By Owen Russell
Cross Country Runners Shine As CUNYAC Championships Near
The cross country teams have been coming down the stretch, as they only have one meeting left this season with the CUNYAC Championships on Oct. 31. The team’s past three meets featured two contests at Sunken Meadow State Park. On Oct. 10, the Bulldogs competed in the Golden Eagle Invitational. While the men’s team did not have the minimum five runners to field a team score, Senior Shane Kimball had a strong finish coming in 11th overall, with a time of 27:25 for 8K. The women also competed that day, and were also unable to field a full team. Senior Malak Abuhashish finished within the top 50, running 23:20 for 5K.
This past Saturday, Oct. 16, Brooklyn returned to Sunken Meadow State Park for the St. Joseph’s College Invitational. This race saw both the men and women able to field full teams. The men finished behind CUNYAC rivals Hunter, CCNY, Baruch, and CSI, but finished ahead of York and Lehman. Shane Kimball was the team’s top finisher, coming 10th overall, and Junior Christian Montelibano came in within the top 50, running 32:32 for 8K. The women’s team had a tough day on the course, finishing second to last, only ahead of conference rival Baruch. Senior Malak Abuhashish was the team’s top finisher, running 24:49 and placing 49th overall.
The Bulldogs had their third race in seven days on Oct. 17, competing in a dual meet against Lehman and Baruch at Van Cortlandt Park. Kimball won the men’s race in a time of 33:40 and Abuhashish finished second in the women’s 6K race with a time of 29:55. This meet serves as a prelude of sorts to the CUNYAC Championships which take place on the same course on Oct. 31.
Men’s Soccer Split Four Games
The men’s soccer team has picked up their play these past couple of games. The team split their last four contests, winning two and losing two, but playing hard even in the losing efforts.
On Oct. 6, the team traveled to Randall’s Island to square off against Baruch College. The game was hard-fought, and it remained scoreless at the end of regulation. Brooklyn outshot Baruch 8-7, but the Bearcats scored the sole goal in double overtime. Despite the loss, it was a strong team effort by the Bulldogs to keep the match close.
The Bulldogs lost another heartbreaker, this time to CCNY at home in another double overtime on Oct. 9. The Beavers scored first, but the Bulldogs were able to tie it up heading into the half, thanks to a goal by Senior Randy Urgiles. The next two periods remained scoreless, and then in the second overtime period, CCNY capitalized on a late penalty in the box. The Beavers knocked in the penalty kick, winning the contest 2-1. Much like their previous contest, the Bulldogs showed real mettle in a hard-fought match.
Oct. 13 saw the Bulldogs play their third straight match. This time the team faced York College at home, and all it took was one overtime this go around for the Bulldogs to beat the Cardinals. York got out to an early lead, but Brooklyn was able to tie the contest on Randy Urgiles’ second goal in two games. The second period passed with no score, so the match headed to overtime. This time the Bulldogs were able to pull through after regulation, scoring the winning goal in the 99th minute. Senior Arturo Zaraza knocked in the deciding goal.
Brooklyn’s fourth game in ten days came against John Jay out in Staten Island on Oct. 16. After three straight overtime contests, Brooklyn was able to finish off John Jay in regulation. The Bulldogs beat the Bloodhounds 3-1. Junior George Espinoza knocked in two goals, and graduate student Roko Radovani knocked in one of his own. The win brings the Bulldogs’ CUNYAC record to three wins and three losses.
The Bulldogs will play next Oct. 20 at home against Medgar Evers.
Women’s Soccer Remains Winless
The women’s soccer program had three matches scheduled in the past two weeks, all of which were against conference rivals.
The first contest against Medgar Evers was canceled, and therefore the Bulldogs played their first conference action of the season on Oct. 13 against CCNY. The match against the Beavers was a high-scoring affair, with a total of seven goals scored. The Bulldogs knocked in two of their own, but were unable to keep pace with the Beavers, losing 5-2. Sophomore Priscilla Vixama and Junior Dalia Hernandez scored the Bulldogs’ two goals. City College outshot Brooklyn 31-5.
Oct. 16 saw the Bulldogs lose again, this time to the Bloodhounds from John Jay. Brooklyn was outshot, as they allowed John Jay to score four goals. The Bulldogs had eight saves on the day, but the Bloodhounds fired off 23 shots, 19 of which were on goal.
These past two losses sank the Bulldogs’ record to 0-11 on the season. Their next game will be against York College on Oct. 19.
Women’s Volleyball Loses Two, Wins Three Matches
The volleyball team saw plenty of action these past two weeks. The team played five matches, losing two and winning three.
On Oct. 9, the team competed in the CUNYAC Tri-Match against Baruch and Lehman. The Bulldogs swept both of the contests notching 17 aces between the two matches. Freshman Outside Hitter Aleah Rafat led the Bulldogs in kills against both CUNYAC rivals.
The Bulldogs saw another CUNYAC Tri-Match on Oct. 11, this time around against Hunter and York. The match against Hunter was a tight showdown. The teams traded the first two sets, Hunter winning the first, and Brooklyn taking the second. After, the following two sets were incredibly close, but Hunter was able to win both, 30-28 and 25-22 respectively. The Hawks were able to survive an impressive offensive attack from the Bulldogs which saw Sophomore Ashley Fung score 17 kills. The second match of the day went better for the Bulldogs, as Brooklyn swept York three sets to none. The match was never in doubt. Brooklyn won each set by double digits.
After having their Oct. 14 match against Medgar Evers get canceled, the Bulldogs played again Oct. 15 against New Jersey City University. The Bulldogs kept each set close, all within three points, but ended up getting swept by the visiting NJCU. Junior Setter Ezri Shor tallied 24 assists and 14 digs. She and her teammates’ strong play was not enough for the formidable Knights from New Jersey.
After these last string of games, the Bulldogs maintain a winning record, 10-9, and a 3-1 record in conference play. Brooklyn will play next Oct. 19 against CUNYAC rival John Jay.
Women’s Tennis Split Two Matches
The women’s tennis team only played twice these past two weeks. They split the two matches, winning their first, and losing their second.
On Oct. 9, the Bulldogs hosted Lehman College. It was a dominant showing for Brooklyn, as the team won 7-2. It was an entire team effort, as singles competitors #2 through #6 all picked up victories. The win gave Brooklyn their second of the season and their first in conference play.
Oct. 15 saw the Bulldogs lose to conference rival John Jay. The Bloodhounds won 6-3, dominating in singles competition. Brooklyn’s lone singles win came from Sophomore Veronika Tsiko, as she won #3 singles.
The match against John Jay closes out the regular season play for the Bulldogs. The first round of the CUNYAC Conference Championships begins on Oct. 24.