LOCAL COLLEGE NOTES
Camel highlights
• Despite a Senior Day loss to Bowdoin on Saturday, the nationally-ranked Connecticut College women’s soccer team is in prime position entering the last week of the regular season. The Camels (11-2-1, 6-2-1) can finish no lower than fourth place in the New England Small College Athletic Conference. They host Wesleyan (6-7-1, 1-7-1) in Tuesday’s regular season finale. Conn already has earned the right to host a NESCAC tournament quarterfinal game on Saturday. • On the men’s side, the Camels (9-1-4, 4-1-4) also have locked up a quarterfinal round home game in the conference tournament. They host Wesleyan (6-6-2, 1-6-2) in their regular season finale on Wednesday. They’re attempting to qualify for the NCAA tournament for the first time since 1995.
Mariners riding a wave
• The New England Collegiate Conference men’s soccer race is going down to the final week of the regular season. Mitchell is in a four-way tie for first place with Lesley University, Dean and Elms at 4-1. The top two teams receive first round byes in the conference tournament, which begins next week. The Mariners, 5-8-1 overall, are coming off a huge 2-0 win over previously undefeated Dean (12-1-2) on Saturday. Sophomore William Ferguson of Old Lyme and senior Jose Roman III of New London scored goals and NFA graduate Seth Strader, a sophomore, made five saves to post the shutout. They host Lesley (8-7-1) on Wednesday and Newbury College (4-12) on Saturday.
Around the region
• UConn quarterback Bryant Shirreffs was named to the American Athletic Conference weekly honor roll after passing for 372 yards and a touchdown in Saturday’s 20-14 victory over Tulsa. He completed 23 of 29 passes. • Last week, Newbury College freshman Geralson Withrow, a Ledyard High School graduate, earned NECC rookie of the week honors for men’s cross country for the third time this season. He placed 39th overall in the Emmanuel College Invitational, finishing in a personal best time of 28 minutes, 44 seconds, on the 8-kilometer course. • NFA graduate Aidan Karam is one of the senior captains for the Bentley University men’s swimming and diving team. Karam ranks third in program history in the 200 freestyle (1:43.76), 500 freestyle (4:41.13), 1,000 freestyle (9:56.26) and 1,650 freestyle (16:35.11). • New London’s A.J. Dillon, a Boston College tailback, ranks third in the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing with 694 yards on 152 carries. He’s also scored six touchdowns for the Eagles (4-4, 2-3). • Genaya Loftis of Waterford was honored Sunday during Senior Day festivities prior to the final regular season game for the University of Maine women’s soccer team. She appeared in 51 career games, including 12 this season. • Four Stonington High School graduates — junior running back
Matt Mitchell, sophomore defensive back Hunter Floyd, freshman defensive back Owen Donahue and freshman linebacker
Kyle Whipple — are playing for the UMass Dartmouth football team. Mitchell has rushed for 86 yards and one touchdown on 37 carries in seven games and also had nine receptions for 59 yards while Floyd has six solo tackles and an interception for the Corsairs (2-5). • Salve Regina women’s soccer midfielder Ella Rath, a sophomore from Pawcatuck, scored a season-high two goals in a 4-1 win over Nichols College last week. She has three goals overall this season in 11 appearances. • Former Ledyard standout Megan Brawner, a sophomore member of the Central Connecticut State University women’s cross country team, paced the Blue Devils with a team-best 14th place finish on Friday in the 15th Annual Mini Meet in New Britain. She posted a time of 10:38.1. • Please send college notes submissions to g.keefe@theday.com