Fall Sports Preview

Men's Soccer

Head Coach: Christophe Brown

Captains: J.J. Jemison and Andrew Parmelee

The Kenyon men’s soccer team is looking to rebound after last year’s disappointing finish: a 7-8-2 record and a 4-4-1 record in conference play.

This year, according to Luke Guju ’15, the team hopes to finish in one of the top two spots in the North Coast Athletic Conference. He also said that the team is looking to compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association tournament.

Many players have already stepped up and performed well. Lewis Williams-Gray ’14 leads the team in playing time with 163 minutes. Andrew Parmelee ’14 is right behind him with 150 minutes. J.J. Jemison ’13 has scored two of the team’s three goals. The team will have a few more non-conference games before they move on to their toughest competition: Denison University on Sept. 22 and Ohio Wesleyan University, last year’s national champion, on Oct. 24. (see photo 1)

Women's Soccer

Head Coach: Kelly Bryan

Captains: Courtney Hague and Sarah Heminger

Even after graduating seven players, the Kenyon women’s soccer team is charging full speed ahead. In 2011, the Ladies gained a spot in the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC) tournament but fell short at the semifinals vs. Ohio Wesleyan University.

The team begins the 2012 season with a bounty of senior leadership and a new assistant coach. Rosie Davis, a 2008 Kenyon soccer graduate, returns to the Hill with “a new coaching insight and new ways to do things,” Head Coach Kelly Bryan said.

Rebecca Romaine ’15, two-time NCAC player of the week and second team NCAC in 2011, continues to be a powerhouse at forward and looks to again claim the title of leading goal scorer. Of the first-year class, Bryan says things are still being determined, and will be affected by this weekend’s tournament in Lynchburg, Va.  

The Ladies look to go far in 2012 but face tough competition along the way. Their game against DePauw University on Sept. 29 will be an important test as the Ladies look to extend their dominance. (see photo 2)

Field Hockey

Head Coach: Jacqueline DeMarco

Captain: Leah Jacques

After finishing just short of the conference playoffs last season, field hockey is starting fresh.

This season brings many new faces to the team, including seven first years and a new head coach, Jacqueline DeMarco.

DeMarco, who was previously an assistant coach at Ball State University in Indiana, says that she has received a warm welcome and is excited for this season. She is enamored with the team dynamic and hopes to expand upon it. Her goals for the season are for the Ladies to improve their record and fight for wins together.

The Ladies are a young team with only four upperclassmen, but they have surprising depth. Five of the seven first years are starting players. DeMarco said there have been no specific star players, because everyone is working so well as a team.

So far, Leah Jacques ’13 has been very speedy on offense, and Julie Freedman ’15 is becoming a strong offensive presence as well. If the teamwork and camaraderie continues, this could be a very successful season for the Ladies. (see photo 3)

Men's Cross Country

Head Coach: Duane Gomez

Captains: Jackson Cabo and Ben Tanoff

The last event of the men’s cross country team’s previous season was a 10th place standing at the National Collegiate Athletics Association Division III Great Lakes Regional in Oberlin, Ohio.   However, the team comes into the 2012 season with high hopes.

The goal of the season, according to Head Coach Duane Gomez, is to “really improve from last year’s conference places, and for each individual to improve their times.” It is a goal he believes the Lords can meet.

Last Friday, Aug. 31,  the team hosted a tri-meet against Mount Vernon Nazarene University and Ohio Wesleyan University. While the meet was unscored, the Lords came out on top with five runners in the top six. Three of those runners —Sam Lagasse, Nat Fox and Ulises Arbelo — are first-year students. Overall, Kenyon had 15 of the best 19 times.

While Gomez notes that the true test will come this weekend at Ohio Wesleyan, his high hopes do not waver. “We are up for a good year,” he said. “I’m looking forward to it.” (see photo 4)

Women's Cross Country

Head Coach: Duane Gomez

Captains: Carolyn Campbell and Hildy Joseph