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Nazareth Joins ECAC West
lowly but surely the pieces are falling into place for Nazareth’s men’s ice hockey team. The Golden Flyers, set to begin intercollegiate play in fall 2012, have been accepted for membership in the ECAC West. The Golden Flyers will be the league’s sixth member, joining Elmira, Hobart, Manhattanville, Neumann, and Utica. “We think that top to bottom this is one of the top conferences in the country,” says Nazareth Head Coach George Roll. “It could be tough for us coming out of the gate, but we’re excited about the opportunity that the ECAC has given us.” “Nazareth will be an exceptional addition the ECAC Men’s West ice hockey league,” said ECAC Commissioner Rudy Keeling. “Their rich history of athletic success has paved the way for their men’s ice hockey program to be a strong contender immediately. The ECAC is excited to welcome the institution as our newest member.” With a six-team conference, each team will play a 15-game league schedule. Nazareth has a tentative 25-game schedule in place for 2012-13 with the first game October 19 vs. Geneseo. Nazareth also has finalized plans to play its home games at the 2,500-seat Sports Centre at Monroe Community College, about a 15-minute drive from the Nazareth campus. “There are a lot of plusses,” Roll says. “It’s a first-class facility that should be very accessible for visiting teams.” For a tentative 2012-13 schedule, visit athletics.naz.edu/hockey Watch the video as men’s ice hockey coach George Roll prepares for his inaugural season at go.naz.edu/ice-hockey.
Ice hockey head coach George Roll speaks to the press
Tepas Makes First-Team All-Conference in Tennis Nazareth College women’s tennis standout Alison Tepas ’14 was chosen as a firstteam Empire 8 Conference all-star for 2011. Tepas was one of six players to make first team in singles through voting by the league’s head coaches. In addition, Tepas and doubles partner Alex Vizgaitis ’13 also made first team in doubles. Vizgaitis also made second team in singles, while Christine Cary ’13 and Cara Yinger ’13 were honorable mention choices. Jennifer Crane ’12 was Nazareth’s representative as Sportswoman of the Year. Tepas, of Orchard Park, N.Y. and a graduate of Orchard Park High School, finished 10-0 in dual matches as Nazareth’s second singles player. She also finished 13-4 overall, including 8-0 against Empire 8 opponents. In doubles, Tepas and Vizgaitis combined for an 11-5 overall record, including a 6-2 mark against the Empire 8. Vizgaitis, of Fayetteville, N.Y. and a graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School, played first singles for the Golden Flyers and finished 8-9 overall with a 4-3 record in conference matches. Cary, of Selkirk, N.Y. and a graduate of Ravena-Coeymans-Selkirk High School, went 6-7 overall at third singles and 5-3 in the Empire 8. Yinger, of Fayetteville, N.Y. and a graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius, went 6-8 overall and 5-3 in conference. Alison Tepas ’14
www.naz.edu
CONNECTIONS |Spring 2012 19