The Fall Sports Season brought plenty of excitement to Camel nation. Word spread that Robert and Karen Hale were making a large financial gift and it seemed to galvanize the teams and fuel the Campus with energy.
Field Hockey
Heidi Halsted '16, NFHCA All-West, Field HockeyThe Connecticut College field hockey continued to progress under the direction of second year head coach Chrissy Needham. The Camels (5-10, 2-8 NESCAC) won four out of their last five games down the stretch. Central midfielder Heidi Halsted ’15 was honored on the NFHCA All-West Region squad for the Camels.
Volleyball
Caroline Martin '16, Women's VolleyballUnder the direction of Head Coach Josh Edmed, the Camel volleyball program (17-7, 6-4) made its 11th straight appearance in the NESCAC Championship. The Camels went 4-4 to start of the season but turned on the jets down the stretch, posting wins in 11 of their last 12 regular season matches before falling to Amherst College in the conference tournament. Senior Caroline Martin reached a career milestone in a sweep of Clark & Farmingdale October 3, registering the 1,000th dig of her prolific playing career.
Water Polo
The Men's Water Polo Team in San FranciscoIn Lott Natatorium, a young men’s water polo team stuck together after losing All-American Carlos Heros in the pre-season. The Camels celebrated with a 12-8 triumph over Monmouth in the Division III Championship. Sophomore Stephan Cress garnered All-America honors, leading the Camels with 21 goals, nine assists and nine steals. The return of two All-Americans in 2016 and the opportunity to play a much more Division III friendly schedule should bode well for Coach Anderson and the Camels this coming fall.
Cross Country
Both cross country teams enjoyed their share of success. Niall Williams '16, USTFCCCA All-Region, Men's Cross CountryCompeting on their home course in Waterford, the men placed ninth at the NCAA Division III Regional Championship, while the women finished 10th in the region. Junior Ashley Curran earned her second straight invitation to the NCAA Championship while senior Niall Williams garnered All-New England honors, finishing just one slot away from receiving a national berth.
Ashley Curran '17, All-NESCAC, USTFCCCA All-Region, NCAA Qualifier, Women’s Cross CountryThe Camel women placed sixth at NESCACs, marking their highest finish in the conference championship since 2006. Curran placed 11th to earn All-Conference plaudits for Head Coach Ned Bishop’s squad.
Soccer
Competing against many of the top teams in the country is what Camel teams do each and every week. In 2014, the Connecticut College women’s soccer program made history by capturing the College’s first NCAA Crown in a whirlwind 16 win season. The Camels won the championship on penalty kicks in a draw against Williams College, the most successful Division III Athletics program in the country.Pat Devlin '17, All-NESCAC, Men's Soccer
Michelle Medina '18, Women's Soccer
Who would have thought history would repeat itself. While the Camel men’s soccer team (10-5-2, 5-4-1 NESCAC) did not get quite as far as the women this year, Camels fans were treated to a 10 win season. It felt like déjà vu when the Camels advanced on pks against the Ephs in a miraculous comeback against Williams in front of an energized home crowd to reach the semifinal round of the NESCAC Championship for an unprecedented second straight year. Junior Pat Devlin was the maestro in the midfield for Head Coach Kenny Murphy’s squad. Devlin garnered NSCAA All-American accolades in addition to receiving first team honors from the NESCAC. Mark Leon had an immediate impact and was honored as the NESCAC Rookie of the Year, posting a team-best 14 points (6 goals, 2 assists) for the Camels.
The women’s soccer team posted a thrilling 2-0 victory against the Coast Guard to win the battle of Route 32 Rivals September 22. Sophomore Michelle Medina posted a team-best nine points, sparking the Camels in back-to-back wins against Brooklyn and Johnson & Wales. With both Michelle and Nicole Medina and Cathy and Annie Higgins returning to the pitch in 2016, the Camels should be able to compete with the top teams in the conference for NESCAC supremacy.
Sailing, Rowing, Tennis
The Camel sailing team won the Atlantic Coast Tournament to close out the fall season. Sophomore skipper Charlotte List placed 12th at the LaserPerformance/Singlehanded National Championship. Under the direction of Head Coach Eva Kovach, the Camel women’s rowing team had a respectable 17th place showing in the 35 team field in the collegiate four at the 51st Annual Head of the Charles Regatta. The women’s tennis team posted a 4-3 victory against the College of the Holy Cross to highlight its fall season.
2015 Fall Major Conference Honors & Accolades
Ashley Curran (Women’s Cross Country, All-NESCAC 2nd Team) Ashley Curran (Women’s Cross Country, USTFCCCA All-Region, 7th Place) Ashley Curran (Women’s Cross Country, NCAA Qualifier, 140th Place) Niall Williams (Men’s Cross Country, USTFCCCA All-Region, 31st Place) Pat Devlin (Men’s Soccer, All-NESCAC First Team) Mark Leon (Men’s Soccer, NESCAC ROTY) Pat Devlin (Men’s Soccer, NSCAA All-Region) Pat Devlin (Men’s Soccer, NSCAA All-American, Third Team) Pat Devlin (Men’s Soccer, NSCAA Scholar All-America, Second Team) Ajami Gikandi (Men’s Soccer, CoSIDA Academic All-District 2 First Team) Heidi Halsted (Field Hockey, Longstreth, NFHCA All-West Region 2nd Team) Heidi Halsted (Field Hockey, Selection to Victory Tours, NFHCA Senior Game) Stephan Cress (Men’s Water Polo, CWPA All-American, Honorable Mention) Charlotte List (Sailing, ICSA Singlehanded National Championship Qualifier, 12th Place)
To renew your membership in the Camel Athletics Club visit giving.conncoll.edu.
