Widener's volleyball, women's soccer and men's soccer teams all qualified for their respective ECAC South Tournaments and will play their quarterfinal games Wednesday.
The volleyball team is the No. 2 seed and hosts City College of New York at 7:00 pm at Schwartz Center. The women's soccer squad is the eighth seed and visits top seed Frostburg State at 4:00 pm. The men's soccer team also is a No. 8 seed and travels to top-seeded King's for a 7:00 pm match.
Tickets for the volleyball match are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $2 for non-Widener students and free for those under age 6. Widener students are admitted free with a valid ID.
Volleyball (25-9, 4-2 Commonwealth Conference) posted its highest victory total in school history and advanced to the conference semifinals. It is the team's first postseason appearance.
Juniors Devan Green (Monroe Center, IL) and Danielle Wetling (Upper Darby, PA) along with freshman Rachel Lambert (Glenmore, PA) have played solidly at the net. Freshman Jamie Ballew (Media, PA) has been a great find at setter and the team receives strong defense from seniors Meghan Fitzsimmons (Lancaster, NY) and Ashley Varallo (Havertown, PA) as well as juniors Julieanne Gryn (Springfield, PA) and Duong Lau (Upper Darby, PA).
Women's soccer (11-5-2, 4-1-1) ended second in the league and hosted a conference tournament game for the second time in school annals (1995). It is the team's fifth appearance in the ECAC Tournament (1995, 2002, 2006, 2007).
The Pride have been solidified by the front line of junior Caryinna Yenchak (Ashley, PA) and freshmen Brittany Harvis (Delran, NJ) and Brittany Balentine (Medford, NJ). Two-time all-conference junior Sam Baer (Lancaster, PA) has been a catalyst at midfield and the defense is paced by sophomore back Jessie Furia (Morton, PA) and junior goalkeeper Alee Gunter (Maple Shade, NJ).
The men's soccer team (9-8-3, 3-3) got a huge boost by upsetting top-seeded Lebanon Valley, 1-0, on November 5 in the conference semifinals. Despite falling at No. 8 Messiah in Saturday's final, the Pride are making their fourth ECAC Tournament trip (1982, 1999, 2002).
Junior Hamed Correa (Cali, Colombia) had been solid in net with a 7-6 record and senior Doug Gabel (Feasterville, PA) has been a workhorse at midfield. Senior Bill James (Perkasie, PA) continues to play a vital role at forward as he and freshman Preston Dudley (Grasonville, MD) are tied for the team lead with 12 points.
ECAC South Volleyball Tournament
Wednesday, November 12 – Quarterfinals
No. 7 City College of NY (23-12) at No. 2 Widener (25-9), 7:00 pm
No. 8 SUNYIT (21-11) at No. 1 Stevenson (31-7), 7:00 pm
No. 6 Washington & Jefferson (17-14) at No. 3 PSU Behrend (22-9), 7:00 pm
No. 5 FDU-Florham (21-14) at No. 4 Cabrini (20-13), 6:00 pm
Saturday, November 15 – Semifinals
Both at highest remaining seed
2/7 winner vs. 3/6 winner
1/8 winner vs. 4/5 winner
Sunday, November 16 – Final
at semifinal host
ECAC South Women's Soccer Tournament
Wednesday, November 12 – Quarterfinals
No. 8 Widener (11-5-2) at No. 1 Frostburg State (14-3-2), 4:00 pm
No. 7 Catholic (10-7-2) at No. 2 Westminster (14-4-2), 5:00 pm
No. 6 Swarthmore (9-4-4) at No. 3 Delaware Valley (14-4-1), 2:00 pm
No. 5 Stevenson (11-5-4) at No. 4 Dickinson (12-3-3), 3:00 pm
Saturday, November 15 – Semifinals
Both at highest remaining seed
2/7 winner vs. 3/6 winner
1/8 winner vs. 4/5 winner
Sunday, November 16 – Final
at semifinal host
ECAC South Men's Soccer Tournament
Wednesday, November 12 – Quarterfinals
No. 8 Widener (9-8-3) at No. 1 King's (13-1-5), 7:00 pm
No. 7 Washington & Jefferson (9-7-4) at No. 2 Frostburg St. (13-4-1), TBA
No. 6 Wesley (11-7-3) at No. 3 Catholic (12-6), TBA
No. 5 Wilkes (10-8-2) at No. 4 Penn State Behrend (13-7-1), TBA
Saturday, November 15 – Semifinals
Both at highest remaining seed
2/7 winner vs. 3/6 winner
1/8 winner vs. 4/5 winner
Sunday, November 16 – Final
at semifinal host
