Sorensen Propels Men’s Volleyball to 3-1 Win over Newbury

Recap, photo courtesy of ENC

QUINCY, Mass.- Senior Kenny Sorensen (Quincy, Mass.) racked up a career-high 30 kills to lead the Eastern Nazarene College men's volleyball team to a 3-1 victory over Newbury Saturday afternoon at the Lahue Physical Education Center.

The Lions improve to 9-9 on the season and 4-3 in the New England Collegiate Conference with the win. The Nighthawks fall to 2-13 overall and 1-4 in league play with the loss.

Sorensen's 30 kills and 67 attempts are the highest totals in NCAA Division III this season. He also finished with 12 digs on the day to collect his sixth double-double of the year.

James Hoopes (Lenexa, Kan.) posted 11 kills and seven digs in the match. Andrew Jayne (Quincy, Mass.) chipped in with six kills and a team-best 14 digs. Matthew Tyree (Lansdale, Pa.) dished out 53 assists and added nine digs while Brandon Jenkins (Norton, Mass.) recorded 13 digs.

The visitors claimed a 1-0 edge with a 25-22 win in the opening set.

The home side clawed back to prevail 25-22 in the second to knot the match at 1-1.

Eastern Nazarene cruised to a 25-12 victory in the third frame to establish a 2-1 lead.

The Lions triumphed 25-18 in the fourth game to clinch the win.

Joshua Thorne paced Newbury with 11 kills and 13 digs while Oscar Chavez registered 13 digs.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene hosts five-time defending league champion Endicott March 21.

ENC Men’s Soccer Edged at Salve Regina, 1-0

Photo, recap courtesy of ENC

MIDDLETOWN, R.I.- The Eastern Nazarene College men's soccer team dropped a crucial matchup at Salve Regina, 1-0, Monday afternoon.

The Lions sink to 5-6-2 on the fall and 1-4-0 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference with the setback. The Seahawks improve to 3-8-1 overall and 1-3-1 in league action with the victory.

The home team netted the game's only score in the 37th minute. John Julian buried his first goal of the season off of an assist by Christopher Anderson.

Eastern Nazarene fired two shots in the opening stanza while Salve Regina attempted four.

The visitors nearly tallied an equalizer in the 51st minute but David Eddings (Endicott, N.Y.) saw his header ring off the crossbar.

The Lions were unable to find the back of the net in the second half as the Seahawks locked up their first conference win of the year.

Eastern Nazarene concluded the contest with six shots and Salve Regina finished with 13 shots.

Jacob Mason (Southport, England) paced the guests with a pair of attempts on the day.

Senior goalkeeper Jameson MacFarland (Jacksonville, Fla.)recorded eight saves in the match for the Lions.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene steps out of conference to take on Emerson October 12.

ENC Women’s Tennis Falls to Wentworth on Senior Day, 5-3

Recap, photo courtesy of Eastern Nazarene College

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's tennis team endured a 5-3 loss to Wentworth Wednesday afternoon at the ENC Tennis Courts in the final home match of the season.

The Lions drop to 4-9 on the year and wrap up conference play with a 1-7 mark in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Leopards improve to 3-9 overall and locked up their first Commonwealth Coast Conference playoff berth since 2009 with the win.

Prior to the introduction of lineups, the Eastern Nazarene College women's tennis team recognized its two graduating seniors:Hannah Lariviere (Biddeford, Maine) and Julie Sutton(Middletown, Conn.). The duo combined for 24 career victories while also helping the Lions claim 12 wins.

The home team notched one victory in doubles action, falling behind 2-1 heading into singles matches.

Adele Duval (Redding, Calif.) and Lindsey Steelman (Darlington, Md.) posted their team-best seventh doubles win of the fall, prevailing 8-5 at the No. 1 position over Caitlyn Briggs and Sam Webb.

Jordan Cressman (Bowmanstown, Pa.) and Veronica Jimenez(Lynn, Mass.) suffered an 8-3 setback at the second spot to Olivia DeLuca and Emily Jodoin.

At the No. 3 slot, Lariviere and Sutton fell to Ellen Butts and Veronica Monteiro 8-3.

The visitors collected three singles wins to secure the vital league victory.

Duval downed Briggs in straight sets at the top singles position 6-1, 6-2, picking up her team-leading sixth singles win of the season.

Steelman earned her fifth singles victory of the fall at the No. 2 spot, topping DeLuca 7-5, 6-3.

Cressman dropped a 6-1, 6-0 decision to Jodoin at the third slot while Jimenez fell to Webb 6-3, 7-5 in the fourth singles match.

Lariviere absorbed a 6-2, 6-4 setback to Butts at the fifth position and Sutton trailed Monteiro in the second set at the No. 6 spot when the match was called.

"It's tough to lose the last conference match of the season, especially since this match had playoff implications. I'm sure we'll learn from this, work hard, and come back stronger next season," commented head coach Cris Popa.

Up next, Eastern Nazarene will visit UMass-Dartmouth October 6 for a non-league clash.

ENC Women’s Tennis Prevails in Crucial CCC Match Over Curry, 6-2

Recap, photo courtesy of ENC

QUINCY, Mass.- The Eastern Nazarene College women's tennis team collected its first conference win of the season, defeating Curry 6-2 Friday afternoon at the ENC Tennis Courts.

The Lions improve to 3-6 on the year and 1-4 in the Commonwealth Coast Conference. The Colonels drop to 1-8 overall and 0-6 in league matches.

The home side notched a pair of doubles victories to claim a 2-1 lead.

Adele Duval (Redding, Calif.) and Lindsey Steelman (Darlington, Md.) earned their team-leading fourth doubles win of the season, topping Keeley Hardy and Kayla Prete at the top spot 8-2.

Jordan Cressman (Bowmanstown, Pa.) and Veronica Jimenez(Lynn, Mass.) downed Laura Ferris and Katelyn Harrington 8-4 at the No. 2 position.

Hannah Lariviere (Biddeford, Maine) and Julie Sutton(Middletown, Conn.) absorbed an 8-6 loss at the third slot to Jennifer Dube and Stephanie Leblanc.

Eastern Nazarene tallied four victories in singles action to clinch its first league win.

Duval posted a 6-3, 6-3 win at the No. 1 position over Hardy. Steelman bested Prete at the second slot 6-4, 6-0.

Cressman edged Ferris 7-6, 7-5 in the third singles match while Jimenez captured a 7-5, 6-3 victory at the fourth spot against Harrington.

Sutton fell to Leblanc at the No. 5 position 7-6, 6-1.

Lariviere trailed 4-0 in the second set at the No. 6 slot against Alexis Mclea-Perry when the match was halted due to darkness.

"A fantastic team effort today! I could not be more proud of the girls, they gave everything on the court today," said head coach Cris Popa.

Up next, the Lions hit the road for a league tilt at Endicott September 24.