackie Luszczek, who also serves as the college’s head women’s basketball coach. During her tenure, she has now garnered four Skyline Conference Sportsmanship Awards with three coming as head basketball coach for the Gator women, including the 2010-2011 season.

Troy, NY—

2010-2011 Sage Female Athlete of the Year:          Nicole Corbett (Sr., East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) Women’s Volleyball

 Nicole became the College’s first four-time Skyline Conference All-Star First Team honoree this fall with her outstanding play in women’s volleyball. During her career, Corbett excelled on the court and in the classroom at Sage and last year garnered the 2009-2010 ECAC Merit Medal for her outstanding contributions. A 2010 CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District Second Team honoree, she is a childhood education and middle childhood extension and math major at Sage with a 3.85 grade-point-average. During her career, she guided the team to back-to-back Skyline Conference Championship titles in 2007 and 2008 as well as the college’s first and only NCAA Division III Tournament appearances. Active on campus and in the community, Nicole is a member of the math club at Sage and works as a math tutor, while also volunteering as a Miracle League volunteer.

 As a senior on the 2010 team, she helped the program earn its fourth straight Skyline Conference Tournament appearance, while breaking Sage’s career block record with 449 blocks. She also etched her name into several of Sage’s career and single-season records as well in her four years on the squad. She ranks third in blocks per game (0.97), fourth in kills (1,131), and sixth in kills per game (2.43). 

 2010-2011 Sage Male Athlete of the Year:  Kyle Ray (So., Horseheads, NY/Horeseheads), Men’s Volleyball

As a freshman, Kyle Ray was one of six players to help launch the men’s volleyball program at Sage and was named a co-captain. By season’s end, he was named to the Skyline Conference All-Star Second Team for his play as an outside hitter. With the new season, Ray was once again named a captain, but also was asked to change positions and did so with ease. He helped the team improve from a 5-20 performance in the first season to a 14-12 record with a second-straight Skyline Conference Tournament bid. He led the team with his 692 setting assists and ranked among the national statistical leaders along the way. By season’s end, the sophomore setter ranked 27^th in Division III in setting assists per set and 89^th in aces per set with his 0.23 per set average. A member of the 2011 NECVA Scholar-Athlete Team, Ray played in all 26 matches for Sage this season while appearing in 86 sets with 89 digs and 20 aces.

 2010-2011 Aggie Stillman Perseverance Award: Matt Farbotko (So, Rouses Point, NY/Northeastern Clinton), Men’s Basketball

(In her nearly forty-year career at Sage, Aggie was a friend, mentor, professor, class advisor, coach, and the Gators’ biggest fan. She radiated pride and enthusiasm in everything she did, while embodying the Sage spirit of patience and perseverance against any odds. Aggie waged a personal battle with cancer for over 20 years and finally succumbing to the disease on May, 13, 2008. She is missed every day.  In her honor, we will bestow the Aggie Stillman Perseverance Award to the person affiliated with Sage Athletics that best exemplifies those traits, which made Aggie so special.

 Matt Farbotko excelled as a rookie with the first men’s basketball team at Sage and capped his season by earning Skyline Conference Rookie of the Year honors. His sophomore season came to a crashing halt when he suffered an injury in the opening weekend of practice to his sophomore season. Not deterred, Farbotko worked hard and was able to return to the starting lineup in the first week of January. By season’s end, he played in 17 games and finished with a 14.2 ppg average, which was second on the team and averaged 30.1 minutes a game. He surpassed the 500 career point plateau and now has 592 points and 258 rebounds in 42 games played as a Gator.

2010-2011 ECAC Merit Award: Elizabeth Donk (Sr., Phelps, NY/Midlakes) Women’s Basketball and Lacrosse

A three-year letterwinner in women’s basketball at Sage, this two-time basketball team captain provided the spark and leadership necessary to help the team to the program’s first Skyline Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament appearance. Her leadership and skills did not go unnoticed as she started all 24 games this season and leads the team with her 97 assists. She finishes her Sage career ranked second all-time with 297 assists, while her 145 career free throws is No. 9 on the Gator career list. She also played in 70 career games, which stands 11^th best at Sage and added 491 career points with 312 rebounds.  A leader on campus, Donk served as the vice president of Sage’s SAAC, Student-Athlete Advisory Council and was an officer for two years. She was very instrumental in the women’s basketball team’s involvement this past season with Jumper for Jacob, a fund raising contest to benefit Jacob’s Angels.

She capped her Sage career adding women’s lacrosse to her resume, a new sport for the student-athlete. Donk capped her athletic career with a hat trick in her new sport and earned acclaim from the Skyline Conference, earning a spot on the Skyline Conference Women’s Lacrosse Weekly Honor Roll. She finished the 2011 women’s lacrosse season as the second leading scorer with five goals, and a team-best 23 ground ball pickups.

 Sage Gators Fan of the Year:            Mike Jones (Troy, NY), Sage parent and basketball public address announcer

(This was a new award introduced last year, that will be bestowed a member of the Sage community that has shown outstanding support of all student-athletes.)

A parent of a former women’s volleyball and softball player at Sage, Mike Jones has maintained his ties to Sage as he was often times seen cheering in the stands at women’s volleyball matches or softball games, despite the absence of a family member on the team. He volunteers his time and expertise to Sage’s athletic department as he serves as the voice of Sage women’s and men’s basketball teams. His time out trivia is a fan favorite and his constant presence has been an asset to the department and Sage’s student-athletes.

2010-2011 Sage Athletic Honor Society:

 (The Sage College’s Intercollegiate Athletic Honor Society recognizes junior, senior, or graduate level student-athletes, who have maintained a cumulative grade-point-average of 3.2 or better and have participated as a member of a varsity team for at least two seasons.)

*Allison Bishop (Sr., Troy, NY/Lansingburgh), Softball

Brianna Bixler (Jr., Highlands, NY/Highlands), Women’s Tennis                                          

*Ashley Brennan (Sr., Loudonville, NY/Colonie Central), Women’s Tennis

*Sarah Briggs (Sr., Cohoes, NY/Cohoes), Women’s Soccer

*Nicole Corbett (Sr., East Greenbush, NY/Columbia), Women’s Volleyball

Elizabeth Donk (Sr., Phelps, NY/Midlakes), Women’s Basketball and Women’s Lacrosse

Ashley Eberle (Jr., Delmar, NY/Bethlehem), Softball

Dustin Farrell (Sr., Port Kent, NY/AuSable Valley Central)

Erica Fitzgerald (Jr., Queensbury, NY/Queensbury), Women’s Tennis

*Cheryce Harvey (Sr., Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor), Women’s Volleyball 

*Nicole Killeen (Sr., Petersburgh, NY/Berlin), Women’s Soccer

Rebecca Marszalek (Jr., Adams, MA/Hoosac Valley), Women’s Soccer

Brittany McDonald (Sr., Schenectady, NY/Schalmont), Women’s Soccer

Kimberly Poetzsch (Sr., Ravena, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk), Women’s Lacrosse

*Amanda Potter (Sr., Schenectady, NY/Schalmont), Women’s Soccer

Lauren Schroder (Sr., Enfield, CT/Enrico Fermi), Women’s Tennis

Brian Steele (Sr., Ballston Spa, NY/Ballston Spa), Men’s Golf

Laura Tisinger (Gloversville, NY/Gloversville), Women’s Soccer

Joshua Weaver (Sr., Sandlake, NY/Averill Park), Men’s Golf

                                    *Indicates Previous Inductee

2010-2011 Sage Sport-by-Sport Awards and honorees

            (Gator of the Year is the team’s Most Valuable Player Award)

 Men’s Soccer:

Gator of the Year:      Evan Southworth (Fr., Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy)

Evan Southworth was a 16-game starter for Sage on the midfield unit. He finished the season with six points on two goals and two assists. He helped the Gators earn a No. 3 seed in the 2010 Skyline Conference Tournament as a first-year program and was a leader for Sage on and off the field, earning Skyline Conference All-Star Second Team honors for his play.

Scholar-Athlete Award:        Chris Modelowski (Jr., Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam)

This award is given to the men’s soccer player with the highest grade-point-average following the fall of 2010 semester. Chris Modelowski earned the award as he is a physical education major at Sage with a 3.59 grade-point-average.

Coaches’ Award: Elijah Braemer (Jr., Fort Plain, NY/Fort Plain)

Braemer, whose first season with the Gators was limited due to an injury, played in eight games with three starts and was a leader on and off the field for the young program. He helped anchor a defense that yielded just 1.26 goals per game, while tallying four shutouts in 2010.

Men’s Cross Country:

Gator of the Year:      Bryan Kelly (Fr., Warwick, NY/Warwick Valley Central)

Kelly led the team in every meet as the first Sage runner to cross the finish line in the team’s first varsity season. He added a Top 20 finish in his first race at Sage and by season’s end had earned acclaim for his efforts in the classroom as well. He was named to the 2010 USTFCCCA NCAA Division III Scholar-Athlete Team as well as Sage’s Fall Scholar-Athlete Second Team for his academic excellence.

Most Improved Runner:       Christopher Nerf (Sr., Latham, NY/Shaker)

Christopher Nerf made a dramatic improvement of the course of the season for Sage. A newcomer to running, by season’s end, Nerf had shaved 16 minutes off of his five-mile time and helped the Gators also earn honors from the USTFCCCA as they were cited as a 2010 NCAA Division III Scholar-Athlete Team. 

Men’s Golf:

Gator of the Year: Ian Pingelski (So., Cohoes, NY/Cohoes)

Named a team captain for the team, Ian excelled for the young Gators as they finished in third place in the program’s first Skyline Conference Championship. He finished in 13^th place a the two-day event, while adding number of key performances at the fall and spring tournaments.

Mr. Johnny on the Spot: Shane McGowan (Jr., Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam)

Shane McGowan provided a spark for the Gators on the season with many clutch shots and performances as the Gators had their best season ever in the young team’s three seasons.

Team Leader Award: Nick Osowicki (Jr., Amsterdam, NY/Amsterdam)

Nick Osowicki was a leader for the men’s golf team on and off the course this past year, while also a number of impressive finishes to his 2010-2011 season. The medalist at the Sage Invitational after shooting a 76, he added a 13^th place finish at the Farmingdale Invitational and a 15^th place showing at the Skyline Conference Championships
Women’s Soccer

Gator of the Year: Sarah Briggs (Sr., Cohoes, NY/Cohoes)

Senior captain and veteran leader, Sarah Briggs led the Gators on and off the field this season and during her career. She finished the 2010 campaign with six points on two goals and two assists. She played in 63 games as a Gator and ranks seventh all-time in games played. She also racked up 15 career points during that time on four goals and seven assists. She was also very instrumental in Sage’s efforts to raise funds and awareness for breast cancer and helped the team with its “Pink Game” efforts.  

 Team Player of the Year: Brittany McDonald (Sr., Schenectady, NY/Schalmont)

A leader for the Gators in goal, Brittany McDonald capped her stellar career ranking among the league’s statistical leaders in several categories. She was one of the top goalies in the conference while wearing a Sage uniform as she had an .863 saves % with a 1.13 goals against average. In her two seasons with Sage, she played in 35 games in goal (No. 2), had 10 shutouts (No. 2), with 248 saves (No. 3), and also played in 3,022 minutes (No. 3), while racking up a 1.22 career GAA (No. 2).

Best All-Around Player: Nicole Killeen (Sr., Petersburgh, NY/Berlin Central)

A four-year letterwinner for Sage, Nicole Killeen enjoyed her best season on the pitch in 2010. She tallied the game-winning goal as Sage knocked off Old Westbury in the 2010 Skyline Conference regular-season finale. She also etched her name into Sage’s record book with her outstanding play. She finished with 20 points as a senior on nine goals and two assists. On her career, she had 22 goals, which is sixth on the career list, while her 50 career points stands in sixth place. She also added five game-winning goals in her time as a Gator.

Women’s Tennis

Gator of the Year:  Mackenzie Riley (So., Albany, NY/Albany)

Sage’s women’s tennis team’s sophomore co-captain Mackenzie Riley earned the honor after also garnering a spot on the 2010 Skyline Conference Women’s Tennis All-Star First Team. The Gator newcomer earned a spot on the first team after leading the squad with her play in both singles and doubles. In her first year at Sage, Riley tallied an impressive 9-1 record in singles play, including a 5-1 mark in Skyline Conference matches.  Her .900 singles win percentage at first singles was second in the Skyline Conference this past fall, while 4-2 record at No. 1 doubles was third highest amongst the conference players. Overall, she went 5-5 in doubles play as well to help the team to a 5-7 record on the season.

Coaches’ Award: Kathryn Saulsbery (Sr., Colonie, NY/South Colonie Central)

A four-year letterwinner and a three-time team captain for Sage’s women’s tennis team, Kathryn Saulsbery excelled for Sage on and off the court with her play and leadership. This past fall, she joined an exclusive club in her final outing as member of Sage’s women’s tennis team.  She finishes her career on the women’s team with a 51-42 record as a Gator. She is just the second women’s tennis player in the history of the program to join the 50 win club. She joins the ranks of Sage Athletic Hall of Fame inductee, Elizabeth Lawrence Russillo (1998-2001). The two players belong to an exclusive club of women’s tennis players at Sage as Lawrence Russillo combined for a record of 73-28 during her time at Sage and Saulsbery went 51-42.

Most Improved Player: Christina Kroder (So., Catskill, NY/Catskill)

A newcomer to the team this fall, Christina Kroder made dramatic improvements in her game this season. A competitor for Sage in doubles action, she won two of her last three doubles matches of the year and finished her first season with a 3-7 doubles record.  

Women’s Volleyball

Gator of the Year:      Nicole Corbett (Sr., Greenbush, NY/Columbia)

As a senior on the 2010 team, Nicole Corbett led the team as a captain and helped the program earn its fourth straight Skyline Conference Tournament appearance. Along the way, she broke Sage’s career block record with 449 blocks. She also etched her name into several of Sage’s career and single-season records as well in her four years on the squad. She ranks third in blocks per game (0.97), fourth in kills (1,131), and sixth in kills per game (2.43).            

She earned her fourth straight selection to the Skyline Conference All-Star First Team in 2010, becoming Sage’s first and only student-athlete to hold that distinction. Corbett finished 2010 with a team-high 226 kills with 71 blocks in 99 sets played with 30 starts. She also ranked seventh in the Skyline Conference in kills per set (2.27), while ranking fifth with her 0.72 blocks per set average. 

Rookie of the Year:  Joanie Cooney (Fr., Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa)

The team’s rookie setter, Joanie Cooney led Sage with her 559 setting assists, which was fourth best in the Skyline as she averaged 5.66 per set. She connected for 206 digs and 59 kills in 99 sets played in her freshman campaign, while also positioning herself into the Sage single-season record book. Her season totals ranks No. 7 on the career list, while her 2010 season totals stand 10th best for assists. Named the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week in early September, she also earned a pair of postings on the Skyline Conference Weekly Honor Roll.

Coaches’ Award:  Cheryce Harvey (Sr., Utica, NY/Thomas R. Proctor)

A four-year letterwinner and a two-year starter, Cheryce Harvey had a strong senior season for Sage. She netted 85 kills with 25 service aces and 260 digs. Over her career, she played in 271 sets in 88 matches. She connected for 154 kills with 601 digs, 55 service aces and 51 blocks. She served the 2010 team as a co-captain and that leadership carried over as she served Sage’s SAAC as the 2010-2011 treasurer and was also a member of Sage’s Captains’ Council.

Women’s Basketball

Gator of the Year: Chelsea Martin (Fr., Davenport, NY/Jefferson Central)

Sage’s rookie forward Chelsea Martin led the team and was saluted for her outstanding play as she was named to the All-Star Second Team for her efforts.  She finished her campaign with a team-leading 11.2 ppg average. A starter in all 24 games, she led Sage with 268 points and ranks 12th in the league in scoring. She shot 78.7% from the line and added a 6.8 rpg average with 15 blocks. She ranks 13th in rebounding and 14th in blocked shots with a 0.63 per game average.  Her single-season free throw percentage is among the single-season leaders at the No. 7 spot

 Over the course of her rookie season, Martin earned a spot on the Betty Abgott Invitational All-Tournament Team on opening weekend at Buffalo State College, while also earning three selections to the Skyline Conference Honor Roll as well as one selection as the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week on December 13. 

Game Changer: Kara Hackett (So., Peru, NY/Peru Central)

Sophomore Kara Hackett finished her second season at Sage with a 9.5 ppg and 7.8 rpg average in 20 games played with 19 starts. She provided the spark when needed in game to help Sage earn the program’s first Skyline Conference Tournament bid. In her two seasons with the squad, she has racked up 463 points, 345 rebounds, and 39 career blocks. She ranks fifth on the career block list and owns a 10.5 ppg career average. Hackett also ranked 17th in scoring in the Skyline Conference, while also ranking eighth in the league in rebounding. She was ninth with her 1.95 steals per game and an 0.85 blocks per game average.

Leadership Award:  Elizabeth “Liz” Donk, (Sr., Phelps, NY/Midlakes)

Liz Donk finished her career in the No. 2 spot on Sage’s assist list with 297, including a team-best 97 this season. Her resume also includes ranking 11th in career games played (70), 9th in career free throws (145), and No. 13th in three-point baskets (24). On the 2010-11 season, she added a 4.3 ppg average in 24 starts. She ranks first in the league with her 1.54 assist to turnover ratio, while ranking sixth with her 4.04 assists per game average. Her 97 assists in a season tied her own mark for assists last season and stand fifth best for a season at Sage. She served the team as a floor general as the captain and provided leadership for the squad in her three seasons at Sage.

Men’s Basketball

Gator of the Year: Dalton Austin-Michaud (Jr. Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane)

Arriving at Sage in January, Dalton Austin-Michaud gave the Gators a spark that put the team in position for a possible Skyline Conference Tournament bid and helped Sage draw the No. 4 seed in the 2011 ECAC Upstate Men’s Basketball Championship. Over the course of the year, he earned three Skyline Conference Honor Roll postings and finished the season as the scoring per game leader with his 17.8 ppg. He netted 232 points on the season in 13 games played with five starts. He racked up his sixth double-double against Hobart as he finished with a personal-best 26 points in a Sage uniform against the Statesmen, while adding 12 rebounds. For the season, he added 112 rebounds, good enough for an 8.6 rpg average with a 59.2 FG%. 

Mr. Consistency:  Derick Faragon (Sr., Rotterdam Junction, NY/Schenectady)

A newcomer to Sage this year, Derick Faragon led the team with overall points scored (368), but finished tied for second on the team in ppg average (14.2). He surpassed the total point standard established last season at 351. He also led the Gators with his 179 rebounds, good enough for a 6.9 rpg average with 30.1 minutes a game. He started 25 of 26 games played and had a 35.4 3FG% (34-96) on the season. He added six double-doubles on the season. 

Coaches’ Award:  Ryan Sager (So., Stuyvesant, NY/Ichabod Crane)

Sophomore Ryan Sager led the Skyline Conference and Sage with his accurate shot. He owns a 57.7 FG% (90-156), while averaging 8.7 ppg in his debut as a Gator. He also averaged 5.7 rpg and started 19 of 25 games played and was a performer the Sage coaching staff felt did whatever it took to help bring the program to the next level with his commitment and devotion to the program.

Men’s Volleyball

Gator of the Year: Spencer Hilland (Jr., Slingerlands, NY/Bethlehem Central)

Spencer Hilland finished his season with Sage as a Skyline Conference All-Star First Team player as a middle hitter. He was also ranked nationally in three categories, 14th in kills per set (3.75), 14th in blocks per set (0.95), and 48th in hitting (.255 attack percentage). He was named to the Skyline Conference Honor Roll once, and finished the season with a team-best 240 kills, good enough for a 3.69 per set average with a .255 attack percentage. He finished second on the team with 61 total blocks, while adding 102 digs and 14 serving aces. He led the Gators with his 296 points and 4.55 points per set average despite missing two weeks with an injury on the season. He was named the Skyline Conference Player of the Week and the NECVA Skyline Conference Player of the Week twice, while also earning a spot on the Skyline Conference Honor Roll another week. He opened his Sage career with a selection to the 2011 SUNY-IT Wildcat Invitational All-Tournament Team in January. 

Rookie of the Year: Matt Bynon (Fr., Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills

A newcomer for the Gators, Matt Bynon was not only Sage’s Rookie of the Year, but was also selected by the Skyline Conference as the Rookie of the Year. The defensive specialist not only led the league, but the nation in digs with an average of 4.19 per game. Over the course of the season, he garnered Skyline Rookie of the Week honors on March 7 and NECVA Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week status the same week as well as an All-Tournament distinction at the Bard Invitational on February 25-26.  He wraps 2011 with a team-best 373 digs, good enough for a 4.19 digs per set average. He added a .962 reception percentage on the season with 89 sets played in 26 matches.

Most Improved Player: Connor Thompson (Fr., Delmar, NY/Christian Brothers Academy)

Another newcomer to volleyball, Connor Thompson improved over the course of the season and by year’s end had earned Skyline Conference and NEVCA Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week honors for his play. The middle hitter racked up a team-best 74 blocks, good enough for a 0.86 blocks per set average. He played in 86 sets over the course of 25 matches and finished with 106 kills, 19 digs, and 153.5 points.

Softball

Gator of the Year: Kelsey Newberg (So., New Britain, CT/New Britain)

Sophomore pitcher and utility player, Kelsey Newberg had her run at Sage’s single-season strikeout record cut short with the cancelations. She finishes her first season as a Gator with the No. 2 spot having fanned 68 batters in 2011. She fell just five shy of surpassing the record held by Maria DeNovio (72, 2004). Newberg is also in the No. 8 spot on the career strikeout list after just one season, which is 147. Overall on the 2011 season, she went 4-8 with a 3.99 ERA in 14 appearances with eight complete games and 86.0 IP.  She also ranked among the pitching leaders in the Skyline Conference in 2011 as she was seventh in strikeouts, eighth in innings pitched and ninth in ERA.

Rookie of the Year: Hillary Faas (Fr., East Greenbush, NY/Columbia)

Taking over as the team’s short stop Hillary Faas started all 27 games for Sage and finished as one of three players with 16 RBI’s on the season. She added a .358 batting average with six doubles, a triple and three homeruns.  She was named the Skyline Conference Rookie of the Week as the Gators had a banner 8-0 week and she batted .500 during the stretch.

Coaches’ Award: Rachel Smith (Jr., Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane

A junior pitcher and utility performer, Rachel Smith came to Sage this season was the player that said “whatever you need coach.” She went 3-4 on the mound with a 4.32 ERA and 32 K’s, while adding a .343 average at the plate. She had her first home run as the Gators had a win over MCLA. She added 14 RBIs this past year with 24 hits.

Men’s Tennis

Gator of the Year: Joshua Hewitt (Jr., Albany, NY/Green Hope)

A returning leader and veteran on the men’s tennis team, Joshua Hewitt provided the very young Gators with depth and knowledge of the game though his example. His contributions to the program cannot be measured in wins and losses, but were valued by the team and the coaching staff. He added an 0-6 record in doubles action this season and became the program’s first three-time letterwinner in men’s tennis and was voted the Most Improved player on the team as a sophomore in 2010.

Coaches’ Award:  Jaret Falkowitz (So., Scotia, NY/Burtn Hills Ballston Lake)

Sophomore Jaret Falkowitz added an 0-11 record in the singles lineup as a newcomer to the sport. He went 2-9 to lead the Gators in doubles wins this spring and displayed leadership and maturity for the team.

Most Improved Player: Chris Buskey (Jr., Schenectady, NY/Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons)

Junior Chris Buskey was another of the men’s tennis team’s newcomers this year. He finished his singles action with an 0-11 mark, while adding a 1-10 effort in doubles play, but along the way made dramatic improvement in his play and knowledge of the sport.

Women’s Lacrosse

Gator of the Year:  Ginelle Butler (Jr., Malta, NY/Ballston Spa)

Junior midfielder Ginelle Butler finished the 2011 season as the top scorer, having tallied a personal-best 14 goals.  She added 12 draw controls and 18 ground ball pickups. She continues to add to her Sage career scoring and total point records as she has 34 points and 30 goals. She has also played in more games than any other player as she now has 32 appearances to her credit in the three seasons of varsity competition for the Gators.

Most Improved Player: Sarah Carciobolo (Jr., Niskayuna, NY/Colonie)

A newcomer to the sport, Sarah Carciobolo took her knowledge of basketball and retooled her skills for the lacrosse field. She had one goal on the season, while adding to the team’s success with her good stick skills and continued development as a player.

Best Defensive Player: Jen Poulin (So., Walton, NY/Walton Central)

A newcomer in women’s lacrosse, Jen Poulin used her athletic ability to be a spark for the Gators on defense. Missing the last game of the season with an injury, she started every game and tallied 11 ground ball pickups with three draw controls and three caused turnovers.

Prior to the action Sage’s softball program honored 2011 senior Allison Bishop (Troy, NY/Lansingburgh) in conjunction with Senior Day. Bishop promptly hit a solo homerun in her first at bat. The talented scholar-athlete ranks in several single-season and career records as Sage as she has played in 92 games (11th), with 272 at bats (10th), has 74 hits (12th), with 19 doubles (3rd), 7 home runs (4th) and 55 runs scored (11th).

Game # 1 St. Joseph’s 8-1 Sage

St. Joseph’s tallied a pair of runs in the first inning to take a 2-0 lead before Bishop hit a solo shot to deep left center field to pull the Gators within a run.

The Eagles chipped back as Sage’s sophomore pitcher Kelsey Newberg (New Britain, CT/New Britain) and connected on three unearned runs off seven hits in her five innings of work. She fanned seven on the game and moved into the No. 2 spot on the Gators’ all-time single-season strikeout list as she leads the 2011 squad with 68 strikeouts. She moved ahead of Kristen Hazelton’s 64 strikeouts in 2006 and is now just seven shy of breaking the single-season mark held by Maria DeNovio (72, 2004).Newberg took the loss to fall to 4-7.

For Sage, junior Megan Welcome (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) had a pair of hits, while St. Joseph’s senior Erika Stark (Middle Island, NY/Longwood) was 2-4 with two RBIs and sophomore pitcher Julia De Carmine (Holtsville, NY/Sachem East) added a 2-4 effort with an RBI and a pair of runs scored. On the rubber, she picked up the complete game victory to improve to 7-6. She yielded just one earned run off five hits with six strikeouts.

Game # 2 St. Joseph’s 7-6 Sage

In the nightcap, St. Joseph’s once again took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but Sage overtook the Eagles with a three-run second inning as Newberg had a bunt single RBI and rookie Katie Karkoski (Ticonderoga, NY/Ticonderoga) had a two RBI single.

The Eagles overtook Sage in the top of the fourth with three runs as junior Courtney Frisina (Smithtown, NY/St. Anthony’s) connected on her first homerun of the season, a three-run blast.

The Gators did not flinch as they trailed 5-3 heading into the bottom of the fifth and a pair of clutch hits and untimely Eagle errors gave Sage a 6-5 lead by inning’s end. Rookie catcher Tricia Gaulin (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls) and junior Rachel Smith (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) each had a big inning and drove in Sage runs to help the cause.

In the top of the sixth inning, SJC’s De Carmine connected on a two-run homerun give the Eagles a 7-6 lead and providing the game-winning shot for her team. She finished the contest with a 3-4 effort with two runs scored and a pair of RBIs, while Frisina was 1-2 with three RBIs and two runs scored.

Sage’s Karkoski was 1-4 with two RBIs, while Smith, Gaulin, and Newberg all drove in a run for the Gators.

Newberg made the start and suffered the loss after six innings of work, while Smith worked the seventh inning and fanned one.

SJC’s freshman Cassie Martinez (Centereach, NY/Middle Country) earned the complete game win with six strikeouts. She is 6-6 after scattering 10 hits.

Sages only Senior up to bat during thier double header against Saint Josephs College

MSCS’s freshman Mikaely Whitehouse (Columbia, CT/Mercy) tallied three goals in the contest to elevate her season total to seven goals. Freshman Amanda Giarrizzo (Franklin Square, NY/H. Frank Carey) added the hat trick as well and sophomore Kaileen Spadaro (Islip, NY/Islip) added two goals and an assist as the Knights led 9-4 at the break.

Sage’s senior Liz Donk (Phelps, NY/Midlakes) a newcomer to the sport of lacrosse closed her career with a personal-best three goals on the night. For the season, she tallied five goals and finished as the second leading scorer.  Rookie Mary Kate Hayward (Queensbury, NY/Glens Falls) added her first and only goal of the season in the contest. Hayward found the net early in the contest and pulled the Gators within one goal, down 2-1 just three and half minutes into the action.

MSMC’s sophomore Emily Folino (Staten Island, NY/Saint Joseph by the Sea) picked up the win as she turned away five of the nine shots she faced on the night. Freshman Mary Greenlese (Dover Plains, NY/Dover) added to the performance for the Knights as she saw time in net. For the Gators, senior goalie Brittany Schafer (Watertown, NY/South Jefferson Central) made nine saves in goal. She wraps her career at Sage having amassed 167 saves, a Sage career record. She appeared in 13 career games played with a 17.75 GAA.

Troy, NY  —-

Sage’s junior Ginelle Butler (Malta, NY/Ballston Spa) may have scored just one goal in the contest, but it was a significant goal as she tied Sage’s career goal scoring mark in the process as she now has 20 goals. She tied the record set by Brianna Thompson with 20 goals in 2009. Butler now has 24 career points, which is also Sage’s active career points mark.

Bard’s offense was sparked by three players with three goals a piece. They were freshman Stephanie LaMont (Skippack, PA/Germantown Academy), sophomore Bridget Reddington (Caldwell, NJ/James Caldwell), and junior Farah Akhtar (Karachi, Pakistan). Akhtar added an assist, while rookie Brianna Bean (Kaneohe, HI) added a goal and two assists for the Raptors as they led 8-1 at the break. LaMont leads Bard with 14 goals and 16 points.

Sage got single goals from seniors Liz Donk (Phelps, NY/Midlakes) and Jessica Byerwalters (Coeymans Hollow, NY/Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk) on the afternoon. Donk now has two goals on the season, while Butler leads the Gators with her four goals.

Sage’s senior goalkeeper Brittany Schafer (Watertown, NY/South Jefferson Central) made the start in net for the Gators after a year away from the program. She made nine saves with 12 goals allowed in nearly 57 minutes of work. Sophomore Courtney Reed (Mechanicville, NY/Mechanicville) played made one save with no goals allowed in three plus minutes. Bard’s senior goalie Hannah Becker (Wayne, PA/Conestoga) made seven saves with three goals allowed in earning the victory.

Welcome goes 4-4 at the plate scoring 2 runs for the Gators during their double header vs. Mount Saint Vincent

Bennington, VT—-

The Sage Colleges softball team faced the Mountaineers of Southern Vermont College on Thursday in a non-conference doubleheader. The Gators racked up their fourth straight shutout win and have extended their scoreless streak to 20 innings. On Thursday, the Gators beat SVC 13-0 in five innings and 9-0 also in five innings. With the wins, Sage improves to 4-9 overall, while the Mountaineers drop to 0-10 on the season.

Game # 1 Sage 13-0 SVC (5 innings)

Sage’s junior Ashley Eberle (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem) helped the Gators explode for nine innings in the top of the first inning as she tallied a grand slam. She finished with five RBI’s in the game and helped Sage rack up 19 hits in the game.

Sage’s freshmen Hillary Faas (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) and Katie Karkoski (Ticonderoga, NY/Ticonderoga) each drove in two runs in the game, while junior Meghan Welcome (Cohoes, NY/Cohoes) was 4-4 at the plate with two runs scored.

Rookie Jackie Petteys (Fort Ann, NY/Hartford Central) collected the win to improve to 1-2 after allowing one hit in three innings of work with four strikeouts.

GAME # 2 Sage 9-0 SVC (5 Innings)

Faas tallied her fourth double of the season and elevated her total to 17 hits on the season as she was 3-4 with two runs scored. The Gators got two RBIs each from juniors Rachel Smith (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) and Tiffany Bezio (Whitehall, NY/Whitehall) and rookie catcher Tricia Gaulin (South Glens Falls, NY/South Glens Falls). Sage’s bats combined for 19 hits in the nightcap, while holding the Mountaineers to just one hit and no runs.

Smith also racked up the win as she improves to 2-2 with her effort on Thursday. She yielded just one hit with seven strikeouts.

The Gators return to action on Saturday, April 2 when they host Purchase College in a Skyline Conference doubleheader at Robison Softball Field at the Neff Athletic Center. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.

Sage's freshman Hillary Faas caught in action throwing out runner at first base during Sage's double header vs. Cobleskill

Troy, NY—-

The Sage Colleges softball team was scheduled to travel to SUNY-Cobleskill for a non-conference doubleheader on Tuesday, but due to poor field conditions the venue for the contests were shifted to Robison Field in Troy. The Gators responded in their first home contests of the season with a pair of 8-0 wins over the Fighting Tigers. Sage improves to 2-9 overall, while Cobleskill drops to 0-2 on the young season.

Game # 1 Sage 8-0 Cobleskill (5 innings)

Sage’s freshman Hillary Faas (East Greenbush, NY/Columbia) connected on a two-run homerun to pace the Gators in the first contest. Faas leads Sage with two homers and now has eight RBIs on the year. She was 2-4 with a run scored in the contest, while junior outfielder Tiffany Bezio (Whitehall, NY/Whitehall) drove in a pair to lead the team as they combined for 12 hits.

Sage’s sophomore pitcher Kelsey Newberg (New Britain, CT/New Britain) was effective on the mound and at the plate as she scored three times and had an RBI. She threw 4.0 innings and yielded a one-hitter with five strikeouts in collecting the win. She stands at 1-4 and walked just two in the game after going 2-3.

Cobleskill’s freshman pitcher Autumn Ackermann (Cochecton, NY/Sullivan West) took the loss in her collegiate debut after she yielded four earned runs off 12 hits in five innings of work.

Sophomore Ashlyn Siers (Cobleskill, NY/Cobleskill-Richmondville) broke up Newberg’s no-hit bid with her single in the third inning.

Game # 2 Sage 8-0 Cobleskill (6 innings)

Faas connected on a double and another RBI to pace the Gators as she was 2-4 with two runs scored in the nightcap. Junior Rachel Smith (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane) added a strong performance on both sides of the ball as she earned the complete game win and added a 2-3 effort with two RBIs. Now 1-2 on the year, Smith fanned seven with one hit and a walk in five innings of work.

Junior Ashley Eberle (Delmar, NY/Bethlehem) added two stolen bases and was 2-4 with a pair of runs driven in as well. Freshman Katie Karkoski (Ticonderoga, NY/Ticonderoga) added three RBIs with a 2-5 performance in the game and now has 6 RBIs this season.

For the Fighting Tigers, senior Casey Kelly (Walton, NY/Walton) took the loss after yielding five earned runs off 10 hits with seven walks.

Junior catcher Noelle Gushlaw (Germantown, NY/Germantown) tallied the team’s lone hit of the game with her single in the fifth inning.

Kelsey Newberg (pitcher for the Gators) had nine strikeouts against Northwestern College (MN). Along with Newberg’s strikeouts, Emily Host (Gorham, NH) drove in junior Tiffany Bezio (Whitehall, NY) to score the first run, and only run for the Gators. Host went 2-3 at the plate that day with a double. Meghan Welcome (Cohoes, NY) and Katie Karkoski (Ticonderoga, NY) also hit a double for the Gators, which led to their hard fight and battle. The Gators lost 3-1 to Northwestern College, their last game before returning home.

Now back in Troy, NY the Gators prepare for their 2011 season. Unfortunately, due to weather conditions the Gators have had to push back their competitions. Their first home opening against Green Mountain College, which was scheduled for Thursday, March 24, was cancelled due to poor field conditions. Hopefully the Gators will have some luck on their side and will be able to go on the road this weekend for their overnight to play Farmingdale on Saturday, and Old Westbury on Sunday.

To follow the Sage Gators Softball team, visit them at www.sagegators.com. In addition, if you have any questions or concerns you may contact Meghan Welcome via e-mail at welcome@sage.edu.

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Manhattan, NY—-

Sage has already surpassed the victory mark set in 2010 in conjunction with the program’s first varsity season and now owns a winning record as well, a program first for the young Gators and the program’s first three-match win streak.

Against Yeshiva, freshman middle hitter Connor Thompson (Delmar, NY/Christian Brothers Academy) added seven kills with two blocks.  Rookie libero Matt Bynon (Burnt Hills, NY/Burnt Hills) added 17 digs in the contest, while sophomore setter Kyle Ray (Horseheads, NY/Horseheads) connected for 26 setting assists.

In the second match of the day, the Gators tallied a 3-0 win over NYU-Poly marking their second straight win over the Fighting Blue Jays in as many days.  Freshman opposite Ryan Wilkins (Ballston Lake, NY/Shenendehowa) added 13 kills, while Ray racked up 29 assists. Bynon racked up 24 digs for the Gators, while freshman Zachary Kuhn (Rensselaer, NY/Columbia) tallied six kills in the contest.

The Gators will be back in action on Tuesday, March 1 hosting the Wildcats of SUNY-IT in a non-conference match in the Kahl Center at 7 p.m.

Troy, NY— The Sage Colleges men’s basketball team has earned the program’s first post-season bid in its second season as an NCAA Division III team. The Gators were selected as one of the four teams to compete in the 2011 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Upstate Tournament. The tournament will be held on the campus of Hobart College (Geneva, NY) on Saturday and Sunday, March 5-6.

Earning the top seed in the tournament, is the host Statesmen of Hobart College. They bring a record of 19-7 into the tournament. Hobart lost in the semifinals of the Liberty League Championship to Hamilton College, 62-60. Medaille College earned the No. 2 seed and stands at 20-7 entering the weekend. The Golden Eagles of Brockport State are seeded third and own a 15-13 record. Sage is 13-12 on the season and is seeded fourth.

2011 ECAC Upstate Men’s Basketball Championship (Hosted by Hobart College, Bristol Gym, Geneva, NY)

Saturday, March 5

#1 Hobart College vs. #4 Sage, 5 p.m.

#2 Medaille College vs. #3 Brockport State, 7 p.m.

Sunday, March 6

Championship Game, 2 p.m.

Sage wrapped the 2010-2011 regular-season with a 13-12 overall record and a 10-10 mark in the Skyline Conference. For Sage, the 2010-2011 season has already produced a number of high-water marks for success. A winning season in just their second season of action, the team’s first four-game win streak, most points scored by one player in a season (352), and most points scored by the team (1,911), as well.

Head Coach Brian Barnes’ Gators exceeded the pre-season No. 8 pick with their outstanding play this season. While the Gators did not make the Skyline Conference Tournament, they are awaiting next week’s release of the 2011 ECAC Tournament pairings.

Among the team’s leaders this have been the squad’s first two seniors, Derick Faragon (Rotterdam Junction, NY/Schenectady) and Lamont Garland (Albany, NY/Colonie).

Garland, a team co-captain this season, exploded for a career-high 20 points on Senior Night. He added 12 points on Saturday at Farmingdale State and has a 7.5 ppg and 3.3 rpg average in 24 games played with three starts. He ranks 15th in the league with his 0.67 blocks per game average on 16, which is second best on the squad.

Faragon leads the team with overall points scored (352), but is third on the team in ppg average (14.1). He surpassed the total point standard established last season at 351. He ranks 13th in the conference in scoring and 10th in rebounding with a 7.1 rpg average. He is also ranked among the league’s leaders with his 35.8 3PT FG% (34-95) and 14th in FT% with a 72.1% (62-86). He racked up six double-doubles in 24 starts.

Junior forward Dalton Austin-Michaud (Valatie, NY/Ichabod Crane), a three-time Skyline Conference Honor Roll performer, finished the regular-season as the scoring per game leader with his 17.2 ppg. He netted 206 points on the season in 12 games played with four starts. He hauled down 100 rebounds, good enough for an 8.3 rpg average and hit 59.4% of his shots from the floor (82-138). He connected on five double-doubles and three times tallied a personal-best 23 points in a contest, including Saturday’s contest at Farmingdale.

Sophomore Matt Farbotko (Rouses Point, NY/Northeastern Clinton) added a 14.3 ppg average in 16 games played with 15 starts on the campaign. WIth his 228 points this season, Farbotko has tallied 579 career points, while hauling down 255 rebounds. In 41 career games at Sage, he owns a 14.1 ppg average.

Sophomore Jeff Stopera (Scotia, NY/Scotia Glenville) leads the team with his 148 assists, while adding 7.0 ppg. He is also shooting a blistering 81.0% from the line. He has a 5.92 assists per game average and is second in the conference in per game averages, while ranking third in assists to turnover ratio with a 1.92 average. He is fifth in free throw percentage and sixth in steals with a 1.92 per game average. He surpassed his 250th career assist on Saturday and now has 251 assists in 50 games played with 288 points.

Junior Pat Lanoue (Troy, NY/Hoosic Valley Central) started 22 of 25 games played and is the fourth leading scorer with an 11.4 ppg average. He is second on the team with 44 steals and has a 34.2 3FG%. He ranks 25th in the league in scoring and is tenth in steals with a 1.76 per game average. He is also eighth in the league with his 2.2 three-pointers per game.

Sophomore Ryan Sager (Stuyvesant, NY/Ichabod Crane) leads the Skyline Conference with his accurate shot. He owns a 58.4 FG% (90-154), while averaging 9.0 ppg. He is also averaging 5.8 rpg, which is 17th highest in the conference. Sophomore guard Jaret Falkowitz (Scotia, NY/Burnt Hills Ballston Lake) checks in with a 3.8 ppg and 1.3 rpg average in 17 games played with one start.

Junior Dan Schulz (Amsterdam, NY/Broadalbin-Perth) played in 18 games with a 1.8 ppg average and a 1.3 rpg average, while freshman forward Ryan LaBelle (East Berne, NY/Berne-Knox-Westerlo) appeared in 15 games for Sage as well to help bolster the team’s success.