Sports Shorts

Football: Potent offense propels Elis in scrimmage against Union

Numbers can be deceiving. Yet few could argue that the Bulldogs truly dominated in their 28-10 thrashing of Union on Sat., Sept. 4. Although the Elis played without All-Ivy League running back Rashad Bartholomew, MC '01, wide receiver Jake Borden, JE '00, and center Steve Petrie, CC '01, they amassed 410 total yards, giving up only 153, and ran a whopping 73 offensive plays.

With an injured Bartholomew sitting out, the Bulldogs had to look to other players to drive their offense. Starting quarterback Joe Walland, TD '00, completed 13 of 28 passes for 284 yards and a touchdown, and back-up quarterback T.J. Hyland, TC '02, threw for 72 yards. Paul Ardire, SM '02, and Eric Lee, BR '01, shared running duties, combining for 126 yards.

Coach Jack Siedlecki was encouraged by the Elis' offensive output—their 410 total yards was well above last year's average of 300 yards per game—but he still sees room for growth. "To continue to be a high-powered offense, you need to make big plays," he said. "We cannot force ourselves to execute 16 or 17 plays to score." Siedlecki said he plans to give the quarterbacks more opportunities to throw the ball down the field in hopes of producing more plays such as Walland's 41-yard rocket into the end zone in Saturday's scrimmage.

The Bulldog attack will be aided by the return of top rusher Bartholomew this week. "With a stronger running game, we will force opposing defenses to bring up an eighth or ninth man to try and defend against the run," Bartholomew said. "That will leave receivers in single coverage and give us the opportunity to make the big play down the field."

While the depleted offensive line held up well against Union, Walland may be under pressure against Ivy foes. "We may use one or two of the backs to help protect against the blitz," Walland said. "Hopefully with [Bartholomew] back in, he will attract more and more attention, and that will take some of that pressure off." If Walland can execute the Yale offense with precision and the defense continues to stymie opponents, the Elis should contend for the Ivy title.

—Ted Diskant

Bulldog linksters look to make appearance in NCAA field

In 1996 John Feinstein wrote a seminal book about golf, A Good Walk Spoiled. In the four years since the book's publication, the Eli men's golf team has qualified three times for the NCAA East Regional Championship, spoiling many a good walk for its competitors. This year, the Bulldogs again are fielding a truly promising team with plenty of firepower.

Despite the loss of several talented seniors, including All-Ivy selection Nate Bohn, SY '99, the Elis are confident. "I think we have more than enough talent to compensate for the loss of last year's seniors," Chris Eckerle, BR '02, said. Eckerle himself started his Yale career with a bang, placing first at the league championships last spring. Among the many talented golfers returning are team captain Peter Schumacher, CC '00, and first-team All-New England selection Eddie Brockner, MC '01, who lost a sudden death playoff for the NCAA District I individual championship last year. Louis Aurelio, MC '01, was a 14th-place finisher at the District I championships last year.

The squad would also like to notch a few victories in honor of coach Dave Paterson's 25th year at the helm. "He's a pleasure to play for," Aurelio said.

The Bulldog's first official tournament is the Yale Invitational, from Sat., Sept. 18 to Sun., Sept. 19. Thirty schools from all over the country will vie for the title. The team hopes that a victory at home will put them on the right track to achieving their goal of winning District I. Last year, Yale placed third behind Rhode Island and Connecticut, barely qualifying the Bulldogs for the East Regional Championship. "We certainly have the potential to finish in better position," Schumaker said.

—Jeffrey Amster

Life after Beardsley

Last season, the squad silenced foes Cornell, Princeton, and Pennsylvania en route to compiling an 11-8 record (4-3 Ivy). Although 10 players return from last year, the team graduated three of its top competitors, including last season's captain Jonathan Beardsley, DC '99, who qualified for the NCAA tournament. A former Ivy League Rookie of the Year, Beardsley anchored the Eli squad during his years at Yale. In addition to losing Beardsley, the team has been further depleted by injury. Players remain optimistic about the upcoming season, however. "Once all the guys get healed up, we'll be in great shape and ready to go," Matt Chang, SY '01, said.

"Our main focus is to get the guys who aren't healthy yet back to full strength, as well as getting those who are healthy to play well," captain Scott Mayo, BR '00, said.

Head coach Alex Dorato, now in his eighth year with Yale, expressed hope for this rebuilding year. "[This] will be a great chance for some guys to step up and show what they can do," Dorato said. "The fall will be rough, but the spring will be great for us."

The Bulldogs will open their season on Sat., Sept. 19 and Sun., Sept. 20 at the Cornell Invitational Tournament, held in Ithaca, N. Y.

—Tony Cotto

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