The year in Yale sports: the '97-'98 varsity wrap up

FALL SPORTS

CROSS COUNTRY

Men: 1-2, 9th at Heptagonals,

15th at District Qualifiers

'98 Captain: Alex Zemek, DC '99, Tolland, Conn.

The Elis certainly were not lacking in positive attitude. As captain Chris Karas, SM '98, said, "Our team's greatest strength is that we have no weaknesses." The team's approach led to some bright spots in the season, including winning Connecticut Intercollegiates on Sept. 26 and beating Harvard in the H-Y-P race on Oct. 3.

Women: 2-1, 1st in ECAC tournament, 4th at Heptagonals, 7th at District Qualifiers

'98 Captain: Shannon Duff, PC '99, Pittsburgh, Penn.

Before 1997, Arianna Kelly, MC '99, had not won a collegiate race, but she won three of the team's first four fall races and was a major factor for the Elis' success. Coach Mark Young, ES '68, noted, Kelly "worked extremely hard over the summer, and entered the season prepared to contribute right away." The freshman class also contributed to the team's success. "Their unity, spirit, and commitment are exceptional," Young said.

FIELD HOCKEY

8-9, 3-4 Ivy

'98 Captain: Lindsay Hobbs, PC '99, Wilmington, Del.

In 1997, Marisa Didio, the 1985 Division I Coach of the Year, came to coach a squad that was returning 14 letter winners and five starters, but the team suffered from injuries and attrition. Team captain Liz Dawson, CC '98, attributed several close losses to problems with "mental focus. In some games we had early leads and just lost our poise."

FOOTBALL

1-9, 0-7 Ivy

'98 Captain: Cory Carruthers, MC '99, Peterborough, Ont.

1997 was yet another building year for the Elis, who last won the Ivy Championship in 1989 and last defeated Harvard in 1994. The team posted its worst season record since 1983. Coach Jack Siedlecki came from Amherst to lead the Bulldogs in their first season following the legendary Carm Cozza's retirement. On Sept. 20, in the home opener against Brown, Mike McClellan, SY '01, became the first freshman to start at the quarterback position since 1905. Despite this historic first, the season was marred by several injuries, especially at the quarterback position. Joe Walland, TD '00, originally slated for backup, started for most of the season. On Nov. 22, the Harvard Crimson came to New Haven and sealed their Ivy League title with a 21-7 win. Despite the poor season record, defensive back Todd Tomich, CC '01, was selected as the 1997 Ivy League Rookie of the Year.

SOCCER

Men: 11-5-1, 4-2-1 Ivy

'98 Captain: Doug Spelman, PC '99, Middletown, NY

The Bulldogs started the year anticipating a strong season. In 1996, coach Brian Tompkins led the team to a 10-6-1 record and a second-place tie in the Ivy League in his first year, and the players sensed that they could only improve. The team hit a tough midseason stretch, however, as it tied Harvard 2-2 on Sept. 26 and fell to Dartmouth 1-0 on Oct. 17. "After that, it was `do or die' every game," Phil Harris, SM '00, said. The team pulled together and won six straight, but in an end-of-season, 3-2 loss to Princeton, gave up NCAA tournament hopes.

JULIA TIERNAN/YH Danica Liberman (3), TD '00, helped the Elis deal Harvard its first Ivy League loss in more than three years.

Women: 12-6-1, 5-2 Ivy, 2nd in ECAC tournament

'98 Captain: Annie Kwon, CC '99, Fremont, Calif.

Early on, the Elis were dealt a major blow when captain Jill Rubenstein, DC '98, suffered a season-ending injury. In 1996, she had led the team in goals and assists. Nonetheless, the squad was able to deal Harvard its first league loss in more than three years on Sept. 27, by a score of 3-2. Coach Rudy Meredith said, "Now that we beat them, the other teams know that they can take the championship if they beat Yale." Princeton and Dartmouth did just that, beating Yale in its next two Ivy games. The Elis recovered and won four straight, and then reached the finals of the ECAC tournament, where they fell to Pennsylvania.

VOLLEYBALL

16-11, 4-3 Ivy, semifinals in Ivy tournament

'98 Captain: Rosie Wustrack, BR '99, West Linn, Ore. The volleyball team entered the season with high expectations. Returning from a 23-9 season, the team had captain Sarahliz Braugh, JE '98, who redshirted in 1996, and middle blocker Rosie Wustrack, BR '99, the 1996 Ivy League Player of the Year. Coach Peg Scofield said, "I'm telling everyone that the title is ours. If I'm going to lay it on the line for a team, this is the team." Unfortunately, the regular season was marked by inconsistency. Yale came up big on the opening day of the Ivy tournament, defeating defending champion Brown and top-seeded Harvard to advance to the semifinals. But the next day, Princeton eliminated Yale from championship contention.

--Compiled by Carl Bialik and Sharon Lin

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