Cass sets personal record at Lynx Invitational

The Northern Vermont University-Johnson women’s cross country team had two runners complete the 6k course at the Lynx Invitational hosted by NHTI on Saturday morning.

Senior Emily Cass (Braintree, Vt.) set a personal record at the event, completing the race in 29:03 to secure an eighth place finish for the Badgers. Anais Dutton (Randolph, Vt.) finished strong for Johnson with a time of 38:27.

Women’s volleyball routed by Pilgrims on the road

The Northern Vermont University-Johnson women’s volleyball faced off against New England College in the first match of the afternoon on Saturday. The Badgers lost the match in straight sets.

The Badgers that took the early 7-4 lead in the first set on Saturday. The Pilgrims evened the score at 8-8 off kills from Hanna Simpkins, Ashley Crowley and Olivia Elie. The Pilgrims continued their attack taking a 12-9 lead before the Badgers regained the lead off a kill from Nikola Knapova. It was a Badger error that allowed the Pilgrims to secure the serve as they went on an 8-4 run to secure the first set by a score of 25-18.

The Pilgrims and Badgers stayed neck and neck throughout the second set. It was Knapova and Lauren Havill who recorded five kills and seven digs that produced for the Badgers through set two. The Pilgrims gained the early lead and the Badgers had opportunities to take the lead as they evened the score three different occasions throughout the set, but it was the Pilgrims concrete defense and consistent attack that allowed them to take set number two by a score of 28-26.

In the final set of action, it was the Pilgrims who struck first and remained in the lead. The Badgers battled back to close the deficit to two points. A kill by Simpkins allowed to Pilgrims to regain the serve and they closed the final set by a score of 25-20.

Mason Lores added a match high 19 assists for the Badgers.

Men’s soccer edged in conference match

The Northern Vermont University-Johnson men’s soccer team faced off against the SUNY Delhi Broncos on Saturday afternoon in the first North Atlantic Conference game of the 2019 season.

1st Half: It was Juan Velez of the Broncos in the first minute of action that netted the first goal of the game. The Badgers returned a goal in the third minute as Tristan Salgado scored a header off an assist from Tyler Cirillo. The Badgers continued their attack and captain Daniel Arriola headed the second Badger goal off a corner from Jack Battistoni. The Broncos knotted the score at two apiece in the 15th minute off a goal from John Cabrera. Both teams traded strikes but eventually went into the half tied 2-2.

2nd Half: The only goal scored in the second half was from Brody Rettle who scored the go-ahead goal in the 82nd minute off an assist by Darion Arango. The Badgers looked for their attack but were unsuccessful.

With the loss the Badgers move to 2-2-1 on the season and 0-1 in North Atlantic Conference play.

Kiefer posts personal best in West Regional Qualifier

The Northern Vermont University-Johnson women’s triathlon team competed in the Women’s Collegiate Triathlon West Regional Qualifier on Sunday morning.

Second year triathlete Ellery Kiefer (Wayland, Mass) led the way for the Badgers recording a personal best overall time. Kiefer recorded a total time of 1:15:41 with an impressive performance in the swimming portion of the race recording a time of 11:53. Kiefer recorded a time of 36:25 in the bike portion and finished the competition with a time of 25:09 in the running portion. Kiefer was the top finisher for NCAA Division III and finished 22ndoverall behind the likes of athletes from NCAA Division I Arizona State University, University of South Dakota, and Colorado Mesa University.

Freshman Jacqueline McCullough (Platteview, NE) recorded a personal best in the bike and running portion of the race as she finished with a 41:32 bike time and 25:26. McCullough finished with an overall time of 1:22:52. McCullough finished second overall for NCAA Division III athletes that competed and finished 25th overall.