 |
Sasha Gotsmanov |
Fall Wrap-up
Rhode Island athletes continue to excel in the classroom as well as on the playing fields. In all, 71 student-athletes earned a 3.5 or better grade point average in the fall and were named to the Commissioner’s Honor Roll by the Atlantic 10 Conference. The following student-athletes earned a perfect 4.0 average in the fall semester: Emily Anderson, an economics major, women’s track & field; Katherine Guilfoyle, a biological sciences major, women’s track & field; Erica Sweitzer, an elementary education & English major, women’s track & field; Stephen Mateka, a psychology major, men’s track & field; Andrea Scott, a microbiology major, women’s swimming & diving; Megan Kasparek, a communicative disorders major, women’s soccer.
Women’s Soccer
The team (11-9-2, 7-2-2 in the Atlantic 10) advanced to the Atlantic 10 Championship for the third straight year. Melanie Kasparek was named first-team All-Atlantic 10 and freshman Thorunn Helga Jonsdottir was named Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year.
Men’s Soccer
The team (12-8-1, 6-4-1) earned a spot in the Atlantic 10 Tournament for the eighth time in the last 10 years. Senior Sasha Gotsmanov was named second-team All-American, Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and first-team All-New England after finishing the regular season leading the country in goals scored (19) and points (46).
Women’s Cross Country
Heidi Westerling finished second at the Atlantic 10 Championship, leading Rhode Island to a third-place finish. The Rams placed 13th at the NCAA Northeastern Regional with Westerling leading the way with a 27th place finish.
Men’s Cross Country
The team finished ninth at the Atlantic 10 Championship and took 25th at the NCAA Division I Northeast Regional. Kyle Poland finished 20th at the Atlantic 10 Championship and was 113th at the NCAA Division I Northeast Regional.
Football
Led by Jason Ham who rushed for 923 yards, the Rams rushed for 3,074 yards in 2004, the second most in school history. Quarterback Jayson Davis was a two-way threat and scored 11 touchdowns. The Rams (4-7, 2-6) celebrated Homecoming with a 27-24 come-from-behind victory over longtime rival Massachusetts.
Men’s Golf
The Rams finished the fall season on a high note with a third-place finish at the 49er Collegiate Classic. The Rams also posted a fourth-place finish in the Adams Cup of Newport. Rhode Island will look to defend its Atlantic 10 title and return to the NCAA National Championship in the spring.
Women’s Volleyball
Senior Kaleena Miller was named to the All-Atlantic 10 Team for the second time and freshman setter Chelsea Wisz earned a spot on the Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team as the Rams (9-17, 4-10) lost six matches in five games.
Field Hockey
Senior Joy Hess was named to the 2004 STX/National Field Hockey Coaches Association Division I All-Region Team and was joined by Kelly Johnson on the All-Atlantic 10 Team. Coach Stacey Bean’s team finished 4-14, 1-5 in Atlantic 10 play.
URI Athletics: A Tradition of Excellence
During each of the last three years, a student-athlete has received a University College Scholar award. The annual award recognizes URI’s top 10 freshmen. URI student-athletes consistently graduate at a higher rate than the general student body, and last year 25 percent of URI’s student-athletes earned Dean’s List recognition with 30 percent being named to the Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s Honor Roll. These same individuals were members of Rhode Island teams that won seven Atlantic 10 Championships last year.
The Rhode Island Rams Athletic Association is the official fundraising entity that supports URI Athletics. Funds from RIRAA support all URI student-athletes with scholarships, student-athlete awards, championship rings, and facility improvements. To support URI’s 22 Division I teams and nearly 500 student-athletes and to support the activities of the RIRAA, contact Trueson Tarinelli at 401-874-7536 or make your gift online at www.advance.uri.edu/giveonline. For additional information, visit www.GoRhody.com.
