Women's Ice Hockey Advances to NCAA Elite 8
Despite exiting the conference tournament in the semifinal round, the Women's Ice Hockey team had a few more fireworks in store for the 2022-23 season.
Earning an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament for the second straight season, Colby hosted Norwich University Wednesday night in search of the first national tournament victory in program history.
The Mules got on the board quickly against the Cadets scoring three times in the opening period. Adding a goal in each of the remaining periods, Colby leaped to a 5-0 lead over #9 Norwich. Two late goals for the Cadets tightened the final score to 5-2, but the Mules made history and advanced to the next round.
Returning to Amherst on Saturday to play the nation's top team in the quarterfinals, the Mules and Mammoths battled neck-in-neck for the first 40 minutes of play entering the third period deadlocked 0-0. Goaltender Paige Bolyard was stellar in the first two frames, collecting 20 saves over the first two periods.
In the third period, the strength of the Mammoths prevailed, tallying three goals in the first five minutes to guide Amherst to the Final Four.
Colby ends its season with an 18-8 record, securing the most wins in program history and its first NCAA tournament win.
Colby Skiing 16th at NCAA Championships
Returning to Lake Placid for the NCAA Championship, three Alpine skiers and three Nordic skiers were set to take on the best in the country. Combining scores from Men's and Women's Nordic (Freestyle, Classic) and Alpine (Giant Slalom, Slalom), all collegiate teams regardless of NCAA Division affiliation face off against each other in search of a National Championship.
In the Giant Slalom, Lydia Riddell sped into 9th place, earning All-American status. Chauncey Morgan was the top Alpine racer in the Slalom event, finishing in 23rd place.
In the Freestyle, Zach Nemeth (photo left) and Jack Young skated into the top-30, finishing 28th and 29th respectively. Nemeth was once again the top Mule in the Classic, placing 19th.
Combining all events, Colby earned 16th place, finishing as the 3rd-best Division III school. Western scholarship universities Utah (1st), Colorado (2nd), and Denver (3rd) swept the podium for team scores.
Individual Finishes:
- Riddell - 9th Giant Slalom, 25th Slalom
- Nemeth - 19th Classic, 28th Freestyle
- Morgan - 23rd Slalom
- Ella Spear - 27th Giant Slalom, 30th Slalom
- Young - 29th Freestyle, 35th Classic
- Gretta Scholz - 34th Freestyle, 36th Classic
Mejico 9th in 400 at NCAA Meet
Fiona Mejico traveled to Birmingham, Alabama to represent Colby in the NCAA Indoor Track & Field Championships competing in the Women’s 400 meter race. After qualifying for the race in 13th, Mejico surpassed four competitors to grab a 9th place finish, placing the sophomore in the top ten in the nation. Mejico was just 0.25 seconds short from qualifying for the final and becoming an All-American.
Fiona has had an incredible indoor season. Performances including 9th at the NCAA Championship, 2nd at the D3 New England Championships, 2nd best performance in school history in the 400m, 4th best performance in school history in the 200m. Her commitment, determination, and discipline have been the cornerstone of her success. She is at the beginning of building a storied career.
David Cusano, Head Men's and Women's Track & Field Coach
The Women’s and Men’s Track and Field team will now shift to the outdoor season with the Emory Invitation I coming up March 17th-18th in Atlanta, Georgia.
Unified Special Hockey of Maine Enjoys the Ice of the Jack Kelley Rink
The Maine Highlanders, Unified Special Hockey of Maine, have been enjoying their time at the Jack Kelley Rink here at Colby this year throughout the winter season. They are part of the nation-wide organization American Special Hockey Association (ASHCA).
Most of our athletes in Maine have never had the opportunity to learn to skate or play hockey due to expense, lack of programs, and lack of inclusion within communities. We currently have 11 registered athletes and 11 registered partner/ coaches coming from all around the state to participate. Our athletes are really having such a great time and are so happy to have this opportunity to finally learn to skate and play on the Jack Kelley Rink!
Sarah Joliet, contact for Maine Highlanders
Click on the link for more information on the ASHA and the Maine Highlanders Ice Hockey Team.
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Men's Tennis Runs to 3-0, Up to #20
After picking up two wins last week on the road, the 20th-ranked Men’s Tennis team pushes their overall record to 3-0 after defeating Brandeis 8-1 in the home opener here on Mayflower Hill. The Mules caught early momentum in doubles as Jan Wenger and Jake Cohen grabbed a victory 8-5 on court 1 with Joey Barrett and Aidan Kwong dominating 8-0 on court 3. In singles Colby swept all six matches as Cohen, Wenger, and Ben Powis stay undefeated so far this season.
Men’s Tennis sits at 3-0 overall, 2-0 in conference play.
Women's Tennis Sweeps Weekend
The Women’s Tennis team kicked off their two-match weekend tallying a win over Wellesley 8-1 on Saturday. The Mules swept in doubles 3-0 with Sam Riordan and Sydney Landau dominating 8-2 in the one spot, Maddie Omicioli and Isabella Suk winning the two spot 8-5, and the tandem of Caleigh McClain and Amelie Gal taking the three spot 8-1. As for singles, Colby stayed in control winning five of six with victories coming from Riordan at line one, Omicioli in line three, Landau with a close comeback win in line two, Ellie Gershaw in the fourth spot and McClain wrapping up the sixth spot.
On Sunday, the Mules kept the same energy grabbing another 8-1 win, this time over Brandeis. Colby took the 2-1 edge coming out of doubles as Landau and Riordan won 8-6 and Omicioli and Suk won 8-2. For the individual matchups, the Mules took victories in all six as Riordan picked up a 6-3, 6-0 win on court one. The junior is undefeated so far this season with a 4-0 record.
Women’s Tennis is now 2-2 on the season.
Softball Opens Season with Split
The Colby Softball team opened the 2023 season this weekend at home against a strong MIT team. In the opener, the Engineers jumped ahead with three runs in the second and three more in the fifth. The Mules chipped away with one run in the fifth and tallied two more in the sixth from a Jackie Hill home run. After Hill's round-tripper, MIT settled down to get the final outs.
In the second game Colby's offense picked up right where they ended game one. The Mules tallied seven runs in the first three innings behind three more hits by Hill, including a double and her second home run of the day. Abby Orso got the win in the circle throwing six innings and striking out seven. She also went 2-2 at the plate, collecting a home run and two RBI.
Colby is 1-1 heading into their trip to Florida. The Mules will play 12 games over spring break.
Baseball Concludes First Road Trip of Season Before Heading South for Break
After an opening weekend sweep of UMaine Presque Isle where Colby tallied 39 runs, Colby hit the road for its first away games of the season.
In Saturday's doubleheader at RPI, the Mules outpaced the Engineers in the opener 9-8. Four Mules collected multi-hit games, led by Patrick McConnell with a double and two singles. Ryan Grecco collected the win on the mound, throwing 3.1 innings in relief, striking out four and allowing one unearned run.
The nightcap was shortened to 4.5 innings due to darkness. RPI scored three runs early to hold on for the 3-0 win.
Facing Eastern Nazarene Sunday, Colby jumped out to a 3-1 lead in the fifth inning and added another run in the seventh. The Lions clawed back with four runs in the bottom of the ninth to steal the game 5-4. Clint Flippo continued his hot start out of the leadoff spot going 3-5 at the plate. He has ten hits in 20 at bats this season, with 10 RBI and eight runs scored. Thomas Rioux pitched well in his first collegiate start, throwing 4.2 innings while allowing one run.
Colby is 3-2 to start the season, set to head to Florida for seven games over spring break.
Men's Lacrosse Earns First Win Against St. Joseph's, Plays Tight with Ephs
The Mules opened their non-conference season Wednesday night playing hosts to St. Joseph's College. With an astounding 18 different goal scorers, Colby ran away from the Monks 26-6. Max Solmssen, Jack Goller, and Ben Reynolds collected three goals apiece.
Hosting Williams Saturday for their second NESCAC match of the season, the Mules played the Ephs toe-to-toe, entering halftime tied at five. Williams controlled faceoffs in the second half, erupting for seven goals in the third quarter and pulling away for a 15-8 win. Nick Hassan collected three goals to lead the Mules.
Colby is now 1-2 heading into spring break.
Women's Lacrosse Completes Road Set in Williamstown
After opening their season a week ago on the road against two nationally-ranked opponents, the Mules traveled to Williamstown to face off against the Ephs.
Tied at the break with four goals apiece, Colby tallied four times in the third quarter to take an 8-5 lead into the final frame. Williams stiffened their defense and converted five times on the offensive end to pull away from the Mules for a 10-8 victory. Ally Franz tallied a hat trick with three goals, and Gianna Bruno added a goal and three assists for four points.
Colby begins its season 0-3, but with each game so far coming on the road, the Mules will welcome three of their next four opponents to Mayflower Hill.
Special thank you to the photographers who helped make this production possible: Cole Burkhart '24, Steve Cheney P25, Stephen R. Clouthier, Ashley Conti, Nancy Dauphinais '25, Paula Dauphinais '25, Jamie Fiedorek '25, Steve Fuller @flyingpoint, Michael Garrett P23, Peter Li '26, Michael Maher, Joshua McKee, Dustin Satloff '15, Ellie Sawyer P25, Isadora Wells '26, Ansley White '26