Fitzsimmons named NSCAA first-team All-American

Dec. 18, 2012

KANSAS CITY, Kan. – American International College (AIC) women's soccer junior back Alie Fitzsimmons of West Springfield was named a First-Team All-American by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA).

Fitzsimmons, who was named the Northeast-10 Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year and was a first-team all-conference selection, started in all 19 games for AIC, scoring five goals with one assist for 11 points. She tied for the team lead with three game-winning goals this season.

A 2012 First-Team Daktronics and NSCAA All-Region pick, Fitzsimmons also led a defense that recorded ten shutouts in a span of 11 games, just one shy of the school record for shutouts in a season. The Yellow Jackets recorded a school-record streak of six consecutive shutouts to close out the regular season.

AIC posted an overall record of 13-4-2, won the Northeast-10 regular season title with a conference record of 12-1-2, and finished the regular season ranked tenth in the NSCAA Coaches' Poll. The Yellow Jackets also qualified for the NCAA Championship Tournament for the second time in three years.

Normoyle named Swimmer of the Week

SPRINGFIELD – Michael Normoyle of Springfield continued to his first-year success, being named the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference Men's Swimmer of the Week on Dec. 10.

He earned the award after winning the 50 yard breast stroke in 27.50 as the Springfield College (SC) Pride powered past Middlebury 162-131. He later swam the fastest time of the afternoon in the 100-yard individual medley after touching in 56.06.

Foster named to NE-10 indoor track and field honor roll

SOUTH EASTON – AIC senior Sanya Foster of Springfield received a spot on the weekly Northeast-10 honor roll for her performance at the Harvard Open.

Foster placed sixth in the shot put with a throw of 12.25 meters and took seventh in the weight throw with a toss of 13.71 meters.

Rackliffe records career-high in win over Central

SPRINGFIELD – Alycia Rackliffe scored a career high 27 points and grabbed 21 rebounds in the Agawam High School girls basketball team's 63-55 win over Central High School.

Angie Vecc scored 12 points and added 14 rebounds for the Brownies.

Margaret Frawleys hit two key 3-pointers and Paige Preston's disruptive defense closed the door on the Golden Eagles' attempt to come back down the stretch.

Poor shooting – 15 percent from the field – doomed the Brownies in their next game against East Longmeadow on Dec. 14, a 45-36 loss.

Alexa Smith, Danielle Stratton and Angela Vecchiarelli scored 10 points apiece and Rackliffe pulled down another 17 rebounds.

Felix continues strong play for Westfield State

WESTFIELD – The Westfield State University (WSU) women's basketball team shot 41.7 percent from the field led by Gabby Felix of Springfield, who collected a game-high 18 points in a 67-33 victory over Elms College on Dec. 15.

On Dec. 11, Felix dropped in 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds, but the Owls dropped a 55-51 decision to the University of Massachusetts Boston.

Berthiaume pours in 20 in loss

WORCESTER – Despite a game-high 20 points from Alex Berthiaume, the SC men's basketball team dropped a 66-62 overtime decision at Worcester State University on Dec. 14.

Santiago leads WSU past Lyndon State

WESTFIELD – The WSU men's basketball team had five players in double figures, led by sophomore guard Jordan Santiago of Westfield, who registered game highs of 12 points, six assists and four steals, as the Owls cruised to a 77-54victory over Lyndon State (Vt.) College Dec. 12.

AIC to host girls basketball tournament

SPRINGFIELD – AIC will host a girls basketball tournament Dec. 28 to 30 at Henry A. Butova Gymnasium. For more information contact AIC head women's basketball coach Kristen Hutchison at 205-3924.

Elms winter clinics upcoming

CHICOPEE – Elms College head baseball coach Nathan Bashaw and head field hockey coach Kim Cosenza and members of the current Blazers' baseball and field hockey teams will host a four-day sports clinic from Feb. 19 to 22 on the campus of Elms College for boys and girls in grades 3 through 8.

The four day clinic is geared toward young athletes looking for a fun, competitive experience over February break. The focus of the clinic is to develop athletic skills by introducing a variety of sports, fitness/agility training and an educational component to provide information on nutrition, general fitness as well as sportsmanship and teamwork.All proceeds will help support the Elms baseball and field hockey programs.

Sessions include:

• Day 1: Feb. 19. 9 a.m. to noon;

• Day 2: Feb. 20 9 a.m. to noon;

• Day 3: Feb. 21, 9 a.m. to noon;

• Day 4: Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to noon;

Cost of the clinic is $25 for one day and $90 for all four days.

Make checks payable to Nathan Bashaw, Elms College, 291 Springfield Street, Chicopee, MA 01013

For more information contact Bashaw at bashawn@elms.edu or 265-2433 or Cosenza at cosenzak@elms.edu or 265-2338.

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