UMPI squads busy during homecoming

Cross country teams sweep Homecoming meet
    PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle cross country running teams were able to showcase their talent this past weekend at UMPI’s annual Homecoming Cross Country meet. Both the men’s and women’s team finished first on the day against Unity College. The meet proved a great practice race for the athletes, who will compete at home for the Sunrise Conference Championship.     On the women’s side, Katie Christoffel (Clifton Park, N.Y.) was the race winner, finishing in 23:12;  Christoffel ran a strong race throughout and was followed closely by teammate Shelly Hanson (Charleston) who finished second in 23:37.  Julie Rugg (South Paris) came in at 28:09 and ran well on the tough course, while Ally Pizzuti (Caribou) finished in 28:41 and gained experience, competing in her first collegiate meet.
    All the Owl male runners showed improvement, despite the cool, windy and overcast conditions. UMPI’s Justin Fereshetian (Turner) set the early pace, which was as expected, and finished first on the day in a time of 29:52.  Teammate Jason Johnson (Presque Isle) came in second  in 32:02, followed by Aaron Schmersal (Winthrop) in 32:22.
    Chris Rines (Caribou) brought his time down significantly from the Owls’ UNE meet with a 33:48 clocking, while Hugh McLellan (Maitland, Nova Scotia) also took a few seconds off his last week’s performance and finished in 34:46.  Both he and Brian Korhonen (Littleton), whose time was 35:57, are gaining valuable experience over this longer collegiate distance.
    The Owls head to the Codfish Bowl Invitational at Franklin Park in Boston, Mass. Saturday.  It should be a great event for the Owls, according to coach Christopher Smith, with well over 100 runners participating.
Volleyball team blanks UMFK
    PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s volleyball moved to 5-2 on the season with a 3-0 win over Sunrise Conference rival UM-Fort Kent Saturday afternoon. The Bengals were easily defeated in three matches, 25-14, 25-13, 25-15.
    The Owls dominated most of the match, as they showed both great team and individual play. 
    “They are really coming together and are beginning to develop as a unit,” commented UMPI head coach Terry Cummings.
    The Owls are back in action on the weekend at the University of Maine at Machias Homecoming Tournament, where UMPI will face UMM, Thomas and Husson.
UMPI women fall to Clippers
    PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle women’s soccer team battled to a 1-0 loss against the Clippers of UM-Machias at home Saturday afternoon. With the loss, the Lady Owls fall to 2-3 on the season.
    Even though UMPI dominated the entire match, UM-Machias was able to capitalize on a corner kick to earn the win.
Owl men play to scoreless tie
    PRESQUE ISLE — The University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s soccer team battled through 90 minutes of regulation soccer and two 10-minute overtimes with the University of Maine at Machias on Saturday to a game finishing 0-0 tie. The Owls moved to 3-1-1 on the season.
    Owl keeper Richard Felbaum (Saco) made two quality saves down the stretch to record his second consecutive shutout and third of the season. The Owls outshot the Clippers, 10-5.
    Both the women’s and men’s teams return to action this weekend, travelling to Vermont Tech Saturday and the College of St. Joseph’s Sunday.