Kurfirst's Goal Propels Men's Soccer Past Whitewater

CHICAGO -- Freshman forward Kyle Kurfirst (Western Springs, Ill./ Lyons Township) scored the only goal of the match in the 53rd minute (pictured above) as the University of Chicago defeated the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 1-0 in non-conference men's soccer action Sunday at Stagg Field.

Senior midfielder Alan Pikna (Wauwatosa, Wis./ Wauwatosa West) recorded the assist on Kurfirst's goal, his second of the year.

Chicago held the Warhawks to two shots on goal, as freshman netminder Elek Lane (Eau Claire, Wis./ Memorial) needed to make only one save to record the shutout.

Team Records

With its second straight win, Chicago raised its record above the .500 mark at 7-6-1. Wisconsin-Whitewater slipped to 10-7, losing for only the second time in its last six contests. The Warhawks entered the game as the sixth-ranked team in the NSCAA North Region.

Beyond the Box Score

The 1-0 win ended the Maroons' five-game losing streak in games decided by one goal. Chicago improved to 4-6 in one-goal affairs on the season.

Sunday's match was the Maroons' final non-conference tilt of the season. Chicago finished the year 7-2-2 in non-league play.

Chicago improved to 3-1-1 at Stagg Field.

With Sunday's win, the Maroons snapped a four-game series losing streak and took an 8-7-1 all-time lead in the rivalry.

Both of Kurfirst's goals this season have been game-winners.

With his assist, Pikna has registered a point in three of his last four games.

Lane's shutout was his fifth of the campaign.

Prior to the start of the match, former All-American Pat Barry participated in the captains coin toss. Friday night, Barry (1999-2001) became the first UChicago men's soccer player inducted into the University's Athletics Hall of Fame.

Up Next

Chicago returns to University Athletic Association play Friday afternoon when it entertains Case Western Reserve University at 3 p.m. Friday's game marks the start of a three-game season-ending UAA homestand.

Swimming & Diving Opens Season at Wheaton

WHEATON, Ill. -- The University of Chicago men's and women's swimming & diving teams opened their 2011-12 campaigns with dual meet victories Saturday at Wheaton (Ill.) College. The men won 166-82, while the women prevailed 145-105.

Results At A Glance

Chicago's men won all individual events and both relays. In the women's race, the Maroons took six of nine individual events and both relays.

Individual Winners - Men

Andrew Salomon (Fr. - Park Ridge, Ill./ Maine South)
200 freestyle (1:46.25), 500 freestyle (4:53.31)

Henry Kimball (Fr. - Boca Raton, Fla./ Boca Raton)
1000 freestyle (10:15.11)

Marius Aleska (Sr. - Riverside, Ill./ Riverside Brookfield) (pictured)
50 freestyle (21.88)

Eric Hallman (So. - Oak Park, Ill./ Oak Park River Forest)
200 IM (2:00.40)

Charles Du (Jr. - Richmond Heights, Mo./ Clayton)
200 butterfly (2:04.11)

Nicolas Santoro (Sr. - Barrington, Ill./ Barrington)
100 butterfly (49.05)

Robert Vanneste (Sr. - St. Petersburg, Fla./ St. Petersburg IB)
200 backstroke (2:04.49)

Andrew Angeles (Fr. - Pasadena, Calif./ Loyola)
200 breaststroke (2:06.95)

Individual Winners - Women

Vivian Yuen (So. - Cupertino, Calif./ Monta Vista)
200 IM (2:13.12), 200 backstroke (2:10.15)

Jennifer Hill (Fr. - Urbana, Ill./ Urbana)
50 freestyle (24.88)

Kit-Ying Ho (Fr. - Johns Creek, Ga./ Northview)
200 butterfly (2:14.92)

Tara Levens (Sr. - Palo Alto, Calif./ Gunn)
100 freestyle (54.50)

Cathy Chen (So. - Potomac, Md./ Churchill)
200 breaststroke (2:35.02)

Team Records

Both teams are now 1-0 on the season.

Notes

Chicago improved to 28-13 (men) and 30-13 (women) in dual meet competition in six years under Head Coach Jason Weber.

Saturday's meet was the only road dual of the season for the Maroons, who will return home for their next seven events (four duals, two invitationals, and one triangular).

Up Next

Chicago hosts the Illinois Institute of Technology next Saturday (Oct. 29) at 1 p.m.

Volleyball Wins 3 of 4 at Elmhurst Invite

ELMHURST, Ill. -- The 16th-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team won three of four matches Friday and Saturday at the Elmhurst College Invitational.

Chicago opened the weekend with a 25-19, 25-11, 26-24 win over Simpson College (12-17). Senior outside hitter Colleen Belak (Louisville, Ky./ Presentation) and junior middle blockers Caroline Brander (River Forest, Ill./ Trinity) and Katie Trela (Glencoe, Ill./ Regina Dominican) each had six blocks in the victory.

Brander then hit 19 kills and added seven blocks as the Maroons defeated Wheaton (Ill.) College (16-12) 25-14, 25-17, 24-26, 25-18 in Friday's second contest. Belak (11), Smalls (10), and sophomore outside hitter Morgan Clark (Purcellville, Va./ Loudon Valley) (10) also hit double-digit kills.

Chicago won Saturday's first match over the University of Wisconsin-Platteville (19-12) 25-14, 26-24, 25-19 behind nine kills from Brander and Smalls.

No. 19 Elmhurst (25-9) then handed the Maroons (27-4) a 25-19, 26-28, 25-21, 25-21 loss in the tournament finale. Smalls hit a team-high 16 kills, while Clark totaled 14.

Junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy Academy), who averaged 5.5 digs per set on the weekend, was named to the all-tournament team.

Chicago will remain idle until it travels to Manhattan for the University Athletic Association Championship Nov. 4-5.

Football Wins Big on Homecoming

CHICAGO -- Junior wide receiver Dee Brizzolara (Aurora, Ohio/ Aurora) scored two of the Maroons' six touchdowns -- setting two school records in the process -- as the University of Chicago football team celebrated Homecoming with a 41-17 win over Kenyon College before a capacity crowd Saturday at Stagg Field.

Brizzolara's two touchdowns gave him 37 for his career and increased his lifetime scoring total to 224 points, both Chicago modern era records (since 1969).

Chicago (5-2) used some offensive trickery to build a 21-10 first quarter lead. The Maroons scored the game's first points on a 1-yard Brizzolara run off a double reverse.

After Kenyon answered with a 1-yard Brett Williams plunge to even the score at 7-7, senior tailback Francis Adarkwa (Wheaton, Ill./ Wheaton-Warrenville South) threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to junior quarterback Kevin Shelton (Hickory, N.C./ Hickory) to put the Maroons on top for good, 14-7.

Shelton pitched the ball to Adarkwa, who then stepped back and threw to a wide open Shelton for the touchdown. Adarkwa added a 1-yard touchdown run late in the opening stanza.

Chicago scored the only points of the second quarter on a 7-yard scoring strike from sophomore quarterback Vincent Cortina (Belmont, Mass./ Belmont) to Brizzolara (pictured) at the 3:20 mark.

On the first play from scrimmage in the second half, senior cornerback Emmett Carrier (Glen Ellyn, Ill. Benet Academy) picked off Kenyon quarterback Dan Shannon's pass and brought it 34 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown return of the year and third of his career.

Williams, who finished the day with 136 yards on 32 carries, scored Kenyon's (0-7) final touchdown from 5 yards out midway through the third quarter.

Chicago closed out the scoring on a 1-yard plunge by freshman running back Zak Ross-Nash (Allendale, N.J./ Northern Highlands) with 7:02 left in the game. Ross-Nash gained 82 yards on 17 carries on the afternoon, while Adarkwa rushed for 73 yards on 15 attempts.

The win was the Maroons' third in four home games this season and their ninth consecutive home win over an unranked opponent. Chicago also won for the 29th straight occasion at Stagg Field when taking a lead into the fourth quarter.

The Maroons kick off University Athletic Association play next Saturday when they travel to Cleveland to take on Case Western Reserve University.

Women's Cross Country Wins North Central Invite

WINFIELD, Ill. -- The 33rd-ranked University of Chicago women's cross country team led the four-team field at the North Central College Cardinal Open Friday afternoon.

Chicago featured four of the top seven runners, including the top finisher, junior Julia Sizek (Dayton, Ohio/ Oakwood) and the runner-up, sophomore Elise Wummer (Castro Valley, Calif./ Castro Valley).

Sizek (pictured) crossed the line with a three-mile time of 18:23, followed by Wummer in 18:33.

Junior Elsbeth Grant (Chapel Hill, N.C./ East Chapel Hill) placed fifth overall (18:46), while senior Ali Klooster (St. Louis, Mo./ University) finished seventh (19:02).

The Maroons will play host to the 2011 University Athletic Association Championship Saturday at Montrose Harbor in Chicago.

Men's Cross Country Takes 2nd at North Central Open

WINFIELD, Ill. -- The 10th-ranked University of Chicago men's cross country team finished second among six teams at the North Central College Cardinal Open Friday afternoon.

Sophomore Sam Butler (Wyndmoor, Pa./ Germantown Friends) was the Maroons' top runner, placing seventh overall with a three-mile time of 15:21. Sophomore Griffin Brunk (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel) and senior Robert Cooper (Glen Ellyn, Ill./ Glenbard South) finished ninth (15:25) and 11th (15:28), respectively.

The Maroons will play host to the 2011 University Athletic Association Championship Saturday at Montrose Harbor in Chicago.

Coville Nets Two as Maroons Blank Concordia

CHICAGO -- Senior midfielder Stanton Coville (Powell, Ohio/ Olentangy Liberty) scored two goals and assisted on another as the University of Chicago men's soccer team defeated Concordia University Chicago 4-0 Thursday night at Stagg Field.

Chicago, which snapped a five-game losing streak, scored the only goal it would need in the 13th minute on senior midfielder Alan Pikna's (Wauwatosa, Wis./ West) fifth goal of the season. Pikna took a feed from freshman forward Kyle Kurfirst (Western Springs, Ill./ Lyons) and slipped a shot past Cougar netminder John Gehm.

Coville made it 2-0 in the 37th minute on a shot from 10 yards out off an assist from freshman forward Nic Lopez (Tulsa, Okla./ Cascia Hall).

Coville tallied his second goal of the game and eighth of the season just 39 seconds into the second period. Kurfirst collected his second assist of the evening as he fed Coville in the box.

Junior midfielder Steven Chase (Cumberland, Maine/ Greely) capped the scoring off an assist from Coville in the 52nd minute. Chase's goal was his third of the year.

Chicago (6-6-2) outshot the Cougars by a 25-4 margin. Gehm made several point blank stops to keep Concordia (3-13-1) in the match in the first half. He finished the night with six saves.

Freshman Elek Lane (Eau Claire, Wis./ Memorial) made one save in 87 minutes for the Maroons, before giving way to sophomore Mason Harless (Plymouth, Minn./ Robbinsdale Armstrong) for the final 2:53.

Thursday's match marked the first meeting between the two schools.

The Maroons host the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in their final non-conference game of the year Sunday at 1 p.m.

Volleyball Wins 5-Set Home Finale

CHICAGO -- Senior outside hitter Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) led four Maroons in double digit kills with 15 as the 16th-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team outlasted Dominican University 24-26, 25-22, 25-12, 22-25, 15-13 in its home finale Wednesday night at the Ratner Athletics Center.

Smalls was one of three Maroons making their final career appearance at the Ratner Center, where they have helped their teams win 23 of 27 matches, including 22 straight over unranked opponents, since the 2008 campaign.

Senior outside hitter Colleen Belak (Louisville, Ky./ Presentation) (pictured, right) finished the night with 11 kills, 24 digs, three blocks, and two aces, while senior libero Ali Meyers (Crystal Lake, Ill./ Crystal Lake South) (pictured, left) contributed 21 digs.

Freshman Morgan Barry (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./ University) and junior middle blocker Katie Trela (Glencoe, Ill./ Regina Dominican) hit 13 and 12 kills, respectively. Trela also collected eight blocks.

Jacy Lawrence hit 15 kills for Dominican (23-5).

The Maroons (24-3) return to action Friday and Saturday at the Elmhurst College Invitational.

Walby Wins #100 as Volleyball Takes Two at UAA Round Robin

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- University of Chicago Head Volleyball Coach Vanessa Walby earned her 100th career victory as the 16th-ranked Maroons won a pair of matches on the final day of the University Athletic Association Round Robin Sunday at the University of Rochester.

Chicago improved to 23-3 on the season to raise Walby's four-year record to 100-46.

The Maroons finished UAA Round Robin competition with a 5-2 mark to claim the #3 seed at the Nov. 4-5 conference championship tournament at New York University.

Chicago hit at a season-best .444 clip as it began the day with a 25-13, 25-17, 25-12 win over NYU (15-10, 2-4).

Senior out Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) led the Maroons with eight kills, while freshman outside hitter Morgan Barry (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./ University) hit seven kills in eight attempts without an error.

Junior middle blocker Katie Trela (Glencoe, Ill./ Regina Dominican) and sophomore middle blocker Maggie Vaughn (Houston, Texas/ Lamar) each collected four blocks.

The Maroons then defeated Carnegie Mellon University (12-11, 2-5) 25-13, 27-29, 25-20, 25-13 behind 18 kills from Trela and 11 from Smalls. Junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy) collected 27 digs, and sophomore setter Nikki DelZenero (Hinsdale, Ill./ Hinsdale Central) was credited with 49 assists.

Chicago makes its final home appearance of the season Wednesday at 7 p.m. against Dominican University.

Women's Soccer Wins 3-1 at NYU

NEW YORK -- Three different players scored and three others collected assists as the 24th-ranked University of Chicago women's soccer team defeated host New York University 3-1 in University Athletic Association action Sunday afternoon.

Chicago (7-4-2 overall, 1-1-2 UAA) scored the only goal of the first half.

In the 36th minute, sophomore defender Beatrice Hobson (Cincinnati, Ohio/ Ursuline Academy) fed sophomore forward Micaela Harms (Corona del Mar, Calif./ Mater Dei) along the right endline. Harms then sent a cross to sophomore forward Kat Konstantinoff (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./ Tremper), who tallied her third goal of the season from point blank range.

Chicago made it 2-0 in the 64th minute when freshman forward Meghan Derken (Madison, Conn./ Hand) set up freshman forward Sara Kwan's (Irvine, Calif./ University) eight-yard shot inside the far right post. Kwan's (pictured) goal was her third of the year and second game-winner.

Freshman defender Katie Shivanandan (Atlanta, Ga./ Westminster) scored the Maroons' final goal in the 83rd minute off a free kick for her first career tally.

NYU (9-5, 1-3) avoided the shutout when Serra Tumay scored off a free kick in the 85th minute.

Senior goalkeeper Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel) made four saves for the Maroons.

Chicago will play its final non-conference game of the season Saturday at Millikin University.

Men's Soccer Falls in Double O.T.

NEW YORK -- New York University's Kyle Green scored both of his team's goals as the host Violets defeated the University of Chicago men's soccer team 2-1 in double overtime in University Athletic Association action Sunday afternoon.

With just over a minute left in the match, Colm Dillane sent a corner kick to Green, who headed the ball into the net to give NYU (6-6-1 overall, 2-2 UAA) the victory.

Green gave the Violets the lead in the 18th minute, scoring on a breakaway after stealing a pass back to the keeper.

Senior Stanton Coville (Powell, Ohio/ Olentangy Liberty) headed in a corner kick attempt from sophomore Sawyer Kisken (Fairbanks, Alaska/ West Valley) in the 82nd minute to even the score and send the game into overtime. The goal was Coville's sixth of the season.

Coville (pictured) nearly gave the Maroons (5-6-2, 0-4) the win in the final minute of regulation with a header off the top of the crossbar. In the first overtime, he fired a shot from 30 yards away that NYU netminder Forrest Sexton stopped with a diving save -- one of his seven on the day.

The Maroons, who suffered their fifth straight loss, outshot NYU 15-8.

Chicago returns home for its final non-conference game of the year Thursday against Concordia University Chicago. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

Women's Cross Country Places 12th at Oshkosh

OSHKOSH, Wis. -- The 32nd-ranked University of Chicago women's cross country team finished 12th out of 43 teams at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Brooks Invitational Saturday.

The meet, held on the course that will serve as the site for the 2011 NCAA Division III Championships, featured nine top-25 ranked teams and was the largest event in Division III this season.

Senior Rachel Ohman (Solana Beach, Calif./ Torrey Pines) (pictured) paced the Maroons, finishing ninth out of 395 runners with a six-kilometer time of 22:22. Senior Jane Simpson (Western Springs, Ill./ Lyons Township) placed 45th with a time of 23:00.

Chicago's next three finishers were senior Sonia Khan (Hoffman Estates, Ill./ Hoffman Estates) (80th place, 23:26), junior Sarah Peluse (Buffalo Grove, Ill./ Buffalo Grove) (100th, 23:39), and sophomore Micaela Whitelaw (Swarthmore, Pa./ Strath Haven) (111th, 23:45).

Third-ranked Washington (Mo.) University won the meet with 61 points. Chicago totaled 336.

The Maroons return to action Friday at North Central.

Volleyball Defeats Brandeis, Falls to WashU

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The 16th-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team split two matches Saturday at the University Athletic Association Round Robin, defeating Brandeis University in three sets before falling in four sets to second-ranked Washington (Mo.) University.

Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Clark (Purcellville, Va./ Loudon Valley) led a balanced attack as Chicago defeated Brandeis (7-12 overall, 0-4 UAA) 25-14, 25-14, 25-20 in Saturday's first match.

Clark hit five kills, while six other Maroons collected four. Junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy Academy) served six aces -- the most by a Chicago player this season -- and had 11 digs.

Chicago then dropped a 22-25, 25-16, 25-14, 25-22 decision to second-ranked and undefeated Washington (22-0, 4-0). The Maroons' first set win halted Washington's NCAA Division III record consecutive sets won streak at 63.

Senior outside hitter Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) (pictured) led the Maroons (21-3, 3-2) with 10 kills.

Chicago wraps up UAA Round Robin play Sunday with matches against New York University and Carnegie Mellon University.

Women's Soccer Ties 1-1 at Brandeis

BOSTON -- In a game stalled by an 89-minute lightning delay, the 24th-ranked University of Chicago and host Brandeis University played to a 1-1 tie in University Athletic Association women's soccer action Friday night.

Brandeis (5-7-1 overall, 0-2-1 UAA) scored 2:01 into the match when Mary Shimko sent a high shot just over the outstretched arms of Chicago senior goalkeeper Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel). Mimi Theodore assisted on the goal, Shimko's third of the year.

Chicago (6-4-2, 0-1-2) had a scoring chance late in the first half, but Brandeis netminder Francine Kofinas stopped a shot from freshman defender Ellie von Storch (Charlottesville, Va./ Charlottesville) (pictured) with a diving save.

Chicago tied the game in the 54th minute on senior forward Allison Hegel's (Vienna, Va./ Jefferson) team-leading seventh goal of the season. Less than two minutes after Hegel's goal, lightning forced a 1:29 delay.

Gormley came up with a key save in the 80th minute, tipping an Alyssa Fenenbock shot over the top of the goal.

In the closing seconds of regulation, Kofinas stopped Hegel on a breakaway to send the game into overtime.

Brandeis held a 19-18 edge in shots. Gormley made nine saves, while Kofinas stopped six shots.

The Maroons play the second half of their UAA weekend doubleheader Sunday at New York University.

Men's Soccer Drops 4th Straight, 2-1 at Brandeis

BOSTON -- Kyle Feather's goal early in the second half proved to be the difference as host Brandeis University defeated the University of Chicago 2-1 in University Athletic Association men's soccer action Friday afternoon.

With their fourth straight loss, the Maroons fell to 5-5-2 overall, 0-3 in UAA play. Brandeis improved to 8-3-1 overall, 1-1-1 in league action.

With the match even at 1-1 in the 57th minute, Brandeis' Ben Applefield dribbled along the left side and centered the ball to Feather, who found the back of the net for his fifth goal of the year.

Sam Ocel gave the Judges the lead just 3:32 into the contest on a shot into the far left corner. Steve Keuchkarian was credited with the assist.

Chicago got on the board in the 21st minute when freshman midfielder Nick Codispoti (Rockville Centre, N.Y./ Chaminade) (pictured) sent a cross to senior midfielder Alan Pikna (Wauwatosa, Wis./ West), who finished for his fourth goal of the season.

The Maroons outshot Brandeis 14-8, including an 8-2 margin in the second half. Blake Minchoff collected four saves for the Judges, while Chicago freshman Elek Lane (Eau Claire, Wis./ Memorial) stopped three shots.

Chicago plays the second half of its UAA weekend doubleheader Sunday at New York University. Sunday's match will mark the Maroons' final road appearance of the year.

Maroons Recognized for Academic Accomplishments

CHICAGO -- Six members of the 2011 University of Chicago softball team have been named to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) All-American Scholar Athlete Team.

Representing the Maroons were class of 2011 infielder Natalie Povilonis (Naperville, Ill./ Waubonsie Valley); class of 2012 first baseman Liz Payonk (Palos Heights, Ill./ Stagg); class of 2013 pitcher Melissa Collins (Green Bay, Wis./ Ashwaubenon) and outfielder Stazi Tangherlini (Dobbs Ferry, N.Y./ The Masters School); and class of 2014 outfielders Kaitlyn Carpenter (Des Moines, Iowa/ East) and Julia Covello (Mill Creek, Wash./ Jackson).

All-America Scholar Athlete designation is awarded to players who achieved a 3.50 grade point average or higher during the 2010-11 academic year.

In addition to the individual accolades, Chicago garnered All-Academic Team honors as the Maroons' 15 players compiled a composite grade point average of 3.38 -- the 28th-highest GPA among 398 NCAA Division III squads.

With a 23-11 record last spring, Chicago notched its eighth 20-victory campaign in 12 years under Head Coach Ruth Kmak.

Jeff Sauer Named to D3football.com Team of the Week

CHICAGO -- University of Chicago junior punter Jeff Sauer (Saddle River, N.J./ Northern Highlands) has been named to this week's D3football.com Team of the Week.

In the Maroons' 38-23 victory over Denison University this past Saturday, Sauer averaged 50.2 yards on four punts which he placed at the Denison 1-, 2-, 7-, and 10-yard lines.

Sauer ranks 11th in the NCAA Division III with a 41.4-yard punting average through six games this season.

Sauer made his first career appearance on the D3football.com Team of the Week, which recognizes the top Division III performers at each position during the previous week's action.

Taylor Simpson Named Preseason Player of the Year; Maroons Ranked #2 Nationally

Oct. 11, 2011 - Women's Basketball
Taylor Simpson Named Preseason Player of the Year;
Maroons Ranked #2 Nationally



CHICAGO -- Women's Division III News has tabbed University of Chicago senior forward Taylor Simpson (Lee's Summit, Mo./ Lee's Summit) as its Preseason Player of the Year and ranked the Maroons #2 in its 2011-12 NCAA Division III preview edition.

Last season, Simpson earned inclusion on three All-America Teams -- Women's Basketball Coaches Association (first team), Women's Division III News (second team), and D3hoops.com (third team) -- as she helped lead the Maroons to the University Athletic Association championship and their first trip to the Division III Elite Eight.

The 2010-11 UAA Player of the Year, Simpson averaged 14.3 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while shooting 55.6% from the field and 78.6% from the free throw line. She scored double figures in 23 of 29 contests, grabbed double digit rebounds on 16 occasions, and notched 13 double-doubles.

Senior guard Meghan Herrick (Cedarburg, Wis./ Cedarburg) joined Simpson on the preseason All-America Team as an honorable mention pick.

Herrick was a Women's Division III News honorable mention All-American last winter after she averaged 14.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game with a school-record 146 free throws made. She was the Maroons' leading scorer in NCAA tournament play with 19.5 points per contest.

Chicago captured the #2 spot in the Women's Division III News preseason poll, finishing behind defending national champion, Amherst College.

Head Coach Aaron Roussell's team returns all five starters from last year's national quarterfinalist squad, which won its final 18 regular season games and finished the campaign with a 25-4 record.

Chicago tips off its 2011-12 season at home Nov. 18 against Fontbonne University.

Three Maroons Earn UAA Weekly Honors

CHICAGO -- University of Chicago junior volleyball player Caroline Brander (River Forest, Ill./ Trinity) and junior football players Dee Brizzolara (Aurora, Ohio/ Aurora) and Jeff Sauer (Saddle River, N.J./ Northern Highlands) have been selected as this week's University Athletic Association Athletes of the Week.

Brander (pictured) hit at a .571 clip as the Maroons defeated Concordia University Chicago and Wheaton (Ill.) College on the road. She collected 22 kills in 35 attempts with just two errors in addition to recording five blocks in six sets.

A first-time UAA Athlete of the Week honoree, Brander leads the 20-2 Maroons with a .345 attack percentage and ranks second on the team with 59 blocks.

Brizzolara scored three touchdowns on five touches in Chicago’s 38-23 win over Denison University. He scored on a 53-yard completion on the first play from scrimmage, a 39-yard punt return midway through the second quarter, and a 24-yard catch later in the second quarter.

Brizzolara's second touchdown reception was the 31st of his career -- the most during Chicago's modern football era (since 1969). It also tied him for the most career total touchdowns (35) in school modern era history.

Brizzolara, who leads the 4-2 Maroons with 920 all-purpose yards and 11 touchdowns, claimed his second UAA weekly citation of the season and the seventh of his career.

En route to earning his first UAA award of the year and fourth of his career, Sauer averaged 50.2 yards on four punts, which he placed at the Denison 1-, 2-, 7-, and 10-yard lines. He was also successful on all five extra-point attempts and his lone field try of 39 yards.

On the season, Sauer sports a 41.4-yard punting average and an 18-for-19 success rate on PAT attempts.

Women's Soccer Falls 1-0 at Carnegie Mellon

PITTSBURGH -- Carnegie Mellon University's Savina Reid scored the game's only goal late in the first half as the host Tartans defeated the 19th-ranked University of Chicago women's soccer team 1-0 in University Athletic Association play Sunday.

In the 30th minute, Jordy Greenberg played the ball to Reid, whose shot from 10 yards away found the near corner of the Chicago net. The goal was Reid's third of the year.

Carnegie Mellon (7-4 overall, 1-1 UAA) outshot the Maroons 14-11 on the day. Five of Chicago's 11 shots came in the game's final six minutes.

Tartan netminder Anna Albi made six saves, while senior goalkeeper Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel) stopped five shots.

The Maroons (6-4-1, 0-1-1) travel to Boston Friday to take on UAA rival Brandeis University.

Men's Soccer Falls to Carnegie Mellon in Double O.T.

PITTSBURGH -- Scott Gerfen's goal 10 seconds into the second overtime period lifted host Carnegie Mellon University to a 3-2 win over the University of Chicago Sunday in University Athletic Association men's soccer action.

After collecting a ball that was played back to the outside at the onset of the fourth period, Gerfen moved up the right side and fired a shot inside the far post for the game-winner.

Chicago (5-4-2 overall, 0-2 UAA) held a 2-1 lead until the 87th minute when Chris Wysocki headed in a ball off a corner kick to force overtime.

Carnegie Mellon (5-4-1, 1-1) scored the game's first goal in the 59th minute. Following a deflected free kick, Mike Ferraco propelled a ball off his chest into the Chicago net from six yards away.

The Maroons scored twice during a five-minute stretch late in the second half, first on an own goal in the 71st minute.

In the 76th minute, sophomore Sawyer Kisken's (Fairbanks, Alaska/ West Valley) (pictured) shot was deflected by a Tartan defender and rolled to senior Stanton Coville (Powell, Ohio/ Olentangy Liberty), who sent the ball into the open net for his fifth goal of the season.

Chicago, which was outshot 15-8, suffered its third straight loss, all one-goal decisions.

The Maroons travel to Boston Friday to take on UAA rival Brandeis University.

Brizzolara Breaks, Ties Modern Era Records as Maroons Win

GRANVILLE, Ohio -- Junior wide receiver Dee Brizzolara (Aurora, Ohio/ Aurora) set one school record and tied another as the University of Chicago football team defeated Denison University 38-23 Saturday for its second straight victory.

Brizzolara caught a pair of touchdown passes, the 30th and 31st of his career, to surpass Clay Wolff (2007-10) as the Maroons' all-time modern era leader. He also scored on a punt return, giving him three touchdowns on the afternoon and 35 for his career -- matching Wolff atop the Chicago career leader board in that category.

Brizzolara's first touchdown came on the game's first play from scrimmage as he hooked up with junior quarterback Kevin Shelton (Hickory, N.C./ Hickory) on a 53-yard completion.

Chicago (4-2) took a 17-6 lead early in the second quarter. Four plays after junior Jeff Sauer's (Saddle River, N.J./ Northern Highlands) 59-yard punt forced Denison to start from its own 1-yard line, Brizzolara took a punt 39 yards to the end zone for his second touchdown return of the year and third of his career.

Sauer averaged 50.2 yards on four punts, which he placed at the Denison 1-, 2-, 7-, and 10-yard lines. He was also successful on all five extra-point attempts and his lone field try of 39 yards.

The teams traded touchdowns in the final five minutes of the first half. Denison (3-3) scored on a 5-yard strike from Max Paulus to Andy Carpenter at the 4:08 mark, before Chicago answered with a 24-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Vincent Cortina (Belmont, Mass./ Belmont) to Brizzolara with 1:17 to go. Chicago led 24-13 at halftime.

The Maroons scored the only touchdown of the third quarter on junior linebacker Alex Dzierbicki's (Clinton Township, Mich./ Chippewa Valley) 32-yard interception return. Dzierbicki had two picks on the day.

Shelton scored Chicago's final touchdown early in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard run. Paulus connected with Braden Layer from a yard out in the game's final two minutes to cap the scoring.

Chicago, which entered the game ranked 21st in Division III in sacks, brought down Paulus seven times. Junior defensive Nick Ross (St. Albans, Mo./ St. Louis Priory) and sophomore linebacker Michael Cifor (Manchester, Vt./ Loomis Chaffee) each accounted for two of those sacks.

Freshman running back Zak Ross-Nash (Allendale, N.J./ Northern Highlands) turned in his first career 100-yard performance, as he gained 104 yards on 14 carries. His 51-yard run in the fourth quarter helped set up the Maroons' final touchdown.

Paulus threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions. The Big Red held the ball for 36:35 and held a 411-253 edge in total offense.

Chicago, which won for the eighth time in its last 12 road games, will enjoy an off week before returning home to celebrate Homecoming against Kenyon College on Oct. 22.

Volleyball Wins 20th Match

WHEATON, Ill. -- Sparked by 17 kills from junior middle blocker Caroline Brander (River Forest, Ill./ Trinity) and 56 assists from sophomore setter Nikki DelZenero (Hinsdale, Ill./ Hinsdale Central), the 16th-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team defeated host Wheaton (Ill.) College 25-19, 19-25, 25-16, 29-27 Friday evening.

With the win, the Maroons improved to 20-2 on the year. Chicago achieved its 20th victory earlier than in any of its previous 39 campaigns.

Brander (pictured, left) committed only two errors in 29 attempts to finish the match with a .517 percentage. DelZenero's (pictured, right) 56 assists were a season high.

Junior middle blocker Katie Trela (Glencoe, Ill./ Regina Dominican) hit at a .611 clip -- the highest by a Maroon this season -- with 12 kills in 18 swings with just one miscue. Junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy) collected 24 digs.

The victory marked the Maroons' 21st consecutive win over an unranked Division III opponent and their 51st in 53 matches since Oct. 30, 2009.

Chicago will travel to the University of Rochester next weekend for the second of the season's two University Athletic Association Round Robins.

Volleyball Sweeps Concordia Chicago

RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- The 16th-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team improved to 19-2 on the season with a 25-15, 25-13, 25-17 win Wednesday night at Concordia University Chicago.

Senior outside hitter Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) hit a team-high eight kills, while junior middle blocker Caroline Brander (River Forest, Ill./ Trinity) (pictured) collected six kills in eight attempts.

The victory marked the Maroons' 20th consecutive win over an unranked Division III opponent and their 50th in 52 matches since Oct. 30, 2009.

Concordia fell to 7-11.

Chicago returns to action Friday evening at Wheaton (Ill.) College.

Men's Soccer Falls to Carthage in Final Minute

KENOSHA, Wis. -- Carthage College scored twice in the game's final six minutes, including the winning tally with :31 left in the match, en route to a 2-1 win over the University of Chicago men's soccer team Tuesday evening.

Junior midfielder Steven Chase (Cumberland, Maine/ Greely) (pictured) gave the Maroons (5-3-2) the lead with his second goal of the season in the 61st minute.

The lead held until the 85th minute when Greg Pignataro tallied off an assist from Cale Brown.

With the game apparently headed to overtime, Carthage's Michael Dombrowski scored unassisted at the 89:29 mark.

Shots were even at 4-4 in the first half before Carthage (7-4-1) notched a 10-5 edge in the second period.

Carthage goalkeeper Milan Tijanic made three saves, while freshman netminder Elek Lane (Eau Claire, Wis./ Memorial) collected five for the Maroons.

Chicago continues its four-game road stretch Sunday when it travels to Pittsburgh to face University Athletic Association rival Carnegie Mellon University.

Hegel's Late Goal Lifts Women's Soccer Past Carthage

CHICAGO -- Senior Allison Hegel's (Vienna, Va./ Jefferson) goal in the 82nd minute lifted the 19th-ranked University of Chicago women's soccer team to a 1-0 win over Carthage College Tuesday at Stagg Field.

Freshman Ellie von Storch (Charlottesville, Va./ Charlottesville) slipped a pass to Hegel (pictured), who then sent a shot into the lower right corner of the net with 8:49 remaining in the contest. The goal was Hegel's team-leading sixth of the year and her third game-winner.

Chicago, which snapped a three-game home winless streak, outshot the Lady Reds (4-6-1) by a 21-3 margin.

Senior goalkeeper Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel) collected two saves to notch her fifth shutout of the year and 24th of her career, tying her for the second-most in Chicago history.

Carthage netminder Angela Spinelli made four saves, and Lady Red defenders stopped three other shots.

Chicago (6-3-1) travels to Pittsburgh to face University Athletic Association rival Carnegie Mellon University Sunday afternoon in the first of a four-match road swing.

Volleyball Defeats Rochester at UAA Round Robin

ST. LOUIS -- Senior outside hitter Colleen Belak (Louisville, Ky./ Presentation) (pictured) hit eight kills and junior middle blocker Caroline Brander (River Forest, Ill./ Trinity) collected six blocks as the 16th-ranked University of Chicago defeated the University of Rochester in three sets Sunday at the University Athletic Association Volleyball Round Robin.

Senior outside hitter Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) and sophomore outside hitter Morgan Clark (Purcellville, Va./ Loudon Valley) contribued four and three blocks, respectively, as the Maroons won the match 25-19, 25-19, 25-13.

Chicago improved to 18-2 overall, 2-1 in UAA play. The Yellowjackets slipped to 12-9, 0-3.

The Maroons return to non-conference play Wednesday night at Concordia University Chicago.

Women's Cross Country Finishes 11th at Loyola Invite

CHICAGO -- The 34th-ranked University of Chicago women's cross country team placed 11th out of 45 teams representing all NCAA and NAIA Divisions at the Loyola University Lakefront Invitational Saturday at Montrose Harbor.

Senior Rachel Ohman (Solana Beach, Calif./ Torrey Pines) (pictured, right) was the Maroons' top finisher, as she captured 35th place among 538 competitors with a five-kilometer time of 18:31.

Sophomores Elise Wummer (Castro Valley, Calif./ Castro Valley) and junior Michaela Whitelaw (Swarthmore, Pa./ Strath Haven) (pictured, center) clocked respective times of 18:53 and 18:56 to capture 65th and 72nd place.

The University of Toronto's Tamara Jewett led the field with a winning time of 17:08.

The University of Iowa won the meet. Chicago placed second among the nine Division III teams in the field.

The Maroons return to action in two weeks at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Invitational. UW-Oshkosh is the site of the NCAA Division III Championship meet.

Men's Cross Country Runs 6th at Loyola Invite

CHICAGO -- The 17th-ranked University of Chicago men's cross country team placed sixth among 48 teams representing all NCAA and NAIA Divisions at the Loyola University Lakefront Invitational Saturday at Montrose Harbor.

Junior Billy Whitmore (Rocky River, Ohio/ St. Ignatius) (pictured) was the Maroons' top finisher, as he captured seventh place among 539 competitors with an eight-kilometer time of 24:59.

Senior Mahmoud Bahrani (Vernon Hills, Ill./ Vernon Hills) and junior Isaac Dalke (Portland, Ore./ Lincoln) clocked respective times of 26:02 and 26:05 to capture 42nd and 46th place.

The University of St. Thomas' Ben Sathre led the field with a winning time of 24:30.

The University of Toledo won the meet with 55 points. Chicago led the way among the eight Division III teams in the field.

The Maroons return to action in two weeks at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Invitational. UW-Oshkosh is the site of the NCAA Division III Championship meet.

Volleyball Splits at UAA Round Robin

ST. LOUIS -- On the opening day of the University Athletic Association Volleyball Round Robin at Washington (Mo.) University, the 16th-ranked University of Chicago split a pair of five-set matches, falling to fourth-ranked Emory University before defeating Case Western Reserve University.

The Maroons led Emory (18-1 overall, 1-0 UAA) two sets to one before the Eagles rallied to win 25-21, 20-25, 18-25, 25-16, 15-8.

Senior outside hitter Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) (pictured) and sophomore outside hitter Morgan Clark (Purcellville, Va./ Loudon Valley) each hit 11 kills for Chicago, while junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy) and freshman libero Eirene Kim (La Canada, Calif./ La Canada) contributed 29 and 24 digs, repsectively.

Smalls (15) and Clark (14) then combined for 29 of the team's 60 kills as the Maroons rallied for a 26-24, 20-25, 24-26, 25-22, 15-11 win over Case (12-5, 1-1). Brown (28 digs) and Kim (20) led the Maroons defensively. Junior middle blocker Katie Trela (Glencoe, Ill./ Regina Dominican) was credited with three block solos and four block assists.

UAA Round Robin action continues Sunday as the Maroons (17-2, 1-1) take on the University of Rochester at 10 a.m.

Women's Soccer Ties Emory in UAA Opener

CHICAGO -- The 20th-ranked University of Chicago women's soccer team began defense of its University Athletic Association title Saturday at Stagg Field as it played fourth-ranked Emory University to a 1-1 tie.

Emory (8-0-2 overall, 0-0-1 UAA) scored just 44 seconds into the contest when Claire Rubel fed Charlotte Butker, who found the back of the net for her third goal of the season.

Chicago evened the score in the 76th minute. After sophomore Natalia Jovanovic (Gurnee, Ill./ Warren) was fouled in the box (pictured above), she converted the ensuing penalty kick for her third goal of the campaign.

After being outshot 5-2 in the first period, Chicago (5-3-1, 0-0-1) enjoyed an 11-5 shots advantage in the second stanza. Each team had two shots in overtime.

Senior netminder Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel) collected six saves for the Maroons.

Emory goalkeeper Kaele Leonard was credited with three saves in the game's final three periods. Erica Stein played the first half in net without making a save.

Chicago wraps up a three-game homestand Tuesday against Carthage College. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

Maroons Rally at Ohio Wesleyan

DELAWARE, Ohio -- A 32-yard touchdown catch by junior wideout Dee Brizzolara (Aurora, Ohio/ Aurora) in the third quarter and a 95-yard interception return by senior cornerback Emmett Carrier (Glen Ellyn, Ill./ Benet) in the fourth quarter helped lift the University of Chicago football team to a 21-10 victory Saturday at Ohio Wesleyan University.

Plagued by turnovers on their first four possessions, the Maroons (3-2) fell behind 10-7 at halftime.

Ohio Wesleyan (1-4) got on the board late in the first quarter on an 8-yard pass from Mason Espinoza to Calvin Cagney to cap a nine-play, 41-yard drive following an Tyler Swarty interception.

Chicago tied the game at the 5:28 mark of the second quarter when junior quarterback Kevin Shelton (Hickory, N.C./ Hickory) (pictured) and junior tight end Brandon Meckelberg (Wautoma, Wis./ Wautoma) hooked up on a 2-yard touchdown completion.

A 34-yard field goal from Miles MacKenzie with :03 left in the half gave the Battling Bishops a 10-7 edge.

Chicago took the lead for good midway through the third stanza on a 34-yard scoring strike from Shelton to Brizzolara. The catch extended Brizzolara's touchdown receptions streak to 10 games.

Trailing 14-10, Ohio Wesleyan drove to the Chicago 7-yard line on its first drive of the fourth quarter. On fourth-and-3, Carrier picked off Espinoza's pass and took it 95 yards for his second career interception runback for touchdown.

Shelton, who replaced sophomore starter Vincent Cortina (Belmont, Mass./ Belmont) in the second quarter, completed five of six attempts for 86 yards and two touchdowns.

Freshman running back Zak Ross-Nash (Allendale, N.J./ Northern Highlands) rushed for a career-high 87 yards on 18 carries for the Maroons, who won on the road for the seventh time in the last 11 games.

Espinosa completed 20 of 45 attempts for 194 yards and one touchdown with two interceptions.

Freshman linebacker Schuyler Montefalco (Indianapolis, Ind./ Cathedral) led the Chicago defensive effort with 10 tackles and one sack.

Chicago outgained the Battling Bishops 307-236 and maintained an 8:26 edge in time of possession.

The Maroons return to action next Saturday at Denison University.

Maroons Fall to Emory on PK

CHICAGO -- Despite controlling the play for the majority of the contest, the University of Chicago dropped a 1-0 decision to Emory University in University Athletic Association men's soccer action Saturday at Stagg Field.

The only goal of the match came in the 69th minute when the Eagles' Andrew Natalino fired a penalty kick into the lower left corner of the net past a diving freshman goalkeeper Elek Lane (Eau Claire, Wis./ Memorial).

Chicago (5-2-2, 0-1) outshot the Eagles by a 15-5 margin, forcing Emory netminder Alex Wong to make nine saves.

The Maroons' first scoring chance came in the 19th minute when freshman Michael Choquette (Springfield, Mass./ Loomis Chaffee) fired a shot off the post.

Freshman Matt Vecchitto (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./ Tremper) nearly tied the game in the 80th minute with a blast off the crossbar that came straight down without crossing the goal line.

Lane made two saves on the afternoon as he suffered his first loss in eight starts.

The loss ended Chicago's unbeaten streak at seven matches.

The Maroons return to non-conference play on the road Tuesday at Carthage College.

Three Maroons Earn UAA Weekly Honors

CHICAGO -- University of Chicago senior men's soccer player Rashad Masri (Louisville, Ky./ Collegiate), junior men's cross country runner Billy Whitmore (Rocky River, Ohio/ St. Ignatius), and junior football player Dee Brizzolara (Aurora, Ohio/ Aurora) have been selected as this week's University Athletic Association Athletes of the Week in their respective sports.

Masri (pictured) was cited as the UAA's defensive performer of the week following his performance in Chicago's scoreless tie at 21st-ranked Wheaton (Ill.) College and 3-2 win at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Led by Masri, who garnered his first UAA weekly award of the season and the second of his career, the Maroons allowed only eight shots on goal in the two contests.

Whitmore finished ninth among 323 runners as the Maroons captured fifth place at the 32-team Illinois Intercollegiate Championships, hosted by Illinois State University. He crossed the line with an eight-kilometer time of 24:48.

Whitmore received his second UAA weekly citation in as many weeks and the third of his career.

Brizzolara was chosen as the conference's offensive and special teams player of the week after accumulating 325 all-purpose yards and scoring three touchdowns, including the winning score in the game's final two minutes, as the Maroons toppled Elmhurst College 33-26 at Stagg Field.

Tabbed as the UAA Athlete of the Week for the first time in 2011 and the sixth time during his career, Brizzolara returned a punt 77 yards for a touchdown with 1:36 left in the game to break a 26-26 tie. He caught seven passes for 146 yards, including TD catches of 14 and 17 yards.

Brizzolara's 77-Yard Punt Return Lifts Maroons Past Elmhurst

CHICAGO -- Junior Dee Brizzolara (Aurora, Ohio/ Aurora) took a punt 77 yards to the end zone with 1:39 left in the game to give the University of Chicago football team a thrilling 33-26 win over Elmhurst College Saturday night at Stagg Field.

Elmhurst (2-1) took a 19-16 lead into the fourth quarter before Chicago evened the score on a 22-yard field goal from junior Jeff Sauer (Saddle River, N.J./ Northern Highlands) on its first possession of the final period.

A 17-yard scoring strike from sophomore quarterback Vincent Cortina (Belmont, Mass./ Belmont) to Brizzolara at the 8:40 mark gave the Maroons a 26-19 advantage. Elmhurst answered with a 25-yard touchdown pass from Joe Furco to Corey Thonn with 4:12 to go, tying the game at 26-26.

After Chicago (2-1) stopped Elmhurst on three plays with just under two minutes remaining in the game, Brizzolara fielded Sean Sullivan's punt at his own 23-yard line and raced up the near sideline for his third touchdown of the game and second career punt return TD.

Elmhurst started its final possession at its own 28-yard line. The Bluejays moved to the Chicago 26 in the game's final minute, but sophomore strong safety Wolfgang Connell (Stewartsville, N.J./ Phillipsburg) picked off Furco on a third-and-10 play to end the threat.

Chicago led 10-7 after one quarter and was up 16-13 at halftime.

The Bluejays opened the scoring on their second drive of the game when Furco hooked up with Rodney Payton from 8 yards out. Payton finished the evening with 95 yards on seven grabs.

Chicago got on the board midway through the opening quarter on a 14-yard pass play from Cortina to Brizzolara.

A 34-yard Sauer field goal late in the first quarter gave the Maroons a 10-7 edge, which lasted until the 7:01 mark of the second quarter when Elmhurst's Trevor Spaulding connected on a 33-yard field goal.

Junior cornerback Steven Murphy (LaGrange Park, Ill./ Nazareth Academy) gave the Maroons a 16-10 lead with a 93-yard interception return with 2:31 left in the first half.

Elmhurst closed out the first half scoring on a 27-yard Spaulding field goal with :34 to play in the second stanza.

The Bluejays' Scottie Williams provided the only scoring of the third quarter when his 10-yard run capped an eight-play, 80-yard drive. Williams rushed for 121 yards on 23 carries.

Elmhurst outgained the Maroons 484 to 285 on the evening, but the Bluejays turned the ball over on four occasions -- three times inside the Chicago red zone.

Cortina completed 12 of 27 passes for 216 yards and two touchdowns with one interception. Brizzolara caught seven passes for 146 yards, extending his career-long streak to 22 straight games with at least one reception.

Senior defensive end Matt Sargent (Sterling Heights, Mich./ St. Mary's) had two of Chicago's five sacks. Jon Janus made a pair of sacks for the Bluejays.

The victory was the Maroons' eighth straight at Stagg Field, matching the longest home winning streak of Chicago's modern football era (since 1969). The win also snapped Elmhurst's eight-game series winning streak.

The Maroons host Wabash College next Saturday at noon.

Maroons Win on Late Goals

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- En route to extending its unbeaten streak to five games, the University of Chicago men's soccer team scored twice in the game's final 15 minutes to defeat host Illinois Wesleyan University 3-2 Saturday evening.

Illinois Wesleyan (3-3) scored the only goal of the first when when Tim Griffin tallied in the 11th minute.

Chicago evened the score in the 62nd minute on senior midfielder Alan Pikna's (Wauwatosa, Wis./West) third goal of the season off an assist from freshman forward Nic Lopez (Tulsa, Okla./ Cascia Hall).

Kyle Gorgol converted a penalty kick four minutes later to put the Titans on top 2-1.

Chicago drew back to even in the 75th minute on a 30-yard shot off the foot of freshman midfielder Michael Choquette (Springfield, Mass./ Loomis Chaffee) (pictured).

In the 79th minute, freshman forward Matt Vecchitto (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./ Kenosha Tremper) scored the game-winner off assists from senior midfielder Stanton Coville (Powell, Ohio/ Olentangy Liberty) and freshman midfielder Nick Codispoti (Rockville Centre, N.Y./ Chaminade).

Both goalkeepers, Chicago freshman Elek Lane (Eau Claire, Wis./ Memorial) and Illinois Wesleyan's Tim Hegwood, each made three saves.

Chicago, which is 4-0-1 in its last five outings, makes its 2011 home debut Wednesday afternoon against Elmhurst College. Game time is set for 4 p.m.

Maroons Fall in Top-25 Road Clash

BLOOMINGTON, Ill. -- Hannah Ketterling's goal in the seventh minute proved to be the only scoring of the match as 18th-ranked host Illinois Wesleyan University defeated the 24th-ranked University of Chicago 1-0 in women's soccer action Saturday afternoon.

Illinois Wesleyan (5-1) outshot the Maroons 13-6; both teams managed only one shot on goal.

Titan netminder Renata Butikas notched the shutout with one save.

The Maroons' (4-2) next game is set for Thursday, Sept. 22 at DePauw University in Greencastle, Ind.

Maroons Rally Twice, Improve to 11-0

WHEATON, Ill. -- Rallying from a two-set deficit in its first match and overcoming a one-set deficit in its second contest, the 18th-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team won twice Saturday at Wheaton (Ill.) College to improve to 11-0 on the year.

The Maroons' 11-0 start matches the best in the program's history, first established a year ago.

Chicago began the day with an 18-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-23, 15-13 win over Bethel (Minn.) College (8-4).

Senior outside hitters Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) and Colleen Belak (Louisville, Ky./ Presentation) (pictured, right) led the Maroons' attack with 15 and 14 kills, respectively. Sophomore middle blocker Maggie Vaughn (Houston, Texas/ Lamar) (pictured, left) came off the bench to collect six kills in 10 attempts without an error.

Sophomore setter Nikki DelZenero (Hinsdale, Ill./ Hinsdale Central) contributed 45 assists, while junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy) had 18 digs.

Freshman outside hitter Morgan Barry (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./ University School) then hit 13 kills to lead the Maroons to a 23-25, 25-13, 25-17, 25-13 decision over Monmouth College (3-8) in Saturday's second match. Brown was credited with 24 digs.

Chicago opens the home portion of its 2011 schedule Wednesday against Carthage College. Match time is set for 7 p.m.

Maroons Finish 5th at Illinois Intercollegiate Championships

NORMAL, Ill. -- Senior Rachel Ohman (Solana Beach, Calif./ Torrey Pines) finished 10th overall as the University of Chicago women's cross country team captured fifth place at the 28-team Illinois Intercollegiate Championships, hosted by Illinois State University.

In a meet featuring teams from all NCAA Divisions and the NAIA, Chicago placed first among 10 Division III squads.

Host Illinois State won the event with 21 points, followed by Bradley University (103), Loyola University Chicago (106), Eastern Illinois University (120), and Chicago (139).

Ohman clocked a time of 18:03 on the five-kilometer course to place 10th among 291 runners.

Other top Chicago finishers included sophomore Rachel Wummer (Castro Valley, Calif./ Castro Valley) in 22nd place (18:28), senior Jane Simpson (Western Springs, Ill./ Lyons) in 28th place (18:37), senior Sonia Khan (Hoffman Estates, Ill./ Hoffman Estates) in 35th place (18:43), and sophomore Michaela Whitelaw (Swarthmore, Pa./ Strath Haven) (pictured) in 44th place (18:49).

Illinois State's Krista Deceault led the pack with a time of 17:09.

The Maroons return to action Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Loyola University Lakefront Invitational.

Maroons Place 5th at Illinois Intercollegiate Meet

NORMAL, Ill. -- Led by junior Billy Whitmore (Rocky River, Ohio/ St. Ignatius) and senior Mahmoud Bahrani (Vernon Hills, Ill./ Vernon Hills), the 21st-ranked University of Chicago men's cross country team placed fifth among 32 teams at the Illinois Intercollegiate Championships, hosted by Illinois State University.

The meet featured teams from all NCAA Divisions as well as the NAIA.

North Central College, the top-ranked team in the NCAA Division III, won the meet with 48 points. Loyola University Chicago (72), the University of Illinois-Chicago (112), Eastern Illinois University (149), and Chicago (153) rounded out the top five.

Whitmore and Bahrani crossed the line in ninth and 10th place with respective eight-kilometer times of 24:48 and 24:52.

Junior Isaac Dalke (Portland, Ore./ Lincoln) finished in 32nd place with a time of 25:16.

North Central's Matthew Perez's 24:32 performance led the 323-runner field.

The Maroons return to action Saturday, Oct. 1 at the Loyola University Lakefront Invitational.

Maroons, #21 Wheaton Battle to Scoreless Tie

WHEATON, Ill. -- The University of Chicago and 21st-ranked Wheaton (Ill.) College played to a scoreless tie in men's soccer action Tuesday night.

The teams combined for only 15 shots in regulation, eight by the host Thunder and seven by Chicago.

Each team had its best scoring chance late in the second half.

With just under 13 minutes remaining in regulation, Wheaton's Drew Golz eluded a Maroon defender and fired a shot toward the upper corner, but Chicago freshman goalkeeper Elek Lane (Eau Claire, Wis./ Memorial) made a leaping save to preserve the shutout.

Six minutes later, Chicago senior midfielder Stanton Coville (Powell, Ohio/ Olentangy Liberty) blasted a shot from the left side of the box off the crossbar.

Chicago attempted two shots in overtime, while Wheaton managed one. None of the three shots were on net.

Lane (pictured) notched his third shutout of the year and extended his season-long shutout streak to 335 minutes.

The Maroons return to action Saturday evening in Bloomington against Illinois Wesleyan University.

Cross Country Duo Earn UAA Weekly Accolades

CHICAGO -- University of Chicago senior Rachel Ohman (Solana Beach, Calif./ Torrey Pines) and junior Billy Whitmore (Rocky River, Ohio/ St. Ignatius) have been selected as this week's University Athletic Association Athletes of the Week for women's and men's cross country, respectively.

Ohman (pictured) and Whitmore helped lead their teams to first-place finishes at this past Friday's Aurora University Spartan Classic.

Ohman paced the women's field with a six-kilometer time of 23:16, while Whitmore took top honors in the men's eight-kilometer race with a time of 25:17.

Ohman and Whitmore were each tabbed as UAA Athlete of the Week for the first time this season and the second time during their respective careers.

4th Annual Faculty/Staff Night Set for Saturday

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago Athletic Department will sponsor the fourth annual Faculty & Staff Night at the Maroons' football game against Elmhurst College this Saturday, Sept. 17. Kickoff at Stagg Field is set for 6 p.m.

University and Hospital employees bearing a UCID or 2011-12 athletics season pass -- and any accompanying guests -- will be admitted free of charge.

In addition, the first 100 employees will receive a game program, a coupon good for a beverage at the concession stand, a coupon good for one FitChicago wellness class, and the opportunity to enter a drawing for a free three-month recreational facilities membership.

Saturday's Faculty & Staff Night is the first of several promotional events slated for this fall. Upcoming events include Youth Day at the Sept. 24 football game against Wabash College, Soccer & Subs at the Oct. 1 soccer doubleheader against Emory University, and Homecoming at the Oct. 22 football game.

A listing of additional promotional events is available on the UChicago Athletics website.

Maroons Suffer Season's First Loss

CHICAGO -- Scoring once in each half, the 23rd-ranked University of St. Thomas defeated the 20th-ranked University of Chicago 2-0 in women's soccer action Sunday at Stagg Field.

St. Thomas (2-1) opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Jaclyn Glaser lofted a shot from the top of the box over the head of Chicago senior goalkeeper Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel). Katy Scherer was credited with the assist.

In the 64th minute, Scherer collected a loose ball in front of the Chicago goal and fired it into the back of the net to give the Tommies an insurance goal.

St. Thomas netminder Allie Byron made six saves to record the shutout.

Chicago (4-1) outshot the Tommies 16-10 for the match, including a 9-4 edge in the second half. Both teams attempted five corner kicks.

The Maroons return to action Saturday when they travel to Bloomington to face regional rival Illinois Wesleyan University at 4 p.m.

Chicago Wins Oshkosh Tournament; Improves to 9-0

OSHKOSH, Wis. -- Led by all-tournament selections, senior outside hitter Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) and sophomore setter Nikki DelZenero (Hinsdale, Ill./ Hinsdale Central), the 23rd-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team captured first place at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Pizza Hut Invitational Saturday afternoon.

After winning a pair of matches in pool play Friday night, the Maroons defeated Lakeland College (0-7) 25-15, 25-19, 25-23 in Saturday's pool play finale. Chicago (9-0) then downed the host Titans (4-6) 17-25, 25-18, 25-15, 25-21 in the championship match.

Junior middle blocker Caroline Brander (River Forest, Ill./ Trinity) hit six kills with a .357 percentage, and senior outside hitter Colleen Belak (Louisville, Ky./ Presentation) collected 15 digs in the win over Lakeland.

Smalls then led three Maroons in double-digit kills with 16 as the Maroons rallied from a one-set deficit in the championship match. Junior middle blocker Katie Trela (Glencoe, Ill./ Regina Dominican) finished with 12 kills and seven blocks. Junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy Academy) totaled 23 digs.

En route to earning inclusion on the all-tournament team, Smalls recorded 32 kills (2.46 per set), while DelZenero (pictured) was credited with 138 assists (10.62 per set).

Chicago returns to action at the Wheaton (Ill.) Quadrangular next Saturday, Sept. 17.

Maroons Fall at Concordia Chicago

RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- Jake Koehler threw four touchdown passes, three of them to Jamal Thomas, as Concordia University Chicago defeated the University of Chicago football team 28-10 in the Maroons' road debut Saturday afternoon.

Concordia Chicago (1-0) scored the first points of the game when an 8-yard strike from Koehler to Thomas capped a six-play, 74-yard march on the Cougars' first possession.

A 12-yard touchdown pass from Koehler to Sherman Jones early in the second quarter put the Cougars on top 14-0 before the teams traded touchdowns in the final two minutes of the half.

Chicago (1-1) got on the board with 1:48 to go in the second quarter when sophomore quarterback Vinny Cortina (Belmont, Mass./ Belmont) found junior wideout Dee Brizzolara (Aurora, Ohio/ Aurora) (pictured) in the end zone from 2 yards out.

Concordia answered with a 35-yard touchdown pass from Koehler to Thomas with 25 seconds remaining in the period to give the Cougars a 21-7 halftime advantage.

A 33-yard field goal off the foot of junior kicker Jeff Sauer (Saddle River, N.J./ Northern Highlands) late in the third quarter would be the only scoring for the Maroons in the second half.

The Cougars sealed the win when Koehler and Thomas connected on their third touchdown of the afternoon, this time from 18 yards away, with 4:32 left in the game.

Koehler completed 24 of 37 attempts for 285 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. Thomas had 110 yards on seven catches with the three scores. Andrew Maddox rushed for 120 yards on only 11 carries.

Cortina, who entered the game in the second quarter, was successful on 12 of 21 passes for 116 yards, one touchdown, and no picks.

Chicago suffered its first defeat in eight games dating back to last year and its first road loss in its last three contests.

Chicago returns home next Saturday, Sept. 17, to entertain Elmhurst College at 6 p.m.

Maroons Suffer Season's First Loss

CHICAGO -- Scoring once in each half, the 23rd-ranked University of St. Thomas defeated the 20th-ranked University of Chicago 2-0 in women's soccer action Sunday at Stagg Field.

St. Thomas (2-1) opened the scoring in the 19th minute when Jaclyn Glaser lofted a shot from the top of the box over the head of Chicago senior goalkeeper Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel). Katy Scherer was credited with the assist.

In the 64th minute, Scherer collected a loose ball in front of the Chicago goal and fired it into the back of the net to give the Tommies an insurance goal.

St. Thomas netminder Allie Byron made six saves to record the shutout.

Chicago (4-1) outshot the Tommies 16-10 for the match, including a 9-4 edge in the second half. Both teams attempted five corner kicks.

The Maroons return to action Saturday when they travel to Bloomington to face regional rival Illinois Wesleyan University at 4 p.m.

Maroons Win Third Straight

Sept. 10, 2011 - Men's Soccer
Maroons Win Third Straight



Match Statistics

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. -- Four different players scored as the University of Chicago men's soccer team extended its winning streak to three games with a 4-1 victory Saturday afternoon at Lakeland College.

Freshman forward Matt Vecchitto (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./ Tremper) (pictured) got the Maroons (3-1) on the board in the 14th minute with his first career goal off an assist from sophomore midfielder Sam Preston (Arnoldsville, Ga./ Athens Academy).

Chicago made it 2-0 in the 36th minute when freshman forward Kyle Kurfirst (Western Springs, Ill./ Lyons Township) tallied the first goal of his career. Freshman defender Jorge Sanchez-Cummings (Mexico City, Mexico/ Centro Educativo Tomas Moro) was credited with the assist.

The teams traded goals less than a minute apart early in the second half. After senior midfielder Alan Pikna (Wauwatosa, Wis./ West) scored his second of the year unassisted at 50:01, Lakeland's Craig Dekarske found the back of net at 50:45.

Pikna then set up senior midfielder Stanton Coville's (Powell, Ohio/ Olentangy Liberty) third goal of the season in the final minute of play.

Freshman Elek Lane (Eau Claire, Wis./ Memorial) and senior Chris Giusto (Davie, Fla./ Heritage) shared time in goal. Lane made a pair of saves without allowing a goal in the first half, before Giusto stopped two shots and yielded one goal in the second stanza.

Lakeland fell to 1-1-1 on the year.

Chicago continues its season-opening seven-game road swing Tuesday night at Wheaton (Ill.) College. Game time is set for 7 p.m. (CT).

Maroons Win Aurora Invite

AURORA, Ill. -- The University of Chicago women's cross country team captured first place at the 11-team Aurora University Spartan Classic Friday afternoon.

Senior Rachel Ohman (Solana Beach, Calif./ Torrey Pines) and sophomore Elise Wummer (Castro Valley, Calif./ Castro Valley) placed first and second, respectively, among 120 runners with six-kilometer times of 23:16 and 23:17.

Senior Jane Simpson (Western Springs, Ill./ Lyons Township) finished in fourth place (23:40), while sophomore Michaela Whitelaw (Swarthmore, Pa./ Strath Haven) placed sixth (23:49).

Chicago travels to Illinois State University in Bloomington next Friday, Sept. 16, to participate in the Illinois Intercollegiate Invitational.

Chicago Wins Aurora Invitational

AURORA, Ill. -- The University of Chicago men's cross country team led the field at the 15-team Aurora University Spartan Classic Friday afternoon.

Junior Billy Whitmore (Rocky River, Ohio/ St. Ignatius) led five Maroons among the top eight individuals with an eight-kilometer time of 25:17.

Senior Moe Bahrani (Vernon Hills, Ill./ Vernon Hills), freshman Renat Zalov (Buffalo Grove, Ill./ Phillips Academy Andover), and junior Isaac Dalke (Portland, Ore./ Lincoln) placed fourth (25:53), fifth (26:02), and sixth (26:09), respectively, while sophomore Daniel Povitsky (Akron, Ohio/ Revere) crossed the line in eighth place (26:15) among 182 runners.

Chicago travels to Illinois State University in Bloomington next Friday, Sept. 16, to participate in the Illinois Intercollegiate Invitational.

Maroons Win Big in Road Debut

HOLLAND, Mich. -- Senior forward Allison Hegel (Vienna, Va./ Jefferson) scored the game's first and last goals as the 20th-ranked University of Chicago defeated host Hope College 4-0 in women's soccer action Wednesday afternoon.

Hegel gave the Maroons (3-0) the lead in the 12th minute before freshman forward Meghan Derken (Madison, Conn./ Hand) scored her first career goal in the 41st minute.

Sophomore forward Kat Konstantinoff (Pleasant Prairie, Wis./ Tremper) made it 3-0 with her first goal of the season in the 70th minute before Hegel capped the scoring in the 88th minute as the Maroons won their first road match of the year.

Senior goalkeeper Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel) was credited with a season-high 10 saves en route to her second shutout in three matches this season.

Hegel's two goals marked her third career multiple-goal performance.

Hope fell to 1-1 on the year.

Chicago returns home Saturday to host Aurora University at 2 p.m.

Maroons Win Second Straight

CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. -- Senior midfielder Alan Pikna (Wauwatosa, Wis./ West) scored the only goal of the match late in the first half as the University of Chicago men's soccer team defeated host Wabash College 1-0 Wednesday evening.

With just under 10 minutes remaining in the first half, Chicago (2-1) sent a shot toward Wabash goalkeeper Matt Paul, who punched the ball to the far side of the box. Pikna then stepped up and headed the ball inside the left post for his first goal of the season and first career game-winner.

The Maroons held Wabash (1-1-1) to just five shots overall and -- for the second straight game -- none on goal.

Chicago travels to Sheboygan, Wisconsin, to take on Lakeland College Saturday at 1 p.m.

Maroons Defeat Kalamazoo 4-0

KALAMAZOO, Mich. -- Four different players scored for the University of Chicago men's soccer team as it defeated host Kalamazoo College 4-0 Sunday afternoon for its first victory of the 2011 campaign.

Senior midfielder Stanton Coville (Powell, Ohio/ Olentangy Liberty) gave the Maroons (1-1) the only goal they would need when he notched his second of the season off an assist from senior defender Rashad Masri (Louisville, Ky./ Collegiate) in the 42nd minute.

Sophomore defender Alexis Onfroy (Yellow Springs, Ohio/ Yellow Springs) scored his first career goal in the 48th minute with an assist from senior midfielder Cole Kroshus (Bismarck, N.D./ Century).

Junior midfielder Steven Chase (Cumberland, Maine/ Greely) (pictured) made it 3-0 with his first goal of the season in the 65th minute. Coville assisted on the goal, giving him five points (two goals, one assist) in two matches this season.

Chicago capped the scoring in the 82nd minute on freshman forward Michael Choquette's (Springfield, Mass./ Loomis Chaffee) first career tally.

The Maroons, who netted four goals in a game for the first time since Sept. 8, 2009 (vs. Lake Forest College), held Kalamazoo (1-1) without a shot.

Chicago continues its season-opening six-game road swing Wednesday when it travels to Crawfordsville, Indiana, to face Wabash College at 5:30 p.m. (ET).

Maroons Win on Late Goal

CHICAGO -- Sophomore midfielder Claire Mackevicius' (Belmont, Mass./ Belmont) goal in the 88th minute lifted the 20th-ranked University of Chicago women's soccer team to a 3-2 victory over Dominican University Sunday at Stagg Field.

With the score even at 2-2 and overtime looming, Mackevicius took a pass from freshman forward Meghan Derken (Madison, Conn./ Hand) and fired a shot past Dominican goalkeeper Megan Schulz with 2:53 left in the contest.

The teams traded goals in the game's first 10 minutes. After Chicago freshman forward Sara Kwan (Irvine, Calif./ University) converted a penalty kick in the eighth minute for her first career goal, Dominican answered in the 10th minute on the first of Ashley Meyer's two scores.

Chicago (2-0) went ahead in the 39th minute when senior forward Allison Hegel (Vienna, Va./ Jefferson) notched her first goal of the season. Derken collected the assist, the first of two on the day.

Meyer tied the game at 2-2 in the 74th minute following a scramble in front of the Chicago net resulting from a Dominican corner kick, its only one of the afternoon.

Chicago outshot the Stars (0-2) 16-3, but saw its seven-game shutout streak come to an end. Dominican's first goal was the first by a Chicago opponent in 757 minutes dating back to last season.

The Maroons play their first road game of the season Wednesday when they travel to Holland, Michigan, to face Hope College at 4 p.m. (ET).

Maroons Kick Off Season With 44-25 Win

CHICAGO -- Sophomore running back Ian Gaines (Flemington, N.J./ Hunterdon Central) and junior wide receiver Dee Brizzolara (Aurora, Ohio/ Aurora) combined to score five touchdowns as the University of Chicago football team opened its 2011 campaign with a 44-25 win over Beloit College Saturday night at Stagg Field.

Junior quarterback Kevin Shelton (Hickory, N.C./ Hickory) hooked up with Brizzolara on scoring plays of 12 and 32 yards midway through the first quarter as the Maroons took an early 14-0 lead. Beloit got on the board in the final minute of the period on a 53-yard pass from Brian Maughn to Brian Fayer.

The Maroons scored a pair of touchdowns early in the second stanza to go up 28-7. Senior running back Francis Adarkwa (Wheaton, Ill./ Wheaton-Warrenville South), who finished with 128 yards on 22 carries, scored on a 1-yard plunge before Gaines ran in from 9 yards out with 9:54 left in the half.

Beloit scored the final points of the first half on a 60-yard scoring strike from Maughn to Derek Carrier. Carrier caught eight passes for 160 yards on the night.

The teams traded field goals in the third quarter to make the score 31-17 in favor of the Maroons.

Gaines then scored on runs of 18 and 7 yards as Chicago sealed the win in the final period. He finished the game with 74 yards on only seven attempts.

A Maughn 4-yard run in the final minute capped the scoring.

En route to his first victory as a collegiate starter, Shelton completed 10 of 22 passes for 160 yards and two touchdowns with three interceptions. Maughn was 22 of 43 for 340 yards, two scores, and two picks.

Chicago extended its Stagg Field winning streak to seven games, one shy of the longest home winning streak of the Maroons' modern era (since 1969).

With its third straight opening day victory, Chicago improved to 13-5 in season debuts during Head Coach Dick Maloney's tenure.

The Maroons play their first road game of the season next Saturday when they travel to suburban River Forest to meet Concordia University Chicago.

Maroons Improve to 4-0

ELMHURST, Ill. -- The 25th-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team won twice on the second and final day of the Elmhurst College Invitational Saturday afternoon to improve to 4-0 on the year.

Chicago opened the day with a 25-18, 25-19, 25-18 win over John Carroll University (2-1).

Junior middle blocker Caroline Brander (River Forest, Ill./ Trinity) hit eight kills in 14 attempts without an error for a .571 percentage. Senior outside hitter Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) collected seven kills, while junior middle blocker Katie Trela (Glencoe, Ill./ Regina Dominican) finished with three blocks.

The Maroons hit at a .282 clip, marking their best performance of the young season.

Three Maroons hit double-digit kills as Chicago capped the event with a 27-25, 25-21, 25-17 win over Capital University (1-2).

Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Clark (Purcellville, Va./ Loudon Valley) (pictured) hit a team-high 11 kills, while Smalls and senior outside hitter Colleen Belak (Louisville, Ky./ Presentation) each added 10.

Junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy Academy) contributed a season-high 21 digs.

Belak and Smalls represented Chicago on the all-tournament team.

Chicago returns to action Tuesday night at Illinois Wesleyan University.

Maroons Win Two in 2011 Debut

ELMHURST, Ill. -- The 25th-ranked University of Chicago volleyball team opened its 2011 campaign with a pair of victories Friday night at the Elmhurst College Invitational.

Chicago began the evening with a 25-21, 25-19, 25-15 win over Adrian College (0-1).

Senior outside hitter Colleen Belak (Louisville, Ky./ Presentation) and junior middle blocker Caroline Brander (River Forest, Ill./ Trinity) each hit eight kills and combined to hit at a .433 clip.

In her debut as the Maroons' setter, sophomore Nikki DelZenero (Hinsdale, Ill./ Hinsdale Central) was credited with 35 assists to go along with a pair of aces.

In Friday's second match, the Maroons won a four-set decision over the host Bluejays (1-1) 25-22, 25-22, 15-25, 25-23.

Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Clark (Purcellville, Va./ Loudon Valley) and senior outside hitter Isis Smalls (Humble, Texas/ Atascocita) hit 16 and 14 kills, respectively.

Junior libero Samantha Brown (Louisville, Ky./ Mercy Academy) led the Maroons in double digit digs with 17.

Action continues Saturday as the Maroons take on John Carroll University at 10 a.m. and Capital University at noon.

Maroons Finish 2nd at Elmhurst Invite

ELMHURST, Ill. -- The University of Chicago men's cross country team opened its 2011 campaign with a second-place finish at the Elmhurst College Earlybird Invitational Friday afternoon.

North Central College won the meet with 31 points, while Chicago was next with 62.

Junior Billy Whitmore (Rocky River, Ohio/ St. Ignatius) led three Chicago runners finishing among the top 10. Whitmore (left) placed third among 171 runners with a time of 19:25 on the six-kilometer course.

Freshman Renat Zalov (Buffalo Grove, Ill./ Phillips Academy Andover) and senior Mahmoud Bahrani (Vernon Hills, Ill./ Vernon Hills) (right) finished ninth (19:52) and 10th (19:53), respectively.

North Central's Tim Hird led the field, covering the course in 19:17.

Chicago returns to action next Friday at Aurora University.

Maroons Win Elmhurst Invitational

ELMHURST, Ill. -- Senior Rachel Ohman (Solana Beach, Calif./ Torrey Pines) and sophomore Elise Wummer (Castro Valley, Calif./ Castro Valley) were the top two individual finishers as the University of Chicago women's cross country team led the 12-team field at the season-opening Elmhurst College Earlybird Invitational Friday afternoon.

Chicago topped the team standings with 27 points, outpacing runner-up Lewis University (71) and third place University of St. Francis (74).

Ohman (right) paced the 130-runner pack with a four-kilometer time of 15:16. Wummer (left) crossed the line in second place at 15:27.

Three other Maroons placed among the top 10: senior Sonia Khan (Hoffman Estates, Ill./ Hoffman Estates) (6th, 15:53), senior Jane Simpson (Western Springs, Ill./ Lyons Township) (8th, 15:56), and sophomore Michaela Whitelaw (Swarthmore, Pa./ Strath Haven) (10th, 16:01).

Chicago returns to action next Friday at Aurora University.

Men's Soccer Drops Season Debut in Overtime

RIVER FOREST, Ill. -- Dominican University's Andrew Lynch scored in the closing seconds of the first overtime period to lift the host Stars to a 2-1 victory over the University of Chicago men's soccer team in the season opener for both teams Thursday.

Lynch tallied off an assist from Kyle Boekeloo with 15 seconds remaining in the first overtime session.

Chicago scored the game's first goal in the 53rd minute when senior midfielder Stanton Coville (Powell, Ohio/ Olentangy Liberty) notched his 21st career tally. Freshman forward Michael Choquette (Springfield, Mass./ Loomis Chaffee) was credited with the assist.

Dominican evened the score on Leo Elizalde's goal in the 80th minute.

Chicago held a slim 10-8 edge on shots, but the Stars had eight corner kicks to the Maroons' two.

Dominican netminder Dan Cimicata collected four saves, while senior goalkeeper Chris Giusto (Davie, Fla./ Heritage) made one stop.

The Maroons continue their season-opening six-game road swing Sunday at Kalamazoo College. Game time is set for 2 p.m. (ET).

Women's Soccer Defeats Kalamazoo in Season Opener

CHICAGO -- Sophomore forward Natalia Jovanovic (Gurnee, Ill./ Warren) assisted on the game's first goal and added an insurance goal in the closing minutes as the 20th-ranked University of Chicago women's soccer team shut out Kalamazoo College 2-0 in the season opener for both teams Thursday at Stagg Field.

Following a scoreless first half in which Chicago notched a 6-2 edge in shots, the Maroons got on the board in the 56th minute. Jovanovic fed a cross to junior midfielder Brigette Kragie (Wheaton, Ill./ Wheaton-Warrenville South), who fired a shot past Hornet netminder Courtney McCoy.

The score remained 1-0 until the 87th minute when Jovanovic scored from eight yards out off an assist from freshman forward Meghan Derken (Madison, Conn./ Hand).

Senior goalkeeper Emma Gormley (Carmel, Ind./ Carmel) made four saves as Chicago posted its seventh straight shutout dating back to last season. The Maroons have held opponents scoreless for 748 minutes since Oct. 17, 2010.

En route to extending their opening day unbeaten streak to seven games (6-0-1), the Maroons outshot Kalamazoo 16-5.

Chicago returns to action at home Sunday when it takes on Dominican University at 1 p.m.

Taka Bertrand Named Interim Head Tennis Coach

CHICAGO -- University of Chicago Director of Athletics Tom Weingartner has appointed Taka Bertrand as interim head men's and women's tennis coach.

An assistant coach at Chicago since February 2010, Bertrand replaces Marty Perry, who resigned after eight years to accept the head coaching position at Bridgewater College.

"While we will miss Marty Perry and the remarkable success he achieved in rebuilding our nationally successful tennis programs, I am delighted that Taka Bertrand has accepted the position of interim head coach," Weingartner said.

"Taka has done an excellent job as our assistant, having received outstanding student evaluations and brought refreshing energy to both coaching and recruiting, as well as promotions. Her background as a successful player on both the collegiate and professional levels will serve her in good stead in assuming the leadership of these two programs."

In her tenure as assistant coach, Bertrand helped lead the Chicago women's team to consecutive NCAA Division III fourth-place finishes and helped guide the men's squad to an appearance in the NCAA regional finals this past spring.

For her efforts in 2011, Bertrand was honored as the ITA Women's Assistant Coach of the Year for Division III.

A 2008 graduate of Vanderbilt University with a degree in economics, Bertrand was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year in 2006 after earning SEC Rookie of the Year honors the previous season.

A three-time All-SEC selection, Bertrand finished her career as Vanderbilt's all-time leader in singles victories (124), while helping lead the Commodores to four NCAA Championship appearances.

Following her collegiate career, Bertrand spent one year on the WTA Pro Tour, reaching a #602 singles ranking and a #587 ranking in doubles.

Bertrand will continue to serve as the athletic department's promotions coordinator.

Maroons Embark on Italy Tour

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago women's soccer team will spend 10 days in Italy as part of its preparation for the upcoming 2011 campaign.

Departing Chicago on Friday, Aug. 19, and returning the following Sunday, Head Coach Amy Reifert's team will play three exhibition matches and participate in daily training sessions while visiting Rome, Florence, Milan, and Capri, among other areas.

The trip marks the Maroons' fourth trip to Italy since their first excursion in 1999. Upon the completion of the tour, 10 different UChicago teams will have visited 14 nations since 1997.

Team fund raising efforts as well as support from the athletic department and alumni have made the trips possible.

"We have committed special endowed funds to international travel for our teams and believe that it substantially enhances the student experience here," said Director of Athletics Tom Weingartner.

"It sets our athletics program apart and makes it consistent with the college's emphasis on foreign study and travel. These foreign trips allow our athletes to gain not only national but international experience that can shape them for the rest of their lives while helping them to learn how to be genuine global citizens."

The defending University Athletic Association champion, Chicago opens its 2011 regular season at home against Kalamazoo College on Thursday, Sept. 1.

UChicago Women's Soccer Italy Tour 2011

Friday, Aug. 19
Arrive in Naples
Training session

Saturday, Aug. 20
Tour Isle of Capri
Training session

Sunday, Aug. 21
Tour of Rome, including Coliseum and Trevi's Fountain
Match #1 vs. Res Roma

Monday, Aug. 22
Tour of the Vatican, including Sistine Chapel and St. Peter's Square
Depart for Tuscany
Tour spa town of Montecatini Terme
Training session

Tuesday, Aug. 23
Tour of Florence

Wednesday, Aug. 24
Training session
Tour of Lake Como, via Cinqua Terre, the Italian Riviera


Thursday, Aug. 25
Travel to Lake Lugano, Switzerland
Match #2 vs. Rapide Lugano
Return to Como

Friday, Aug. 26
Training session
Tour village of Bellagio


Saturday, Aug. 27
Match #3 vs. FC InterMilano
Femminile K/O 9.00 P.M.


Sunday, Aug. 28
Return to Chicago

Chicago Ranked #25 in National Preseason Poll

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago volleyball team has been ranked 25th in the American Volleyball Coaches Association preseason poll for NCAA Division III.

Chicago is coming off a 30-13 finish and its first NCAA tournament berth a season ago. Five starters from that squad return this fall.

Chicago joined Emory University (#2), Washington (Mo.) University (#3), and New York University (#21) as one of four University Athletic Association teams represented in the poll. Defending national champion Calvin College held the top spot.

The Maroons open their 2011 campaign at the Elmhurst College Tournament Friday and Saturday, Sept. 2-3.

Men's Soccer Ranked 6th in UAA Coaches Poll

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago men's soccer team has been ranked sixth in the 2011 University Athletic Association preseason coaches poll.

Defending league champion New York University received five first-place votes to finish as the preseason favorite. Emory University placed second in the poll, followed by the University of Rochester. Washington (Mo.) University, Carnegie Mellon University, Chicago, Case Western Reserve University, and Brandeis University rounded out the ranking.

The Maroons tied for sixth place in the UAA a year ago with a 2-4-1 mark in conference action. Chicago finished 8-8-1 overall.

Chicago opens its 2011 campaign with six straight road matches, beginning Thursday, Sept. 1 at Dominican University.

Chicago Shares Top Spot in UAA Coaches Poll

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago and Emory University have been chosen as the favorites in the 2011 University Athletic Association preseason poll of women's soccer coaches.

Chicago, the defending UAA champion, and Emory split the eight first-place votes. The University of Rochester and Washington (Mo.) University tied for third place, followed by Brandeis University, Carnegie Mellon University, Case Western Reserve University, and New York University.

Chicago won six of seven league matches a year ago to capture its fourth Association title and earn its 12th NCAA Division III postseason appearance in the past 15 years.

The Maroons open their 2011 campaign at home Sept. 1 against Kalamazoo College. Chicago and Emory meet at Stagg Field in the UAA opener on Oct. 1.

Maroons Top UAA Preseason Poll

CHICAGO -- The University of Chicago football team has been selected as the favorite in the 2011 University Athletic Association preseason coaches poll.

Chicago captured the UAA championship a year ago with a 3-0 record in league play to go along with an 8-2 overall mark.

Eighteen starters, nine on both sides of the ball, return for the Maroons this fall.

Chicago received three of the four first-place votes, with Washington (Mo.) University and Case Western Reserve splitting the other vote and tying for second place in the poll. Carnegie Mellon University checked in fourth.

The Maroons kick off their 2011 campaign at home Saturday, Sept. 3 against Beloit College at 6 p.m. (CT).