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The Wake Forest field hockey team has a date with top-rated and unbeaten Syracuse on Saturday in Syracuse, N.Y. and leading the way for the Demon Deacons will be senior Jess Newak.

The Crestwood grad is the top scorer on the No. 7-ranked squad, which is 10-3 overall and 3-1 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. She has 10 goals and seven assists for 27 points with two game-winners and is heading for the showdown with the Orange in fine style. She had Wake’s only goal in a 2-1 loss to No. 5 Virginia last Friday and a goal in a 3-2 triumph over No. 11 Boston College earlier last week.

According to coach Jennifer Averill, offense isn’t the only plus side to Newak’s game.

“Jess has completely embraced the ‘total’ hockey player this year,” coach Jennifer Averill said. “Her commitment and effort on the defensive side of the ball has made a huge impact on her play and the team’s play. Whether we play her on our strike line or in the midfield, she has proven to be a threat both offensively and defensively.”

Wake Forest is 5-3 against ranked opponents but faces its biggest challenge against 13-0 Syracuse on its home field.

Ell fitting in well

Greta Ell is just a freshman, but she’s having a big first season with the fifth-ranked Virginia field hockey team, which is 10-3 overall and 3-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The 5-foot-5 forward has six goals and four assists with a game winner – in a 4-3 triumph over Princeton. The Holy Redeemer graduate scored her first college goal and an assist in a season-opening 6-0 victory over Drexel.

“Greta has contributed since the minute she stepped foot on the blue turf,” coach Michele Madison said. “She has great hands and possession skills that will only get better with play at this level. She can eliminate at speed in the tight spaces.”

Despite the early sucess, Madison feels Ell’s still learning the game.

“Greta is working diligently on her defensive game and that bodes well for her future,” she said.

Margante helps set mark

Indiana (PA) redshirt freshman Lenny Williams set a school record when he rushed for 157 yards – the best ever for a Crimson Hawks quarterback – in a 47-10 victory over Seton Hill last Saturday and helping to lead the way was redshirt junior Tony Margante.

Margante (Crestwood) plays on the offensive line and the 6-foot-2, 270-pounder helped IUP total 485 yards in total offense against Seton Hill. The team is averaging 457.8 yards in total offense after five games.

“Tony is an outstanding person who has overcome some setbacks, but he’s really played well as our starting right guard this season,” coach Ryan Rebholz said.

The Crimson Hawks are 4-1 overall and 3-0 in PSAC play and have a big game this Saturday when they host 4-2 California in the seventh annual Coal Bowl in Indiana.

Garzio doing the job

Selena Garzio is starting as a freshman with the Penn field hockey team, the Quakers 9-1 overall and leading the Ivy League with a 3-0 record. The team has won nine straight after a season-opening 4-3 non-league decision to Liberty.

The Hazleton Area grad has three goals and three assists including a game winner and had the second goal in a 3-2 overtime league victory over Dartmouth last Saturday.

“Selena has a significant role on our attacking corner unit and has continued to develop in the field of play,” coach Colleen Fink said. “We’ve been working on getting her involved early so that she is getting several opportunities to impact the play.”

Fink feels Garzio should be in contention for Ivy League Rookie of the Year honors.

“Selena has been doing a tremendous job both on and off the field,” she said.

Encore for Zapoticky

Sophomore quarterback Ryan Zapoticky, fresh from leading the Shippensburg football team to a five-overtime 69-67 victory over East Stroudsburg, followed up that effort with another standout performance in the Red Raiders’ 44-34 victory over Lock Haven last Saturday.

The Dallas graduate hit 28 of 38 passes for 350 yards and two touchdowns and also rushed 71 yards. The 6-foot, 200-pounder has passed for 670 yards and rushed for 174 yards the past two games.

On the season, Zapoticky is 142 for 257 (59.9 percent) for 1,568 yards and 14 touchdowns and just four interceptions. He’s also rushed 80 times for 342 yards to help Shippensburg get off to a 4-2 start with a 2-1 mark in the PSAC.

Reed starting as frosh

Madison Reed has started all 15 games for the Hofstra field hockey team. The Hazleton Area grad tallied her first collegiate goal in a 4-3 victory over Columbia and added a goal in last Saturday’s 9-0 triumph over Towson.

“Madison came into preseason fit and ready to go,” coach Kathy DeAngelis said. “She did a good job on our fitness test and I think a main reason is that she played a lot of hockey in the summer and then in the winter and spring with her club team to prepare for the pace of Division I hockey.”

Reed has shown her versatility playing both in the midfield and in the striking zone for the 11-4 Pride.

“Madison is a coach’s dream and the type of player we want to recruit,” DeAngelis said. “She’s a quality hockey player who understands the game. And, she’s a brilliant student and is such a valuable compliment to our program.”

DeLuca ready to go

Cornell cross country runner Dominic DeLuca competed in the Battle of Beantown in Boston on Sept. 26. The sophomore hasn’t raced since, but will be back on the course this Saturday when the Big Red competes in the Pre-Nationals in Louisville, KY.

The Dallas grad finished 20th out of 189 runners in Boston with an 8k time of 24:28.3. He was 48th (25:20) in the same race last year as a freshman.

“Dominic has gotten quite a bit stronger since last year,” assistant coach Zeb Lang, who works with DeLuca, said. “He is more mature and is doing a great job mentoring the new freshmen who just arrived on campus. I would not be surprised if he is elected team captain in his upperclassmen years.”

While DeLuca hasn’t been racing, he’s been working hard to prepare for the Louisville race.

“Last week, Dominic ran six mile repeats in a workout, starting out just under five minutes and finishing at four and a half,” Lang said. “He’s getting into great shape.”

Baranko having solid season

Megan Baranko is starting for the Greensboro women’s volleyball team, which is 6-16 overall and 3-9 in USA South. Baranko, a Hazleton Area grad, has 113 kills, 33 digs and 11 service aces and the 5-foot-10 outside hitter is second on the team in blocks with 41. She has 666 career kills.

“Megan is a great leader both on and off the court,” coach Kaci Pike said. “She leads by example with her strong work ethic and determination.”

Pike said Baranko takes her education very seriously.

“Megan is a great role model for our new players in the class room,” said Pike, who is in her second season as Pride coach. “She has helped make my transition into this program much easier and will be greatly missed when she graduates.”

Dolan scores game winner

Casey Dolan connected on a corner during double-overtime to lift the 15th-ranked Old Dominion to a 3-2 win over No. 5 Virginia last Sunday.

The Wyoming Valley West grad helped Old Dominion improve to 8-3 on the season. The junior has three goals and six points for the Lady Monarchs this season.

Crestwood graduate Jess Newak has 10 goals and seven assists for 27 points with two game-winners for the Wake Forest field hockey team. The Demon Deacons will square off against unbeaten Syracuse on Saturday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/web1_NCAA_090615_1091_FH.jpg.optimal.jpgCrestwood graduate Jess Newak has 10 goals and seven assists for 27 points with two game-winners for the Wake Forest field hockey team. The Demon Deacons will square off against unbeaten Syracuse on Saturday. Submitted photo

By Bill Arsenault

For Times Leader

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