Mule Weekly Recap September 19, 2022

Volleyball Takes Down Conn. and Bowdoin, Starts Season 6-0

The Colby Volleyball team took their 4-0 record to start the season into their first NESCAC weekend on the road. After battling Conn. College Friday night to five sets (3-2 win), they flipped a 26-game losing streak upside down against the Polar Bears of Bowdoin College, winning in four sets. The last time Colby defeated Bowdoin was in 2005 during their NESCAC title run.

Hannah Wyllie recorded 13 kills in each match this weekend, and added seven blocks against the Camels. Her hitting percentage against Bowdoin was an amazing .500. LJ Grant continues to pace the Mules at the net, collecting a season-high 20 kills against Conn. She leads the NESCAC with 82 kills (3.73 k/set).

Colby begins their season 6-0 for the first time since 2005 (when the Mules won nine straight), sitting tied atop the NESCAC standings.

Football Downs 2021 NESCAC Champs 24-14

Colby welcomed the 2021 NESCAC Champion Williams College Ephs to Waterville to open the 2022 season. Williams ran the table last season defeating all nine opponents, including defeating the Mules 42-0. On Saturday, the Mules were ready to change the script.

Scoring twice in the opening quarter (Matt Hersch to Isaac Anderson for 19 yards, Hersch to Brendan Sawyer 5 yards), Colby jumped ahead for an early lead. The Ephs leveled the score, finding the endzone twice in the second frame. The two foes went into the break knotted at 14.

Colby scored twice in the second half, once by the legs of Hersch (2-yard run) and once by the leg of kicker Lowell Carr (26-yard field goal). A late Williams drive was thwarted in the third quarter when Joshua East intercepted the Williams quarterback at midfield, and Will Nipon made it two on the day by the Colby defense with one minute remaining. Julian Young led the charge for the Mules on defense, posting 14 tackles.

Colby begins the season 1-0 and tied at the top of the NESCAC standings for the first time since 2016.

Field Hockey Tops UNE and Husson, Falls to Trinity

The Field Hockey team picked up two non-conference victories this week after topping UNE on Wednesday (3-1) and Husson on Sunday (5-3). Jackie Hill opened the midweek game with a goal and an assist, and added a goal in Sunday's victory over the Eagles. Lillian Kistner added to her blistering pace to start the season, tallying two goals against Husson.

Sandwiched in between the two non-conference games was a matchup against Trinity. Despite getting on the board first (Hill), the Mules fell 3-1. Hill currently ranks third in NESCAC in goals scored (5), while teammate Kistner is tied for the league lead with six.

Colby is now 3-2 overall, tied for seventh in the NESCAC.

Men's Soccer Earns Two Ties on the Week

In a midweek matchup against Gordon College, the Mules jumped out to a 2-0 lead early at the feet of Ethan Fabricant and Ethan Franco. Fabricant scored in the second minute of play to put the Mules in front, and he assisted Franco's first half goal minutes later. The Fighting Scots came back late in the contest and scored the equalizer with less than two minutes to play.

In Saturday's matchup against Trinity, it was once again Fabricant who found the back of the net, this one leveling the score at 1 and earning precious points towards the NESCAC standings.

Colby is 2-1-2, tied for sixth in the NESCAC.

Women's Soccer Tops Husson, Falls to Bantams

Topping Husson Wednesday 5-0, the Mules improved their record against non-conference opponents to 2-0, outscoring the competition by a whopping margin of 13-0. First-year Sophie Digrande tallied her first collegiate goal late in the first half and added her second halfway through the second frame.

In Saturday's NESCAC matchup against the visiting Bantams, Colby was able to take a 0-0 draw into halftime, but Trinity scored two second-half goals to earn the victory. Emily McMaster had five saves in net for Colby.

Colby is 2-2 overall, ranked 10th in the NESCAC.

Women's Tennis Competes at Wallach Invitational

Participating in the Annual five-team event hosted by Bates College, the Women's Tennis team traveled to Lewiston for the annual Wallach Invitational. Eight Mules had a hand at winning matches, including five single round victories in the doubles flights. The team of Ellie Gershaw and Caleigh McClain advanced all the way to the finals of the B-flight before succumbing to a duo from Trinity.

In singles action, McClain took the crown in the C-flight with victories over opponents from Bates (twice) and Brandeis. Caroline Kittle advanced all the way to the finals of the B-flight, falling to her opponent from Trinity College.

Golf Stays Close to Home, Competes at UMF and Thomas Invitationals

The Golf team remained at the familiar links of the Waterville Country Club for two days of local competition. In Saturday's meet hosted by Thomas College, Colby finished fifth out of the nine competing schools. Jacob Teszler was the top Mule on the day, finishing tied for 5th after shooting a 76. Spencer Krex was close behind with a 79. Thomas College won the event.

In Sunday's UMF Invitational, Teszler was once again the leading scorer for Colby, landing in 12th place as the Mules finished sixth out of eight competing schools. Husson University finished first.