MENS BASKETBALL

Point guard commits…

The Flyers received a verbal commitment this week from Mark Jones, 6-1, 170lb, from Norwich Free Academy, CT. Jones averaged 16.1ppg, 4.6rpg, and 6.5apg during his junior season when he led his team to the state semis of the Connecticut big-school division. Dayton beat out Boston Univ. for Jones, who also had mild interest from Xavier, Tulane, East Carolina, and Manhattan, but the latter schools apparently backed off and it came down to a two-horse race. Jones is described as a smart ballplayer who takes care of the basketball and avoids the French pastry. His commitment leaves Dayton without another scholarship to offer for the 2001-02 season — cut short by one due to the NCAA penalty stemming from improprieties involving Clay Mathile. Purnell has stated however that UD is still recruiting Alter HS standout Adam Waleskowski, 6-9, 225lb, brother of Flyer redshirt freshman Keith Waleskowski. So too is Xavier, who has no available scholarships either. Other schools in Waleskowski’s short list include Florida State and Purdue University. In light of two schools recruiting a player without a scholarship to offer, Adam’s father Pete indicated that Adam might walk-on to a school of his choice and pay his own way until a scholarship is available should that institution be the best fit for him academically and athletically.Meet the Flyers 2000 style…

It’s not Midnight Madness, but it is the first chance to get a peek at the 2000 UD Flyer basketball team. The UD Arena will host “Meet the Flyers” Saturday at 5:30pm at the UD Arena to celebrate the beginning of fall practice for Oliver Purnell’s club. A slam-dunk contest, three-point shooting contest, and short scrimmages will take place alongside Head Coach Jaci Clark’s womens team. Wondering why there’s no “Midnight Madness” as is customary at many colleges around the country? UD administrators are hoping for crossover traffic from the Dayton vs. Robert Morris football game at Welcome Stadium earlier that afternoon. There’s no word yet on whether another clown act will open the Arena festivities. UDPride will be on hand to supply the coverage.

MENS SOCCER

Winning streak halted…

Dave Schureck’s team had their seven-game winning streak — second longest in school history — stopped over the weekend with a 1-0 loss to Duquesne in Pittsbugh, PA. Despite the loss, Dayton remains in the hunt for the A-10 regular season title at 8-3 (3-1), just a game behind Geo. Washington, 7-2-2 (4-0), and nationally-ranked Rhode Island, 9-3-1 (4-0). The Flyers are home for two games this weekend, hosting St. Joseph’s Friday night at 7:30pm and Temple on Sunday at 1pm.Rock the Kaz-ball…

R.J. Kaszuba remains in the A-10 scoring lead at 27 points (12 goals, 3 assists), ahead of Rhode Island’s two All-Americans from Jamaica — in two fewer games played. Kaszuba is currently 12th nationally in points per game and 8th nationally in goals per game.Schureck speaks up…

Head Coach Dave Schureck and UDPride are working on a mid-season report to answer the burning questions and chart the rest of the season. Stay tuned.

WOMENS SOCCER

Back on track…

Mike Tucker’s Flyers bounced back nicely from a disappointing loss to LaSalle last week by beating St. Bonaventure and Duquesne by 1-0 scores at Baujan Field over the weekend. It’s the first time since 1993 that the Flyers have posted consecutive 1-0 shutouts during the season. The Flyers are 9-4 (4-1) on the season, resulting in a three-way tie for first place in the A-10 alongside Xavier, 7-6 (4-1), and UMass, 8-5 (4-1). The Flyers already hold a tiebreaker advantage over the Muskies in lieu of a 4-0 victory in head-to-head competition earlier in the season. The Flyers travel to St. Joseph’s and Temple this weekend.The Ministry of Defense…

The freshmen trio of Erin Showalter, Beth McHugh, and Nina DiGuardi — with the help of sophomore goalkeeper Steph Weisenfeld — have shut out five of the last six Flyer opponents.Suggs on the move…

Goalkeeper Stephanie “Suggs” Weisenfeld leads all A-10 keepers in overall goalkeeping and conference goalkeeping. She currently owns a league-leading 0.82 goals-against-average (GAA) overall and an amoebic 0.40 GAA in conference play — twice as low as the next best average. Weisenfeld also leads all keepers in save percentage at 0.880%. The Illinois native finished her freshman year with an overall GAA of 1.19, good enough for the third-best all-time career average. In less than two full seasons, she also stands 2nd all-time in shutouts (13.5), trailing only Julie Ciasnocha with 19.5 bagels from 1991-94.Showtime still showing…

Missy Showtime Gregg is still in soccer theatres everywhere. The sophomore All-American and Hermann Trophy Finalist leads the A-10 in points (33), goals (15), and game-winning goals (5). The closest competitor is Rhode Island’s Catherine Zanni with 24 points. Gregg currently stands 10th nationally in points per game and 5th nationally in goals per game.Xavier just getting warmed up…

The Muskies have made a habit of falling 4-5 games under .500 to start the season in recent years, only to make a mad dash for the A-10 title as conference play heats up. It’s happening again this year as Xavier began the season 1-6 — comprising six shutout defeats — but now stands 7-6 (4-1) and winners of six in a row. The Muskies scored a total of two goals in their first seven contests but have found the net 11 times in their last six matches.Tucker talks shop…

Head Coach Mike Tucker and UDPride are working on a mid-season evaluation of the Flyers that will answer all the pertinent questions for soccer buffs everywhere. Look for it soon.