Mule Weekly Recap October 24, 2022

"Another Gritty Win!!"

"Another gritty win," according to Jack Cosgrove, the Dick McGee Head Coach for Colby Football, as the Mules defeated Hamilton College in Clinton 18-12, improving their record to 4-2.

The hosts got out to an early lead thanks to two field goals and an early touchdown, jumping in front 12-0. Colby got on the board with 20 seconds remaining in the second quarter to head into the half with a 12-3 deficit.

As we've seen in four of the previous five games, Colby's second-half adjustments have been tremendous. Including Saturday's performance, the Mules have outscored opponents 80-28 in the second half of 2022 contests, with 19 of those points-against coming in Hartford against undefeated Trinity. Colby took the second and third drives of the second half for touchdowns, and the defense forced a fumble and two turnover on downs to hold off the Continentals.

Jack Sawyer posted his second 100-yard receiving game of the year on a career-high eight receptions. Julian Young tallied his fourth double-digit tackle performance of the season, ranking second in the NESCAC with 10.2 tackles per game.

Colby is now 4-2, ranked third in the NESCAC.

Volleyball Tops Bowdoin for Second Time in 2022

After breaking a winless streak against Bowdoin in September (winless against the Polar Bears dating back to 2005), the Mules doubled down for the 2022 season defeating Bowdoin again Friday night 3-1. Colby also topped Southern Maine Wednesday and dropped a close contest Friday afternoon to Wheaton (25-19, 20-25, 25-27, 25-10, 15-17) to come out of the week 2-1.

Hannah Wyllie tallied three consecutive double-digit kill performances on the week, hitting .435 against Bowdoin and an amazing .714 against the Huskies. She added seven blocks, seven digs, and two service aces on the week.

Colby is now 14-6, good for sixth in the NESCAC. The 14 wins is the most for the program since 2015.

Crew Returns to Head of the Charles Regatta

The Men's and Women's Crew teams headed down to Cambridge, Mass. during the weekend to race in the Head of the Charles Regatta. Both V8 teams improved on their results from the 2021 season, as the Women's team finished 21st (one spot ahead of last year's result). The Mules topped Bowdoin and also Smith, a crew who defeated Colby last week in Worcester. The Men's team improved six places from 2021, finishing in 31st.

The Women's program also entered a boat in the V4 event, finishing 14th out of 35 crews, ahead of both Wesleyan and Bates, securing them an entry in the same event next year.

Colby also had a Women's Alumnae 8 boat that represented over 20 years of Colby Crew History (1999-2022) all racing together.

Next, the Mules will return to Maine for the fall CBB race on October 29th.

Women's Soccer Tops UMFK, Falls in Defensive Battle with Bowdoin

The Mules traveled to Brunswick Wednesday to face off against NESCAC rival Bowdoin College. After a long battle in the first half leaving both teams scoreless, the hosts were able to get on the board during the 64th minute. Following the goal, both defenses were impenetrable, resulting in a 1-0 final score. Goalie MK Marshall finished with five saves for the Mules.

On Saturday, Colby took out UMaine Fort Kent 2-0 to close out their non-conference schedule a perfect 5-0. The Mules got on the board quickly when Sophie Webb netted a goal on a cross from Kaleigh Quinn just seven minutes into the match. Colby kept up the pressure with multiple chances to score (17 total shots) which led to a late 85th minute goal by Webb, her second of the game, assisted by Kerrie Verbeek.

Colby is now 5-9, 11th in the NESCAC. With one regular season game remaining (hosting Bates on Tuesday), the eighth and final playoff position is out of reach.

Field Hockey Defeats Saint Joseph's, Falls to Bowdoin

Colby took to the road for their two matches on the week. First they faced off against Bowdoin College in Brunswick where the Polar Bears got off to an early first quarter 3-0 lead. Pernilla Shaw was able to get on the board during the second quarter to pull the Mules within two. Casey Winslow knocked in her fifth goal of the season (assisted by Lillian Kistner) and Shaw scored her second of the match (assisted by Jackie Hill), but the Polar Bears were hot on the offensive end too, scoring three times in the third quarter, closing out the Mules 8-3.

In their final road match of the season, the Mules headed to Standish to take on Saint Joseph’s College of Maine for their last non-conference matchup. The Monks jumped out to an early lead nine minutes into the game, but Colby answered back with two goals in the second and two more in the fourth. Winslow (two goals), Hill, and Kaitlyn Smith scored for Colby, completing the undefeated season in non-conference play.

Colby is now 6-8, good for 9th in the conference. With one regular season game remaining (hosting Bates on Tuesday), the eighth and final playoff position is out of reach.

Men's Soccer Losses Tough Battle to Bowdoin

Colby headed down to Brunswick Wednesday for their lone game of the week in a NESCAC matchup against rival Bowdoin College. Coming off a scoreless first half, the Polar Bears capitalized on a penalty kick during the 47th minute to jump out to a 1-0 lead. They added their second of the afternoon with 14 minutes left. Colby generated 11 shots during the contest, but Bowdoin keeper Michael Webber turned away all shots put on net.

Colby is now 4-3-7 overall, 9th in the NESCAC.

With one regular season contest remaining (Colby hosts Bates on Tuesday), the 8th and final playoff spot remains up for grabs. With a Colby win and a Conn. College loss (Tuesday vs Wesleyan), Colby would claim the 8th seed in the NESCAC playoffs.