It was a busy road weekend for all the University of Maine at Presque Isle athletic teams.
The UMPI volleyball team enjoyed a successful one, picking up two more victories to improve to 8-3 overall under first-year coach Terry Cummings. At Maine Maritime Academy Saturday, the Lady Owls defeated Lyndon State College of Lyndonville, Vt., 3-0, winning by scores of 25-19, 25-5 and 25-9. The host Mariners issued UMPI a 3-1 defeat by games scores of 25-20, 21-25, 25-14 and 25-19.
On Sunday, UMPI defeated Unity College to wrap up the weekend.
In soccer action, the UMPI men recorded a 3-0 week and is now 6-2-1 overall and 4-0-1 in the Sunrise Conference. The Owls began their recent successful stretch with a 3-2 victory over UM-Machias last Wednesday, then followed with weekend shutout wins in Vermont over Vermont Tech (1-0) and the College of St. Joseph’s (2-0).
The Clippers took a 2-0 lead over UMPI, including a goal 20 seconds into the contest, but the Owls bounced back behind goals by Corey Harding and Craig Maffei before Devon Peaslee knocked in the game-winner with three minutes to go. Richard Felbaum made six saves on 16 UMM shots, including a pair of huge stops in the second half to keep the game within reach.
Cody Closson, a freshman from Fort Fairfield, scored the game’s only goal in Saturday’s match at Randolph, Vt. against Vermont Tech. Harding picked up the assist on the scoring play, which came with 15 minutes remaining in regulation.
UMPI held an 18-4 shot advantage in the contest, and dominated Sunday’s match against the College of St. Joseph’s as well with a 25-5 advantage in the shot department. Corey Fournier and Peaslee were the goal scorers for the Owls.
Coach Alan Gordon’s team now has six shutouts on the season, and he attributes it to strong defensive play by junior backs Trevor Hews and Dylan Harris and sophomores Maffei and Ben Costello. Midfield play has been anchored by Tony Hibbard, Harding, Josh Peaslee and Seth Dorr.
The UMPI women, now 6-2-2 overall, trounced the College of St. Joseph’s Sunday, 11-0, with Makayla Gahagan of Caribou and Katie Moody of Presque Isle each recording hat tricks in the contest.
Erin Pelletier had two goals, while Jessica Kinney of Caribou, Desiree Smith and Olivia Jackson notching one apiece. Billie Martin of Caribou, the UMPI goalkeeper, had to save just one shot to record the shutout.
On Saturday, the Lady Owls handed Vermont Tech a 1-0 defeat as Pelletier came up with the only goal of the game, unassisted in the first half. UMPI enjoyed a 25-8 margin in shots on goal, with Billie Martin and Carolyn Tuck combining for five saves.
Last Wednesday, UMPI was defeated by UM-Machias.
The Owl golf team competed in the Sid Farr Invitational Tournament at Waterville Country Club Saturday. Husson College was the team champion, followed by Bates and the University of Southern Maine.
Kyle Grooms led the Owls with an 87 on the day. Teammate Brett Hooper carded a 90.
The UMPI cross country teams participated in Saturday’s Pop Crowell Invitational. The UMPI women scored 519 points in the 25-team meet, with Hannah Smith finishing 88th out of 276 runners on the five-kilometer course in 21 minutes, 51 seconds.
The Owl men had a score of 520. Kurt Whisler was 66th overall out of 232 runners. His 8K time was 29:20.
The cross country teams also competed at the USATF Codfish Bowl Sept. 27. The race, which was held at Franklin Park in Boston, was a quality test for the Owls. Many of the athletes gained new personal season bests, while newcomers continue to make strides of improvement.
In the women’s five-kilometer race, UMPI was led by junior Chandra Wisneski of Amherst, N.H. with at time of 22:56, finishing among the top 100 runners in 97th place. Smith also ran a solid race for her Owl squad, finishing in 23:16, good for 106th overall. Shelley Hanson of Charleston ran very well in a time of 23:35, for 113th position. Senior Michelle Phillips of Riverview, New Brunswick, who has taken some time off this season due to illness, gave a strong effort in 24:37, in 123rd overall. Other UMPI finishers were Hannah Shepard of Yarmouth in 25:08, Julie Rugg of South Paris in 26:25, and first-year runner Kimberly Grant of Crystal in 26:53, a personal best. The Owl women finished with 393 points, 14th out of 16 teams overall.
In the men’s race of 8K, freshman Justin Ferishetian of Turner ran a spectacular race, finishing amongst a competitive field in 28:30, good for 62nd place. Ferishetian was followed by teammate Emerson Wright of Presque Isle, who finished 113th with a time of 31:32. Junior Aaron Schmersal of Winthrop was 123rd with a time of 32:21. Sophomore Brad Burlock of Caribou also ran a strong race, finishing 126th in 32:48. Chris Rines, also of Caribou, and Kyle Bachelder of Howland both ran solidly, finishing in 34:40 and 36:06, respectively. The UMPI men finished with a total of 393 points, 14th out of 17 teams participating.